Custom Interior Shutters for an Art Room in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
- Scott Pulus
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Every once in a while a project comes along that reminds me why I love this work. This Bloomfield Hills art room installation is one of those projects, where function and design had to work together perfectly for a client who needed her lighting just right.
A Bloomfield Hills Client with a Specific Vision
When my client reached out about window treatments for her art room, she had a real need behind the request. She uses this room to create, and natural light matters a lot when you are working with color and detail. She needed shutters that could give her precise control over how much light came into the space at any given time.
We sat down and walked through the different shutter options available to her. After seeing samples and talking through her goals, she chose Norman shutters in a crisp white that matched her existing window trim perfectly.
Two Window Openings, One Cohesive Look
This art room had two window openings that needed shutters. The first was a double, side by side window, and the second was a triple, side by side window. Getting the proportions and panel configurations right across both openings was key to making the whole room feel intentional and pulled together rather than like two separate projects.
Before After
Solving the Light Control Challenge with a Divider Bar
Here is where this project got interesting. The original windows had a horizontal mullion running across them, and we used that as our guide for placing a divider bar on the shutters. This gave her independent control over the top and bottom sections of each panel.
For an art room, this detail matters more than people realize. Being able to open just the top louvers while keeping the bottom closed, or adjust each section separately, gives her the flexibility to shape her light throughout the day depending on what she is working on.
A Custom Finishing Touch: Black Hardware
The room already had black hardware on doors and other fixtures, so we finished the shutters with black hardware to match. It is a small detail, but it ties the whole room together and gives the shutters a more custom, designed look rather than something that feels added on.
The Result
The finished shutters gave her exactly what she needed. Precise light control for her artwork, a clean and cohesive look across both window openings, and finishing details that matched the rest of her room. She was thrilled with the outcome, and honestly, so was I. This is the kind of project that shows what is possible when you take the time to understand what a client actually needs the space to do.
FAQ
What are Norman shutters? Norman is one of the leading manufacturers of custom plantation shutters, known for durable materials, precise craftsmanship, and a wide range of finishes and hardware options.
What is a divider bar on plantation shutters? A divider bar splits a shutter panel into two independently operating sections, usually top and bottom. This lets you open or close each section separately for better control over light and privacy.
Can shutter hardware be customized to match my home's fixtures? Yes. Hardware finishes, including black, brushed nickel, and more, can be selected to complement existing fixtures in your home for a cohesive, designed look.
Are shutters a good choice for rooms with specific lighting needs, like a home art studio?Absolutely. Shutters offer some of the most precise light control of any window treatment, which makes them a great fit for art rooms, studios, or any space where lighting consistency matters.
Ready to Design Your Own Custom Shutters?
If you are in Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, or anywhere across Metro Detroit and thinking about shutters for your home, I would love to help you find the right fit. Reach out today and let's talk about your space.
