Japanese-Inspired Matchstick Blinds

Last year, I went on a rampage and covered all the windows with simple white fabric roller blinds—inside mount, no frills. I had not anticipated all the options for cords and pulleys, borders, linings, and valances.

While you can go wild with trimmings, we favor a leaner look. Not as spartan as an all-white linen blind, we like these light-filtering matchstick blinds that are simple in design but add texture and a casual, summery note to rooms. Here are our some of our favorite finds.

Above: We like the simple look of Smith and Noble's Woven Flat Fold Shades shown in Portia/ Camel; go to Smith & Noble for pricing information.

Above: The Shade Store is a good source for matchstick blinds; shown here is the Standard Woven Wood Shade in the Kismet pattern with a small valance (options include blackout lining, inside mount, decorative borders, and multiple lining and control options); pricing starts at $272 for a 36-inch-wide, 60-inch-long size. See the Shade Store for more details.

Above: The Reed Designer Roll Up Bamboo Blind is $14.99 for a 5-foot-wide, 5.5-foot-long size at Matchstick Blinds.

Above: The classic, inexpensive Matchstick Roll-Up Window Shade starts at $37 for a 6-foot-long blind (available in 5 widths) at Amazon.

For another simple window covering, check out Instant Curtains by the Genius Bouroullec Brothers.

See more of our Curtain offerings.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 29, 2009.