Escape to an island paradise; picture yourself sipping cocktails on a beachside veranda while soaking up the sun and taking in the view. It’s a decadent dream but by mixing this clever cocktail of decorating tips, anyone can create an island retreat in their own home!

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Today shutters are known for the classic style they add to homes, while ensuring privacy. But if the legend is true, the moveable function of louvres was first used by a royal ‘peeping Tom.’

King Louis XIV of France was said to have had louvered shutters installed around the garden walls of the Court in the 17th century. Apparently King Louis XIV liked to admire the women who bathed in the ponds within his gardens but noticed the women distracted the court guards. The shutter louvres allowed him to view the women at his leisure, without distracting the guards. If this is true, the term ‘louvre’ was named after Louis’ previous dwelling, the Louvre.

The 1838 Peter Augustus Jay House in the Boston Post Road Historic District (US) has colonial or traditional style shutters. Image credit: Jay Heritage Centre

Legends aside, the history of shutters is believed to have started in Greece where marble shutters with fixed louvres helped to control the light and minimise the Mediterranean heat while allowing for ventilation. Eventually wood replaced marble and made moveable louvre shutters possible.

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Imagine opening shutters to overlook the tides lapping up on to stretches of sandy beach or a view of mountains and lush exotic forests… It’s a delicious daydream! For residents of Eden Island, a 40 hectare luxury property development in the Seychelles, it is a reality.

In Eden Island a new day is welcomed by opening shutters and blinds made by AMERICAN shutters, manufacturers of customised louvre shutters and blinds in South Africa since 1985.

“Our range of quality adjustable louvre shutters and blinds complement the elegant design and natural beauty of Eden Island. This and our unique 63mm wide slat blinds, which gives the blinds a ‘shutter-look’, secured the contract,� says Stephen Palmer, managing director of AMERICAN shutters.