How could anyone toss perfectly nice shutters, which are not cheap to install? It looked much better before, I feel.

Loved the before. Hate the after. Sorry :(

I'm with rural, It looks better before. Might be even better with just drapes.

Goodness, I'm with everyone else. Those shutters were beautiful and now it just looks... something else.

Well I personally liked the shutters before better, but..to each her own I suppose...

Would've kept the shutters. The after just confounds me. Maybe some type of privacy screen in addition to the shutters would have worked? Dunno.

a little too crafty for my taste.

I HATE SHUTTERS! I removed all my shutters in my condo. They are hard to clean and after a while, you have to repaint them. I'm lucky enought that ALL my views DO NOT butt up to a neighbor. I have distant neighbors and beautiful trees in between and I'm not in the country.
So kudos to her creativeness. I like them.

It makes me happy just to look at the "after". the before was fine but generic. If you can't show your personality at home where can you show it?

Prefer the 'before'.

I recognize this particular shot was used for inspiration: http://www.casahaus.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/brume-cocina.jpg

The privacy window with the graphic contact paper works within the inspiration. The inspiration is monochromatic with pops of accents from the flowers and soap. This helps keep the scene calm rather than noisy. The other design element which works within the inspiration is the windows are one main unit without the privacy at the top of the window.

I think most people prefer the generic, because it's easier on the eyes and featured more character with the molding of the shutters.

are those shutters still available? I'd take those in a heartbeat.

I'm sorry but that just looks con-tacky.

Yeah, whoa, paint the frames white and get rid of the blue dangly things, then maybe... Also, declutter and put some pulls on those drawers

oh dear . . . not a good move.

Ha. I thought this was a DIY for making your own shutters.... so I was excited. Very disappointing.

I'm all for privacy, but shutting out a potential view seems wasteful to me. If the view is of other people looking at me, maybe I'd change my mind. But the shutters seemed (though strange for a kitchen window) more aesthetic and practical to me.

It just looks a bit crafty and trite to me. BUT it's not my kitchen and I like that someone tried something new. That's what it's all about and if it suits their needs better, I'm all for it.

Oh wow no. But I guess it matches what's going on on the fridge - so from that angle it's a homerun.

The after would be very nice if the clothesline of things weren't dangling down.

Another way to do this would be to cover up only enough of the window to block the sight lines that are a privacy problem or are unsightly. That solves the problem, but removes that closed-in feeling. I did that with the same type of clingfilm on a side window upon mutual agreement with my neighbour so that neither of us ever got caught skulking to the laundry room half-dressed. It meant that the window could still perform its purpose of letting light in, while ensuring privacy.

No.

Another vote for the shutters. @GARIMI, you had me at declutter...

@tiffanyseattle so what? This FAMILY has some photos stuck on their frigdge, so what? That doesn't make them tacky heathens. I think being so rude makes YOU tacky, so I guess it all evens out.

um no

Haters gonna hate! I think it is so much brighter and cheerier! and I am all about bright and cheery! I really like them :)

I also thought this was going to be a DIY on shutters.

I like your blue and green back splash tiles - very warm and country-kitchen like. Why not play up that theme? You could create interest such as a dark brown bamboo blind hanging from the top, left two-thirds open, and then put nice pots of cactus or the like on the windowsill, and then perhaps put some of the frosting on the window if you must. Or, you could buy a couple of really interesting tea towels and turn them into tea curtains going half way up the window (and once again frost the glass, if you must). Either of these suggestions, in my opinion, would be more in keeping with what you already have.

I don't get the before or after. I don't understand why one needs privacy to do the dishes. I would love to have a window over my sink (although I have four large windows in my kitchen, the sink is on an interior wall). I would MUCH rather let the world see me doing dishes and have a full view and light.

I think it's a cute idea and am going to use it for my child's bedroom as that window looks right onto our neighbor's balcony. Nature themed cut-outs would be sweet. Sometimes a room needs privacy and light in equal measures. Thanks for the link.

