The Natural Story of Wood

There is no doubt that the look of wood is very popular - whether it is solid, faux painted or stained, we love the natural feel and strength of wood in our homes. Wood horizontal blinds with the wider 2-inch slats are definitely all the rage. Along with shutters, they offer an elegant way of bringing wood into a room while still providing maximum light and privacy control.

Most quality wood blind slats are made of a hardwood that has been kiln-dried. The common woods are Basswood and Poplar (most often used for painted slats) although some manufacturers also offer such woods as oak, maple, cherry and pine. These latter woods can beautifully create a sense of harmony with other wood furnishings in your room. The choice of stain or painted colour depends on the décor of the room and what kind of focus you would like the blind to have in relation to the other elements in the room. For instance, to create a crisp effect, choose a white blind in a room where the walls are painted a deep colour such as red or brown. The contrast between the blind and the wall colours will heighten their impact. Conversely, choose a stain colour that closely matches the colour of the other furnishings in the room to build on a restful, monochromatic colour scheme.

Most wood blinds come with a decorative valance that hides the headrail and offers a finished look to the blind. Or, you may want to add a fabric top treatment that will enhance the wood colour and complement the rest of the room's décor. You can also add colour to the blind by choosing the cloth tapes offered by most manufacturers. These tapes run top to bottom on the blind and cover the string ladders that hold the slats level and allow them to tilt. The choice of cloth tapes is growing and now includes macramé style designs in addition to the plain and patterned designs. Consider the natural insulating power and beauty of wood blinds to enhance the warmth in your rooms - both practically and decoratively.

 

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