I know I am the only one in the world that likes them, but I do find them a great solution for sliding doors and I love the light control and the option to pull them back like drapery. If they are nicely made, or hidden in sheer panels, I don't see why they are any less attractive than horizontal blinds.

Les917, I totally agree with you. After trying so many different window treatments on my sliding door with the two metal horizontal blinds fell apart that the prior owner had on the door, I decided on vertical blinds and to not care if they are "IN". I first chose sheer horizontal blinds (Luminettes) but then changed my mind for fear they would get so dirty from my little dogs going in and out the sliding door. I really like the Soft Vertical Blinds I chose in the Alabaster color which is textured and a mixture of creams and off-whites and beige.

They are perfect for the house in Architectural Digest. They stack to a minimal width. I can't see the house with anything else except ripplefold drapery, but that would take up more room.

Count me in with those that love verticals too. We had them in our last home and had we had sliders instead of french doors in this home I'd have purchase them again.
I sure would like to see the home you are talking about Pal.

I'm no decorator, but it seems to me, that there's an appropriate application for many things that people consider "dated."

Vertical blinds, frameless bath mirrors, mirrored walls, full drapes, etc.

I was recently in a house that was being "updated" with new trim around the doors and plinth blocks. Two things struck me. The first was that they chose a skinny trim, and the second, was that it was a 1960's ranch.

I think what happens, is that something becomes trendy, like crown molding or plinth blocks, then everyone jumps on the bandwagon (retailers, magazines, real estate agents) and declares that we all must have it to "update" our homes. No mind that it's totally inappropriate for the house...and eventually, we decide that it looks weird and out of place (because it is.) It looks... "dated."

But those things will always be appropriate in certain houses. They'll always be in style, it just depends on the house.

Very well said franksmom! I just mentioned on another thread that in our current home I'm all about symmetry where in our last home everything was pretty much asymmetrical. I think your reasoning is right on. I've often wondered why someone buys a period home and then "updates" it. HUH !

The thing is, I don't think that older homes need to be stuck in a time warp. They're homes for people to live in, not museums, so changing things up is fine, but I do think it's reasonable to keep the basic style of the home and it's original architecture in mind when making those changes.

Just because something isn't trendy or currently in style doesn't mean that it's not the best choice.

I like mirrored walls, too. There is an entire mirrored front hall in AD this month, as well.

I think there is a danger in using the element at hand as a "catch-all" as all good or all bad, just by the term itself. "vertical blind, mirrored wall, wallpaper" "shiny brass" are all used as a stand alone word to mean bad in this forum, while "crown moulding" "hardwood floors" and the like are used as stand alone to mean "good"...and its not necessarily the case. Context is everything.

Although . . .
I do think it would be kind of fun to create a humorously totally inappropriately trimmed out space as a design commentary project. It might even have a sort of off-kilter cohesion to it.

I like Pal's quote: "Context is everything". Not only do I try to keep in mind the architectural style (or lack of) of my house, but I try to stay true to my overall style of decorating. My overall traditional/vintage style is also dictated by my background, my personal life style, who I am (and my spouse), and the feel of my home.

I live in a very basic early 70's ranch with absolutely no fancy architectural features. I don't have a fireplace, I don't have a staircase, I don't have beautiful built-ins, I don't have tall ceilings, and I don't have elaborate trims. When I replaced all my trim, I kept it fairly modest, while trying to add a little height and detail without overdoing it. My DD couldn't understand why I didn't use all the cute little plynth blocks in the corners and at at the ends of the base runs. My response was that it was a little more "pretentious" than I wanted for my home. As I slowly started replacing my windows, I went with well-made but basic wood clad, double hung so that they could be painted white to match my inside trim, and a color to cooordinate with my outside. No fancy arches or grids.

Granite countes would stick out like a sore thumb on my plain, poly'd plywood cabinets. Compromise was a nice laminate. Will paint cabinets when I get time which will be an appropriate upgrade, still maintaining my vintage look.

Silk dupioni drapes would look like lipstick on a pig in my house. A nice cotton/linen blend is perfect or all cotton.

While I can love and appreciate all these things in the right home and setting, I have the common sense to know they are not appropiate for mine.

This doesn't have anything to do with vertical drapes, but if I had a place where verticals were the most appropriate, I would use them.

Tuesday

Well just when you think something is hopelessly out of date, you see it again. In a major design mag. of all things. I admit I have vinyl miniblinds in my living room and kitchen. Nothing else gives me the options of blocking out light or filtering it in different degrees. In this case function for me was more important than asthetics because of the comfort factor.

whispers: I still like aluminum mini blinds

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(there was also a feature in AD that had shiny chrome finish vertical blinds a few years back)