First introduced in 1994 and made popular by Hunter Douglas through its Silhouette brand, window shadings are incredibly versatile. The horizontal variety allows you to see out through the double-layered sheer fabric, but when the soft fabric vanes which rest between the sheers are closed, you'll get complete privacy. Or just raise the shade with its safety cord and it vanishes into its contoured 3" headrail.

The vertical shadings are similar, but mimic stylish sheer draperies instead. They're actually a combination of sheer drapery fabric and a vertical blind all in one, and at a cost not too much more than a fabric vertical. Use them anytime you want to add streamlined drama in a soft, functional window covering. Vertical shadings work best when installed as "outside mounts".