// John Biddell


instead of strings. The 70mm slat width is a relatively recent addition, but when placed in the right, super-crisp, modern location looks soooooooooo smart. Wooden venetian blinds also bring bags of character to a room, and can give more of a warm feel than their metal cousins.


Duette and plisse blinds aren’t particularly well known, but are two of my personal favourites. They go up and down like venetians, and have either a single layer of pleated fabric in the case of plisse blinds, or a double layer honeycomb effect in the case of duettes. They are available in various opacities, from delicate sheers giving privacy without loss of light to pretty much complete blackouts. Duette blinds are especially useful in areas such as conservatories because the honeycomb design, which has won several awards, traps a layer of air, therefore keeping the room warm in winter and cool in summer. The wide range of available fabrics certainly doesn’t limit their use to conservatories though, as they can look sharp as you like in a contemporary living room or bedroom. When they are raised the stack is really neat and compact, so you don’t lose any light at all, even if the blind is sited inside the window recess.


Although we install quite a few motorised Duettes these days, as the cost of motorisation has come down, I must say that the first time we operate a new set of blinds for a client I still feel like I’m in a Bond film, and have even been known to mutter the Bond theme (mostly under my breath) as the blinds descend.


While we’re on the subject of blinds, let’s not dismiss the humble roller blind. It’s still incredibly useful for providing


privacy, as well as being crisp and smart to look at. The sheer version is a massive improvement on the old net curtains. And I suppose I really ought to mention vertical blinds. There, I’ve mentioned them. Not a personal favourite of mine, as I think they look far too officey and stark in all but the most uber-modern of homes.


When I was rattling on about curtains last month I didn’t get round to mentioning a point that to me is absolutely crucial. In pretty much all cases, curtains should be full length. No ifs or buts. No “but I’ll lose all the heat from my radiator” (which by the way you won’t if you’ve got double glazing). For the overall look of the room, and for any kind of balance they HAVE to be full length. Excuse me for a moment while I just get down from my soap box, but it’s something I feel passionate about. However, if you just can’t bring yourself to cover your radiator (that some thoughtless architect decreed should be sited under the window to frustrate and annoy designers), that’s where a blind can really come to the rescue. Why not go for full length dress curtains, with a functioning blind in the recess. There, job done and everybody happy.


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