History of Plantation Shutters
Many associate traditional plantation shutters with the historical height of the south, reminiscing about old plantations and huge, grandiose mansions. Although plantation shutters did gain their popularity and unique style during this time, shutters in general date back to ancient Greece.
Shutters were originally designed to serve three basic functions: light control, ventilation, and protection. Although they still serve these purposes today, modern shutters also serve a much more decorative function.
Shutters in Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, the first shutters were actually made of marble, not wood, making them quite solid and strong compared to other window coverings. Marble, as you could imagine, was quite difficult to work with and was not conducive to the average consumer at the time. With the rise of their popularity also came the rise of their efficiency, as wood-workers mastered their craft and improved design and functionality. Throughout the years, shutters rose in popularity and even became an important royal accessory when King Louis XIV of France insisted on their presence in his domicile. They enabled the women to nap comfortably without shutting out air circulation and allowed the cooks to control the sunlight heating up the kitchen.
By the 18th and 19th century, the shutter fad had made it over to America. The south, in particular, adopted the trend and integrated shutters into the large plantation manors, hence the name “plantation shutters”. Southern plantations were known for their elegance and grandeur and shutters were an integral part of their design.
Many today integrate shutters into their home for both the aesthetic aspect and the conveniences that they offer. Shutters now come in many shapes and sizes and can be created using several different materials. Design flexibility is another convenience that shutters offer as they can be created to fit any unique space on the interior or exterior of your home.
Plantation Shutters in the South
Making their first appearance in The South when America became colonized by the Spanish, these distinctively designed window trimmings were very popular in mansions on cotton and sugar plantations.
Though shutters are suitable for any style house and have been integrated into architecture around the world, the name became so associated with the style and sophistication of Southern plantation mansions that it stuck. When thinking of the phrase “plantation shutters”, you probably conjures image of people strolling down a magnolia-lined dirt road towards a grandiose southern plantation mansion with a wraparound porch and those iconic shutters, only to discover the house owners inviting them to “sit a spell” and enjoy an ice cold glass of sweet tea.
Despite this somewhat accurate but altogether stereotypical association, plantation shutters continue to be present in modern architecture and design across the country.
Shutters were originally used exclusively as a means to protect windows from weather and other outdoor extremities and, although they still serve this basic function, they have evolved into a way to make a bold statement about your domicile and are seen as both functional and decorative.
At NC Plantation Shutters, our goal is to provide a stylish, suitable shutter to compliment your décor and provide you with the protection and flexibility that you seek. With a wide range of designs and materials, we are confident that we have just the unique shutters you are looking for to evoke that same feeling of sophistication and style.