Cafe Plantation Shutters in a kitchen breakfast area in Powder Springs GA suburb of Atlanta. These shutters are typically half the height of the window. And so they allow for privacy with the addition of unobstructed light from the upper half of the window.
Atlanta Discount Blinds sells Hand crafted custom fabric shades available in over 350 fabric choices and include quality features like standard lining from Horizons Window Fashions award winning workroom.
Shade Styles
Classic Roman
This version of a traditional flat Roman shade has concealed support rods at every pleat to fold neater and lie flatter than other flat shades. Classic Roman shades work well with most fabrics. This shade style is highly recommended for fabrics with a pattern.
Relaxed Shade
This soft flowing shade lies flat when lowered but always has a gentle decorative “smile” at the bottom. Relaxed Roman shades work well with most fabrics.
Ribbed Pleat Shade
The Ribbed Pleat shade is a reversed Knife Pleat with the pockets to the front of the shade to further accent each pleat. Ribbed Pleat shades work best with solid or textured fabrics. Not recommended for fabrics with a pattern that will be interrupted by the pleats.
Hobbled Shade
Fuller in body, this style keeps its soft folds even when lowered. Support rods are concealed in the pockets at the back of each fold. Hobbled Roman shades work best with solid or textured fabrics. Not recommended for fabrics with a pattern that will be interrupted by the folds.
Pleated London Shade
The Pleated London Shade has decorative inverted pleats approximately 6-8” in from each side. Pleated London shades work best with solid or textured fabrics. Not recommended for fabrics with a pattern that will be interrupted by the folds.
Knife Pleat Shade
Doweled pockets on the back of the shade hold support rods and form decorative seams on the front of the shade. Knife Pleat shades work best with solid or textured fabrics. Not recommended for fabrics with a pattern that will be interrupted by the pleats.
Control Options
Cordless ONE Controls™
Cordless ONE Controls™ is Horizons’ exclusive, patented cordless lift system available on all of our Roman shades
Lining Options
Premium light filtering lining is standard on all shades, but there are also blackout lining and inter-lining options.
Easy Motorization
Horizons Fabric Roman Shades are available with easy plug-and-play motorization. Learn more…
Edge Accents Banding
A 2-1/2″ wide band of contrasting fabric may be added to give your shade that added pizzazz.
C.O.M.
In addition to our over 350 standard fabrics, Horizons will also craft Horizons shades from your customer’s own material.
Inset Edge Accents Banding
Similar to our standard banding, Inset Edge Accents are set in 2-1/2″ from the edge of the shade.
Multiple Shades on one Headrail
Two-on-Ones & Three-on-Ones are multiple shades mounted on a single headrail.
Turned Headrail
A turned headrail is a no charge option that reduces the mounting depth and projection of the shade.
Hold Down Brackets
Hold down brackets are used to secure the bottom of the shades. They are usually used when mounting on a door.
Decorative Trimmings
For that finishing touch, fringe, gimp, beads and tassel trimmings are available as an eye catching accent for your shade.
Sheer Shades
The Classic, Relaxed, Hobbled and London shades are available in sheer materials.
Duo-Fold Controls
With duo-fold controls the shade may be raised from the bottom or lowered from the top.
The Classic Valance
The Classic Valance option allows the shade’s controls to be neatly placed on the front of the shade for easy operation.
It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing a window blind. Your doctor might have one in his office. Your trip to the hardware store could lead to confusion from the sheer amount of blinds available on the market. But there is no reason to think that blinds are pointless. On the contrary, they help keep our privacy and comfort intact throughout the year. But how did blinds come to be? Who came up with the idea and brought it to fruition? Believe it or not, blinds aren’t a recent invention. Blinds goes back further than you realize.
The early Egyptians strung reeds together to form their blinds. The ancient Chinese chose to use bamboo. It’s easy to picture these early blinds shading a mighty pharaoh or craftsman working hard at his trade. They worked well enough – they would have to to stick around for thousands of years! When the Persians introduced blinds to Venice, “Venetian” blinds spread like wildfire. Venetian blinds provide form and function for homes around the world. No matter what language you speak, you need something durable to keep you safe from the sun.
In 1769, an Englishman named Edward Bevan was awarded the first patent for Venetian blinds. He discovered you could place wooden slats in a frame and manipulate the slats to let light into a room. John Hampson of New Orleans made adjustments to the invention in 1841. He added the ability to change the angle of the horizontal slats, paving the way for the blinds we know and love today.
It’s said that Thomas Jefferson loved blinds. He had every window in every home he owned outfitted with wooden blinds. He treasured them so much he even had the blinds listed in his will to be given to loved ones.
It’s not hard to figure out why blinds have such lasting appeal. They do a lot for us, and we have a lot of options to choose from in today’s world. There are aluminum blinds, bamboo blinds, even blinds made from vinyl. You can get motorized blinds, solar shades, even mini blinds for smaller windows. If you’re on a budget, you still have choices. No matter what your style is, you don’t have to look far to find something that suits your home.
