Wood blinds can add quiet dignity to a home

The New York Times reports that a series of renovations to a home in Paris has left it humble on the outside, but impressive and historical on the inside. The house, which is located on the same street as the Palace of Versailles, is a 17th-century marvel which is hidden by an expansive courtyard, overhanging branches and leaves, and a quiet, green door.

Patricia Birchall-White, the homeowner, informed the news source that the home is naturally protected by the city, making for an intimate setting. Her daughter, Alexandra Birchall-White, helped renovate the interior.

"The people who had previously lived there had decided to hide the ancient character of the house and had covered everything up," she told the newspaper.

The inside of the house is now speckled with unique oddities - sculptures, Middle Eastern carpets, colorful glass chandeliers and other objects from the 19th or early 20th century.

A garden designer added a carefully cultivated wilderness of fruit plants and flowers, along with a tasteful set of wire furniture.

Homeowners interested in conveying the privacy and modesty exemplified by this Parisian home, can hang wood blinds on their windows. These treatments are sophisticated, but not overbearing. They can add a natural, private element to any room, making it feel intimate.