Why are Soft Shadings the Best Option?

Window treatments have evolved steadily through the centuries to become today a key element of decor. From window shutters of ancient Greece, through thick drapes of medieval Europe, to venetian blinds of the late 19th century, window treatments have become more sophisticated with time, combining utility, style and cost.

An interesting contemporary trend in window treatments is Soft Shadings and Silhouettes. They look elegant and at the same time help regulate sunlight more flexibly into an enclosure, compared to other options.

Hunter Douglass, one of the pioneers in Décor trends, created soft shadings and silhouettes; they have become the best option for homeowners and interior decorators to experiment with light and shade.

Historical background

The quantum of sunlight streaming into an enclosure depends on time, direction and local geography. In equatorial, tropical and sub-tropical regions, sunlight can be intense all through the day during summers and moderate for 3-4 hours a day in other seasons. This can be a huge distraction for users of homes and commercial establishments; it increases ambient temperature as well.

Drapes and curtains are effective not only in curtailing light, but also in reducingvisibility to a great extent. One has to rely then on sheer curtains for visibility; this is how owners of plantation bungalows monitor typically the outdoor happenings from indoors.

However, sheer curtains too can increase the ambient temperature significantly. Venetian blinds again can moderate visibility and sunlight effectively, but cannot regulate the temperature considerably.

Interior decorators were constantly in search of an option that could optimize the sunlight streaming in, outdoor visibility, and indoor temperature of an enclosure. Soft shadings and silhouettes achieve precisely this combo effect, with thicker fabric vanes suspended between two thinner sheer panels.

The vanes can be adjusted to regulate the required combination of light and visibility, depending on the local geography and desired effect. When the user wants maximum light and visibility, the fabric can be drawn up completely leaving behind the sheer panels only.

In that sense, soft shadings combine the functionality of drapes, blinds and shades into an interesting blend. Just like drapes, the thickness, color and design of the fabric can vary depending on the nature of enclosure, local geography, and desired effect.

A few tips on the choice of materials

As with any décor trend, soft shadings come with their own set of interesting details which makes them more effective functionally, and more pleasing aesthetically.

• The inside fabric of soft shadings for homes, hotels, spas, salons and restaurants can have interesting colors and designs;that for offices and meeting venues should be plain or have small, repetitive motifs.
• West-facing windows receive sunlight for longer durations than those facing other directions; the inside fabric in such a case can be thicker.
• Sheer panels should always be in pastel shades. Avoid bright colors as they can be distracting and can overpower the design of the inside fabric.

In addition to the ones given above, there are various other details of the construct of soft shadings. Being unaware of them can result in avoidable hassles later. It is better to engage a reputed professional décor company that can guide you at every step and install the best option for you.

Blinds or Shadings : Get them Right

Window treatments are an important decor element of homes and offices. They can enhance or mar the looks and feel of your interiors. Selecting the right treatment for your windows is a complex task, as there are various options available depending on the type, shape and size of the windows.

They could be woven woods, shutters, roller shades, sheers and shades, honeycomb shades, roman shades, horizontal blinds and vertical blinds. You should examine all the window treatment options, assess their pros and cons and then select the right one for your windows.

Blinds

The earliest patent of window blinds can be traced back to 1888, which bears testimony to their popularity. With time, manually-operated blinds have given way to automatic or motorized blinds, which can be operated with a remote control.

Blinds are generally of two types: vertical and horizontal, depending on how the slats are aligned. They are one of the oldest options for window coverings and can be used with or without curtains. In addition to ready-made blinds that are installable as they are, you can order blinds to fit the size of your windows.

Blinds are made of different materials like fabric, wood, metal, bamboo, etc. They can be broadly classified into five categories: roller blinds, roman blinds, venetian blinds, pleated blinds and vertical blinds.

Shadings

Window shadings are large coverings with different opening patterns and systems. They are much older than blinds and can be traced back to 17th and 18th century England, France and Holland. Early patterns of shadings were manually pulled up to a hook and tied with the help of a string or lace.

They evolved into different types of roller shades depending on the requirements: in 1855 alone, ten different patents of roller shades were applied for. There are several more patterns and types of shades in vogue today, and the right type must be selected carefully, keeping in mind the interior colors and style of the windows. Honeycomb shades, roman shades, roller shades and sheers are a few popular examples.

Blinds or shadings?

The choice between blinds and shades depends solely on your preference, and the requirements of light and air through the window, in a given area. If you want a mild quantum of adjusted light and air to circulate in your home you can select blinds, and if that is not a priority, shades would be the right option.

Selecting between window blinds and shades is an important decision. It would make your windows appear significantly dark or bright subsequently. Most of the time, the shape and size of the window become the determining factor; only a particular type of covering may be suitable in contrast with the rest.

It’s important, therefore, to seek guidance from experienced professional experts or a reputed interior décor firm. They would survey the interior area, take into account the optimum light and air requirements, examine the external environment, and then arrive at the right option for you.