There are many items in our homes that we take for granted in our busy lives, paying little notice of them beyond their immediate function. While the average person doesn’t stop to consider Venetian blinds beyond their practical and stylistic application, we aren’t average when it comes to blinds. After many years in the industry, we’ve learnt that blinds have a much more interesting history than most people realize.
What you plan to hang from your window isn’t a completely modern invention. Throughout the years, people have been covering their windows for the same reasons you do – in order to control light, to moderate temperature, and to reduce the amount of debris and dust allowed inside. With origins dating back centuries, your blinds are a culmination of innovative technique and changing materials. Antiquated blinds were primitive by today’s standards, as they were bound by the materials and technology of their time; however, they still fulfilled their purpose. Evidence suggests that in ancient China, blinds consisted of bamboo tied together into shades. In Ancient Egypt, window coverings were created from reeds that were tied together to form slats.
With roots leading back to so many different cultures, it becomes apparent that the term “Venetian blind” is actually a misnomer. Though they were popularized in Venice, it is documented fact that they weren’t invented there. As the state that controlled trade routes between Medieval Europe and Asia, The Republic of Venice profited from its monopoly – in more ways than one. Ideas and commodities spread from the East into the West via Venice, making Venice an incredibly powerful and wealthy force in the Middle Ages. Amongst valuable spices and herbs, Venetian traders were responsible for the introduction of blinds that are similar to the ones we enjoy today.
Since the Middle Ages, the design and operation of blinds transformed as it spread across the world, evolving to accommodate changing needs and improving technology. The very first patent for Venetian blinds was attained by an Englishman by the name of Edward Beran in 1769. Nearly a decade before that, however, the St. Peter’s Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was recorded to have installed the first set of Venetians blinds. Just under a century later, John Hampson of the United States of America invented a way to control the angle of the blind’s slats, forever transforming Venetian blinds.
After thousands of years, the variety and quality of materials that go into the average Venetian blind has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Far away from the reeds and bamboo-based blinds of the ancient world, people today have the luxury of choosing from blinds made from aluminum, plastic, vinyl, wood, and stiffened fabric, allowing for greater design flexibility and accommodating varying budgets.
For impressive designs limited by a finite budget, we suggest that you consider faux-wood blinds. As an inexpensive alternative to true wood blinds, our faux-wood sacrifices none of the elegance of natural wood. Advances in manufacturing capture the sophistication of natural wood by using a composite of man-made materials and wood particles. These blinds are warp-resistant and provide UV-protection, making them a perfect addition to rooms high in humidity (like kitchens and washrooms) that would normally deform real wood blinds. Our faux-wood blinds also have the added benefit of coming in a variety of styles and finishes.
Once we safely install your new faux-wood blinds, you’d never think that they actually have origins tracing back centuries. With high-quality materials and advanced tracking, they will fit perfectly within your modern home as a stylish and practical way to finish off any room’s design. To join in on a long-standing tradition, contact us for a quote today.