apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Unless you own a workroom to make your own window coverings, this isn't a DIY - You need a professional who has the experience and resources to do the job right, and nothing's better for a loft than Solar Shades.

http://www.bluesage.biz/solar.html

wow, really gorgeous!

umm.... there are roman shade how to's on the web i'd think you'd want to make four of them, one for each "square" so you have more flexibility. I'm assuming custom jobbies would be terribly expensive.

Another option, would be film, one idea would be to do a design even, but i'm not sure if this is for light/privacy or both.

How about a combination of Emma Jeffs window film, plus a couple of tall, narrow drapery panels?

The window film could be used on most of the windows, to allow light in 24/7 while simultaneously providing some privacy and diffusion.

But you could splash some color in with a couple of simply-hung non-sliding drapery or curtain panels to liven up the space and add some texture to that wall of windows. If I were doing it, I'd hang them a bit randomly/asymmetrically instead of a conventional left/right arrangement.

And for those days when you want to let even more light in, how about a DIY solution? Hang a couple of pulleys, run cords to the bottom of your panels, and use a nautical cleat to tie things off. For a loft space, I think this would look cooler than anything you can buy off the shelf. In fact, I've just decided to do exactly that in my own new loft home.

Curtains may be the easiest solution from a DIY point of view.

If you're ok with the permanence of a film, that may be the best option. There is a really great, inexpensive method to frost the windows too if you're looking to save money. You could leave the upper portions un-frosted if you wanted a view / more sunlight.

Anyway, here's a link to the inexpensive frosting technique.

Best of luck.

I like the frosting idea.

The curtain idea sounds good from a diy perspective. I could see some simple curtain rods with some huge silky lightweight curtains that just kind of flail with those cool San Francisco breezes.

Totally agree on the 1st comment regarding solar shades. We have a huge (10' x 10') window in our NYC studio lot apartment and actually installed 2 sets of roller shades one behind the other - one is a solar shade (to keep the view and cut down on the light) and the other a blackout shade (for those mornings you just want to sleep in). Works great.

I live in a loft. As of few months ago I decided to take everything down from my windows and enjoy the plants that are outside on my balcony. Before I did that I used a simple technique that I learned from working on store windows.

You would need to buy very thin/transparent fabric as long as your windows are and a little extra on both ends. I created small pockets (about 2") on both ends. The bottom one was for a wooden rod that I got at home depot and had it cut to the width of each curtain. The top one was for the rod that was attached at the very top of my window to the wall. You could even raise it and have it start at the very top to make it more seamless.

For my windows, I needed 3 of these with three rods at the bottom.

It looked really good. It blocked a little bit of sun, but you still saw everything outside. It helped a little bit of privacy but that wasn't my issue. I was mostly doing it to block out some of the light. The air still got though when the windows were open.

The fabric that I had was muslin I believe, very thin cheap fabric that I got at the fabric store. It is see through and light and they come in all kinds of colors. Mine was brown. I got really lucky as the width of my window panels was perfect with the width of the fabric so I didn't have to do anything there.

It looked clean and modern for not a lot of money.

Good luck!

I'm no help, but color me jealous.

I have a loft as well with 14' floor to ceiling windows. My plan (when I have the money) is to use a neutral tone (probably gray) solar shade for glare control and UV protection for my furniture. Then I plan to put floor to ceiling grommet fabric panels on the sides of the glass for color and texture (and sound control). Since the solar shades don't provide COMPLETE privacy at night (or black out during the day), I want the grommet panels for a light control device.

The problem I have right now is even with do-it yourself places like Smith & Noble, panels and solar shades this big are quite pricey. Plus, I don't want to use some cheap Wal-Mart thing that's going to break in a couple months. I want to do it right.

Good luck. I love the windows!

Please hire a professional. You won't regret it.

i would install a custom length metal(stainless steel) curtain rod across the top of the windows(try an automotive specialty shop). you'll have to decide if it would look best just over the top of the windows or near the ceiling.

make panels of a semi-sheer linen (join as many widths as necessary and pre-wash,dry), and take advantage of the selvedge edge to create a finished look on the vertical seams of the panels. make buttonholes or attach grommets at even intervals across the panel top (a shower curtain has the correct distance between holes).

buy stainless steel (won't rust) ballchain from a hardware store, and cut doubled lengths that reach from the rod to the the top of the second window section. the curtain panel will only cover the bottom 2 sections (and extend to the floor),leaving the top window portion bare.

loop the chain over the rod, through the curtain grommet, and fasten with a ballchain connector(buy a few extras because you will lose a couple). you can also weight the bottom of the panels with either metal washers or coins sewn into the hem at intervals. there is a drapery weight product, but i think it would inhibit the "flow".

i just did this for a shower curtain because i wanted light to enter over the top of the curtain when it was closed.

I live in SOMA-(I actually think you guys are my neighbors as in nextdoor neighbors on tehama?) I don't have windows that amazingly large, but I do have neighbors who can see every detail in my apartment. (not you guys though) I opted for frosting on the lower half of the window- When I first moved in and wasn't sure that kinda of window coverings I was going to INVEST in, I found non- permanent film from Ikea- I ended up loving the light, but really appreciating privacy, once I got permanent window coverings I ended up putting the film back on. BLINDFinder suggestion might be the best option for the amount of windows you have. I say do that till you decide, or till you can save to do what you want. I have two bay windows, they are not as large,,, none the less, window coverings are not cheap even if you DIY it. GOOD LUCK can't wait to see what you do

wow, thanks so much for the responces. Tracy, so funny that you are my nieghbor. Other AT lovers are closer than you think. I hadnt thought about film or frosting but will ask my wife what she thinks. We will be deciding and creating our solution in the next two weeks and I will keep you posted on the happenings. Im going to keep checking here as well for more ideas. A big thanks to all my new AT friends. Oh, also thanks for posting this - Leslie.

I used to live in a loft in an Old Shoe factory and we had enormous windows. We went with chocolate brown solar shades. They were awesome. I'd definately recommend them.

My husband and I have a very similar need as yours. We just ordered from Konnect International.
http://www.konnectinternational.com/app/

We just received our track today. We have 40 feet of bendable medium duty track and 160 rollers and 160 clamp hooks to use for whatever curtains we can find later. You have to drill in a lot of holes, but the overall look is exactly what we want. We have the cellular shades in our bedroom, but for our living area, we like the look of curtains, and the ease of moving them around. You should check out their website. I hope it works out for you!

I can not beleive it has been so long since I posted this and we still have done nothing to solve our problem.
We debate and debate but have come to no conclusions.
I am thankful to all of you for your help, reading these posts again was once again eye-opening. We have completed many of the projects in our home in the interim but with an impending home birth, the windows have jumped back up the totem pole.

Thanks for the link to konnectinternational. It has exactly what I've been looking for in the way of an extra long rod without interfering supports. Plan to place an order right away for our condo in the smokies.