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September 16, 2009
Shutters or Shades?
I'd like to take a quick poll. We're deciding between plantation shutters and silhouette shades (both in white, both Hunter Douglas) for our new condo. Both are beautiful, but different looks. Would welcome opinions on which is more desirable. For pics go to the "Product" page on www.hunterdouglas.com Thanks!
Comments
I don't think there is a one versus the other being more desirable. It can't be taken out of the context of viewing the space you intend these for.
For instance, in our home, we renovated and restored all the original shutters with their mahogany inlays and it just looks stunning (to me anyway). But these shutters only are in the front and have pockets they fold into. It is really elegant.
In the back of our home, those back rooms are still under discussion between my wife and I, and we are looking at the silhouette shades from hunter douglas as well as just going with a honeycomb style. But for those back rooms, either of those are lite and nice, and the window frames really wouldn't support a heavier look of shutters. They are not deep and do not support pockets.
So I guess my point is you can't really opine on something like window treatments without looking specifically at the rooms you are trying to treat.
This all written, I like both your choices (but then again, as I noted, I am using similar concepts for different parts of our place).
Posted by: sunspot19 at September 15, 2009 9:52 PM
IMHO: shutters work well on the first floor. They let the sun through the top half of the window and cover the bottom part from the street people.
Anywhere else I would use shades.
Posted by: bobjohn at September 15, 2009 10:32 PM
Bobjohn is right. Put shutters or blinds on the non-bedroom parlor floor and blackout shades in bedrooms. We made the mistake of putting wooden blinds on all floors and though it looks nice with the woodwork of the house they're useless in the bedrooms for blocking light. So we're hating them.
Posted by: traditionalmod at September 16, 2009 10:36 AM
you can get wood or bamboo shades and line the backs for the bedroom as a compromise. this will block all light. for the non-bedroom rooms, don't line them.
i had these in my old place - you can also get these as shades with dual function - lowers from the top if needed for a 1st floor room.
Posted by: wine lover at September 16, 2009 11:03 AM
Depends on your house.
Not a fan of plantation shutters for a brownstone. The louvers just don't work with the any urban style in my opinion. I do like (and used in my own house) half panel shutters for the living room so the light can come from the top half but we still have privacy.
Silhouette shades arent attractive in my opinion. They look like bigger scaled version of those cheap paper shades one might use as a temporary fix. Go with fabric roman shades if you want something covering your whole window.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at September 16, 2009 11:13 AM
For the uninformed - what are silhouette shades?
Posted by: mimi at September 16, 2009 11:40 AM
For the uninformed - what are silhouette shades?
Posted by: mimi at September 16, 2009 11:40 AM
http://www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=1
Posted by: bkoriginal at September 16, 2009 11:44 AM
OP did not indicate that he or she is purchasing a condo in a brownstone and if it is not, then any talk about what looks appropriate for a brownstone goes out the window.
I only recently purchased shades for the bedrooms in our brownstone, and they are those top-up/bottom-down honey comb shades. so, we can let light in on top and have privacy below. They are also black-out. I think these look good in any setting.
i went to the H-D site and honestly am not crazy about the silhouette shades. I'd do the shutters, especially if you're not in an old building.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 16, 2009 11:45 AM
Well, I can agree with tiptoe on one point and, in fact, stretch it a bit further: without knowing what kind of building your condo is located in as well as the interior design of your rooms, the best any of us can do is give us our personal opinions on what we like best in our own spaces. That said, I'll tell you that I like both plantation shutters and silhouettes. With respect to the latter, we installed a silhouette shade in our dining room which has a large single window. The design scheme is tied back drapes on either side of the window with the silhouette shade in the middle. We love it, don't think it looks tacky at all, and get many compliments and inquiries about it. Also love how it functions. Although similar to traditional, wide slatted venetian blinds, the lovely sheer fabric is so much softer and pleasant to the touch. Beyond providing a fantastic light filter, the fabric also allows for easy, noisless operation from open to closed slats and from the shade as lifted or dropped.
Posted by: Brooklynista at September 16, 2009 2:08 PM
Thank you all!
Our condo is new construction, very traditional, brick, three story building. I initially thought shutters was the way to go because I personally think they're very clean, classic and beautiful. I typically hate blinds. Then I saw the silhouettes in a Hunter Douglas showroom and thought they actually looked very soft, filtered light quite beautifully, and are very versatile (i.e., offer the versatility of blinds, but softened by gauze and the fact that the slats are fabric and not wood/metal). I also love that they can be either completely sheer or have a complete blackout option. Anyway... I just enjoy hearing everyone's opinion. We're not going to stay in our place for more than 5 years or so, and we'd love to choose a product that potential buyers may also enjoy.
Posted by: bkoriginal at September 16, 2009 2:52 PM
Full disclosure: I am a traditionalist. I recently installed Horizon Shutters in my brownstone, in the street-facing basement level windows. They are extremely well-made and loads cheaper than the Hunter Douglas estimates I got, although you do have to self-install. From an interior and exterior perspective, they look like they belong with the house. Horizon also gave me great customer service. Totally happy with the results.
Posted by: jlo at September 17, 2009 11:40 AM
JLo, totally with you on using shutters in the front, if it is a brownstoner. But I am not sure the OP is.
We were darn lucky our shutters were original and still in good condition. They had been (ugh) nailed nastily into the pocket sides and had been painted with layer upon layer of paint. It was a bear when the pain stripping team came to remove them.
But when they came back from being stripped, they were just awesome. With the TLC of our contractor (which included actually rebuilding or making from scratch a couple of panels, plus cleaning up the pockets, they have added what is really a special element back to this old house.
Sadly the garden floor does not have the shutters in - not sure but suspect the folks who renovated years ago when they bought before us knocked them out. Too bad, but we saved the top three floors.
For a brownstone I definitely recommend renovating existing shutters but if not there, then considering trying to recreate. Just beautiful.
Sure, honeycomb or other shades are more useful, but not as elegant.
Posted by: sunspot19 at September 18, 2009 7:59 PM
I can recommend The Shutter Store a new wood shutters company if you need diy plantation shutters shutters and I think they look great with brownstone buildings being classic whether cafe style or contemporary with no push rods they give a great clean line...
Posted by: nickshutters at November 18, 2009 10:54 AM
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