A man’s humble home is his luxurious castle, and since the days of the castle-keep are long gone, everyone likes to have a bit of privacy while at home. The best way to ensure that you have maximum privacy is to purchase and install window treatments.
Window treatments vary in style, shape, and color, but often, these come in the form of some type of shade or set of blinds. Vertical blinds are popular among homeowners, particularly for large “picture frame” or bay windows, as they are generally large and cover a broader area than most conventional blinds or shades.
Here we’ll explore the unique history of blinds, many of which can still be found on the market today.
History of Blinds
Throughout history, people have sought safety in their shelters, along with privacy. Originally, windows weren’t covered with glass at all. They were open areas used for ventilation and to allow the sun to warm the inside of the home. Still, people throughout the ages used blinds, or forms of curtains to cover windows and doorways to keep out dust, protect from weather, and to reduce heat from the sun.
Many experts agree that blinds were perhaps first used in Ancient Egypt, Persia, and China. Archaeological excavations have unearthed material thought to be used for blinds in all three cultures.
Most notably in Egypt and in many other desert communities, written proofs were found. The record indicates that thick strips of cloth and sheets were explicitly made for keeping out windswept sand.
Additionally, desert villagers would wet or moisten the cloth to better catch dust and sand particles that were continually being blown in.
It wasn’t until the 1700’s that the most popular style of blinds came to use. This practice included the use of vertical blinds, but the most common are Venetian blinds.
Venetian Blinds
Though the Persians used blinds similar to that of Venice, the term “Venetian blinds” came to fruition because the blinds were introduced to European culture near Venice, Italy. Henceforth they became Venetian blinds even though this wasn’t their location of origin.
The popularity of Venetian blinds swept throughout Europe in the 1700s, and during this time, these blinds were made from a variety of materials, most common were thin pieces of wood.
It wasn’t until 1841 that a man by the name of John Hampson of New Orleans, Louisiana invented a system of cordage that made Venetian blinds with angle controls. This method allowed the owner to control the amount of light he wanted to pass through the slats.
Today, the Venetian blinds remain mostly unchanged as far as functionality is concerned, though now they are made predominantly from plastic.
Blinds Today
No matter your stylistic choice, pretty window blinds can now be found to suit all preferences. They are made in any color imaginable in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit any window.
Whether you prefer vertical, Roman or Venetian, or wood, plastic, faux wood, vinyl, or even glass, blinds can be made out of all sorts of materials and function in any way you need them to.
All one has to do is to get a few simple measurements, and an idea of what style you’d like to incorporate, then choosing your blinds should be a cinch.
