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Age Gracefully With Vertical Blinds

January 28, 2013 Blinds Decor, Home, Vertical Blinds No comments

Vertical Blinds be of particular interest to the more mature or elderly person for a number of reasons. As we age, a process that we all reluctantly but will hopefully experience, our eye sight begins to deteriorate. As a consequence of this less light is able to penetrate the eyes, light has been linked to having an effect on our feelings, moods and sleep patterns which may make people feel more irritable, tired and consequently more miserable. These kinds of feelings are not only the reserve of those who are susceptible to the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder but can unfortunately only to easily be related to, by the more mature or elderly person. Just as light therapy has been used in the treatment of these symptoms for seasonal adjustment disorder it is also thought by some to be of use in alleviating these symptoms in the more mature and elderly person. Light enables the release of the hormone serotonin in the brain, serotonin is known to not only lift mood but also have a beneficial effect on sleep. It is known that the disturbance and lack of sleep, and sleep disorders can have an effect on memory, but is also thought that sleep can have a bearing on the amount of pain that we are sensitive to. Having aches and pains, being forgetful or having a poor memory are common complaints of many people, especially the more mature or elderly person. Whilst not curing any of these symptoms, being exposed to more light surely can only be of benefit in alleviating them.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that is provided by Sunlight, the light is absorbed through the skin and the body then converts this into this most useful vitamin. Vitamin D is useful in maintaining muscle tone and strength, something which again many, with age can relate to the loss of. When it is considered that both eyesight and muscle tone are lost it is little wonder that for many co-ordination is affected, particularly if hearing loss is also an issue.
While the body ages for many, the mind does not; therefore it should be of little surprise that when we begin to age that independence can be fiercely fought for. Any offers of advice or help can quickly be rebuffed and all parties concerned can end up feeling inadequate, humiliated and frustrated. Anything that helps not only to maintain, but also help to foster feelings of independence, should be considered.

The mechanisms of vertical blinds make the manoeuvrability and management of them easy, a definite consideration as muscle tone and strength may be lost during the ageing process. Should this continue to be an issue or of concern, motorised vertical blinds are available, removing the need to wait for, or request assistance with their adjustments, this allows a person to maintain their independence and reduce frustration. As coordination begins to be lost it is not always easy to get around, we are at more risk of tumbles and falls as we age. Long curtains that adorn many large windows, patio doors and doorways can be problematic creating a tripping hazard. Many people have to use walking aids, a wheel chair or motorised scooter. Vertical blinds are the perfect alternative as they are easily drawn back making them an ideal covering for larger windows doors and patio doors where the weight of curtains or other types of blind could be an issue. Older people can often feel lonely or isolated; having an uninterrupted view of the garden from a window where birds, nature and the seasons can be observed can bring much joy into people’s lives. The coming and goings of friends and neighbours as they go about their daily business can be seen and assist in helping to alleviate these feelings, by giving a sense of belonging and being more involved in the world and its daily events. Especially when access to the outside world and participation is made easier by independently being able to manoeuvre any aids which help with mobility, without the worry of the fabric getting caught up in walking sticks, frames or in the wheels of a wheelchair or motorised scooter.

Another great bonus in choosing to install Vertical blinds as a choice of window dressing is that they are able to reduce the amount of dust and insects that are able to enter and settle into a room when windows are open. Vertical blinds hold far less dust than many other kinds of window dressing, reducing the amount of dusting and house work that is required, anything that is able to reduce the amount of work to do is always welcome and a real bonus for anyone. On top of all of this, vertical blinds are able to change the dimensions of a room, making small rooms feel large, light and airy. This can be a real bonus for anyone who is considering downsizing their home, as many people do as they begin to age. This light airy feeling can be achieved by simply swivelling the blind, which in turn has a bearing on the amount of light that is able to come into the room. Vertical blinds also have the benefit of being partially or fully drawn to the side in a similar way to curtains, but continue to allow the window to be almost fully exposed in a similar way to roller blinds allowing the maximum of light to enter the room but have the option of offering more privacy. Something that is cherished by everyone.

How Roller Blinds Can Improve your Life

January 21, 2013 Home, Roller Blinds No comments

Roller blinds may be the blinds of preference if allowing the maximum amount of light into the room is of paramount consideration as they can be and are easily fully retracted, leaving the window completely free to allow the natural light and its warmth to embrace the room. Light releases the feel good hormone serotonin within the brain. When we have exposed ourselves to enough natural light during the day, at night the hormone melotonin is released. A hormone which is known to aid and promote restful sleep, something that we can all benefit from as sleep or the lack of can have a huge detriment on our health.

