apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Full length but sheer! It gives a little privacy, emphasizes the window and still lets in a lot of light. And if someone sees your undressed silhouette, that's not nearly as big a deal. I might also suggest window film, but I can't picture how it would look on a window that size. It might be awesome, but it might be too much...

Who cares what they see?

Maybe the geeks at IRS will get a little thrill and forget to audit someone that day.

I've never thought of curtains as an all or nothing, or half I guess, thing. Open them, close them. That's why there's not a wall there and they invented curtains.

I would hang something sheer (screens or something paper) on the top above the curtains. That way you still get the light but nobody can see details!

I would say no to curtains, but maybe find a nice screen to put up that can be folded away when you don't need it.

Lucky you- what beautiful windows!

How about using frosted window film on the lower part of the windows? Possibly in some kind of pattern - squares or stripes etc. That would provide both light and privacy.

Something like this, although this company is in the UK.

http://www.purlfrost.com/

Why does it have to be a choice of "curtains" or "nothing"? Blinds!

Blinds can go from complete privacy to completely open, with a full range of light and ventilation in between. They're always a clean looking design and take very little room, open or closed.

http://www.tech-eg.com/images/Venetian.gif

Why is the concept of curtains so difficult? Just put up full length curtains, when you want sunlight, you open them all the way and let them hang straight down framing the window nicely, when you want privacy, you close them. The end.

That half curtain just looks weird. I'd go with a sheer, full length one (lets in enough light but obscures a detailed view) with a darker, heavier top curtain that you can close in the evening (or during the day) when you want more privacy.

Or lots of plants to block the view, add a green touch, and benefit from the all that light.

You could try a removable window film for most or all of the window. Either a standard sheer or even fake stained glass! The nice thing is they actually give you privacy - whereas sheer curtains can be see-through at night with the lights on. And if you decide you don't like it, there's no adhesive to deal with.

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/thomas-hicks-decorative-window-film.do

Bottom-up shades might be a good choice too.

http://www.levolor.com/products/cellular-shades/options.php

You could do full-length curtains without having to go dark. Someone else suggested sheer which I agree would be a nice touch.

for me it's the false sense of security that means I need full length curtains. I know they won't help me in many ways... maybe they won't know if I am ever home alone, but thats about it... still it makes me feel better.

Very long sheer white curtains (with maybe some type of semi-opaque lining) or solar roller shade, just make sure the cords are long or remote controlled. With the curtain you can do two layers if you really need the privacy, but still want the light to shine through.

I second the window film also.

This is a nice example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravdesco/451261977/in/set-72157594522478794/

I also vote for full-length but sheer. I used to live in a loft with similar windows and I put sheer, floor length curtains in all of the windows and then doubled up sheer plus a solid curtain in the bedroom for privacy. When I wanted light I would just tie back the solid curtain and let the sheer one filter out peeping eyes.

As for the regular living space you can just push those back whenever you please since you will (most likely) be clothed most of the time you walk around them!

I am fascinated with the idea of screen painting (http://www.screenpainter.com/). As the link suggests, these paintings seem to always be truly horrifying country landscapes--but I wonder how it would work with something cleaner and more modern, like a Panton design? That'd be kind of nifty.

Has anybody tried this?

I rarely use my blinds (it's an apartment, i'm not investing in nice curtains again until it's my space.)

However, the shop I work in uses a textured (i.e. frosted) plastic film for projects we do. This should be readily available at most good art-supply stores as frosted vellum or frosted mylar/duralar. I cut mine to the sizes of my lower window-panes and double-stick-taped them up.

Settled.

I get a view when I walk up to the window, but everything from my shoulders down is out of view.

Lets the light in too... and cheap/DIY!

I wouldn't worry over much about privacy. But there are likely to be times when that wonderful light is a little too much. You want the option of shade. I like the sheer curtains idea too.

Along those lines, we have some cheap bamboo curtains from ikea that function a lot like sheer curtains. They are thin horizontal bamboo rods, sort of like a large sushi mat. We roll them up and down when we want to change the light. I really like them because the bamboo color gives the room a warm light, rather than the cool light you get from white sheer curtains.

I agree with floor to ceiling, but sheer to let in all the light.

frost them! you'll still get the sunlight, you'll get to see those amazing windows, and most importantly, a sense of privacy. frosting looks really sharp and modern.

Show them everything. They really dont care and will not unt you down because they can see your Apt. I agree that they might even forget to audit someone that day. Let them see. They have to look at numbers all day, so anything, even a nicely decorated apt... will make them happier.

I like the idea of roman shades in canvas with grommets, but that would mean some heavy duty rope for the pulls.

What about installing a one-way film over the glass so you can see out but no one can see in?

Are you moving into KC or were you already here? It's great to see the Midwest represented.

Two layers.

Sheer full length. Regular curtain half way.

Or they might not look in at all. My neighbors rarely put their shades down, but I don't peer into their house.
*But I don't work for the IRS*

I would do a bottom up shade.... privacy but you can still see the sky.

Breezy, light, thin, tall, loose, dramatic curtains, kept pulled open to draw attention to those beautiful windows.

Sheer, brightly colored or gauzy white on big rings. No cotton. Nothing fussy. No tabs. You could, however, get away with a graphic damask or flimsy velvet, depending on your other decorating.

These windows would be a dream to treat.

TRICIA GUILD.

Check out some of her decorating books if you want to make these windows dramatic and fabulous.

Privacy is nice but so is an awesome view. A nice vertical blind would work. Fully opened you can look out of your windows. Depending on how you tilt them, you can even look out but people from the outside can't see in.
Also, you can protect your furniture from fading and keep your room cooler in the summer with a nice vertical blind in place. They come in a variety of colors, lengths and textures. They are not as obvious as a horizontal blind, some can be drawn aside like drapes and you get more eye appeal because you're not looking through a lot of little slats which tend to "shorten" your viewing experience. The set I have for my loft has a remote control (I can tilt, drawn and close my blinds). I also have a manual set in the bedroom a quarter twist of the wand and ahhh city views and sunrise.