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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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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


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Venetian Blinds or Vertical Blinds


Expert Author Mark Row


Similarities and Differences
Making the right choice between Venetian blinds and vertical blinds (especially for those of you unacquainted with these types of window treatments) can be simplified with this detailed comparison review. The variety of window covering types offered on the market today can, indeed, be a cause of confusion. People searching for the most functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing window treatment have to approach the matter very seriously if they want to be certain that the choice they make satisfies their needs. One has to consider not only the aesthetical value of Venetian or vertical blinds, but also some other aspects before heading to the nearest home depot.

Venetian window blinds, also known as horizontal blinds, consist of a set of horizontal slats connected with a string ladder and pull cords. Their easy lift system allows you to lower or lift them without effort. Rotating slats, which you can position at any angle (up and down), serve to protect the inside of your rooms from curious passers-by and the damaging influences of sun rays to the delicate surfaces of your furniture.
Vertical window blinds consist of a set of vertical vanes (louvers, panels, slats), which can be traversed from the left to the right side of your window or vice versa (depending on the side of your chain mechanism). Vanes can also be rotated from left to right.

Venetian blinds and Vertical blinds standoff

APPEARANCE
The natural, warm and refined look of wood and wood effect Venetian blinds is one of the main reasons they are considered a timeless and very classy choice of window covering. Different shades of brown and white make them adaptable to any decorating style and easy to combine with a large spectre of colors.
Vertical ones, depending on the material they are made of, come in different colors and patterns. In accordance with your personal aesthetic criteria, they can add a dose of elegance, liveliness and style to your decor.

MATERIALS
Venetians can be made of wood, faux wood, vinyl or aluminium. The quality of wood blinds, along with their closest supplement faux wood blinds, is the main reason for their high ranking among all the types of window treatments.
A range of materials starting from natural to synthetic is used for this type of window treatment. Natural materials include cotton and wood while the synthetic ones include polyester and PVC. According to the individual characteristics of each of these materials, vertical blinds can be more or less energy efficient, durable, easily maintained etc.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Wood and faux wood have proved to be very efficient insulators. Thanks to this addition to your windows, the level of energy efficiency in your home is very likely to rise while the amount of money you spend on your bills decreases. In addition, thanks to their moisture resistance ability, they are a safe option for your kitchen and bathroom where the condensation levels are pretty high.

The materials used for making vertical window blinds determine their energy efficiency levels. Although the vanes are treated with protective covering (those made of fabric), there is still a chance of mould appearance. PVC has shown a better performance in high condensation areas than the fabric ones.

MAINTENANCE
Regular maintaining of both Venetian and vertical blinds might prolong their lifespan and provide a neat and clean appearance of your windows. Occasional dusting of wood blinds is enough to remove dirt (vacuum cleaner with the part designed for treating the upholstered furniture). For a more detailed cleaning, wiping slats with a sponge soaked in water and a mild detergent should be sufficient.
Since the fabrics tend to attract a lot of dirt and dust, it is possible to wash them (check the labels on the back to see if this option is possible). More sensitive fabrics must be dry cleaned or steam washed. PVC blinds are easily cleaned with a sponge and water but the tricky part (as with the Venetians) is cleaning each vane separately which takes some time.

DURABILITY
Venetian window blinds are very durable. Their slats are can be more or less rigid and bendable, but they are still very hard to break.
Small children and pets present a potential danger to vertical window treatments in your home. They may easily tear the fabric blinds thus making their change inevitable. PVC blinds are more durable and not as easy to damage as the fabric ones which also applies to the wood blinds.

PRICE
Venetians are a more expensive option, but their durability and other advantages compensate for their higher price. A less expensive option is faux wood, similar in appearance to wood but more moisture resistant and slightly more energy efficient.

Prices may vary from more to less expensive, cheaper vertical blinds depending on the chosen material.
The choice is yours, and hopefully, it is an easy choice to make!

Visit Discount Blind Centre for more info on Venetian and Vertical Blinds. Our mission is to offer quality window blinds at discounted prices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Row


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The Benefits of Roller Blinds


Window coverings significantly impact both the style and mood of a room. Whether you want to achieve a modern, sophisticated design or a classic, elegant design, window coverings are a focal feature that set the decorating tone of a room. Many contemporary designs are offset with window blinds because they are functionally appropriate for different rooms, they can match any budget, and they are stylish. Roller blinds have been popular since the 1970s and the modern types provide an attractive addition to any room while providing flexibility, ease of operation, and durability. Indeed, there are many benefits associated with these blinds.

First and foremost, roller blinds today are aesthetically pleasing. They offer clean, simple lines that are flush to the window or wall where they are mounted. Unlike traditional window coverings, these blinds eliminate excess fabric and thereby contribute to a modern aesthetic. Because of their simplicity, these blinds fit closely to the window so they blend easily in to any room's décor. Furthermore, they are available in a wide range of colours and fabrics including translucent fabrics, sun-screening fabrics, and even black-out fabrics. This means the designer has an incredible degree of creativity when choosing roller blinds for a room. In fact, the versatility of colours, patterns, and fabrics mean that roller blinds can also be chosen to match the existing design of a room.

Another benefit of roller blinds is their flexibility. Obviously there are a range of styles that allow them to be matched to any design palate, but they're functionally flexible as well. Again, due to the wide range of fabrics and materials that roller blinds can be constructed from, these blinds are suitable for just about any room. You can install these in bathrooms, children's rooms, living spaces, and kitchens - they are an appropriate fit for any situation. Some homeowners may even choose a dual a roller blind wherein two blinds are installed on the same mount. For example, you may want complete control over the amount of light that enters a room. In this case, you can install dual sun-screening blinds and black-out blinds; sun-screen blinds allow light to pass while blocking glare and UV rays, while black-out blinds are impenetrable to light.

Roller blinds ease of operation and durability also make them a popular choice for home and business owners. Because they feature a range of operating systems from spring assisted or chain drive to fully motorized, they are a great fit in any room. They open and close easily, and with motorized blinds you can control all blinds from a central location. Plus, these blinds are especially durable as they feature strong steel tubes, high quality fabrics, and rigorously tested operating systems. Roller blinds are an attractive and lasting covering for your windows.

Find out more about the many types of blinds at Arlene's Interiors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Pupkin


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