Roller blinds should not only be considered by the person who is seeking more light, as there are many health benefits in making them the choice of window dressing for the person who has Asthma or Eczema , which today are prevalent in many people’s lives. These conditions affect both the young and old alike and often go hand in hand. Asthma and Eczema are not only incredibly uncomfortable conditions that can make the sufferer feel very irritable, low and affect their sleep, they can be very distressing and even life threatening, at their best requiring variety of medications and at their worse hospitalisation.

Anything which can be done within the home to alleviate these symptoms and make life more pleasant and bearable for the sufferer should be most welcome and considered. In both of these conditions the house dust mite is answerable for a lot. It is not only the Asthma and Eczema sufferer who can benefit from choosing Roller Blinds as a window dressing.It is estimated that approximately ninety five per cent of people have some kind of reaction to these microscopic creatures, this reaction is due to a protein found in their by product. Symptoms of this can include itchy watery eyes and a general feeling of itchiness, snuffles and sneezes, problems or difficulty with breathing and feeling exhausted due to a broken night’s sleep. Dust mites particularly like to inhabit the lovely warm environment of the bed and bedroom. When you consider that the majority of people attempt an average night’s sleep of approximately eight hours that adds up to around fifty six hours a week of feeding and reproduction opportunities for these little creatures. A female adult dust mite is able to lay up to eighty eggs within its life time. Once hatched it takes one month for the mite to mature fully, which can then live up to three months.

The dust mite likes nothing better than to feed on dander.This is made of human and pet skin cells and as its name suggests lives in dust, which is mainly made up of this as well as human and pet hair, fibres and pollutants that are carried into the home through a variety of different environmental factors Due to this it would be practically impossible to remove dust and the dust mite completely from our daily lives, but the removal of heavy fabric window dressings will automatically reduce places for the dust and dust mites to settle and to make their homes.

Roller blinds are a fantastic alternative and choice of window dressing for every room in the home and they should be a particular consideration for any Asthma or Eczema sufferer, particularly when attempting to reduce the amount of dust and these pesky little creatures that are able to settle on surfaces, which then have the opportunity and are capable of causing so much distress and discomfort. When the blind is fully retracted the maximum of light is able to flood into the room and the window can be fully opened to allow the room to be aired, free from any obscurities that a fabric curtain or more fixed blind may create, which would allow dust and the dust mites that had been gathering on its surface and within its folds to be blown back into the room and consequently dust mite heaven. Dust mites have an intense dislike of light and cool fresh air. This creates a natural deterrent to the dust mite as both light and air can act as natural antiseptic and can only assist in the prevention of the dust mite taking up residence.

The flat surface of a Roller Blind holds far less dust than other forms of window dressing a definite positive when this is such an allergen to so many people. This dust can be easily removed by a light gentle vacuum or wiping with a damp cloth or sponge.
Roller Blinds should most definitely be considered by the Asthma or Eczema sufferer as a window dressing, particularly for that most sacred of sanctuaries, the bedroom, as we are aware the dust mite likes nothing more than to make its home in this warm cosy room. At night the roller blind can be closed with the knowledge that a more comfortable night’s sleep may be had, especially if the roller blind chosen has a black out finish that cuts out the light pollution that now comes with living in more urban areas.

Imagine throwing back the duvet, opening the blind and allowing the light of the day to engulf the room ,whilst bathing in the delicious warmth, enjoying the feelings that natural light has the ability to evoke. What better way to start the day!

How Roman Blinds Can Take The Pain Out Of Light Sesitivity

January 14, 2013 Blinds Decor, Home, Roman Blinds No comments

Roman blinds should be considered as a choice of window dressing by those who have a preference for fabric window adornments as they are a delightful and happy compromise between curtain and blind. Roman blinds are not as full or as heavy as a traditional curtain window dressing but continue to have some of the benefits that curtains are able to offer, primarily those of added warmth and noise reduction. This is due to the fact that Roman blinds in general, tend to be made of heavier fabrics than other blinds and are often lined. When the blind is fully dropped and closed, the panel hangs flat against the window; this then creates not only a thermal but also a noise barrier, which can be improved by choosing to have a heavier or thermal lining. It has been estimated that approximately twenty five per cent of heat from our homes may be lost through our windows; this could have a bearing on energy costs which is a definite consideration for those of us who are conscious of reducing our heating bills, particularly in today’s economic climate. Roman blinds do however reduce the amount of light that enters into a room. Depending on the fabric chosen this can reduce and almost eliminate light from a room completely, especially when the blind is fully closed.

