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Unusual plastic window shades in 1961 midcentury modern bathroom

pam kueber - Updated: September 27, 2016

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

retro plastic window shadesThese vintage plastic window shades, which seem to be original to Todd’s 1961 house — are fabulous. They appear to be basket-weave plastic, on a track like a shower door, but accordian-style. I’ve never seen them before. Does anyone else have them? Does anyone know about them? Yum. Todd writes:

Does anyone know where I can get these types of plastic shades? Our house was built in 1961, its a mid century modern, and only 3 windows left have these as the previous owners junked all the rest (as we found pieces of them here and there in the back yard).

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  1. Melinda says

    I was so happy to see your picture of this window treatment. I’ve been looking for something like this for quite awhile. I believe it is spelled ‘jalousies’ if you need to google it as well. I’m still looking for that perfect treatment. Good Luck All!

  2. Lisa Rountree says

    My parents built a home in Dallas area in 1965 and hired interior decorator. She had Tropilite put in east facing kitchen window and east facing glass door. I remember it was “the thing” to have in your home. Ours were pearl shaded with an orange trim on bottom border. Our neighbor got them in pearl shaded with turquoise border. My dad passed in 2001 and they were still in good shape when we sold his house in 2002.

    • pam kueber says

      WOW! Thanks for that information and for sharing that memory, Lisa. I would sure love to see these!!!

  4. Maureen says

    Hey all, I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and those blinds were something I am very familiar with. There used to be a small manufacturing company in Euless, Texas called TropiLite (not sure of spelling, I was just a kid after all). They made many varieties and colors of these plastic blinds. At one point, my mother worked for this company part-time. We had these blinds in every room in our house in the 60s. I even remember have small bits of the pieces given to me to use for crafts projects since we knew the owner. I googled but can’t find any mention of this company and I’m sure it’s long since folded. I haven’t thought about these window coverings for many years!

  5. Susan says

    I would love to try to make these out of pieves of mica-like the ‘windows’ from wood stoves! Last forever!!

  6. Dan says

    In the 1960’s there was a plastic shade sold in Los Angeles which I remember as “Jayless” brand which resemble Todd’s. Each interlocking piece is 3″ square and consists of four 1.5″ square sections, in an alternating checkerboard style. I have two of the shades in aquamarine.

    • Lesley says

      My parents made and sold Jayless in L.A. and Alaska in the early 60’s. I even learned how to do it. We made a set for Grams picture windows and even lamp shades. There were many colors and even some with metalic glitter. I still have a soft spot for the stuff.

  7. Anastasia says

    Pam I ran into similar doors when we were stationed in Germany! In our 30 year old house as well as in all the hardware stores. (yep new) Not quite the same as those but there are still some places where similar stuff is available. If I can find Bavarian Masonry heaters in the U.S. I’m sure someone does shower doors as well. and no I do not remember any manufacturers, we were looking for paint that day. sorry.

  8. Dan says

    I love those blinds! But I’m no surprised that the haven’t aged well. Anything exposed to sunlight eventually gives way, and plastic is especially vulnerable.

    Our house came with dreary vertical blinds over the huge sliding glass door. I priced some respectable pinch pleat drapes and found out that they would cost more than the house is worth, so I went the cheap and cheerful way: I bought some fabric paint in jewel tones (Kelly Green, Magenta, Sunny Yellow and Navy Blue) and painted the vanes so that the four colors repeat in a pattern. My general inspiration was the curtain Johnny Carson used to stand in front of to tell his monologue.

    It turned out great! (If I do say so myself). Maybe that would be something you could do? Vertical blinds are pretty inexpensive, and so is the fabric paint.