apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I am anxious to read the answers you get because I recently purchased a home that has this same kind of blind on every window...........and they are very large windows. 4' wide and 5' tall. They seem very dated to me - but I have no clue what to do to replace them....
Bek

At any major hardware store you can get contact paper-like film that can be adhered to your window. I think that someone makes it with designs in it, too. But you can also make designs in it pretty easily yourself.
The idea is that you can still get light in your room, but your window is no longer transparent.

how about use those honeycomb shades that can be opened from the top instead of the bottom? That's what we do and it works out very well.

I just had to deal with this problem in my rental. Here is what I did- I unclipped all of the long plastic pieces at the top and saved them so that I could put them back when I move. I found a piece of material that I loved and fed the material into the little clips one at a time down the length of the window (I rolled the material a little bit at the top so it had a little more width for the clip to grasp on to). It still opens and closes using the plastic pulley. So for you maybe a light colored semi sheer material to still let the sunshine in would work :) I think those types of blinds are so hideous so I am so happy the way mine turned out. Hope the explanation made sense. Good Luck!

I love the Emma Jeffs window film at design public, but wasn't a fan of the price (http://www.designpublic.com/shop/home-accessories/window-film). I have much smaller problem windows in my home (17 inch square windows that let in WAY too much Arizona sun) and used frosted paper that I purchased at Paper Source (www.paper-source.com) in large sheets that I cut to size and attached with heavy duty double-sided tape. It looks the same as if I used a film, was much less expensive, and is easy to replace if I find something I like more or grow tired of the pattern.

install those cellular blinds as an inside mount. they are pretty cheap at home depot or lowes. they let the light in and give you privacy.

I have the same problem. Pull the blinds open in one room and find a pretty honey-combed or small trellis-opening screen in a color you like. Some of the natural wood ones look really nice. It's hard for the neighbors to follow the action through the distortion of the screen.

Also, isn't there a Dutch artist supplying a product to the MoMA design store that is an inexpensive window covering? I've seen it in the past. It may have been so beautiful that it sold out -- but it lets in light without letting in inquiring eyes.

By the way, I agree with jmdstin that Paper Source is one of the all-time great resources.

misshoxie, that is exactly what I did! I am renting an apartment on the 2nd floor which backs a busy drive through parking area.. Needless to say, people were always staring up into my window. Until I went to Home Depot and picked up some checkered (it's all they had, it's popular!) opaque contact paper and walah! Light, but not nosey neighbors!

Laura
http://www.justalittlebit.net

Home Depot sells a window film that is inexpensive, easy to apply, and is also removable http://www.gilafilms.com

I have the same issue in my apartment! My bedroom wasn't very bright to begin with and putting up curtains would have made my room too dark. So I disassembled the metal rack/blinds from the window so I had a blank slate to work with. I installed an adorable curtain rod and tied on these sheer white curtains from Cost Plus World Market:

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3596581

They are seriously affordable at 14.99 a panel. They come in different colors so you can double up or mix and match. Because of their crinkle design, you don't have to worry about ironing or storage. Not to mention, they're so easy to put up because they tie at the top. Most importantly though, they let enough light in and give privacy from close neighbors.

Here are a few examples from decorology:

http://decorology.blogspot.com/2009/03/pretty-curtains-pretty-interiors-and.html

Good luck!

I had the same problem in my last place. I bought some really nice light green handmade japanese rice paper (inexpensive too) and mixed up water and starch for a thin wash and put it in a spray bottle. Covered the floor for easy clean up and sprayed the window first, then laid the paper on the wet window, sprayed the paper a bit more. It stuck to the window and then pushed out any air pockets and let it dry. It lasted until I removed it (got sick of the pattern) and installed the frost film (which I left on when I moved).

Wish I had a pic to share it was really quite nice.

Buy some sheer white curtains, and just keep them closed. The sunlight has no problem getting in, and you can actually see quite clearly through them. (They look nice with some heavier, colored curtains framing them on either side.)

The one drawback is that you'll still have to close your blinds at night. Once it's dusk outside, they won't obscure your neighbors' view.

Window Films!

http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2009/07/09/everything-i-know-about-window-film/

I have a store in SF and we actually have a lot of customers with this problem. We work with a designer who does custom made shades in many nature (ie: trees) patterns that let in all the light, but provide total privacy.

They aren't as cheap $$-wise as the window decals, but it's nice you can roll them up when you want to.

If you buy matchstick blinds in stock, you can outside mount, it's way cheaper than a custom inside mount. Matchstick blinds let in a lot of light and look very modern. Plus, you can buy them at Costs Plus or Target.

For larger windows, you can pair with long white sailcloth curtains that you buy at Ikea and iron the hem. But I never buy hardware at Ikea...the best curtain hardware (in my modern opinion) is at Crate and Barrel or Z Gallery. Or to save money, I use a coupon at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for a similar look-which is a heavy chrome rod with modern finials.

In my opinion, this is a no fail look, it always works.

By the way, I am not into mini-blinds or honeycomb shades. Just not me...

Happy hunting for the perfect thing! You'll find it.

yes I 2nd (or 3rd, 4th...) window film, and I've found them to be the cheapest at ikea (no pattern, though, just plain ol' opaque - doesn't mean you can't get create and x-acto knife some cute design on it!)

I rent and have the same problem, I've been living with these things for a year and still haven't figured it out
so thank you for the post!
I love Dove Russell's suggestion but still hate the bulkhead thingy that is on top, so I'm thinking of removing the whole thing and putting up a simple rod and curtains. It can always be put back right?

Window film?

I would be careful about using window film. I purchased a roll of removable window film from Home Depot. The instructions included a warning indicating that applying the window film may void window warranties. Given that my landlord had just installed new windows, I didn't chance it.

I love jmdustin's idea of using frosted paper and double-sided tape. I'm sure my landlord will appreciate it as well.

I had the same problem and used acrylic paint. It scraped off easily with a credit card and a good washing with vinegar and newspaper.