Whilst light is usually of paramount importance to our general health and well being, releasing endorphins and the feel good hormone serotonin, conversely people can suffer from light sensitivity, particularly during headaches, or they have the misfortune to experience, but have no other option than to endure the nightmare of a migraine. It is not fully understood why light sensitivity occurs during attacks, but it is thought by some scientists that light is a possible contributor in some way to the pain that the sufferer experiences. Not only does the sufferer of migraine experience intense pain and light sensitivity, alongside these many have other debilitating symptoms such as sensitivity to noise, feelings of dizziness and nausea. It is thought that approximately fifteen per cent of people are unlucky enough to have this happen, not just on a monthly or weekly basis but on a daily one. It should not be any surprise that many suffers seek the sanctuary and comfort of a quiet, softly lit or darkened room in the attempt to alleviate their symptom and pain.

Headaches and Migraines are something that unfortunately numerous amounts of people have and are unlucky enough to be able to relate to. Much of this may be due to the busy hectic schedules, lifestyles and lives that many people lead and expose themselves to on a daily basis. The experience of feeling calm and relaxed can unfortunately feel as though it were a distant memory for many people as they rush through their hectic and stressful lives. Indeed there are several million days’ loss to stress and its associated illnesses each year.

By making the choice to have Roman blinds it is easy to create the private, calm quiet and relaxed feel and ambience that is wished for, simply by carefully considering the amount of light which is allowed to enter into the room and the effect on the feel and ambience which this is able to create. Roman Blinds can have an influence on this in in a variety of ways simply by deciding to consider which weight and type of fabric is to be used; the distance between each slat should also be a consideration. The distance and depth between each slat is an important consideration as it is this that determines the amount of fabric that is folded up into each pleat when the blind is lifted. The greater or wider the distance between each slat, the larger each of the pleats in the blind will be, this will then obscure more of the window when the blind is raised as the blind will hang lower and more of the light will be excluded from the room.

Conversely the shorter the distance between each slat, the smaller the pleats in the blind will be, allowing the blind to be raised higher, this then allows a greater amount of light to enter and bathe the room, as less of the window is covered. Roman Blinds have the ability to softly diffuse light or block it out completely, something that anyone who experiences and has sensitivity to light should welcome and appreciate. The amount of light and the effects that they create and allowed into can simply be achieved by choosing the weight of the fabric and any lining carefully. If a soft gentle sheen is sought a lighter weight of fabric should be selected, indeed a sheer fabric is able to offer privacy and diffuse any light that is entering the room having the ability to facilitate a beautiful soft gentle light that has an almost ethereal quality, warmth and beauty into the home, evoking the feelings that only natural light and its warmth has and the ability of the ambience that this is able to create, a haven, which has a calm and soothing feel, which could defy anyone not to feel relaxed in. To block out light completely, a heavier weight of fabric should be chosen and a blackout lining considered, particularly for a bedroom where many sufferers of headache and migraine retreat. Not only does a heavier fabric and lining offer more privacy and block out the light, it is also able to contribute to reducing noise levels from the outside environment penetrating the restful peace and dark retreat that is most sought.

How Wooden Venetion Blinds Can Let The Light Back Into Your life

January 7, 2013 Home, Venetian Blinds, Wood Blinds No comments

Living in this fast paced world of technology it is now even more important that when we return to our homes that we are able to feel at one with ourselves and our environment, enabling us to feel more soothed calmed and relaxed. How many people have shelves full of life style and self-help books or have visited and spent pounds on a variety of feel good therapies and products only to have been disappointed at their short term effects and swiftly moved onto the latest fad in the pursuit of their own Nirvana when the answer could simply lie within how much light that we give permission to enter our lives. Light releases the hormone serotonin within our brains, known to many as the “feel good hormone”.

Windows are the eyes to our homes and it has been said that our eyes are the windows to our souls. By allowing light and warmth to flood through our windows and into our homes we can truly enhance our own lives and well being and in doing so soothe our souls. We have all experienced the delicious feeling of bright or hazy summer days and the heady almost ethereal glow that comes along with them, feeling at one with the world and ourselves. This feeling can be recaptured throughout the passing of each season, simply by choosing the correct window dressing. Whilst many people particularly during the winter months decide to select heavier fabric window dressings, choosing to layer them in the attempt and hope of creating a warm cosy ambience, what has happened in reality is that they have succeeded in cutting out considerable amounts of light. This can give the appearance of a dull and lack lustre home not only for the majority of each day but also year, evoking the feelings that lack of light may have. This is far removed from the warm welcoming look and feel that they wished to create for themselves and their family. Allowing natural light and its warmth to flood a room, especially when the light is given the luxury of being allowed to dance off of light reflecting surfaces, alongside sumptuous soft furnishings, creates that lovely warm ambience that is so sought after, particularly in the colder months of the year.

