apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love your windows, they are amazing.
My first advice would be to scrap the curtains and install wooden blinds to keep the horizontal lines, but I suppose that very simple drapes hung straight from a curtain rod custom built to fit that corner exactly so that the curtains hang only left and light and not in the corner at all would also be great

Do you necessarily need curtains? (to screen out glare or give you privacy) It looks like a pretty view of tree tops.

I agree with Deborah.

But if you really do need a window covering, I'd go with blinds instead of curtains. It doesn't look like you can hang floor-length curtains with your current furniture configuration, and I'm not a fan of short curtains.

My living room is similar in style and colour scheme to yours, and I'm using a tightly-woven bamboo Roman shade on my windows. It works really well at cutting out glare when the sunlight angles directly into the room (which is the only reason I installed it).

I wonder if you can suspend 2 rods from the trim above each window, and hang a not-too-heavy curtain from each. What do you think about hanging the rod below the top window pane, so you can have privacy and light? (Clerestory windows)

Definitely no curtains if you want to have the corner "open". Have you thought of inside mounted sheer roman shades, or solar shades? They would offer some privacy and light filtering effects and would not detract from those lovely windows.

I think I've mentioned before that I have solar shades from The Shade Store -- in my living room I went for charcoal (the window frames are black metal) with minimum screening -- enough to cut out the afternoon glare but I can see through them. I went for the next step of density in a slightly offwhite in the bedroom (more privacy). In both cases the shades almost vanish. Anyway -- I really recommend them for service and quality.

http://www.theshadestore.com

That window is fantastic - it would almost be a shame to cover it up. But, I understand the need for privacy (and glare control).

This is gonna sound crazy - and it probably is - but I'm thinking translucent sliding plastic panels in a track mounted in the windowsill. Maybe each panel the width of one window segment. Fitted fairly loosely, so they can be removed entirely when you want a lot of light in the room. You could do paper screens as well, or even a sheer fabric.

Whatever you go with, it's either going to have to be very neutral and plain (roman blind, rice paper screen) or very unusual.

What gorgeous windows and what a sunny aspect. They look terrific without any window treatments, but if too much sun or too little privacy is an issue, curtains would be a good choice. Simple, lightweight linen drapes with a very plain header would not draw attention away from the treetop view. They would also stack back to reveal lots of window. You might consider one of the neutral colours in your rug, such as the medium grey/taupe. As far as a rod, I think a metal rod with a corner connector would work best. You could even try a DIY one of electrical conduit if you wouldn't find it too industrial. Best of luck, and congrats on a lovely room.

i would only get treatments if privacy or sun is an issue. those windows are amazing.

i agree with SBDesign.

i wouldn't hide those beautiful windows. get shades that fit inside the window casing.

Unless you have a neighbor who can see into your apartment, there's NO WAY you should cover those beautiful windows. Especially with their pattern being somewhat repeated in the pattern of your rug.

It's gorgeous as-is.

Ah, what a shame it would be to cover that gorgeous view! If you must do so, I think some sleek shades or blinds would be infinitely preferable to curtains. You want to pick up on the geometric shapes in the window and in your carpet, and you want the shades or blinds to virtually disappear when they're open. The Shade Store mentioned above is a good option, as is Smith & Noble.

This is going sound very crazy but I'd like to throw it out there. Tell me what you all think.

What about getting a neat dark wood room divider? Right off the top of my head, I am thinking www.worldmarket.com-they have tons of wood dividers with detail-looks antique but it isn't and very inexpensive.

When you want to block the sun or obtain privacy, the room divider can go right in front of the window (not flush against window but sort of standing in front of it partially. You will still be able to appreciate the window because the divider does not stand tall. It covers just enough to give you privacy.

Then when you want to open up the windows, slide the divider behind the couch. It will give visual interest in the room.

Just an idea! Great windows-great space!

If you do decide to get curtains, I would using curtain track from Konnect (http://www.konnectinternational.com/). It bends so you could use a single curtain track for the entire window, and have the curtain panels stack to whichever side you'd like.

Note however that the track is plastic doesn't really straighten out fully so it doesn't look very nice. You may thus end up having to add some kind of valance, which will distract somewhat from your beautiful windows.

i saw a pic with some horizontally-striped cafe-curtains (line them up to either row of horizontal mullions, midway down the window) in a space a lot like yours that looked great. I suppose you'd half to hang them from hardware that works with corners, but cafe curtains aren't heavy.

you could even do two rows of really short ones. i think these look best with grommets or on metal rings. but i'd leave that top row of windows open, it's neat to have a transom effect.

Thank you all for the positive comments about the overall space. Neither glare nor privacy were the motivators. My primary motivation is winter--however, I've changed the furniture configuration since last winter (I used to have a chair directly in the corner, making it a very chilly spot in January). So many of you validated my love of the windows bare that I'll probably see if its really necessary as it gets colder.

However, if I do decide to cover you've persuaded me to change my mind an go for tailored blinds/shades. I would pick a more neutral color to allow maximum light.

I don't want to stop the feedback (it's been great), but I wanted to acknowledge those of you who have already commented.

Thanks again!
deneph

A suggestion sorta out of the box...

If you get shades, consider mounting them outside the window casing.

That way, you will see the entire window when you open the shades. Interior mounting would, I think, obscure the top 3-6 inches of the windows.

However, outside mounting (perhaps near the ceiling) might clash with the room's proportions. But just a suggestion.

I have mid-weight cotton roman shades for my large vintage (leaky) casement windows...and they definitely help insulate from the winter cold.

Deneph, those windows are too beautiful to cover up. I can understand the need for protection from cold though, so...

I would probably hang curtains, but keep the rod above the window frame, and extend it on each side so that when open, the curtains clear the frame. I understand why people are suggesting blinds/shades, but I wouldn't want to even cut off the top few inches of the window.

Now that you've decided not to cover those awsome windows, take the money you would have spent on curtains or blinds and buy yourself an amazing cashmere throw blanket to cuddle in and you wont mind the cold!