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Editorial
It's
Not Just a Blind
This month we pay a little tribute to horizontal and vertical
blinds—two of the products that have gotten many manufacturers,
fabricators, suppliers, dealers and decorators where they are today.
With all the interest in shutters these days, it’s easy to
forget about blinds and to think of them as just another commodity.
But let’s not give blinds the short shrift.
Whether horizontal or vertical—or anywhere in between—blinds
are timeless classics. There are good reasons for this. Blinds provide
excellent light control from soft right down to room darkening.
With constant refinement and improvement to hardware, they offer
quality, long life and low maintenance. Cordless lift systems make
horizontal blinds even easier and safer to use. The colors, textures
and materials offered today make them attractive from inside and
outside the home. They are the most versatile of window coverings,
working well with many styles of interiors and over time. They can
be the sole window covering or the fundamental, functioning layer
of a much more elaborate treatment.
Rarely do we stop to consider the historical perspective of these
treatments. Horizontal and vertical blinds have been used at windows
since the dawn of architecture, going back perhaps to the ancient
Egyptians who used horizontal slats as screening devices to control
the intensity of the desert sun.
Yet, they’ve come a long way, too. Today, blinds have been
wrapped, shaped, curved and textured. They are made from PVC, aluminum,
wood, composites and cloth. More often they are being motorized.
And still they remain the top sellers in just about every market
and are as common in homes as in commercial or professional spaces.
Let’s start our appreciation of blinds on page 28 as Karla
Nielson offers her unique and thoughtful design perspective. From
there, move on to this month’s Portfolio—seven pages of
room-setting photographs that illustrate blinds definitely have
not lost their design touch. Then jump to page 50 for a quick look
at the newest vertical blind offerings from top manufacturers.
Yes, there are a lot of cheaply made blinds designed for the quick
sale and short-term use. But let’s not toss all blinds into
the same bin. Selling a quality horizontal or vertical blind that
fits a customer’s needs and lifestyle can be the first sale
in a long-lasting relationship. Blinds have a lot to offer, and
in return have offered a lot to us.
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