There have been many studies and articles written on the subject of light and how it can have a beneficial effect on our daily lives. It is known that light releases the hormone serotonin within our brains, a hormone that is known to lift mood. When we have been exposed to enough light during the day the hormone serotonin is released. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to promote and aid sleep, something that we can all benefit from. Many people are affected personally and are able to relate to effects that the lack of light may have and the feelings that this can evoke, particularly in the winter when light is at its weakest and many of us get the winter blues and in its severest form, Seasonal Adjustment Disorder can begin to raise its most unpleasant and unwelcome head.

As many of us at this time of year choose to spend very little time out of doors, rather than wrapping ourselves up lovely and warm and choosing to walk the children to school or cycle to work or to the shops, which would enable us to enjoy the natural light of day and all of the health benefits that it has to offer us, it feels far more appealing to do these journeys by jumping into the car or hopping onto a bus. We then proceed to spend the majority of the day in a variety of artificially lit buildings, which severely limits the amount of natural light that we expose ourselves to. Light has been proven to have a beneficial effect, on our mood, health and well being .The lack of light in our lives can be extremely disabling as any person suffering from Seasonal Adjustment Disorder knows only too well, indeed many choose to use some form of light therapy alongside other treatments.

The lighter and brighter we are able to make our homes whilst continuing to create and embrace a warm and cosy ambience can only have a positive effect on our mood. By removing heavy fabric window dressings an replacing with blinds we are able to allow the natural light and its warmth to flood a room and enjoy all of the benefits and feelings that it can give us, especially when given the luxury of being allowed to dance off of light reflecting surfaces alongside sumptuous soft furnishings, evoking the sense of well being that we seek.

By choosing wooden Venetian Blinds this can be achieved by lifting the blind fully or simply adjusting the angle of each blind, allowing natural light and warmth to flood a room, creating the feelings that are so evocative of summer. When the evenings begin to close in, or you simply wish for more privacy, the blinds can be swiftly and easily closed cutting out cold, dark wintry evenings whilst continuing to embrace the natural warmth that wood is able to create. Making the choice to select wooden blinds as a dressing for windows brings its own rewards as their natural warmth and beauty will enhance any room, thus creating the warm welcoming ambience that is being so pursued.

Understated Elegance Doesn’t Have to be Expensive – Updating Your Living Room on a Budget

October 15, 2012 Blinds Accessories, Blinds Decor No comments

Your living room is at the heart of your home. It should look as appealing as possible, so that each member of the family will want to spend time there and guests will feel welcome. If your living room is in need of an upgrade, there are several ways in which you can make improvements without spending a lot of money.

First of all, set a total budget for your living room makeover. Next, write a list of everything you would like to change, together with the approximate cost of each update. If you find that the total exceeds your budget, you may need to look for less expensive options in sales, on eBay, or on other websites whose prices are often lower than those of traditional retailers.

When updating your living room on a budget, consider each of the following important elements so that your upgrade is a comprehensive as possible.

Walls

If you already have neutral walls, the best option is to leave them as they are. If necessary, you could give them a new coat of paint. Before shopping for new paint, see if you can use paint that is already stored in your shed or garage.

If you think that your neutral walls look too boring but cannot afford to re-paint the whole room, you could choose one wall as an accent wall. When choosing an accent wall, look for a wall that includes a prominent architectural feature such as a fireplace. Then, either paint or wallpaper this wall only. Attention will be drawn to the accent wall and it will become the focal point of the room.

On the accent wall, well-chosen wallpaper with a textured pattern would add interest, texture and atmosphere to the room. To create a restful atmosphere, paint or wallpaper the accent wall in a shade of purple.

If your living room walls are painted in a colour that you cannot live with, you will definitely need to invest time and money in re-painting them. Look for paint that has been reduced in the sales or online. Choose a neutral colour, such as white or caramel, so that you will not need to change it every time you update the rest of your living room.

Floor

If you have a carpeted floor, you could add one or more rugs, perhaps to cover areas where the carpet is in less than perfect condition.

Rugs also look good on a hardwood floor, so replace rugs that are past their best or add one or two new rugs.

If you have a predominantly neutral décor, consider adding a splash of colour with a colourful rug, such as a red or orange rug. Alternatively, choose a rug in a colour that will blend in with your neutral colour scheme. A black and white rug, for example, looks stunning in a room decorated in shades of white with touches of contrasting black.

Windows

Do your current window coverings blend in with the décor of your living room or do they look out-of-place or dated? If so, it could be time to replace old curtains with a new, stylish blind. Choose a blind that fits in well with the look of your living room.

Wood blinds look great in rooms with lots of neutral colours and/or wooden furniture and flooring. Choose a wood finish that reflects the finish of your wooden furniture and floor.

