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Reason #1 – Plantation Shutters Provide Aesthetic Appeal

If you are looking for a great way to freshen and spruce up the look of your windows then plantation shutters can really do the trick. Plantation shutters have a unique way of adding freshness to a room and can fit in with multiple different designs. Plantation shutters are usually made out of wood with cheaper versions found in imitation wood. Wood has always been a great design medium and using this material as a window shutter can add a simplistic yet dramatic look to your living space. They can be custom made, as offered by American Shutters, and can therefore be made to fit any sized and shaped window. No matter the colour and tone of the room, plantation shutters can be made to match perfectly.

Reason #2 – Long Lasting and Durable

Among the many considerations, quality is an important one. It usually pays off to think long-term rather than find a quick-fix solution that needs to then be re-addressed not that far down the line. When you invest in window fittings, ideally you want something that will last for a long time to come. Plantation shutters have a long life span and are quite durable due to the sturdiness of wood. Curtains and blinds have a tendency to last for shorter periods, especially as their vulnerability to wear and tear increases over time. In addition to this, keeping these fittings clean can be quite time-consuming, whereas plantation shutters are hassle-fee in comparison. Due to the smooth surface and paint application used on shutters, they are easy to dust and keep clean. In this light, the maintenance of plantation shutters is very minimal.

Reason #3 – Effective Light Control

One of the major considerations when choosing window fittings is what will provide adequate privacy and great light control. In other words you want to be able to choose how much or little light you want shining into the room at any given time. Plantations shutters provide superb light control in that you can have complete darkness, complete light or a good range in between without compromising insulation from outside noise. Plantation shutters are great insulators in general and can help a long way to keeping the optimum temperature in your home.

These cover the main reasons why plantations make a great choice for window coverings. You will find many retailers on the market offering a wide range of choice. American Shutters is one such provider that offers expert advice, customization services and more.

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Practical Considerations

One of the first considerations is choosing a window treatment is whether it will be able to withstand not only moisture but can be easily wiped clean due to the build up of grease and smells that permeate the kitchen. So if you are choosing fabrics in order to place drapes or curtains across your kitchen windows ensure that they are durable and resistant enough and can be easily wiped clean – there should be a film over the fabric to prevent moisture being absorbed allowing for easier cleaning. In this regard, blinds and shutters are much less maintenance and more suited practically to such conditions. Blinds and shutters are resistant against moisture and only require a simple wiping down in order to keep clean.

Light and Privacy

Light is an important consideration and depending on where your window faces can influence what window treatment to opt for. If you are facing the road or have a block of flats in your site and want to permit light through but have privacy at the same time, blinds and shutters are a great choice. The louvers allow for adjusting the light to permit as little or as much light through as you want. Blinds and shutters can also be opened completely or closed fully when needed.

Colour

Colour is also an important consideration. Don’t only take into mind the colour scheme of your kitchen but also look at its size and where it is open plan. If it is a relatively small kitchen lighter coloured window treatments are ideal and if your kitchen openly connects to another room you may want to consider keeping the continuity of your current window treatments. A great look is also to consider the style of your kitchen cupboards. If you have wooden cupboards you can choose to have wooden shutters stained to the same wooden tone. The look can be stunning and with wood being easy to keep clean, you are able to achieve a good balance in both style and maintenance.

Once you start putting these tips into action you will soon discover how many options you have open to you when choosing the right window treatment for your kitchen. If you are leaning towards shutters and Venetian blinds then American Shutters are the ideal place to start. They can provide you with some further insight into design and colour choices to match the current style of your kitchen and home. Allow yourself to shop around as well and ponder a few different ideas. This way you won’t be limiting yourself and you will end up with the perfect solution.

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Starting Point – Colour Scheme

A good starting point is to begin by deciding what kind of luxurious look and feel you want to go for. What colours do you want to make your bedroom? Consider what you want to feel when you are in your bedroom Classically, the bedroom should be a place for rest, where you can relax and recoup away from the stress and busyness of everyday life. In order to achieve this the surrounding space needs work and enhance the mood. So be careful when choosing colours that might be come across too harsh or are not balanced enough with lighter shades. Generally, neutral and light shades are popular choices for bedroom styles. A lick of paint in the colour of your choice can already transform your bedroom dramatically.

