I have always loved shutters.  So Olde Worlde American. 

So today we were off to Next Day Blinds to order white "Plantation Shutters" from the DC branch of this well known chain store. 

Calm, professional, efficiency was the name of the game.

All our required measurements were taken and the estimate of the costs calculated. 

But I had one final question to put to Paul, our delightful salesman:

Can I hang curtains in front of the shutters once they are put up?

Paul looked at me with amused astonishment.  He had detected my accent and was determined to put me straight: 

You can do whatever you like - this is America!