I'm betting Sarah's Mom paid quite a pretty penny for this "design" blooper... too bad! Now that she's stuck with it:

Would operable exterior shutters be an option? (I'm assuming that, for a price, these could be made to open and close via some type of remote control system.)

I think your mom should install motorized blinds--hunter douglas has some nice ones. There are some really nice translucent solar shades that would work for privacy

My parents have very high windows at the top of the hallway on the 2nd floor of their contemporary-style home. Years ago, my mother made insulated (they live in VT, so it gets cold in the winter!) roman blinds and had them installed. The cord is long and just hangs down the wall, secured by one of those figure-8 style cord keepers. It seems like the cord would be really noticeable (there's nothing else on this large expanse of wall) but it's not. I don't think they'd be that noticeable on this home, either, especially if you arranged them to line up with the dressings of the lower windows.

You could make a gorgeous wall of curtains with shorter curtains for the middle windows as to not hang in the way of the fireplace. If you hang them from an inexpensive yet functional track you could slide them... or make them automated for when you want light! The install will be the trick!! I would also use sheer... better yet something silk (or some other beautiful fabric) to make it very light yet elegant!! Good luck!

I have an apartment with similar windows, i actually have them on two walls..... I put in venetian blinds and have the string that controls them running down the wall secured by small U-hooks. Its a cheap alternative compared to an automated system

This is my first time living on a ground level, and for privacy, I used window film on the bottom windows. The film lets in a lot of light, but your neighbors can't see through it. You apply it by cutting it to size, wetting the window and stroking the film down like wallpaper. You can remove it by peeling off and you can reapply it elsewhere. Emma Jeffs makes the kind I ordered online (a version that looks like Morroccan tile). Last weekend, I went to a fancy Champagne bar in London, and they were using the same pattern on their French doors (score). Just don't buy a cheesy pattern.

This is a pricey solution, but since it is a house your mom bought...you could also consider replacing the top row of windows with triptych of stained glass inserts. That would admit light (you could choose a glass design as translucent or opaque as you want). But it would also maintain privacy for the top floor.

I think it would make it look much more like a planned architectural focal point, versus design overkill, and balance well with the fireplace below it.

we have a similar situation and while initially i was opposed to the suggestion of plantation shutters we did have them installed and they look great. paint them the same color as the wall,mount them inside the window sills and they will allow light in while adding a touch of texture to the wall without becoming the focal point.

What about just frosting the top windows? That would allow all the light in, but still give privacy so the neighbors can't see in.

Instead of putting any coverings on the upper windows, I would first consider options for internal coverage on the 2nd floor. Like some nice shoji screens or light curtains.

decorative privacy film on the uppers

I like the stained glass idea for the top windows.

Just putting a plain film Or printed window film on the top ones-
http://www.troveline.com/products.php4

If this house needs air conditioning due to the sunlight from these windows then yes plantation shutters would be the way to go especially for the summer months to conserve energy.

I think window film for the top windows for privacy, and then HUGE curtains that go from the ceiling to the floor. For drama.

These two-story high living rooms builders put in houses are silly and not at all comfortable to be in. How about building out a second floor. You gain square footage and the living room no longer feels like a hotel lobby!

teacupcake great idea!

Window film is going to appear bizarre considering the windows are double hung w/ colonial divided lites...

...and floor-length draperies would be ridiculous for the outer windows - look at all the wall-space between the uppers and lowers. What's worse is that the window above the fireplace is where a chimney is supposed to be....

Rather than have windows where windows are unwanted and pay more money to cover them up, I'd call in a professional to rip out those upper windows, donate the sashes to the local Re-Use store and insulate/fill in the openings.

I'd treat them as two separate entities--the top windows can get film or motorized shades, the bottom set can be done either with blinds, panels, etc. You will very rarely have all 5 in the same eyeline (for example, when you're on the ground, you won't be able to see the top 3 and the bottom 2. The top 3 are really just for light, so I would not treat them in any sort of a decorative way.

Everything's better with window film. I got mine from here; they have a zillion choices.

http://www.decorativefilm.com/index.asp?c=204815

I have to say I've got no idea how you are going to be able to install the window film, though.

bepsf - then you would also have to pay for new siding on the exterior of the house and I'm guessing the exterior would look pretty odd without them.

If your mom plans on living there long term, I'd think about replacing them with something more appropriate for the location. You'd never get the money back for that type of improvement on selling though so if it's a shorter term investment that may not make sense. They aren't my style but I think the weirdest about them is that, as bepsf pointed out, they are double hung windows--which makes no sense when you can't open and close them without climbing a 30 foot ladder.

Decorative stained glass in colors that compliment the exterior of the house would be my choice. Then hang a large piece of art, like a colorful kilm rug underneath and over the fireplace. That would warm the space up a lot. As it is, it does kind of look like an office building atrium.

