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Venetian Blinds - Don't Dismiss The Old Classic


Expert Author Russell Shearer


Legend has it that the Venetian blind did not originate from Venice (Italy), but from Persia (ancient Iran). Considering how the blinds evolved in the terrain of the arid desert, this argument seems more logical than other purported origins of the Venetian blind.

The very first blinds were made of wet vertical strips of cloth to keep out suffocating dust and regulate the hot desert temperature. From there, the blinds made their way to Europe via trade relations with the then European maritime power, Venice.

Graber mini-blinds

From Italy, the blinds were exported to France and the rest of Europe by artisans who wanted to make a living in Paris. By 1841, the very first patent for adjusting the angle of the slats was awarded to American John Hampson of New Orleans.

This is a class of window treatment that is typically installed inside window recesses. Their basic function is to regulate external light and provide a screen from external prying eyes!

Venetian blinds consist of horizontal slats. The slats are either made of wood, vinyl, or aluminum, and stack neatly together when raised. They allow light to pass through when the slats are rotated, and they can be set at an angle so as to regulate the amount of light entering the room.

Venetian blinds of the past may have been more functional rather than decorative, but they have come a long way in the last few years with the unrelenting advance of technology in materials and mode of manufacture. Because these blinds tend to be on the heavy side, aluminum is the more popular choice when home owners want durable yet lightweight and easy to maintain blinds.

Design-wise, Venetian blinds have evolved to become interesting backdrops themselves, given the trend of window blind customization these days. Unlike the monochrome and bland colours of Venetian blinds of the past, choices available today are more eye-catching and complementary to the surrounding design features. They also come in a choice of slat sizes.

Browsing through a catalogue or 'Googling' the internet for window blinds can sometimes be a daunting task when you are offered an endless variety of blinds that seemingly do the same thing. If you are overwhelmed with all the choices, it's maybe safer to stick with what others have discovered,... that good old Venetian blinds still have a role to play in this day and age.

Maintenance-wise, they can be easily wiped down with a soapy sponge and then wiped dry with a towel. Or, they can be given a bath in warm, soapy water and rinsed off in the shower!

About the Author
Russell Shearer is a Contributing Editor to Blinds-UK, one of the latest online shops for effortless ordering of window blinds in the UK. Visit Blinds-UK for the latest fabrics available, and for tips and advice on how to confidently measure your windows for ordering your blinds online. Measuring and installing Venetian blinds is not difficult when you follow some simple guidelines.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Shearer



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Top 20 World Most Beautiful Living Spaces

If you are browsing internet for Home Ideas, Decoration and Remodeling Tips you are on the right place. In today’s article we collected the top 20 most beautiful living spaces around the world. I am sure you will hate your apartment after checking out the images bellow. Starting from Switzerland, across America and up to Australia, there’s no better interior designs that the ones we collected and attached in the gallery bellow. We hope you will enjoy:

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http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2GNT1c/www.ultrahome.org/top-20-world-most-beautiful-living-spaces/

Winds of Change of the Window Covering Industry


Expert Author Archana Gupta


India has changed tremendously over the last couple of decades, and this wind of change has touched the window covering industry deeply and dramatically. The most obvious change has been the increasing popularity of window blinds. Earlier the Vertical and Venetian range of blinds was limited to office use, but innovation, stylishness and variety has made them an extremely popular choice for home interiors. Not that the popularity of curtains has declined, but they are no longer the only 'chic' option for Indian households.
The blinds which were first available in limited colors, prints and designs now have the capacity to create conflict of choices between family members. If he wants a subtle shade of ecru, she may want the lovely lavender. In fact, manufacturers of window blinds can even create roller and roman blinds with materials that you have bought for your room furnishing. You can change the type of blind in every room of your house; honeycomb blinds that adjust to the weather, blackout blinds for privacy, zebra blinds that can be tilted and Shangrila blinds to control light. It's truly mind-boggling.

Those Indians brought up in the pre-liberalization era would be very impressed by the variety of chiks (traditional Indian roller-kind of blind) that the window covering industry offers. The blue chiks hanging outside windows and in balconies has given way to bamboo chiks and awnings. The shamianas, as fancy tents are called in Hindi and traditionally available only in white and red for outdoor gatherings, have given way to the modern Gazebos. Today their function is no longer limited to utility; instead, they enhance the style quotient and fashion forwardness of a home maker or a party organizer.