You can use the colour of your walls as the foundation to the colour scheme for the rest of your bedroom. Choose linens that work with the colour  – here splashes of colours and patterns can work well although be sure not to over do it as you don’t want your bed looking too busy either. You can also use ideas from the places you have been. Perhaps a seaside resort with calming shades of white, green and blue or alternatively maybe you are after a warmer feel such as deep reds, browns and burgundy. Don’t be afraid to play around with different colour ideas before making your final decision.

Finishing Touches – Window features, Wall hangings and Organization

Once you have decided on the foundation elements in terms of colour and style then you can go about bringing the look together with finishing touches. Window features should be given due consideration as your choice can either enhance the style you are going for or not. The most popular variations are curtains, blinds and shutters. Many consider curtains to offer the warmest feel while shutters or blinds can offer a very attractive cottage or seaside feel. With a couple of pictures, mirrors and lamps you can tie the feel of your bedroom together beautifully.

An important aspect to remember when redecorating your bedroom is to de-clutter in the process. Clutter can bring back stress and frustration no matter how wonderfully you have designed your bedroom. Make sure you have provided yourself with adequate storage space to help guard against too much clutter collecting in your bedroom – and be sure to throw out or give away anything your no longer need.

Turning your bedroom into a luxurious space can be achieved with the right style choices. Be careful choosing your colour scheme and make sure that it enhances the feel you are going for. When it comes to pulling together your interior style with decorative touches there are many retailers with superb choices to help give you exactly what you are looking for. From American Shutters who can fulfill your window needs to other specialized retailers including bed linen, lamps and storage options, you will be spoilt for choice – so don’t hold back in achieving the style of your dream bedroom!

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Blinds versus Shutters

Blinds have become a popular modern design choice for home and business owners alike. The great aspect about blinds is that they come in a huge variety of materials from wood, bamboo to plastic and metal. The slats, otherwise known as louvers, can be opened and closed according to how much or little light is required. These louvers can either be horizontally or vertically placed and are typical adjusted using a rod. Blinds are very versatile in terms of light control; they can also be rolled up to any point along the length of the window. Blinds can come in all sorts of colours and styles appealing to wide range of consumers. For these reasons, blinds have become a very liked and sought after choice.

Shutters perhaps offer a more dramatic yet simplistic feel and suit those that are looking for something a little bit different. Shutters operate in a similar fashion to blinds except that they are held in place by a solid frame and are opened by swinging them inwards or outwards. They also incorporate louvers in order to provide optimum light control. Plantation shutters are the most commonly bought types of shutters. Shutters are considered to be much sturdier than blinds as they have a more solid base. This means that they can be kept in peak condition for a longer period and also require less maintenance. The shutter louvers are wider compared to blinds, which offers a better view when looking through as a result. However, shutters can be considerably more expensive than blinds, which is why blinds have become a preferred option for many.

Curtains

Curtains fall into a different category as they offer a completely different feel. Curtains are considered by most to offer the warmest feel in terms of enhancing a comfortable and cozy living space. Blinds and shutters in contrast can appear more solid and definitive in comparison and can easily look cold if the rest of the space is promoting the same kind of style. Curtains are more adaptable to different window sizes and shapes, compared to blinds and shutters – this makes choosing curtains much easier. You may find though that curtains are less adaptable in terms of style if you decide to re-decorate. Blinds and shutters however, can remain the same as they fit in with a wide range of interior design styles.
The best way to decide which window fitting you want to go for is to go out and see for yourself the different styles on the market. You will find an abundance of stores offering a range of different types such as American shutters who specialize in shutters and Venetian blinds. Give yourself time to shop around and see what speaks to you, while ensuring your understand the practical implications of each. Be sure to keep the room in question in the forefront of your mind and you will soon discover what look jumps out at you the most.