If that doesn't make sense based I'd do either the remote solar blinds in a shade close to the wall color, or shutters in the same color as the trim. That's not a cheap option either but would make the space much more livable.

http://www.artwindows.com/1Photos/12DiamondThemesWeb/pages/12210Mitch804.htm

Here's an example with etched glass...not bad actually.

Do the upper windows also open?

If so, how about considering a built-in library ladder and shutters with operable slats?

First, for the library ladder, right here on AT:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/pillows-decorative-office-accessories/alaco-library-ladder-022575

You can see from the variety of images that the ladder can be used alone or in conjunction with a collection of books or collectibles.

This product image shows shuttered windows:
http://www.amazon.com/Library-Ladder-Satin-Finish-Handrails/dp/B0006ZWSDG

Those could be used above AND below, or just above. You can open or close or adjust the slats on more of a weekly, rather than daily, schedule. Accounting for the sun's angle.

And the ladder is always right there to access the upper windows to open and close. Those windows will probably not be used at all during winter as far as opening them.

But would be splendid for summer evenings to suck out all the hot that has risen to the ceiling. The library ladder is installed, so no tipping over on a regular ladder, making it a safer choice.

And it appears you have room to the left side of that window wall to roll a ladder to when not in use.

You could possibly make use also of that space above the fireplace and between the windows as a shelving area for books or collectibles. Making that are useful, functional, attractive.

we had windows like that in houston and we put storm shutters on them and it looked really great.

"...then you would also have to pay for new siding on the exterior of the house and I'm guessing the exterior would look pretty odd without them."

Considering this is the side of the house and the proximity of the neighbors, it's probably vinyl siding so it wouldn't cost much to match and integrate into the existing siding (Certainly no more than custom/powered window coverings...)

Having a fireplace bump-out without a chimney and a window directly above already looks pretty dumb (so do those sheetrock faux-beams that end above the windows rather than in between where a support structure that they're trying to emulate would be) so removing those unwanted windows couldn't hurt it's exterior appearance and would actually improve the insulating value of that wall.

I think it's important to consider that it may not be solely privacy that is an issue with these open windows. Some of the ideas (window filters, stained glass, etc.) are good, but it should be kept in mind that there may be times when the owner may NOT want light let into the house.

I spent a year in an apartment complex that had high, inaccessible windows. As it was an apartment, there was not much I could do to rectify the situation. For at least a month, I was home midday, and had a lot of trouble because it would be TOO bright in there (making it impossible to watch TV), and also WAY too hot with the light streaming in.

So the best solutions, to me, sound like either automated blinds, or curtains/blinds that can be controlled from the ground floor.

If money were no object, I'd consider a balcony all around most of that room, like this:
http://www.marcandrobyn.com/northumberland/images/20051030/interior_1_kitchen_2_story_southwest_corner.jpg

It leads into a wall...:
http://www.marcandrobyn.com/northumberland/images/20051030/interior_1_kitchen_2_story_south_wall.jpg

And comes from some upstairs room:
http://www.marcandrobyn.com/northumberland/images/20051030/interior_1_kitchen_2_story_west_wall.jpg

Here's the entire page of photos:
http://www.marcandrobyn.com/northumberland/20051030.html

Plenty of photos from the balcony/library area. I'd guess they'll be putting in bookshelves up top with room for a chair in that angled corner.

It's stunning. It's useful. You can build in lighting for the below area of your family room just like they did.

Certainly would get the most out of the room as far as making new usable space.

I like the idea with the balcony that #9 mentioned. It would make the most sense out of upper windows, and it would add to the coziness of the bottom part with the fireplace.

freakin' McMansions. Anyway. Motorized blinds (maybe drapes on the two bottom windows). Floor to ceiling drapes would waste a ton of fabric, and look ridiculous. And for those to be functional, you would cover most of the side windows with the stack back. I don't think this wall calls for any more drama...it would dwarf any furniture in the room even more.

i agree with plantation shutters. it seems like the best option. oh, and buy yourself one of those really long sticks that movie theaters use to change the marquee. it might make opening and closing them easier...

Get shades that are sheer enough to let light in, but dense enough that you can't see through in a clear way. Dress all the windows with these shades. For the lower windows you'll be able to lift the shade up when you want even more light, but for the upper windows you'll just leave them as is all the time.

1 - Duette honeycomb shades on the upper and lower windows in a similar color to the wall.

http://www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=6

2 - Drapery for the windows on either side of the lower windows (one panel to the right of the right side window and one to left of the left side panel, installed high but be sure to tie in that height with something else in the room so it relates to something.

side note:

I would rip out the the fireplace surround and mantel, build the face of the fireplace taller to balance out the windows and the ceiling height. Simply laid out stone faced, maybe limestone, slate or granite (something that compliments the rest of the house) fireplace.

http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20060201/idx060201_pf11.jpg

Instead of covering the windows, I'd consider doing something to the upper floor. If its a loft kinda area, possibly privacy curtains or panels?

If you do this, its easier, safer, and cheaper to open and close than something 20' up the wall!

Leave those windows open.