a decorative structural element suitable for making venetian type window blinds , room dividers , furniture panels , room and furniture decorations and the like are disclosed . the element comprises a structurally stable , resilient , rigid plastic foam substrate having opposing surfaces having a wood veneer adhering to at least one of the surfaces . the thickness of the substrate is not in excess of 10 mm , and preferably is 5 mm or less . the veneer is sufficiently thin , relative to the substrate , that the structural properties of the substrate , such as resiliency , are not materially affected by the veneer .