It's A Mirage

Shutters. A pretty standard design, correct? Especially the louver type that have been around for centuries. We use them on the outside of our homes, sometimes for function, sometimes just for decoration. We use them on the inside of the house as an option to curtains and drapes.

Shutters are a classic design

Ed Williams sent me a note the other day. He's someone I met at a window covering convention a couple of years ago. He was very excited to show me a new design for shutters he is introducing and wanted feedback.

The Mirage Shutter

They are called Mirage, and I love them. The wavy louver is so organic. What do you guys think?

The Mirage Shutters look great whether they are long or short

They work well in traditional spaces

They work well in modern spaces and you can get them in colors! I really like the long shorter narrow ones. So many homes have those type of windows, and it is hard to find a window treatment that looks good for them. I have a client in mind for these shorter Mirage Shutters (called Tempest) for exactly this type of of row of narrow windows.

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Open The Doors and Windows!

Finally Fall is making an appearance in New Orleans. This means the humidity is below 50% and the temperature will only go as high as 80 something during the day, and maybe drop to 60 something in the night. And it's not raining!


We live with the air conditioner on for at least eight months out of the year. And while we are grateful to have it, the house gets to be stuffy.



Scented candles help, and changing the air conditioner filters is a must. But still one longs for a breath of fresh air.



There a few days every year during the change of seasons, once in the Spring and the other in the Fall. The humidity and temperature drop, and the bugs are somewhere else.



The air conditioner clicks off, and that constant hum stops. The silence, a quiet house in the early morning, awakes us.




The dog feels frisky. In fact we feel it too. It actually feels naturally chilly, and I reach for a sweater to let the dog out.



Stepping on the porch is glorious! The whole city seems to be taking a deep breath.


I prop the front door open.


I open all the windows on the way to the kitchen at the back of our shotgun house.



The gentle breeze ruffles the curtains, and the cross ventilation is delicious.



Before I make coffee, I open the massive old cypress door in the kitchen at the very back off the house.



There's a view of the back garden I seldom see, and it draws me outside.




Our garden is hugely overgrown. Our yard man is sick, and I fear the worst for him. Years of being overwieght and coping with diabetis has taken its toll. I've been asking around the neighborhood for him, but no one knows anything. The sprouting wildflowers call his name.



I kind of like the wild meadow effect. I pull a few weeds, touch a few plants, marvel at the size of everything, espeically the banana trees, after a late Summer of plentiful rain.



Our dog Cholo is so happy. He brings me a soccer ball to kick or throw, and we enjoy the fine morning together.


Back in the house, everything is fresh again. Dust bunnies are tumbleweeds flying out the doors.
The scent of fresh brewed coffee, and fresh air should be bottled for those long eight months when the house is shut up like a crypt.



Even our dispositions get an airing out.



We talk about so many things that have be festering all Summer long, simmering and fermenting.



Airing out ones heart and soul is good to do once in awhile.



Blowing out the cobwebs and dust bunnies from the mind feels wonderful.


Soon it will get cold enough to shut up the house nice and tight again, and turn on the heat.


In the meantime open the windows and doors!

Hope you enjoyed the collection of images I gathered for you from Google Images.