Venetian blinds are a good option for a contemporary living room. If you have decorated the room in neutral colours, consider adding a Venetian blind with an eye-catching colourful metallic finish to make your window into the focal point of your living room. This is especially a good idea if you have a large window. If you have bay windows, you could cover each one with a vibrant Venetian blind to make the bay window the room’s most attention-grabbing feature.

If you have a more traditional living room, roller blinds or Roman blinds provide a good alternative to long, heavy curtains. They take up less space and allow you to control the amount of light entering the room. If you have street lights outside your window, choose a roller or Roman blind lined with a blackout material so that you can block out all of the outside light in the evening.

Furniture

If you don’t have enough money in your budget to buy new furniture, make the most of your existing furniture by re-arranging it.

Placing sofas against the walls can make a living room seem smaller than it is. Therefore, if you have enough space, leave a gap between the walls and the sofas in order to make your living seem more spacious.

If you have an open-plan living room that is also used for dining and perhaps also for other purposes, such as a home office, it is important to create clearly defined areas for each purpose. Separate each area by placing an item of furniture, such as a shelving unit, between it and its neighbouring area.

Once you have re-arranged your furniture, test the new layout for at least a few days to see if it works in practice. If not, try again with a different layout. Sometimes the most unlikely arrangements work the best.

Ask yourself if you have enough storage space in your living room. If your collections of books, CDs or DVDs are becoming too big for their current locations, consider installing floor-to-ceiling shelving or purchasing one or two large bookcases or shelving units. Placing a bookcase in an alcove on each side of the fireplace not only looks elegant but it is a good use of space too.

Lighting

Lighting is not only used for practical purposes in your living room. Carefully chosen lights and lamps can create a calming, restful atmosphere, so think of ways in which you can improve the lighting in your living room.

For example, if your ceiling lighting is a little on the bright side, consider installing a dimmer switch, which will make it easy for you to adjust the lighting from bright to subdued as needed.

Add a few lamps next to sofas and chairs so that people can use them when they are reading. Leaving the ceiling light off and just putting on one or two lamps can also created a peaceful ambiance in your living room.

Accessories

Replacing cushions, throws, vases, mirrors and other accessories is a relatively inexpensive way of adding colour, interest and texture to your living room.

If you have a neutral living room, you can add colour with accessories and change the colour whenever you wish. Choose just one colour and add accessories in different shades of this colour. For example, you could create a restful feel in a neutral living room by adding plum cushions, a lilac throw and mauve vases.

By improving your wall, floor and window coverings, re-arranging your furniture, and adding new accessories and lighting, you can upgrade your living room quickly and easily without spending a lot of money. Your family and friends will be amazed by the transformation and only you will know how much it cost.

From Ancient Rome to Victorian England – The History of Roman Blinds and Roller Blinds

October 8, 2012 Roller Blinds, Roman Blinds No comments

Over many centuries, Roman blinds and roller blinds have covered all kinds of windows, from unglazed windows in Ancient Rome to elegant panes in Victorian England. They are still extensively used around the world for decorative and practical purposes.

The Origins of Roman Blinds

Around two thousand years ago, in ancient Rome, at the time when such historic structures as the Coliseum and the Forum were being built, the air was filled with dust. This was not only caused by the carving of stone but also by dust being thrown into the air as horse-drawn carts moved quickly over the cobblestone roads.

So, the ancient Romans were looking for a way to prevent dust from entering their homes through their windows which were not covered with glass. In the hot, Mediterranean climate, they also wanted to keep their homes as cool as possible.

The first Roman blinds were created when the Romans began to cover their windows with wet cloths to prevent dust, heat and sunlight from entering their homes. Unlike today’s Roman blinds, no cords were used to raise and lower the cloths. They were simply replaced at the windows.

In time, the window cloths became more decorative. The ancient Romans liked to decorate their homes with colourful pottery and elaborate mosaic floors, so it was not surprising that they began to decorate their window cloths with colours and patterns.

Since then, Roman blinds have undergone several stages of development but they are still used as decorations and to prevent light and dust from entering a room.

The Origins of Roller Blinds

Roller blinds do not have as long a history as Roman blinds but they have been used for almost 300 years.

‘Scotch Holland Roller Blinds’ originated in the early 1700s. They were made from Holland linen, which came from the Netherlands. The fabric was first produced in Glasgow, Scotland, by James Louis Robertson and John King, hence the name ‘Scotch Holland.’

Before being used to make roller blinds, the durable Holland linen fabric was bleached, dyed and starched. It was then dried and pounded by solid wood bars. The whole production process lasted around ten days.