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All About Shutters

Shutters have a very distinct look so if you are unsure, the first thing to do is to go window-shopping and picture for yourself how they might look in your home. If you find you are intrigued there are many benefits that come with choosing shutters as your window feature. Shutters are firstly very solid and as such have a long life span. Shutters work on the same principle as blinds with louvers that can be adjusted. Unlike blinds though, shutters are built on a solid wooden frame, which is then attached to the window frame. Opening and closing is done by either swinging it inwards or outwards or folding it together to one side depending on the style you have gone for. This solidity is a great advantage and the fact that they are very maintenance free.

Keeping shutters clean requires minimal work and due to the type of top coating used, can be easily wiped clean. The louvers on shutters are also considerably wider compared to blinds so that there is a better view when looking through. Shutters are great in terms of light control. You can have as much or as little light as you won’t without compromising too much on privacy. Shutters are also great insulators from noise and temperature. In addition to this, shutters come in a wide variety of different styles and can also be custom made to suit your specific needs.

All About Curtains

Curtains on the other hand provide a completely different look. Shutters can have a tendency to look cold, especially if the décor is in a very modern and minimalist style. Curtains on the other hand automatically give a much warmer feel to a room. Hanging up curtains can instantly transform a room to feeling cozy and comfortable. Curtains a more conventional style and if this is what speaks to you there is infinite choice available using different materials, patterns and styles. Curtains can also look quite modern, depending on the fabric, colour and hanging features. Curtains can be vulnerable to a certain amount of wear and tear however and can result in having a shorter life span compared to shutters. Depending on the type of curtains you have, if you choose to re-decorate chances are that they won’t go with the new design. Shutters can be much more adaptable in this way – especially if the shutters are kept neutral in colour.  Curtains absorb dust and dirt quite easily, which can be frustrating to get clean making curtains higher maintenance than shutters.

Curtains are certainly significantly cheaper than shutters, and if you have a limited budget then this might be the deciding factor for you. However, if you are keen to find out more about the different styles of shutters available on the market, American Shutters is a good place to start. With such a range of choice, expert advice and customization services, if you find shutters to be your preferred choice, you will find exactly what you are looking for.

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The colour choice of your shutters can either make or break the look entirely. With such a wide spectrum of colour it can be difficult to know which direction to take. Naturally, your colour choices need to compliment the room in question so this will always be your starting point. When you choose the right colour, your shutters will enhance the overall style of the room and the look of your property in general. There are three different elements that need to be taken into account. The first is the trim of the interior shutters, the colour of the exterior shutters and then finally the colour of the exterior walls. To compliment the look from the outside, it is a good idea to have your gate the same colour as your exterior shutters.

If you are feeling doubtfully about your colour choices, a good back-up plan is too choose neutral colours such as white or black. More often than not these will match most designs and decorative styles both interior and exterior-wise. If white or black does not appeal to you, then opt for lighter shades rather than strong colours. Lighter shades can look less imposing, friendlier and will be flexible in terms of fitting in with the surrounding look. Most shutter suppliers, including American Shutters, should be able to supply you with a sample in the right colour for you to take home and gauge whether it is the right one. This is especially important for the exterior shutters as these will define the aesthetic appeal of your home from the outside.

A great solution to your colour indecision would be to invest in shutters that can be painted over once they have been installed. This can be a pliable solution if you cannot decide which colour would work best or you have found shutters that are not available in the colour you want. Either way, buying shutters that can be painted on down the line enables you to take your time. While it can be more expensive in terms of hiring a painter, you can save on this cost by doing it yourself. When painting external shutters yourself, remember to use commercial external latex paints as these are durable against weather conditions and have a long life-expectancy.

Choosing the colour of shutters can be a daunting task, with so much choice available with the added pressure of not wanting to make the wrong choice. Consider these guidelines above and remember to give yourself the space and opportunity to consider your options. American Shutters provide ample chance for customers to try out different colour schemes and can provide you with some expert advice along the way. So whether you go with American Shutters or not, be sure to allow yourself time to choose before making your final decision.