Did you ever think that a piece of history was sitting right in front of you? As you go through your daily routine, take a few minutes to marvel the shades that keep you and your family content and comfortable. Think about the shades that give you the privacy you need in busy neighborhoods and office buildings. When the time comes to add new shades to your space, ponder the variety available to you. Blinds may not seem like anything special, but they go back thousands of years – can you say the same for something else?
A huge clue to the origin of Plantation Shutters is in the name. They originate in the American South, Atlanta GA and from the large farms or estates that typically grew coffee, tobacco, cotton or sugar, that were more commonly known as Plantations.
The climate in the southern states of America is described as ‘sub-tropical’. So while the winters are mild, the summers are extremely hot and humid. This meant that the traditional window furnishing of curtains would simply be too heavy and stifling.
This led to the development of Wooden Shutters, or Plantation Shutters as they came to be known. They work mainly due to their large slat size, and their permanent fixture on the wall. This is also why they are painted white, as white reflects heat keeping the home cooler. Though now we have modern cooling systems, like air conditioning, it is possible to have shutters in various colours.
One of Plantation Shutters most defining characteristics, and the main thing that separates them from Colonial Shutters, is their large slat size. Larger slats means overall there are fewer slats per Shutter. This means that when they are fully opened they let in not only a large amount of light, but allow for maximum air flow helping to keep the house cool. When they are closed they do an excellent job of blocking out light and giving maximum privacy.
There has definitely been a resurgence in the popularity of Plantation Shutters, as they work fantastically in plenty of modern interior design styles: from vintage to shabby chic, industrial to wabi. They can also be seen as an investment. Once a high quality pair of shutters is fitted they will last a very long time, and can raise the value of a property. They also eliminate the need to update window furnishings and blinds on a seasonal basis.
Innovative, fully enclosed bottomrail allows fabric to slide through smoothly for effortless operation and alignment.
Translucent and room-darkening fabrics are blended with a sheer or mesh fabric with varying degrees of openness.
Shade disappears inside the headrail when raised for a full outdoor view.
privacy & a view Hunter Douglas Alta Dual Roller Shades
Line up the opaque bands of fabric and you have a view to the outdoors, but the sun has a filter to the indoors, protecting your furnishings. Alternate the bands and your privacy is, well, private.
Solid bands and lineal sheers unite for a gorgeous combination of colorful accents or neutral hues. View our assortment and find selections that will make your home blush with pride
Blinds and shades seem to be the go-to window covering of the era. Due in part to their budget-friendly cost and their functionality, they are an easy solution to most window-covering dilemmas. But because they are structured and quite architectural in design, they do not contribute to the warmth of a room like fabric does; it is their main disadvantage when designing a room. The position that curtains are outdated can be tempered when the advantages of curtains are examined.
Function
Curtains serve specific functions; they can block all light from entering a room when lined, and they can reduce heat loss and heat gain in a room as much as twice as effectively as a blind. Motorization of curtains removes the problem of moving large curtains by hand, or installing curtains on high or hard-to-reach windows. Some windows are too large for off-the-shelf manufactured blinds. Some windows do not lend themselves well, style-wise or functionally, to blinds and shades, such as oversized sliding glass doors or wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. Only custom-made shades can be used on some of these excessively large windows, and the cost of them could be much more than a fabric curtain.
Style
The design aesthetic of this century is “less is more,” and it manifests in curtain styles that are simpler than in past years. Even as recently as the early ’90s, swags, ruffles and multiple layers were common window treatments. However, classic design and superior workmanship allow the fabric to be the star of the treatment. Just like a short Chanel jacket, classic pleated drapes never go out of style, can be dressed up or down, and never lose their functionality. Overdressed, overlayered curtains that match the overused wall borders are, indeed, outdated.
Fabric
Advancements in fabric manufacturing have produced easy-care, man-made fabrics that look like expensive natural-fiber fabrics such as dupioni silk or textured natural linen. The new fabrics hang well, are easy to clean, have budget-conscious price tags, and are often resistant to sun-fade. Some have built-in blackout properties, removing the necessity of a separate lining.
Combinations
Used in conjunction with manufactured blinds and shades, curtains typically provide additional coverage while adding decor panache. A sparsely furnished room is instantly warmed with the addition of curtains, either as functioning window treatments or as side panels for decoration only
These are Hunter Douglas Wovwn Wood bamboo shades with a blackout liner. They are in a customer’s entertainment room in their basement.
NATURAL WOVEN SHADES
EXOTIC ESSENTIALS
Both elegant and exotic, Natural Woven Shades are the go-to for interior designers world-wide. Organic fibers from jute to rattan and bamboo to wood bring global texture and international style right to your very own zip code.