The first roller blinds made from Scotch Holland linen did not have a spring mechanism. Instead, when the blind was closed, the fabric lay in folds on the window ledge. To open the blind, you had to pull on a cord which was attached to a top rod. To secure the open blind, you wound the cord around a cleat.

Scotch Holland roller blinds had a wooden batten at the top and a wooden bottom bar that was sewn into the fabric. The side hems were sewn by hand to stop them from fraying. Brass pins were fixed into each end of the wooden roller and the roller blind was fixed to the wall by means of small brass flanges.

Scotch Holland fabric continued to be manufactured in Scotland using traditional methods until the 1980s.

The ‘spring roller window shade’ was invented in the USA in the 1800s. The original design was patented by the father, uncle and brother of Stewart Hartshorn, who, together with his father, started the Stewart Hartshorn Company. This company initially manufactured the ‘spring roller window shades’ in New York, moving production to East Newark, New Jersey in 1872.

In 1864, Stewart Hartshorn patented an improved design using a ratchet and gravity pawl. This spring roller window shade was the forerunner of today’s roller blinds as it used a spring mechanism to allow fabric to be rolled up or down. The spring roller window shade became very popular in America and several other production plants were opened in the early twentieth century.

Meanwhile, in Victorian England, the ‘Tidmarsh Patent Action Spring Roller’ for roller blinds was patented by the British company, Tidmarsh, in the 1880s. Today, the company still exists and uses the same mechanism for historically authentic roller blinds used in National Trust properties and other historic buildings.

Roman blinds and roller blinds still enhance the windows of many homes in Italy, Scotland, the USA, England, and other countries. As in Ancient Rome, they can block out sunlight and prevent dust from entering a room through an open window. As in Victorian England, they provide a stylish addition to a room’s elegant décor. It is not surprising that Roman blinds and roller blinds have survived so long.

Creating a Calm Oasis – Tips for Decorating in a Minimalist Style

October 1, 2012 Blinds Decor, Home, Venetian Blinds No comments

Minimalism means stylish simplicity. In 1452, Leonardo da Vinci, who was ahead of his time in many ways, stated: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” This idea was taken further in 1886 by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who said: “Less is more.” More recently, in the twentieth century, the designer, Buckminster Fuller, described minimalism as “doing more with less.”

Minimalist interiors are fresh, simple and uncluttered. Only essential items of furniture and a small number of well chosen accessories are on display. A minimalist room is usually decorated in neutral tones with or without a splash of colour. Minimalist design incorporates straight lines, low furniture, and hard surfaces. More than one texture, such as velvet, leather or fur, is added to soften the overall appearance of the room.

If you like the look of simple yet stylish minimalist interiors in magazines, how can you achieve the same look in your own home? Here are some tips for decorating in a minimalist style.

Choose a neutral colour scheme. Minimalist interiors usually feature a neutral colour scheme. This means that the walls, ceiling, and floor are decorated in shades of white, cream, beige, brown or grey.

White gives a room a light, airy and spacious feel but if you believe that it looks too stark, you could add some black accessories for a striking contrast. For example, a wood blind with painted black slats or a matching pair of black vases would look stunning in a room decorated in shades of white.

Shades of grey and silver go well together to produce an interesting yet neutral room. Alternatively, you could liven up a room decorated in beige with some gold accessories.

You can also brighten up a neutral colour scheme with a single bold touch of colour, such as fuchsia, turquoise or orange. A brightly-coloured Venetian blind with a metallic finish would add a bold statement to a room decorated in neutral colours. However, do not over-do it. Just choose one bright colour to add to an otherwise neutral room.

Choose a focal point in each room. The focal point of a room is its most prominent feature. It should draw your eye as soon as you enter the room. The focal point of a room can be a sofa, a bed, a painting, a window blind or an architectural feature, such as a fireplace, a picture window or an ornate ceiling.

The focal point will stand out more if it has a colour that contrasts with the rest of the room’s décor. For example, a black leather sofa looks stunning in a living room decorated entirely in shades of white.

In a minimalist bedroom, a luxurious leather bed can provide a good focal point. It can be complemented by a wooden floor and a wood blind at the window which both reflect the neutral colour of the bed.

Choose modern furniture with straight lines. Choose simple, unfussy items of furniture with straight lines, for example, a leather sofa with straight legs, a rectangular coffee table, a square rug, or a platform bed.

Furniture made from stainless steel and/or glass looks good in a minimalist room as it reflects the light. For example, a glass-topped rectangular coffee table with straight, stainless steel legs would be a good addition to a minimalist living room.

Wooden furniture can look good in a minimalist room if it has a light-coloured finish. Avoid choosing furniture with a dark-coloured wood finish as it will not fit in with the light, uncluttered atmosphere that you are trying to create.

