Is It or Isn't it?

Wood blinds have long been a rich, luxurious favorite. Still, we can't help but demand more fashion and function from these favorites, and manufacturers are heeding the word. Topping the list: faux-wood treatments. They look almost too good to be true, in a bevy of color stains and decorative accents that provide seamless coordination in any room. And they offer benefits unknown to hardwoods.

Composite wood blinds and shutters lead the great impostors. Combining hardwood and durable polymer, composite wood exudes the same rich look as real wood but won't crack, fade, sag, or warp. That means these window coverings can be hung in a bathroom, an oceanfront home, or any other high-humidity area. They're also considered a step above heavier foam-base products because they more closely imitate the feel and weight of wood.

Softly in Style

For sheer elegance or mix-and-match adaptability, fabricated window treatments have long been the dressing of choice. But for large expanses of windows, where light control and privacy are needed, the choices for a stylish treatment -- hung over a classy French door, for instance -- were limited.

Enter a new, softer era in blinds and shades. Resembling graceful sheers and elegant draperies, these breezy treatments put an end to awkward combinations.