I'm with the majority in that this just doesn't feel like an improvement. The color of the frame clashes with both the backsplash AND the countertop, and the little cutouts on the banner just make NO sense. I'm not sure if the focal point is supposed to be the frame, the cutouts in the film or the cutouts on the banner. It's all too busy....and not in a good way.

Before, before, before. As above, love the backsplash, and the bamboo blind etc idea. Also could have just painted the shutters the same blue and it would have looked great.

I think it's the window film treatment. The design could've been nicer. If you don't open your windows then perhaps get rid of it? I'd rather put up artworks.

I like how she reused and painted the shutter frame. Wouldn't it be fun (but a bit of work) to replace the little moving bits on the shutters which block light (flaps) with green and blue plexiglass!! A little light, a little view to the outside when you want but all the privacy you need for those intimate dishwashing moments. Picture flipable stained glass window... anyone?

Kind of like this: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-stained-glass-bedroom-wind-57288

first is better

I very much prefer the film to the shutters. The shutters looked overwhelming and a little country for my taste. And I understand the need for it. Without the shade on our kitchen window, I am making eye contact with my neighbor as we both do our dishes.
I'm also pro photos and kids' artwork on the fridge.
I probably would not have done the cutouts in the film, or I would have used less literal images, but I think this is much improved!

Does the after remind anyone else of the back-lit panels doctors use to view x-rays?

Why do you need "privacy" with a window at that height above the kitchen sink?

But if necessary, I think the shutters were fine, or maybe some curtains.

Before, please. Seeing outside is best. How many times will you lock eyes with your neighbor? Then you can draw a curtain or close a blind. But the rest of the time having contact with the outside is best. How I wish I had any sort of outside view in my kitchen, even if I looked at an airshaft, there would be rain, or snow sometimes.

I, too, prefer the shutters. They add a bit of architectural detail and are much nicer than the routed cabinet doors. The backsplash tiles are quite nice. The window film cuts out all of the view and much of the natural light; it looks like a faux window in a basement apartment. It makes me think there is a flourescent light hanging out behind it.

Not good!

Why not put up a one-sided reflective window shade film? That way you can enjoy the light from outside, but not the intrusion on your privacy?

Seems to me the before and after should be switched. This isn't the bathroom, you aren't getting out of the shower, you're standing at the sink, probably only visible from the shoulders up. Seems like maybe someone's been watching a few too many horror/stalker movies.Why would you more or less permanently get rid of the ability to see out the windows when the whole point of the shutters is the ability to change that as needed? They also seem much more polished than the contact windows.

I like the after. I like shutters, too. But sometimes you do have a window where you need privacy more than anything, but you'd also like some daylight to come through. We don't know what's on the other side of those windows--I'm willing to assume that the homeowner has a reason for completely blocking out the view.

Those shutters gave privacy at the cost of light. The window film, while clearly not to everyone's taste, gives privacy *and* light. And it looks a lot less heavy and overbearing above the sink.

Until you've had a neighbor who blatantly looks into your windows at every possible opportunity, to the point where she could tell if your plants needed watering, don't knock the need for privacy in your kitchen. Not everyone wants their neighbors privy to everything inside their home.

I like the look of shutters, although I cannot attest to having to clean them. I appreciate the need for privacy and seek ways to find it in everyway that I can. I'm lucky that my kitchen affords me some privacy as it is located towards the back of my home and garden. She has the right to create the kind of look that she desires in her kitchen, despite how anyone else feels about it--it is her home.

I agree, the first is better!

This would be a good idea in a modern condo that wanted to have more privacy if they were looking directly into another unit. If you go to her blog the original idea has an open window on top of the privacy screen windows so it balances out the "look". I think that essentially is what's missing here. The project itself is well done, just not necessarily the best for the space.

Ye-ouch! I take it most of you were not brought up on "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".

Note to self - never submit a DIY project to AT (unless you're feeling particularly thick skinned that day!)

Not a fan of the before or after....I prefer curtains.

The After shot looks just plain nuts to me, especially since the shutters could be adjusted to let in light and give privacy -- so why get rid of them in favor of this look? I don't get it.

I prefer the before as well.