Avoid patterned fabrics unless you are making one bold statement in the midst of an otherwise neutral room.

Keep items on display to a minimum and cluster them together in pairs or groups. Minimalist homes are free from clutter. They are the opposite of homes that are laden with ornaments, bric-a-brac and everyday items, such as keys, newspapers and shoes.

Consequently, only a few, well-chosen items should be on display in each minimalist room. When displaying these items, balance is important. For example, a pair of matching vases on either side of the fireplace looks stunning, while a small collection of framed photographs in one area of the room keeps the fussiness to a minimum.

Add texture. Accessories with different textures add an extra dimension to a minimalist room. Choose a fake-fur throw for your bed, a deep pile wool rug for your living room, or silk cushions for your sofa. A roller blind with a textured pattern adds extra depth and interest to a neutrally decorated, minimalist bedroom or living room.

The industrial designer, Dieter Rams, described minimalism as “less but better.” Bear this in mind as you design and decorate a light, spacious, neutral-coloured room with as few well-chosen objects as possible. Do not forget to include a focal point and at least one or two different textures. Once it is completed, your minimalist room will be an oasis of calm in the midst of a fast-paced world.

From Persia to Philadelphia – The History of Venetian Blinds

September 24, 2012 Venetian Blinds No comments

Venetian blinds have adorned windows in Western countries for more than 250 years but where did they originate? Their early history is quite obscure but there are some clues to their origins.

The history of Venetian blinds can be traced back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians who made window coverings from reeds that were tied together. The Chinese tied lengths of bamboo together in a similar way to make window coverings.

Venetian blinds are named after the city of Venice in Italy. It is said that traders and merchants from Venice had seen similar blinds whilst travelling in Persia between 1100 and 1500.

In the late Middle Ages former slaves moved from Venice to France and began to make Venetian blinds there. In French, Venetian blinds are known as ‘les persiennes,’ reflecting their origins in Persia.

According to the Dictionary of National Biography, Gowin Knight was awarded a patent for ‘dwarf Venetian blinds’ in 1760.

The British designer, Edward Beran, later registered a patent for Venetian blinds in London in December 1769. These consisted of wooden slats within a frame. They could be adjusted to vary the amount of light entering a room. They were initially used to cover Italianate windows, so this may be another reason why they are called ‘Venetian’ blinds.

It appears as if wooden Venetian blinds were introduced in the USA at around the same time. They were installed in St Peter’s Church in Philadelphia in 1761, according to the book “Venetian Blinds” by Thomas French, published in 1941.

John Webster, who was an upholsterer from London, England, began selling ‘wooden Venetian sun blinds’ at his shop in Philadelphia in 1767.

Wooden Venetian blinds became popular in colonial America because curtain fabric had to be imported from England and was subject to a large tax.

The mechanism for adjusting the angle of the horizontal slats in a Venetian blind was patented in the USA by John Hampson of New Orleans in 1841. This mechanism is still in use today.

Venetian blinds made from aluminium were introduced in 1936. They were manufactured by Kirsch, which also made wooden Venetian blinds from cedar and basswood.

Venetian blinds were very popular in New York in the 1930s in both homes and offices. In 1936, Venetian blinds worth US$210 million went on the market in New York City, according to the book “Made in the USA: The History of American Business” by Thomas V. DiBacco.

In 1946, mass-produced aluminium blinds were introduced by Hunter Douglas. By 1947, Hunter Douglas had developed a network of over 1,000 distributors in North America. The distributors sold the blinds during the day and assembled them according to the requirements of their customers during the evening and night.

Aluminium Venetian blinds were modified in the 1970s, when mini-blinds with narrow, 2.5cm wide slats were introduced.

Today, wooden Venetian blinds are installed in such famous buildings as the White House, the Empire State Building and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. In fact, illustrations show that Venetian blinds were installed there when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

As well as being a feature of the windows of famous buildings, Venetian blinds also adorn the windows of many homes, large and small, in many different countries worldwide. They remain a popular window covering today because they look good but are also highly functional, allowing people to control exactly how much or how little light enters a room.

Renting Basics: Know Your Limits When It Comes to Decorating an Apartment

September 17, 2012 Blinds Decor, Home No comments

One of the joys of owning a home is being able to decorate it exactly how you want and turning it into a reflection of yourself and your style.

Unfortunately, this is a privilege people who rent apartments can’t always enjoy. When you sign a rental agreement, you are agreeing to abide by the rules and conditions set by the owner of the apartment or house. Sometimes, these conditions prevent you from making decorative changes to the place, such as repainting the walls, installing a new patio, adding new furniture, or putting up new walls.

