Explanation of the hype

And what if the masonry were a cast wall made of light concrete?
No seriously... when it comes to pleated blinds, my opinion is VERY fixed... No go!

...but even pleated blinds (which I find awful) have the advantage over masonry that they let more light into the room. And more light creates a more open, generous feeling compared to dark masonry. Naturally, opponents of pleated blinds will see it differently, but that's just how it is, just try holding a flashlight behind a pleated blind and once behind masonry. [emoji6][emoji4]

At our place, (on the house sides where there is no terrace) often only narrow floor-to-ceiling windows are installed. In my opinion, when these windows are half-closed by pleated blinds, they let in less light than, for example, a double casement window.

What I still haven't quite understood and have been seeing constantly lately: What is a backup kitchen? Another word for a large pantry? What is the difference?

That is also my opinion. But if I plan one meter window width and have enough space anyway, then gladly floor-to-ceiling with these (I don't like them either) pleated blinds. In bedrooms, from my own experience, window sills are more practical anyway, then gladly wide windows as well, so that the width of the room and not the ceiling is lit. By the way, almost everywhere on the ground floor we have floor-to-ceiling windows. I find that great, to see the ground in the garden as an extension of the room. And any onlookers tend to look at a hedge rather than into the house.

What I haven’t quite understood yet and have been seeing more and more lately: What is a backup kitchen? Another word for a large pantry? What is the difference?

Second sink and preparation or storage area. Possibly space for toaster, microwave, and bread maker.
It looks good if the kitchen work surface is extended there. But actually, it’s just the storage room [emoji16]

Backup kitchen: in my opinion, the clever attempt by kitchen retailers to sell more. It’s stylish, but expensive. The former pantry becomes trendier because of it

This is a part of the kitchen separated from the main kitchen (just like a pantry), only with a trendy swing door or self-opening doors (as you know from the professional kitchen sector) and behind it – space for storage, maybe the freezer, (loud) kitchen appliances that don’t fit into the reduced, stylish kitchen (breadmaker, blender, toaster, ice cream machine). Instead of cheap DIY store shelves (which have always been sufficient for the pantry), high-quality kitchen cabinets are installed here. Of course, it looks nice when the swing door or automatic door opens and reveals the view for a few seconds.

And fills the pockets of kitchen manufacturers and studios.

Our kitchen builder also suggested it to us, and yes, it’s stylish. But it would have cost us another four-figure sum without real benefit. Because I can achieve all that with inexpensive shelves, and the freezer cabinet doesn’t need to have a kitchen front, it can just come simply white from the electronics store.
Because hardly anyone will look behind my pantry door. I’d rather invest the money in the main kitchen.
For example, in a second sink on the island (ours is big enough). I use that more often.