I like the after, but I'd paint the frame white, and remove the blue dangle things on the sides... but keep the pictures in the middle. That's just me though!

The shutters are so nice, so they can be recycled into another room or another home. The after for this particular problem totally makes sense. Much more light comes in without any privacy loss. Shutters require opening and closing -- something you may not want to do while scrubbing dishes or while your neighbor's face is at their window. The after wins on this one. My friend left her kitchen blinds up all of the time, and her neighbor came over to "suggest" privacy curtains since the neighbor had a darker kitchen and left HER blinds up all of the time. They finally agreed to just smile and wave , but this After would have been a solution.

nice tile / cutting boards -- the kitchen details show up nicer in the after

Too claustrophobic and institutional. Shutters are perfect. You can tilt for light, to peek out if desired and yet retain privacy.

Yeah, I can see in my neighbours windows from the kitchen, and then from my closet. I don't care. We respect each others' privacy, but having light come in and being able to see outside is way too important to me to cover up a window :). I'd maybe have gone for blinds or something. But I think the cut out in the middle of the screen is pretty cute. Its more colourful and quirky this way- less 'country'. Which is nice.

I'm pro shutters as well. But that's a personal preference--would love to have them all through my house instead of curtains.

As the owner of 37 sets of shutters in a Victorian (previous owner owned a window treatment store!!) I understand the tedious painting, dusting process.
But it's worth it.
The after looks all Ikea to me. Or maybe like an X-ray light box. And what's up with the rear-view mirror hangy-thingies?
I'd have gone with a leaded glass or even a -gulp- glass block before I cut the whole light source out.
But, essentially, what's wrong with someone watching you wash the darn dishes? How about saying "hello!" and not being so cloistered?

No. The blue & green backsplash is the best thing here.
Now, wonder what treatment the 'close neighbor' has?

i use to love shutters but, as mentioned above, they get dusty and are a pain to deal with. the after shot is cleaner, less heavy, and functional in view of light entry. don't care for the cut out design but i can see big gains here. m

I have no love for shutters in general, but I too, prefer the before.

Before - what's up with that after? Knife - fork - spoon - martini glass - UUGH

What's wrong with being able to see your neighbor's house?! What a shame to ditch those amazing shutters!

Ick.

I'm not much of a fan of either, I know shutters get dirty so quick and are a hassle, and the contact paper windows are too modern for me, especially with the large, off-sized martini glass. I would have opted for a blind or curtain in that small space, the contact paper just kills all the natural light. Though, I don't think it's as bad as people are making it out to be. If it's what she likes, it's what she likes, and I'm glad she's enjoying it in HER home.

With the before, you had control of light levels and a choice of whether to let the sun in, on those rare occasions when you're not washing the dishes while topless. And even if the view was ugly, you could slant to louvers so that light still came in at whatever intensity you like. I don't see the advantage of the after.

No

Neither for me thank you. Too much clutter and I hate shutters!

My sink window overlooks the back porch of my apartment building into the alley. While the hedge across the alley is a nice one, the porch is the smoker's hangout, which meant that the mini blinds were always closed and I was begging for some light.
I went a little more permanent and used a frosted spray on my window. I'm much happier, have my light and no prying eyes from the smoker's lounge.

I think I would have kept the shutter blinds. The reason:

1) They look better.

2) They can help protect the home in a hurricane area by reducing projectile damage to windows.

3) If you live in a storm area and you report to your insurance company that you have purchased an item like this for your home, it can reduce your home owner's insurance.

Okay. I will start by stating I do love the shutters. Now I will continue by saying that I can see how the shutters would be so frustrating in that specific window. When you want them open, they are in the way, and they wouldn't give you the bright light you want without giving your neighbor a full view into your kitchen. So there, all you who have stated that the shutters were a better choice.
As to your way of dealing with the privacy issue, good job! I've considered doing something similar to my front door windows. Right now I have a curtain hanging on my door and I really hate it. This would allow me the light, the privacy, and no more in the way curtains on my door.
Thanks! And again, GOOD JOB!

I think before was better