History of Blind Designs

History of Blinds

The first known use of blinds in their primitive format seems to be credited to the ancient Egyptians. The used reeds bundled together or cotton cloths to cover the windows of their shelters. This was mainly to cool the indoor shelters; there is evidence that they even wet theses cloths to achieve a further cooling affect. Amazingly we see the same core use for Blinds today, shading, privacy, energy efficiency and decorating.

The ancient Eastern cultures also used bamboo sticks bound together to cover their window openings, the product is also still in use today in the form of the Bamboo Blind

Over the ages various cultures used a combination of cloths, reeds and slats to cover their windows. Although these window coverings provided shading it is only in modern times that these window coverings have evolved to allow flexibility in movement, which in essence makes a blind unique today.

On the 11th of December 1769, Venetian blinds were patented by Edward Beran of London. In 1769 the British designer Edward Beran enclosed wooden slats in a frame to adjust the amount of light let into a room. These became known as Venetian Blinds. The source of the name is up to some debate. Some say because they were used on Italianate windows, another theory is that they were used extensively in Venice. The blinds were often used instead of window curtains or shutters. In the 1840's, these blinds were held together by flat strips of cloth. These Ladder tapes are still available on Wood Venetian Blinds today.

Stewart Hartshorn (1840-1937) invented and had patented the spring-roller window-shade and founded the Stewart Hartshorn Company. This allowed the cloth to be rolled up or down using a spring mechanism and was the humble beginning of the ever popular Roller Blind. The blind was and often still is called the Holland Blind. This can be attributed to the use of Scotch Holland fabric which had particularly good qualities for making Roller Blinds.

In 1946 Henry Sonnenberg established a joint venture with Joe Hunter which developed new technology and equipment for the continuous casting and fabrication of aluminum. This led to the production of lightweight aluminum slats for Venetian blinds. The aluminium blinds quickly become popular all over the world in the 50mm wide format. Only in 1979 did the first mini aluminium blind appear in the 25mm format.

The development of plastic in the 60's led to the use of nylon components which significantly reduced the size and reliability of the components used in the blinds. Production machinery was designed to produce blinds on a mass scale which had the effect of reducing the costs of the finished product. Products such as the Vertical Blind were invented which made use of the new technology

History of Blind Designs

In 1975 the Blind Designs brand was born in South Africa. The Brand offered Roman Blinds, Roller Blinds and Vertical Blinds in its early years. The products were used mainly by decorators and other design professionals in South African homes.

In 1989 Blind Designs launched the Bamboo Blind. This turned out to be a defining decision in the brands development as the seed of innovation was planted in the brand. At that time Bamboo blinds were distributed on a small scale and were generally of poor quality. Unlike the luxurious finishing Blind Designs Bamboo Blinds were adorned with.

1994 was the start of the home decor revolution in South Africa. South Africans started decorating their homes on a scale never seen before. It seems the glut of previously inaccessible product from outside our shores as well as the economic prosperity in the country meant good news for the decor industry. The Bamboo Blind continued to be the mainstay of the Blind Designs brand providing new found decor possibilities to eager users.

By 1997 Blind Designs had launched the Wood Venetian Blind in 50mm format in South Africa. Although used all over the world the Wood Venetian had never hit South African shores till the 90's. The blind was an overwhelming success and to this day provides the backbone of the brand.

In 2003 the first Aluminium Blinds were introduced to the range. True to the Blind Designs history of innovation and decoration, they come in a totally different format to what the market was already offering. The Broad 50mm slat combined with wood trimmings became the Retro Blind and captured the spirit of combined wood and metal textures. The 35mm Aluminum Blind offered a sturdy and attractive alternative to the frail mini blind that was prevalent at the time.

The Sliding Panel System was introduced to an appreciative audience in 2004. Although a niche product, the system is often used on South Africa's large windows and doors. The innovations were arriving thick and fast as the brand provided more and more premium solutions for designers and decorators to consume.

2005 marked the rebirth of The Roller Blind. Gone were the unpredictable springs replace by a far more reliable spring mechanism. As competitors struggled to follow, Blind Designs already had a comprehensive range of decor oriented fabrics to offer the market. The launch of Sun Screen fabrics designed to control the light and temperature of a room while still maintaining a view further widened the divide between Blind Designs and the competition.

2007 saw the launch of motorised blinds. This innovation allows users to control multiple blinds in multiple rooms from one location. The take up on the concept was fantastic and it does seem that one day all blinds will be controlled this way.

2008 sees the launch of The Roman Panel Blind and the re-positioning of the Vertical blind as a premium product with real decorpotential.

2009 marks the year when the bubble burst and you began to worry if your money is safe anywhere especially the bank! In spite of the Global Economic Crisis Blind Designs continued to develop innovative and new products.

A dramatic step was taken when Blind Designs the 1st product intended for exterior use. Up and until then all Blind Designs products were interior orientated. The Outdoor SheerWeave is mainly intended for Patio use. The product uses SheerWeave 4500 or Soltis 86 fabric which is designed to provide efficient protection to your patio while still maintaining your view.

The product is truly revolutionary in terms of exterior patio protection. Gone are the days were exterior blinds are limited to canvas options with plastic windows (not every house is designed to look like a fish restaurant) The Outdoor SheerWeave now provides for a chic modern alternative to cover your exterior areas

2009 also saw the launch of the Shade Motion Motor Range. The Shade Motion is designed to complement the existing Somfy offering by offering a simplistic cost effective offering over the Somfy product. Once again Blind Designs have been the pioneers in the development of the motorised product offering, this secures the brand a strong foot in the future as home automation systems and motorised solutions move from the exception to the norm.

2010 saw the aggressive expansion of The Roller Blind range. The Roller Blind had become the fashion product with the the simplistic clean lines matching modern architecture perfectly. The SheerWeave products had become particularly successful. Consumers were starting to learn above the benefits of a branded screen fabric such as the SheerWeave. Not only do they look great, but they perform amazingly controlling heat and glare. As energy prices became more of an issue for cash strapped consumers the ability to save money by installing the correct window treatment become music to consumer’s ears.

Additional fabrics were also introduced to add to the ever growing list of fabrics available as a Roller, Roman Panel, Sliding Panel and Vertical Blinds. Wider fabrics became the norm with the ability to do large blinds up to 3.5 metres wide and 3 metre drop differentiating the range from the opposition.

The Designer Fabric range was also introduced as an exclusive product offering. The range is intended as a dynamic fabric offering that is updated every 2 years to reflect current trends. The fabrics can be once gain made in Roller, Roman Panel, Sliding Panel and Vertical blinds and collectively forms the largest range of blind fabrics available in South Africa. The range provides an excellent tool for consumers and decorators alike to step out of the conventional and step into the extra ordinary. The range will receive its 1st make over in February 2011 when the latest addition becomes available reflecting the freshest trends.