Thank you, the shades are one of our favorite features in this project. Considerable research went into finding the historic engravings used for the artwork. They are custom reproduction shades, and they were hand painted by an artist in California. The craftsmanship is similar to the techniques used for historic painted floor cloths; we don't know if any similar products are being produced or manufactured presently.

I have never made these, but I would use a roller shade or blinds with the slats removed. You could remove the shade and replace it with linen canvas (Dick Blick has it). I am not sure how to prime it so that it remains flexible (or if you even need to), but I would use acrylic paints with a textile medium added to it. Attach it to the blind or roller after it has been painted. If you want to be able wash it, it will need to be heat set.