When I went to order window treatments for my kitchen, Colleen from my local hardware store took one look and recommended 2″ aluminum blinds. “It’s what we rip out of every other 50s home,” she reassured.
We chose from the Hunter Douglas “Macro” line. These horizontal blinds are PERFECT, and from my reading of scores of midcentury magazines, I know that “venetians,” as they called these then, are totally authentic. About two years ago – when I originally ran this post — I even saw that Hunter Douglas has come out with a new color palette with circa 50s colors. I chose a soft neutral metallic, as my window is quite large and I didn’t want the shade to overpower the room.
- I really do not like Hunter Douglas’ website. It is way too complicated. On this one, my advice is to go to a good window treatment store that has all the catalogs and color samples and check everything out there.
- These things are expensive but I think the quality and service are worth it. For example, after I ordered my kitchen window shade I found that I needed to have it cut down by about 1/2″ on each side. My local sales rep got it done for me at no charge. Be nice – and the niceness comes back around.
- One final idea: If you are installing a new window – talk to your contractor about adding a support behind the drywall all the way horizontally across the window top and even beyond if you think you will need a stack-back (for pinch pleats). That way – you will not have to hunt and peck looking for the studs (which will always be in the “wrong” place) when you go to install. Oh, this is also a good idea in a bathroom, in a tub — even if you don’t think you need that grab bar now — you may eventually — so if you have the space opened up, add the support now and make a note of where it is so you can add a grab bar if you need it…
This classic Retro Renovation post has been updated from the original, which was first published on March 19, 2007.
11 window treatments for midcentury homes 
6 tips for using pinch pleat draperies as window treatments for a mid century home 
Add curb appeal to your midcentury home with ornamental metal porch columns — 3 sources for this old school product 
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2″ metal blinds are the way to go! We have two original blinds left in our house. For the other rooms, I’ve ordered the “Embassy 2″ Macro Aluminum Blinds” from Blinds Chalet online. You can pick colored cloth tapes to accent your decor. They are relatively cheap and have the right look. They deduct from the width for them to fit in your window, but they do not deduct from the length, making them a little too long when hanging in my windows… So, if you order from them, you might want to deduct a quarter or half an inch yourself. Oh yeah, they will send you slat and tape samples, too!
I prefer 2″ blinds with tape ladders.
We had the venitian blinds and pinch pleat drapes on every window in our house (which was built in 1950), except for the kitchen window which had a roller shade. In our current house which is new construction we have several rooms done in a 1950s theme and have gone with the venitian blinds. They were everywhere in the 50s.
I installed Levolor 2″ aluminum blinds, white (color code 110) with the “ladders” made from wide white cotton twill webbing, throughout my little Tony Curits condo. I even did split blinds all from one header over the multi-part living room window. I love them. And visitors always ask if they are original to the unit.
We put traditional aluminum blinds in our bedroom and they work well. Our only problem with them is that they darken the room a lot when they’re in the closed-slat position for privacy. But for people who want the blackout effect, especially in the daytime, they’re perfect. We’re actually thinking about replacing the blinds with roller shades for a little more light penetration while they’re down.
Ikea has these CHEAP. I’ve got metal colored ones in our kitchen now.
Thanks for the tip, Joe!
We went with 2″ slats as well, but I picked walnut wood slats to match the woodwork. They give more of a southern plantation look. I think mine are Bali, and I chose the slats with holes, cords to pull them up and a wand to adjust the slats.
I know this was an old post, but I was probing the archives for some help finding blinds. My problem is that my 1953 casement windows are 52 inches wide. I can’t just go to Target or Home Depot and pick up a set of blinds because the widest they come is 48″. Searching online for 52″ wide blinds leads me to old Craigslist ads; wow, do they not make them anymore as a standard size? I guess custom blinds is my only option… but last time I got a quote for that for four windows in my Florida Room, Blinds-To-Go wanted $600. Dangit.