Specialty Shaped windows are always difficult to find just the right treatment for. In some situations natural grass cloth or woven wood fabrics can be ideal. Call or stop in today to see our huge selection.

Tweet This Post 

Bi-fold shutters are a great option for wider openings or in areas where you would like to be able to have the shutters fold open and flat against the wall.

Tweet This Post 

Enjoy the beauty of natural grass cloth shades. These shades are woven from eco-friendly sustainable materials. See our full selection.

Tweet This Post 

We are often contacted by owners of older homes in the colonial towns in the region like Portsmouth, Newburyport, Ipswich and Salem, MA, asking about colonial or traditional shutters. Many of these clients assume that these window treatments are historically correct for their home. Determining what type of shutter would be correct for a particular home takes a little bit of work. First, we must determine the age and the original style of the home, and even consider the level of wealth of the original owner of the home.

Within our service area North of Boston we use the following guidelines;

• Homes built before 1740 generally had Indian Shutters which were solid panel shutters that slid into the wall like a pocket door and used for security during Indian raids. Many period homes still have the original panels. We craft replacement panels ourselves to match the existing panels. Although used far less, we have seen these panels in homes built as late as 1820
• From 1740 until around 1820 solid panels gradually gave way to louvered shutters. The solid panels were generally hinged instead of the pocket style above and bi-folded either against the wall or if the home had masonry walls the panels would fold against the ornate moldings generally at an angle from the window. The panels were almost always ‘double-hung’ which means that there were two sets of shutters one above the other. Allowing the upper panels to be hinged open while the lower set afforded privacy. The louvers varied in size from a little more than one inch to slightly less than two inches.
• The Federal and Greek Revival Styles of the early to mid 1800’s found shutters falling from fashion. When used at all, they were usually found in the formal rooms at the front of the house and nay have been somewhat ornate raised panels matching the mill-work in the room and may have been highly decorated with faux-painting and or gilding. Louvered panels slowly gained some popularity toward the end of the period and increased in size to two inches or slightly larger.
• The Victorian period saw the Cafe` style shutters used for the first time. Similar to the double hung shutters nentioned above, the Victorian period often used shutters only on the lower half of the window. Louvered shutters were fairly exclusively used in this period with the louver varying in size from 1 1/4″ to about 2″.
• Plantation style shutters really are not architecturally correct for any period home in this region. When working with clients we generally suggest that they consider the importance of remaining true to the history of the home and compare that importance to their lifestyle, comfort and enjoyment of the home. Many clients choose to compromise and select plantation shutters because of the increase in light and airflow afforded by this newer style. Although this style of shutter has been used since colonial times in the Southern areas of the country. The original styles used louvers around 2 1/2″ in width. The most popular louver size used today is 3 1/2″ and the 4 1/2″ is quite popular for large openings and homes that have water views.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your renovation project, we will be happy to assit you in determining which options are best for you. Link

Tweet This Post 

We are working with a new client who was referred to us by a neighbor whom we had installed shutters for a year or so ago. This is an older townhouse that has been seperated into condos. Large windows and very tall ceilings.  The window moldings are quite ornate and add charm to the space. Unfortunately, the building has settled over the years causing the windows to become out of sqaure. Our solution was to utilize a ‘Z’ frame that will still allow an inside mounted shutter, but will also have a face piece of molding to cover any variance in the light gap. This molding will not affect the overall appearance of the original moldings and will allow the homeowner to enjoy the shutters for many years.

Tweet This Post 

Natural Soft Roman Shades

We are all concious of trying to be ‘Green’ today. There have always been options to choose sustainable, eco-friendly products for window treatments. Natural grasses and reeds have been used for thousands of years to create beautiful treatments for windows. Call or stop by today to see our huge selection of these natural options. Link

Tweet This Post 

We just finished installing some absolutely beautiful natural cherry plantation shutters. The woodwork in the home is all solid cherry, and the shutters match the color and the grain perfectly. I don’t think there is a more rich, classic look than the beauty of natural cherry. These shutters are like furniture, and I know the homeowners will enjoy their beauty for years to come. I don’t have a picture to upload yet, but I will next week. Link

Tweet This Post 

we are very pleased to announce our affiliation with B&W Window Fashions. B&W is a small niche company that focuses on just a few areas of the window treatment industry. Started as a woven wood shade company, they mastered the art of producing roman style shades from these natural materials. This led to a natural progression of adding a line of fabric roman shades. Now the line has expanded to basic soft treatments including drapery panels and top treatments. The fabric selection is quite impressive and the prices can’t be beat. Call today to have one of our consultants come to your home and learn how affordable custom can be. Link

Balboa Style Roman Shade from B&W Window fashions

Tweet This Post 

Directory Classified for New Hampshire

Tweet This Post 

We are working with a client to complete a project we did last year. Originally we created a unique shading system that combined natural grass cloth shade material that filtered the light of the sun, but diminished the UV effects, and kept the room cooler. the shades were finished with custom valances that his the shade when raised. The bedrooms and bathrooms were completed with painted maple shutters installed to appear as if they were part of the original wood work.

Now the client has finally completed the last room in the home, a small lavatory off the main living area. This room was faux painted with a taupe background and a slightly mettalic over coat. We will be crafting custom plantation shutters and finishing them to match this faux finish. I look forward to the end result. Link

Tweet This Post