apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Eep. I'm going to have to clean up the apartment before I open the shades and let the world in :S

I have too few shades on my windows, much to the neighbors' chagrin, I'm sure.

I would rather have light than privacy.

i second that heather77!!! i'm hoping the neighbors have really bad vision and can't see well far away.

I like my windows are exposed as possible, too. I try mostly (except in bedrooms) to put the drapes off to the sides which also makes the windows seem wider. I'm kind of sad that I need roman shades in the living room to quench the reflection on the tv screen -- but at a certain point in the afternoon, the glare is killer. oh well...

My back room has no window coverings I am exposed to the backyards of my neighbors but I hardly see them so it feel private. I love to see the tree, flowers, birds and I always say thanks for having such a nice room. I would be depressed if I lived in a closed up, window shut, curtains closed on all windows kind of place. I love the fresh air and sunlight too much.

I do like all of those interiors especially the first one with that window and tile floors.

What is that hanging mobile/chandelier in the first pic. DIY project in the making??? I like it. If someone has more information, please share.

Haha, I'm with heather77 and cerrissa! My kitchen have very minimal curtains, other wise it would be like a cave.

The chandelier is a classic, the Zettel'z by Ingo Maurer.

You can see it here: http://www.ylighting.com/ing-zettel-z5.html?productid=ing-zettel-z5&channelid=FROOG

sassifrass: The chandelier is by Info Maurer.

http://ylighting.com/ing-zettel-z5.html

This is so true. i Open my windows and shades every morning for my kitties. I have a rich color on my wall and when I forget to open the shades, I feel a little sad as soon as I enter the house. I am glad there is more light now in the afternoon, though that means I have to clean a little more when company comes over after work. No more darkness to hide the quick clean.

Wide-angle lenses can achieve the same effect. :-)

"I have too few shades on my windows, much to the neighbors' chagrin, I'm sure."

I agree - If the neighbors don't like what they see when they peer into my windows, they can just stop looking.

One side of my apartment faces another building that is a mirror image of mine. Therefore all the windows line up exactly. Unfortunately that doesn't provide much privacy and the neighbors have no drapes at all so it is up to me to close mine for any privacy at all. Add to that the fact that the neighbor hangs all of her bras etc. to dry in the dining room window of all places. At least my apt has windows on three sides so the north and south sides feel private.

I wish I had a window like the one in that first picture. Beautiful!

Since the posting mentioned looking at a picture, maybe this will be on subject. If you really want to see what your room looks like, take a picture. You will suddenly see all the clutter, the relationship of the furniture and what all your guests see.

Clean the windows. You can't get good light in dirty windows. Its a drag, but it doesn't have to be perfect, un. Unless you're type A about it. But get a squeegee and it takes half the time. And then the light is amazing.

LauraE, that's very true! Many a time I have adjusted something or changed something after I saw one of my rooms in a picture either I or a friend took.

Oh wow, I love that window on the first photo!

I'm working at home today and the first thing I did was open the curtains in my bedroom. It really does make a difference.

I have never once seen the shades up on some of the windows across the street from me. I am sad for the people that live there.

our shades are always open in our living room. if our neighbors really think we're interesting enough to watch while we're sitting around or watching tv, then they can knock their socks off.

Another common element among the photos is...lots of WHITE! White is wonderful for opening up spaces and making them look clean.

i have no shades, and open curtains all year round except at night when i am sleeping. i like to look out and have no problem with people looking in (this does not apply to the bathroom, naturally :-P ). not too many around in this place, but the one i lived in before was at ground level with the windows going out onto the street, and i kept it like that, too. made for some rather funny moments whith people actually standing in front looking in - and then recoiling when we waved at them :-D

My highrise is surrounded by corporate skyscrapers, so I have white sheers under patterned curtains to block out the view but still let light in. I still feel like I need to close the curtains at night, even though I'm on the ninth floor and no one can see in...

yes that's why I heart my cafe curtains - at least you get some privacy, but also get to see the sky and let in lots of light!

Agree. We have cafe curtains in the bathrooms (house is on a slope, so nobody can see from above) and blinds in the rooms where sun can be a problem. Otherwise, let'em have a look if they don't have it at home!

I totally agree to Let There Be Light for great feng shui and to lift spirits, especially after a long cold winter. However, none of the photos shown to illustrate the point depict small cramped spaces with small windows--they all have fantastic windows and interesting architectural features.

Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

Open your window shades?

Isn't that the first thing everyone does in the morning when they get up?

I suspected the answer to this question would be let in the light, but really, my inclination is "Hire a delux cleaning lady" (the kind who can de-clutter too). That would make my space, and me, feel really special. But I also really like LauraE's suggestion.

I agree with Katy. It would be nice to see this illustrated with smaller spaces with shorter ceilings. Not that I don't agree with your point. I always try to set my window hardware outside the frame so that I can completely expose the window during the day. This is especially important up north where we have such short winter days. I also find that the easier it is to open the window coverings the more likely I am to do it.

Where can I get that olive couch in the first picture??