Latest Interiors looks at stylish shutters

Louvre lover

Summer homes need cool, simple colours and lines – and shutters are the perfect window dressing. Timeless, practical and stylish, they’re also surprisingly versatile and can be the ideal solution for awkward or hard-to-reach windows. This week, Latest Interiors takes a look at the most stylish shutters.

Fabulous shutters
Wooden shutters are an enduring characteristic of some of Brighton’s period seaside properties. They’ve been used through the centuries for privacy, protection and light control – and they look great too. Here in the UK, shutters are usually placed on the inside of windows, but in most Mediterranean countries they are fixed to external walls for added protection and heat control in the summer months. Shutters provide some privacy, blocking the view of downstairs rooms without cutting all light, and are also an additional barrier to burglars.

Simply beautiful
Solid, panelled shutters are a traditional choice for period homes. Originals can still be seen in local town houses, although they have often been painted over from their original wood finish (or even painted into place). Louvred or ‘plantation’ shutter designs give a modern, continental finish. These can have simple, fixed ‘louvres’, or can be constructed (much like Venetian blinds) with adjustable slats for privacy and light control. ‘Tier-on-tier’ designs that allow for top or bottom halves to be opened independently are a versatile option for living space, and half-height ‘café’ styles give privacy in rooms where full-size shutters aren’t needed.
Solid wood shutters and neutral paint finishes are timeless, and provide a perfect backdrop to this season’s bold, patterned home textiles and accessories. And if you can’t quite make the break or want to soften the look, you can use them in conjunction with voile panels or curtains – as well as adding style, they’ll provide extra light exclusion and insulation.

Shaped to fit
Shutters can be custom built to suit your windows: Even velux windows or roof lights are compatible, as several companies now offer remote-control shutter slats. Providers of bespoke shutters can also tailor their products to accommodate curved, triangular and bay windows.