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by lhakeem
4 months ago in Design Dilemma
Need help with BIG windows!
Hi, everyone ....

I need help with window treatments--I need them to provide privacy, decor and shade. All windows face the south--major sun in the afternoon.

I have an open floor plan ... living space/dining/kitchen. Three walls are pretty much windows. I have outdated oak trim, oak window casings... i have uv film on the upper arched window, but it's been on there about 20 years ... so it likely needs replacing. I currently have 2 in. aluminum blinds on the windows ... they have been chewed by a dog unfortunately but we are living with it for now. if we were to sell we would have to replace likely. My biggest concern is the big arched window above the rectangular ones that go into a cathedral ceiling. My style leans contemporary with an eclectic flair .. I like clean lines with that piece or two that is so unique people can't stop talking about them! I currently have a room and board metro sectional in charcoal. my walls are revere pewter bm and escape gray bm... color scheme is dark red/celery green.. but looking to go maybe with mustards/yellow and royal blues?? not sure, but regardless thought this info might help you in your suggestions for window treatments. I have attached some photos. Here are the things I have considered:
1) painting window trim white and leaving window casing the oak... putting "faux" drapes on grommets on each end of large window under arched one... but how high do i hang them? i would leave the aluminum blinds for now for the shade and privacy.
2) painting window trim and windows a deep charcoal or black for effect. leave the aluminum blinds for now. nothing else.
3) install sillouette blinds, leave the trim and add the faux drapes on the one window
4) do the silouettes... paint the trim white, leave the oak window casing.

Thank you to everyone who is able to offer me some advice! I am a mom of two small kids and don't have a huge budget!

Thanks!
Laura
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Susan Chandlee Plantation shutters on the bottom. For your arched windows get a sheer type fabric and cover them would have to special install
4 months ago ·
Susan Chandlee Also check out http://www.adjustaview.com/
4 months ago ·
lhakeem thank you for the suggestions!
4 months ago ·
blindsdirectcanada I would actually recommend Cellular shades . Hunter Douglas makes them operable in those shapes . I would also suggest some decorative drapery panels to frame the window for a more finished look.

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/shades-toronto/cellular-shades.html
4 months ago ·
lhakeem thank you ... i do like the cellular shades ... where would you hang the curtain rods? right above the bottom window molding? or right under the top arched window molding? i would have to have them custom made if I did it higher than the bottom window molding.
4 months ago ·
lhakeem one more question .... blindsdirectcanada, which cellular shade would you recommend?
4 months ago ·
Creatively Yours Custom Inc. Hi Laura,
I love the window- it adds architectural shape and is a huge focal point.
Many specialized shape window treatments are custom made and can be very costly.
With that in mind, I would concentrate my design dollars on the lower parts of the window where you will get privacy and light control either with cellulars, Silhouettes or draperies.
Then I would look into the newer solar films for the arched areas. They have glare control and UV protectant for your floors and furnishings.
Painting the trim around the window in a charcoal/black could then be a nice enhancement to accent the focal part of the window you have.
Let me know if you have any questions!
4 months ago · ·
JMittman Designs I can't see the top of the wall with the big window, but if you do side panels, I advise hanging them just above the top arch, or above the 2nd set of arches. Can't tell if you have the room. A colleague of mine just completed side panels on a similar window. Cellular shades (Kirsch, Graber) could definitely be added to these windows, but would probably require motorization if you ever wanted to open them. Tall panels on a window this size and motorization are not inexpensive. You would need at least 3 widths, if not 4 of material on each side for the panels to look good.
4 months ago ·
lhakeem I probably have 8-12 inches above the top arch ... pics are hard to tell in ... would it look bad to just do the drapes above the bottom windows and have no drapery on the arched windows? if that would look ok, where do i put the curtain rod? right above the bottom window trim or right below the bottom of the arched window trim? and do i do a full curtain rod across or two short ones on either side? i don't think i would need to rely on the curtains to be functional...
3 months ago ·
lhakeem and..... if i were to paint the window trim a dark color ... would i need to paint all the window trims that color? i have loads of windows around this room. or could i paint everything else white, like the baseboards, and just do the big windows?
3 months ago ·
JMittman Designs I think you need to figure out your budget first. You mentioned the UV film might need replaced--is it coming off or what? I'd address that first. If you can just treat the tops with uv film, and not have to cover with something else, that eliminates a lot of $$ right there. If you do functioning curtains on the lower half, I would bring the rod up to the bottom of the arched section. If you plan to open and close daily, consider a decorative traversing rod--these can be pricey, but well worth it. How wide is the triple window under the arched section? Silhouettes are another good choice--though they are not inexpensive either--hence why you need to know your budget. There are a LOT of windows here. Side panels and silhouettes, functioning panels, cell shades---all of this together is going to cost a pretty penny due to the custom nature of your window. Perhaps you should get a quote to see if it is in line with what your are planning first. Then perhaps you can do it in stages. I'd put painting on the back burner till you figure out how to best to block that sun.
3 months ago · ·
lhakeem thank you for your feedback. the uv film is not coming off ... just been there aa long time so I was thinking I would need to replace it. at this point, though, it's not a problem, so i will put that at the bottom of the budget list. as for shading and privacy on the bottom window... we do fine with the aluminum blinds for now. so my first step is to do some kind of drapery to bring some texture and finishing to the room. and i would want to do the cellular shade or silhouette to replace the aluminum due to dog marks. i expect those will be in the 3-4k range for the three large windows i have throughout the living and dining space.118in for one under arched windows, 70in on perpendicular wall, and 102 in in dining room.
3 months ago ·
blindsdirectcanada Hi sorry for the late response I would recommend going with Hunter Douglas they have the biggest selection for your type of windows. As for the Drapery rod I usually recommend mounted the rod about 6'' above the window .
3 months ago · ·
South East Installation Solutions, LLC Another option would be plantation shutters on all of the window opening. The windows with the partial and full arches can also be made to custom fit the entire opening and they will not have to be "squared off" leaving the uppermost portion open.

At least one company makes a motorized tilt for their shutters so you can tilt them open and closed to control the amount of light that comes in without having to climb a ladder to adjust them.
3 months ago ·
JMittman Designs Yep, you've got some big windows! I think you are headed in the right directions. What part of the country are you in? I might be able to suggest a window person for you to contact.
3 months ago ·
lhakeem Thank you for your response! I am in st Joseph Michigan, an hour and a half from Chicago, north of south bend Indiana, in the southwest corner of the mitten.
3 months ago ·
JMittman Designs Ok. Let me see what I can find out!
3 months ago ·
Fenstermann LLC-Newport Beach @ Ihakeem wrote "My style leans contemporary with an eclectic flair .. I like clean lines with that piece or two that is so unique people can't stop talking about them!"

Sorry for jumping in here late, but I have the perfect product for you. Top-down/bottom-up pleated or cellular shades. The ones we carry are from Germany. They come in Royal and Mustard, offer clean lines, and have a very clean look that people love. What is so different about them? They have no headrail, no strings hanging in the middle of the window, are only 3/4" in depth, and operate in a very unique fashion on arches. Since they operate bottom-up as well as top-down, most people leave them about 3/4 up the window for privacy and natural light.

Here are a few pictures, as well as more information on our website: www.pleatedblindsstore.com
3 months ago ·
JMittman Designs I have a word out with a contact for a window treatment person. If you would be interested in a name/number email me at jmdesigns@wideopenwest.com
3 months ago ·
JMittman Designs Did you find someone to help you with your windows?
3 months ago ·
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