Coming in second only to curtains, Venetian blinds are in all likelihood the world’s most popular window covering. From the retail outlet to the office to the home, Venetian blinds adorn windows the world over.
Their popularity isn’t anything new. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that the style that we now refer to as a "Venetian blind" can be traced back several centuries.
The name “Venetian” may very well be a misnomer, as the Venetian blind design may have originated in ancient Persia and not ancient Venice.
However, it was Persian traders that brought the Venetian Blinds to the west and the name seems to have stuck.
The first patient for a Venetian style blind was filled in England all the way back in 1760 but by then the blinds were already common in France; where they are still referred to as their correct name: “Les Persiennes”.
VENETIAN BLINDS: CENTURIES OF POPULARITY
Considering that Venetian Blinds have been around for at least 700 years, we have to ask what is it about these blinds that have led to their enduring popularity.
One of the immediate factors is probably their versatility. Modern Venetian blinds are available in a vast amount of colours and styles; making them perfect for just about any property.
Whether a property’s interior is classical or contemporary, traditional or quirky, you’ll likely be able to find just the right Venetian blind to complement the building’s décor.
Venetian Style blinds are also extremely versatile. Their deceptively simple designs, allows property owners to have complete control over the amount of light entering a property. Their ease of installation also means that just about any window can be covered using a Venetian blind.
VENETAIN BLINDS IN MOVIES
For those of use of a certain vintage, or for the Cinephilia, Venetian blinds will always be synonymous with the Film Noirs of the 1940s and 1950s.
The lighting effect created by Venetian blinds – strips of light interspersed with stripes of darkness – acted as the perfect visual metaphor for the morally ambiguous characters often depicted in Film Noirs.
With an illustrious history and a permanent place in movie history, it’s no wonder we are all still in love with the flexible and versatile Venetian blind. For more information on our range of Aluminium Venetian Blinds, visit our Venetian blinds page.