Even in the scope of hanging curtains, changes in the window covering industry paved the way for many businesses and brands. The change, which has been slow and steady, saw a complete shift from wooden pelmets and aluminum rods to sleek, colorful and eye-catching options. The first curtains rods to take India by storm were the Sophio Rods. They were made of mild steel in 28 mm diameter, or dia as the local industry refers to the thickness. It was just the first step that fuelled the creation of wooden, brass, aluminum, PU Coated rods in different diameters. Gold and silver plated rods were an option for the nouveau rich or those with old money not so long ago.

The winds of change have already altered the way most Indian homes do up their window coverings. But, one thing is for certain, the window styles and covering industry which is inspired by fashion and creativity will continue to change the shape, color and styles of its offerings.

The author is a consultant with Magnum Window Styles Pvt. Ltd. She has 15 years of experience in the field of window covering industry in India. She also has an extensive knowledge of the fashions and fads that have marked the growth of the industry. If you are keen to decorate or re-furbish your windows, visit http://www.magnumwindowstyles.com for a traditional as well as trendy variety waiting for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Archana_Gupta



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Beautiful Designer Bedrooms




Bedrooms come in all styles, shapes, and sizes, so how do you design your own? We've got your bedroom decorating inspiration here. With more than 80 bedrooms (and styles) to choose from, there's an idea for everyone.



By Multiple Authors


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Casual Interior Design and Venetian Blinds


Expert Author Mark Row
Rest Your Eyes and Mind with Casual Style Venetian Blinds
Casual interior design presents a fine opportunity to make your home a very comfortable, cosy and welcoming place, filled with joy and happy memories, where you can spend quality time with you family and friends, relax after a long and hard day and leave all your problems and worries behind. In order to be able to rest whenever you need or boost your energy with as much natural light as possible, you will need a special kind of window treatment which allows optimal light and privacy control. This is the place where Venetian window blinds step in.
Not only can they live up to any expectation in terms of light and privacy protection but they are also easily incorporated into casual interior design. This especially applies for wood blinds although artaficial wood ones may also provide a more economical substitution. Wood being the natural element brings about a kind of heart-warming and rustic quality which goes well with the principles of this type of decorating style.

The Calming Principle of Natural Elements and Neutral Colors
Since it is the material mostly used in people's homes, depending on the color, wood blinds can nicely match your hard wood floor or furniture in case your floor is tiled or stone. As they come in variety of shades, from very light to dark ones, the number of potential combinations is relatively high. Wood Venetian blinds can be paired with either a colorful curtain (avoid geometrical shapes) or a single colored one in a refreshing, neutral color. Valances are also very effective especially when they are attached to an extraordinary looking rods or drapery hardware.

The rest of your casual interior design should not be limiting or traditional in any way. Strict and symmetrical lines are reserved for other types of decorating styles and they are not welcome here. The accent is on soft, round or rectangle surfaces, upholstered, oversized furniture, natural elements like wood or wrought iron, antique or vintage details tastefully arranged on your wood or wrought iron bookshelves. If your furniture is closer to traditional style than casual, you can add some decorative pillows, place a slipcover (cotton or linen) over to soften the edges and make it look more comfortable and relaxing.

As for the colours, neutral tones like tan, soft beige, grey, off-white, or pastel colours provide the basis for the upcoming decorating combination. Avoid dark colours however, for the goal is to open up the space and make it look larger, and dark colors can have an oppressing effect so use them carefully and only for decoration elements. Darker shades, olive green, navy, burgundy or cranberry red for example, should be used selectively and only as details. Details in contrasting colors are immediately observed so pick only the most effective and eye pleasing strong colored ones and place them in strategic places (that is, the parts of your home you to which want to draw attention). Framed pictures on your wall or paintings depicting wonderful scenery are a valuable addition to your walls as well as the bookshelves and mirrors with wrought iron or wood rims.

To sum up, living in a stressful environment can take its toll after a while, and the beauty of casual decorating style is that it offers a lot of matching possibilities for creating a safe and relaxing atmosphere in your home. The role of window blinds in maintaining the calming effect and increasing the decorative value of your interior is not to be overlooked, so it is safe to say that Venetian blinds in a casually decorated home are a highly appreciated window dressing.

Visit Slats for more info on our beautiful selection of custom crafted Wood and Wood Effect Venetians, perfect for any interior decoration project. Our mission is to offer quality window blinds at affordable prices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Row


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435