Ladder colour: the detail nobody notices (until you see it)

There's a question almost nobody asks when ordering wooden blinds: what is the "ladder" the slats rest on actually made of? And then there's the moment you see it at someone's home — a wide textile tape in a contrasting colour — and suddenly you can't unsee it.

The standard option is the cord ladder: discreet, thin, its colour matched to the wood at the factory. You don't choose it, you don't think about it, it does its job. For most people, that's the right answer and this is where the article ends.

But if you're still here, let's talk about the textile tape. It's the wide vertical ribbon that gives classic American blinds half their charm. It does two things at once: it covers the holes the cord passes through in the slats (so it closes out a little more light), and it gives the blind a tailored, workshop-made air.

Here you have two schools. The first: tape in the tone of the slat. White on white, walnut on walnut — the effect is texture, not colour, and the window stays calm. The second: deliberate contrast. Black tape on a white slat, or the reverse — the window turns graphic, almost drawn. It's a bold choice and, honestly, I like it — but only if the rest of the room backs it up.

One detail to keep in mind: the tape width depends on the slat. At 50 mm, the 25 mm tape is included in the price; the 70 mm slat takes the wide 38 mm tape, made to its scale. The configurator shows you exactly what's offered for the product you choose.

My short advice: if you're hesitating, tone on tone. Contrast is chosen with the heart, not out of indecision.