Bringing the outdoors in

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Today, the popular trend is for houses to have an open floor plan with lots of windows. Essentially, we are now bringing nature inside by eliminating the boundaries and darkness created by walls.

According to Karl Lohnes, interior designer, TV host and style editor at Style at Home magazine, this trend extends to the furnishings also. Organic is in. Home accessories made from natural materials have made a comeback. There is a strong focus on relaxing the look of a stuffy home's décor while being good to the earth at the same time, using oiled driftwood, bronze metals, unglazed porcelain and seagrass finishes among others.

Lohnes recommends looking for natural and interesting materials in window blinds to incorporate this trend into your home. Shades made from paper, raffia and bamboo can help add a casual feeling to the room.

In keeping with this trend, window fashions leader Hunter Douglas has introduced an impressive new line of its Provenance woven wood shades (refer to photo). “Hand-woven from carefully selected grasses, woods, reeds and bamboo, Provenance shades offer the most diverse selection in the category,” said Sue Rainville, Hunter Douglas director of marketing.

The 2008 collection includes an array of new and exclusive fabric and design choices – including more grasses and warmer colours than previously – plus enhanced motorization and additional decorative options. The exotic pairings of nature found in this line result in stunning combinations that beautifully filter the light, bringing the outside in with style.

More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas.ca

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