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Venetian blinds, or as they’re sometimes called, window blinds, are composed of thin slats of aluminum, plastic or other material that overlap when closed to block out light. The dry definition of Venetian blinds
doesn’t even hint at the history and utility – not to mention subtle
drama - of these versatile window coverings. Venetian blinds are, as
the definition states, thin slats of material that are strung on a
string ‘ladder’ and fitted with an adjuster that allows you to vary the
tilt and angle of the slats. It’s this adjustment mechanism more than
anything else that makes window blinds ‘Venetian’ blinds.
The use
of slatted blinds can be traced back to Roman and Greek times. In
Pompeii, for instance, archaeologists have uncovered homes that have
fixed marble slats in the window openings. It wasn’t till about 1760,
though, that window blinds that could be adjusted by tilting the slats
came into more popular use. These were probably a variation on window
shutters, with wooden slats that could be adjusted by virtue of a thin
strip of wood affixed to each slat. In 1841, John Hampson of New
Orleans patented a method of adjusting the tilt of Venetian blind slats
that is still the most used method of stringing Venetian blinds in use
today. Did I say ‘subtle drama’ above? Venetian blinds have been
used in art since they first became popular, though their presence in a
composition might be so subtle that it goes unnoticed. Venetian blinds
are a staple in film noir to suggest drama, tension and secrecy. The
patterned shadows cast by light through half-opened Venetian blinds has
been part of the composition of award-winning photos in both color and
black and white, and used by painters to add interest to portraits and
abstracts. In your rooms, those same shadow patterns can cast a
subliminally noticed ‘spell’ over the room. Those patterns are a
function of the way that the Venetian blind slats are tilted.
Typically, we think of Venetian blinds as being open – with the slats
fully horizontal to allow in the most light – or closed, with the slats
tightly overlapping to block out the light. But various angles of tilt
serve different purposes, many of which have been lost in the years
since Venetian blinds were a means of heat control as well as light and
privacy control. Tilt your Venetian blinds up to reflect light toward
the ceilings in summer, for instance, and you’ll find your rooms are up
to ten degrees cooler than if you had the blinds completely closed.
Tilt them down toward to conserve heat by aiming the light toward the
floor and the heat will warm the room as it rises. Venetian
blinds are available today in a wide variety of colors and materials.
You can choose vinyl or PVC blinds to accent or contrast with your
walls and furnishings, plain white aluminum Venetian blinds
for a classic ‘office’ look, or faux wood Venetian blinds to warm any
room with the natural ambience of wood grains and patterns. Whatever
patterns and styles you choose, though, when you choose Venetian blinds
(which are traditionally less expensive than many other window blinds),
you are choosing a window covering with a long and varied history.
Enjoy adding that subtle touch of drama to your home.
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