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Venetian blinds, or as they’re sometimes called, window blinds, are composed of thin slats of aluminum, plastic or other material that overlap when closed to block out light.

The dry definition of Venetian blinds doesn’t even hint at the history and utility – not to mention subtle drama - of these versatile window coverings. Venetian blinds are, as the definition states, thin slats of material that are strung on a string ‘ladder’ and fitted with an adjuster that allows you to vary the tilt and angle of the slats. It’s this adjustment mechanism more than anything else that makes window blinds ‘Venetian’ blinds.

The use of slatted blinds can be traced back to Roman and Greek times. In Pompeii, for instance, archaeologists have uncovered homes that have fixed marble slats in the window openings. It wasn’t till about 1760, though, that window blinds that could be adjusted by tilting the slats came into more popular use. These were probably a variation on window shutters, with wooden slats that could be adjusted by virtue of a thin strip of wood affixed to each slat. In 1841, John Hampson of New Orleans patented a method of adjusting the tilt of Venetian blind slats that is still the most used method of stringing Venetian blinds in use today.

Did I say ‘subtle drama’ above? Venetian blinds have been used in art since they first became popular, though their presence in a composition might be so subtle that it goes unnoticed. Venetian blinds are a staple in film noir to suggest drama, tension and secrecy. The patterned shadows cast by light through half-opened Venetian blinds has been part of the composition of award-winning photos in both color and black and white, and used by painters to add interest to portraits and abstracts. In your rooms, those same shadow patterns can cast a subliminally noticed ‘spell’ over the room.

Those patterns are a function of the way that the Venetian blind slats are tilted. Typically, we think of Venetian blinds as being open – with the slats fully horizontal to allow in the most light – or closed, with the slats tightly overlapping to block out the light. But various angles of tilt serve different purposes, many of which have been lost in the years since Venetian blinds were a means of heat control as well as light and privacy control. Tilt your Venetian blinds up to reflect light toward the ceilings in summer, for instance, and you’ll find your rooms are up to ten degrees cooler than if you had the blinds completely closed. Tilt them down toward to conserve heat by aiming the light toward the floor and the heat will warm the room as it rises.

Venetian blinds are available today in a wide variety of colors and materials. You can choose vinyl or PVC blinds to accent or contrast with your walls and furnishings, plain white aluminum Venetian blinds for a classic ‘office’ look, or faux wood Venetian blinds to warm any room with the natural ambience of wood grains and patterns.

Whatever patterns and styles you choose, though, when you choose Venetian blinds (which are traditionally less expensive than many other window blinds), you are choosing a window covering with a long and varied history. Enjoy adding that subtle touch of drama to your home.