Of course, your actual limitations will depend on what the property owner has decided in the contract. Some owners are quite lenient and will give the renter substantial allowance and freedom to make modifications to the house. Others, however, tend to be very strict, allowing only the most minor adjustments after they have reviewed the plans. Overstepping your decorating limitations may lead to social and legal conflicts between you and your landlord. If the contract proves you have in fact gone beyond your limits, you will be required to pay a certain fee or you may even face eviction. In order to avoid such inconveniences, be aware of what your boundaries are when it comes to redesigning and redecorating the apartment you are renting.

In general, renters are allowed to decorate their home to their heart’s content as long as no permanent changes to the structure of the house are made. For instance, you may hang as many pictures as you want provided that they agree to patch up the holes made by the nails and repaint the wall surface when your lease is up. You may also be allowed to put up shelves and other pieces of furniture as long as no walls are damaged or taken down. There are also some cases where the contract forbids you to do a certain decorating project but the owner eventually changes his mind and gives you permission. In such situations, you should always secure a written and signed permit from the owner stating the fact. This will prevent any confusion should conflicts arise and serve as proof that you do have permission to proceed with your project.

Generally speaking, most property owners will allow renters to make changes to the place as long as these changes are reversible. Technically speaking, this should include painting the walls. However, a lot of owners are hesitant to let renters repaint the walls because it is not always possible to change it back to the exact original colour afterwards. The same goes with installing new shelving and appliances. Although the lease agreement or rental contract should ideally contain all the possible scenarios regarding a renter’s decorating questions, there might still be a few issues that are inadvertently missed. If you are ever in doubt, all you have to do is ask the owner. If you manage to get permission, put it in writing and have it signed. Never proceed without a written permit because this will serve as your protection should legal conflicts arise.

Keys to Helping Your Teen Choose Her Bedroom Paint Colour

September 10, 2012 Blinds Decor, Home No comments

Helping your preteen or teen daughter redecorate her bedroom might be a frightful experience!

As the age group’s concept of what they want, vary as much as their moods. Choosing an agreeable paint colour might lead to World War III if you envision a different look than your child does.

Narrowing down a theme and colour choice is often difficult, if your teen is immersed in multiple contemporary images of current trends thrown at her through the media. Colours and themes of interest to your teen, might range from vampire black and red to Disney Princess colours. Your teen may vacillate between wanting a wall plastered with posters of rock bands and one plastered with Tinker Bell and Prima Ballerinas.

Some teens tend to “want it all”, while realistic parents who like a sense of order in their décor, prefer minimalism. The idea of removing some of her old favourite items may be met with angst and rebellion. The idea of taking down her preschool days “no-touch” shelf and putting away pictures from the television shows she liked when she was nine, might send her over the edge. Of course, because the final painting and accessories will most likely be out of your pocketbook, she will eventually need to compromise or the renovation will never begin.

Here are a few guidelines that may help you and your teen make some decisions:

Gaining Ideas

If you don’t intend to purchase new bedding, the simplest way to choose your paint colour is to choose one that is in the existing fabric. Of course, you could also choose a contrasting colour. Chances are a teen has a blue stripped bedspread, but wants a purple room. Or perhaps she likes lime green but has a turquoise bedspread. Contrasting colours can work if you add pillows, draperies, throws or artwork that blend the two.

She might also get paint colour inspiration from some of her favourite items in the room; perhaps a book cover, poster background, or piece of clothing has an enticing colour combination.

Once she narrows down a colour family, a little more research is needed. She may know she wants purple in the made-over room but purple runs from shades of lilac and hints of periwinkle blue to plum and dark purple. Looking at pictures of bedrooms in magazines and catalogues or scrolling through online images of bedrooms, are helpful ways to narrow down the right colour tone. Make sure you consider what flooring and trim are in the photos compared to what is in the bedroom you’ll be redoing. Often, white trim will help certain colours pop, but put against dark wood flooring or trim, the same colour becomes drab.

The themes set out in the photos can also help. There’s an obvious difference between contemporary and vintage looks. If she likes a storybook theme, would it be modern mystery or fantasy and fairies? Does she like a sporty look or does she hope to share her room with teen movie paraphernalia? Depending on what she plans to add as accessories and what mood she wants to create, some colour combinations may work better than others.

Buying Your Paint

Gather all the pictures, fabric samples and other items you’ve collected and put them together in a group to see how they blend. Then visit your paint store, to find the right colour. Ask a paint store assistant for input, but in the end choose what works for you.

Paint chips and small jars of paint samples can be taken home to test within a room’s light, before you invest in large quantities of paint.

No matter what happens next regarding draperies, area rugs or accessories, the right paint colour will set the stage. With a little planning and a lot of negotiating, you and your teen can create a wonderful teen getaway and live to enjoy it!

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