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There are companies that provide tailor made services for shutters, like American shutters, and blinds, which will argue that their products are the best, and provide customers with the best quality and style of window fittings that will never go out of style.

Home owner looking to renovate their homes or prospective home owners looking for their dream house will have a lot to consider, and the value added benefits of quality window fittings is an important aspect to take into consideration. Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both shutters ad blinds before you make up your mind.

Advantages Of Shutters

High-quality shutters are proven the increase the value of a home when reselling it. Therefore the initial investment in installing shutters will pay off in the end. They are also proven to be very good insulators and thus they will help you cut down on energy costs. By simply closing your shutters in the warm summer months to prevent harsh sunlight from entering, you will be keeping your home cool. And the winter months you can open them to allow sunlight to heat up your home. Thus shutters will virtually pay for themselves in the long run.

Shutters are also an effective means to protect your furniture and expensive flooring from damaging UV rays. By keeping your shutters closed you will prevent UV rays from damaging and fading your furniture, which means that you will save on having to replace furniture and flooring in the long run.

Advantages Of Blinds

Blinds are perfect for smaller spaces, as they take up much less space and can be fitted snugly to any window. They also allow for more light to penetrate your home, than shutters that can make a room look very dark and cramped.

Blinds are also very cheap compared to shutters and they can be replaced easily and cheaply when you need to update and redecorate your home.

Disadvantages Of Shutters

Shutters are very expensive compared to blinds, and most people can simply not afford them. They also take up a lot of space and are permanent fixtures in a home. This means that if you want to redecorate you will need to spend a lot of money in order to get them removed and to fix up the holes that have been drilled to accommodate them.

Shutters also eliminate a lot of light, and can make a home look dark and cluttered if not installed correctly.

Disadvantages Of Blinds

Blinds are not as permanent as shutters and they will need to be replaced every few years to prevent them from looking old and worn and affecting the ambience of your home.

Blinds also normally come with a warranty of between 3 and 5 years, whereas shutters normally have a 15 year warranty should anything go wrong with them.

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But not all wooden shutters are the same, because they are made from different types of wood they have different qualities and price tags attached to them. It is always best to consult with a reputable shutter company, such as American shutters that have over 25 years of experience in the shutter industry, before you choose the best wooden shutters for your home.

It is also important to choose wooden shutters that are made from renewable wood sources to minimize your impact on the environment. Here are a few of the most common woods that you will have to choose between when selecting your wooden blinds.

Basswood Shutters

Basswood is a hardwood that is farmed using renewable wood methods. They grow to an average height of 20 meters, which makes them ideal to manufacture large products, like floor to ceiling shutters. Basswood shutters also has a uniform texture and a distinct fine grain.

Basswood is extremely durable and stains and ages well, which makes it a great high-quality wood for both interior and exterior shutters.

Poplar Wood Shutters

Poplar wood is widely available and is a cheaper alternative to other woods to manufacture wooden shutters. However, their cheaper price tag comes with a few disadvantages. This type of wood is unsuitable for staining due t mineral streaks and a green color can be visible if stained.

Poplar wood is a relatively heavy wood for shutters and they produce inferior quality shutters, but none the less they can be used as a cheaper alternative to other woods.

Maple Wood Shutters

Maple is a very heavy wood, which makes it very durable and resistant to the wear and tear of the elements. However, because they are so heavy specialized support and drilling will be required to secure them properly into windows.

Cedar Wood Shutters

Cedar wood is an extremely durable and long lasting outdoor wood to use. This makes it perfect for use in exterior shutters. Shutters made from cedar wood is extremely resistant to moisture damage and bugs are repelled by this wood, which means that you will never have to worry about termites and infestations that could ruin your shutters.

However, this type of wood is relatively soft and as a result it can dent and scratch easily.

Pine Wood Shutters

Pine is a very soft wood, which makes it easier to install, as it will not put any heavy tension and stress to window frames. However, because there are so many different species and strains of pine trees, their quality will vary greatly and you will need to make sure that you are getting the right quality for the price you are paying when selecting pine wood as your choice for interior or exterior shutters.