WHY NATURAL WOVEN SHADES?
From harvest to fabrication, over 20 different specialists create each unique shade for our three collections.
Enduring quality? Look to details like hand-sewn rings stitched right into the weave.
Natural Woven Shades are meticulously hand-fed on a loom by skilled artisans who’ve passed their craft from generation to generation.
Our Grass Weaves keep it artisanal with man-made yarns spun from natural by-products.
Accent the positive with handsome sewn-edge binding choices that add finished flair.
ORGANIC AURA
Light-filtering grasses, reeds, papyrus and bamboo woven by artisans to exhibit all the perfect imperfections – and hues – found in nature bring an organic, sophisticated style. Choose a pigmented stain option and add an exotic twist.
CONTROL OPTIONS
Beautiful form, beautiful function. Our innovative control options include both Cordless and RemoteLift so your home is both safe and serene.
CORDLESS LIFTA light push or pull lifts or lowers shade to any desired position. With no visible cords, cordless shades offer a clean look and provide added child and pet safety.
RECHARGEABLE SIMPLICITYEconomical RF motorization system operates by remote control and the batteries are rechargeable for extra cost savings and convenience. Solar panel recharge available.
REMOTELIFT MOTORIZATIONBattery-operated motorized system lifts and lowers shades with the touch of a button. Smoove wall switch and MyLink option (compatible with Alexa) available.
CONTINUOUS CORD LOOPRaise shades with ease and convenience. The color-coordinated cord loop remains the same length no matter where you position the shades. The specially designed cord tensioner eliminates dangling cords for enhanced child safety.
STANDARD CORD CONTROLEasy to operate yet durable function. Multi-cord lock & guided pulley system with antique brass or white finishes ensures a smooth, long-lasting operation. Decorative wood tassels add a classic touch.
DESIGN OPTIONS
TANDEM SHADESEnjoy intricate light weaving through woven patterns or full on light blocking. Complete privacy or a hint of the outdoors. With Tandem, you can have it all. An independently operated back roller shade liner adds exceptional light and privacy versatility. Light-filtering and blackout liner fabrics available.
TRILIGHT SHADESTop-down/bottom-up convenience with the added benefits of increased UV protection, softened view, glare reduction, and added privacy. The top sheer pleated shade enhances the shade’s performance by offering infinitely adjustable control.
TOP-DOWN/BOTTOM-UPOperates from the top down or the bottom up for more light control and privacy options. Open from the top and bottom together for more flexibility.
FIXED LINERLight-filtering, room-darkening or blackout liner is attached to the back of the natural woven shade and raises/lowers in unison with the shade.
OPERABLE LINERLiner operates separately from the front shade, providing increased light control and privacy. Available on traditional and waterfall shade styles with standard cord control.
TWO-ON-ONE / THREE-ON-ONE RAILTwo or three independently operating shades share the same headrail for a cleaner, more unified look. Ideal for wide-set windows and patio doors.
WATERFALLNo valance here. Just a clean, flush mount that keeps those surface planes aligned and the hardware hidden. Back valance conceals the hardware from the exterior. The metal grommet allows the lift cord to stay neat and within reach.
EDGE BINDINGSOur sewn edge bindings lend durability, structure and a clean appearance to your shade.
PANEL TRACKCoordinate windows and doors in the same room. Fabric panels slide effortlessly across doors and large expanses of glass.
Awareness and education are frontline warriors in the eternal campaign to keep loved ones safe. Alta knows it’s not enough to simply produce and offer products that meet that goal; we want to partner with you to make smart, informed choices for your home and your family. From inspiration to purchase.
The challenge. Window treatment cords present a potential strangulation hazard to young children and pets.
Accidents with window treatment cords often involve older products that do not conform to current safety standards. We strongly encourage you to retrofit or replace corded window treatments with current safer designs in accordance with the recommendations of the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Council (CPSC) who advocate that only cordless window coverings be used in homes with small children.
WE SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY CHECKLIST IN CONJUNCTION WITH WCSC AND CPSC:
Move all furniture, cribs, beds and climbable surfaces away from windows.
Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children.
Check your current window treatments for exposed or dangling cords. To order a free retrofit kit for older window treatments, contact the Window Covering Safety Council directly: 1-800-506-4636 info@windowcoverings.org, www.windowcoverings.org
Make sure tasseled pull cords are as short as possible. Continuous-loop pull cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be pulled tight and anchored to the floor or wall.
Be sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit inner-cord movement.
Keep all window cords well out of the reach of children.
CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES
As a leader in cordless innovation, Alta Window Fashions ensures style and peace of mind work hand-in-hand. In each of our collections, there are smart options that enhance the safety of window treatments to help protect your children and pets.
Cordless products are the #1 choice of both design pros and safety councils. Why? Beautiful form, beautiful function.