Window blinds

Those plain blinds that were so much a part of our grandmothers' lives have given way to the beauty and panache of blinds that are laminated with attractive fabrics, insulating blinds or blinds made of wood, natural fibres or fabrics that are coordinated with those used on furniture or bed covers.
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Laminated blinds
Insulating blinds
Wood blinds
Fabric blinds
Natural-fibre blinds

Laminated blinds

If traditional roller blinds adorned with decorative tape or trimming material and finished with a tassel still exist, they likely survive with the help of interesting patterns and tone on tone colours. Some manufacturers even give the buyer the option of laminating blinds with the fabric of their choice. A good blend of opacity and originality, such blinds are often used in children's rooms. You should also know that all models can be fitted with a roller mechanism that can be activated by simple finger pressure.

Insulating blinds

Made of synthetic materials, they are designed to filter the sun's rays and may, depending on the model, be more or less opaque. They are often used on large windows that are exposed to the afternoon sun and which, as a result, may let in excessive heat.

Wood blinds

Also capable of being fitted with a roller mechanism, wood blinds are made of 1- to 2-in. slats that can be adorned with decorative tape. Some manufacturers offer thicker bevelled slats which create a louvered effect. A judicious choice of wood (oak, maple, cherry or hemlock), clear or knotty, and an unlimited choice of colours combine to allow perfect mixing and matching of blind and room decor. Wood blinds can be fitted with three types of roller mechanisms: string, chain or tactile, a system that reacts to simple pressure applied to the bottom of the blind to raise it without strings or chains, and is very safe for children.

Fabric blinds

People choose them because they allow more or less unhindered access to windows, and provide just the right amount of opacity. They can be divided into two categories: commercial and home-made. The first category includes the traditional fabric vertical blind which in turn includes the Serenette blind, made of differently pleated slats that provide varying degrees of transparency.

Beehive, Silhouette or Florentine blinds (a combination of horizontal blind and plein-jour drape) also offer interesting possibilities in terms of transparency and lightness.
Roman-type window coverings that combine transparent fabrics and surface mouldings, as do blinds, can give a room an aura of sensual delight, chic and softness.

Among the blinds you can make yourself, and for which there are more and more patterns, Roman, Austrian and balloon blinds are very much in style. Generally opaque, they are usually made of cotton, linen or other fabric coordinated to the decor.

Natural-fibre blinds

Roman blinds made of natural fibres (or imitations of natural fibres), made to measure by various manufacturers are among the preferred of the newer products. They can take on the texture of wood slats, straw, tortoiseshell or bamboo. Or, if you are looking for a different, more flexible style, you should consider raffia (from palm leaves), linseed fibre or reeds.
The blind and shade market is in constant evolution. Check out the latest products and innovations now in stores.
Happy shopping!
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