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Since their humble beginnings with the ancient Greeks, shutters have become modern icons, with numerous companies, like American shutters, offering the latest trends an design twist on a classical design element, which has made it possible for everyone to add a touch of style and class and old school sophistication to their homes.

Many things have changed in the design elements of shutters over the years, but a few things have stayed the same; shutters are still one of the best ways to insulate your home and to provide extra protection and support to your windows. Here is a brief look at the history of the humble shutter.

Where It All Started

It is commonly believed that the ancient Greeks where the first to use shutters in their homes. This first type of shutter was made out of marble and had fixed louvers. These first shutters where designed to control the amount of light in a home, as well as improve ventilation and provide protection in a tropical climate.

The concept of shutters quickly spread through the Mediterranean, and marble shutters where soon replaced by more efficient wooden shutters with moveable louvers that allowed for more control and versatility.

Soon the use of shutters spread across the world and almost every country had their own take on the shutter. In medieval Europe shutters where used to cover the bottom part of a window whilst the top half was made out of glass. Solid shutters where also introduced to provide more insulation from the cold, and to keep insects out.

Legends About Shutters

As far as legend goes, King Louis XIV of France enjoyed watching the women bath in the court yard bath from his window. Apparently these women also distracted the guards. King Louis then had moveable louver shutters installed around the court yard in order to prevent the guards from being distracted, but he could still move the shutters to quietly peep at them.

The History Of American Shutters In South Africa

Today there are numerous companies that offer specially made high quality shutters to suite every home. One of the best and most well know companies around today are American Shutters, with branches all over South Africa.

American Shutters have been around since 1985 and they have pioneered the custom made shutter industry in South Africa. American Shutters was pioneered by a South African interior designer, Karina, who worked internationally for numerous years and fell in love whit the beauty of shutters while working overseas.

On her return she introduced this almost unknown design and architectural element to the South African market with great success.  Since their humble beginnings American Shutters have strived to provide South Africans with the best quality and custom made shutters in the country.

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Women of ancient times used these pillows for sleeping purposes and they designed them by creating some manual embroidery. As we all know, women before spent their time doing household chores and engaging in arts and crafts. As years went by the use of rectangle pillows for sleeping became more practical and the use of the square pillows became restricted only for home décor. As interior designers became more and more fascinated with continental designs inspired by European tradition, the use of the square pillows became a must in a bedding ensemble

Support your head

Usually the large regular pillows, sag in the middle when you lay down your head. This perfect square pillow provides just the right amount of comfort for heads, which makes them one of the most widely used cushions and pillows. Unlike rectangular pillows, these come with a just enough filling to provide the right level of support for your head, throughout the night.

The square pillow is designed to fit the head perfectly, which explains the square shape, as this reduces the chances of pillow filling spreading towards the ends of the pillow. These cushions and pillows are also hypoallergenic to suit even the most sensitive individuals.

Back support

For a growing number of people, the bed is no longer just another place to sleep. With the hectic schedules that most people have, the bed is quickly becoming an office of sorts as well. Whether you are trying to complete your monthly accounts, or trying to finish an exciting book, these cushions and pillows will provide excellent support for your back.

Try two square cushions and a bolster to create just the perfect niche for you in bed. The bed rest pillow is growing in popularity and combined with the square shape of the cushions, allows one to easily arrange the pillows to fit the back and provide entire body support.

Great decorative accessories

It is not just the functional aspects of the cushions and pillows, which have made them very popular. The pillows are also very inexpensive and include ready to wash and dry covers, which will go great with households filled with kids and pets.

Place the square euro cushions vertically against the wall or the headboard of the bed. Then, set the sleeping pillows in front of them. They may also come with pillowcases, so long as the colours are different but complement the scatter cushions. Place the scatter pillows in front of the sleeping pillows. Top the bottom part of the bed with a comforter from the end, taking it halfway up the bed, making sure it doesn’t cover the pillow arrangement.

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