apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would start the curtains all the way at the top, and have them hit right above the end of the window. I would say all the way to the floor even, but since there are steps on one side, I'm not sure how that would work.

floor to ceiling would be the best if you can make it work with the steps. The ones by the steps could tie off to the side and puddle along the edge of the steps against the wall.

I wouldn't do curtains at all.

I'd have mesh rollershades installed:
www.bluesage.biz

Since curtains can be tres-expensive...a budget option might be to leave the transom/topsection of the windows open. And have curtains from there down to the floor. Whatever length you ultimately choose - I feel it is important to have them all even.

Depending on how big a deal privacy is to you - you might consider white solar-shades, too. They have a crisp-look you are trying to achieve. White ones offer more nighttime privacy than black/dark ones.

where are those little steps going?

I would do a simple flat front drapes starting all the way at the top on the wall and have them come down to the floor without puddling. Use these as the base for the wall and then for privicy i would then put up a black out or darker shade inside the windows( like a rolling shade? ) something that can be hdden or tucked away behind the main drapes

I think white shades would be a sleeker alternative to curtains. Once that wall is painted white, I don't think the space above the windows will be a big deal.

I think this is a fine example of where shades would work much better than curtains. Some really nice shades will compliment all the lines and angles and keep them from looking too odd.

i'm seconding mesh rollershades.

Nothing useful to add here, but wow did your predecessor like crazy!

hang them from the ceiling. emphasize the "loft-iness"

hmmm...definitely roller shades.

I'm going to cut and paste my comment from the other loft window post...

I have similar windows and had customized semi-sheer solar roller shades made to cover the entire length and width of each bank of windows. I used a hammer drill and lead anchors and/or tapcons to ceiling mount the shades. It's hard to tell if you have enough space above the window to wall-mount the shades.

I got mine through the Shade Store in NY. They will advise you on which way to mount the shades if you do go that route. They will ship them to you ready to mount.

Here's a couple of (poorly exposed) photos of my shades:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/623232861/in/set-72157600128826994/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/624109142/in/set-72157600128826994/

I think you will get the most dramatic look by doing floor to ceiling. Can you get rid of the funny steps? Are they needed. To keep them out of the way you could have side pulls.

If budget is not a factor here, then soft draperies is your best option. It will help to soften all the hard lines and create drama in the space that will pull your eye up to the ceiling height. The width of the treatment will need to be 3x the width of the whole wall.

As for how high to hang them, as high as you can get them. Just keep them the same height on each side of the concrete pillar. The length, they should rest 1 inch off the windowsill.

What I like to do in my client’s lofts on such amazing windows is adding a 22-24 inch band to the base of the treatment in a contrasting color. Use any color that you like just don’t let it dominate the space.

Now, if those stairs led to the outside, you will want to mount a drapery hanger to the left wall. The give you a place to pull the treatment back and allow you access to the window.

If budget if a factor, then drop the treatment to right above the arches, keep the same length and drop the banding. You can cut the width back to 2x the width. Any less then that will look flimsy and incomplete.

Best of luck!

yo - i live in your building (i'm #401) and have the same windows. i'm getting a quote from a windows shades guy on wednesday at 8.30am. Feel free to come up at that time to meet him and see what he proposes we do for my windows.

Solar shades inside mounted.

Normally, I like drapes with them going all the way tot he ceiling, but agree that might be funky here. If you do overshoot the window tops, go for broke, and go all the way to the ceiling. But line them so when they are over the windows, you can't see the break of window to wall.

You can also fake the to-the-ceiling window illusion by ceiling-mounting Roman shades (real or fake) over the windows that extend down to beyond the top edge of the window frame.

Where to mount usually is the most important question.

Am I looking at the picture, correctly? Looks like your ceiling beams are at different heights.

You really want to be sure your window treatments look balanced and even, even if the room is not.

Do those steps lead out to a door (I assume, but can't tell)

I'd say roller shades or roman shades would be your best bet.

Allow your window treatments to act as a backdrop for your space.

I don't think the steps are a huge problem. work with the beam that separates the window. I agree with the solar shade idea. I have 9 foot tall windows with 11 foot ceilings, so I can kind of see where you are coming from. If you do go for the celling, get motorized shades. I would put them at the top of the window, and then put some other time of heavier blackout shade all the way to the ceiling if you need total darkness at some point.

yeah, what are those? suicide steps?

I forgot to say that the poster who said you should put a band of color at the top had a really good idea. there is that awkward space above the window, and you cellings are really tall. If you had a 1.5-2 foot band of gray or some other darker shade, you would make the celling seem smaller.

roman blinds?

try to add more horizontal elements wrather then vertical..the sapce is so tall it loses its space...even blinds with a horizontal stripe etc...maybe soften the look with a fabric valance or header that stretches across all the windows( and even the beams) from wall to wall- this will give a strong hor line and make the space wider as opposed to taller( tricking the eye...)paint the metal beam same color as the wall...don't make it a feature by contrasting the color/colour ( Canadians spell it colour-like the brits!!)...

See if you can submit the before to gofugyourself.

Tons of potential, you don't mention your decor style but i'd do curtians that expose the transom and end at the bottom of the window. I think that would draw you eye outside instead of up into the chopped "arches". While you've got the paintbrush out i'd do the walls, purple support beam, cement collum ceiling, and "sucide steps" all white. Please post when you're done.

Seriously, is that giant f'ing tomato? Good luck!

Solar shades all the way. You're loft has great potential. I can't wait to see the after pictures!!!

Normally I think floor to ceiling looks the best to maximize the upward visual space, but considering all your funky factors, solar shades will probably serve you the best. I agree with Dahlia, painting everything on that wall and the purple beam white will go miles in unifying the space.

Holy cow! I think my exboyfriend looked at that place a few years ago. It's got to be the same one--how many lofts have a TOMATO on the wall?!?! Ha ha ha!

just adding 2cents...if you go roller blinds with that sunshade type material (like teeny tiny perforations so you can see out during daylight but still screen glare) be aware they are not privacy blinds...if you have lights on at night, you will be visible from outside.

Painting it all white : yes.
Floor to ceiling: yes, though I like the idea of soft draping much more than stark shades.
If you're strapped for cash, maybe you could sew several long Ikea sheer window panels together. I love mine.
The tomato: yikes!
All those colors: Looks like MC Hammer used to live there!
Send us the afters too!

i hate drapes. they are dust and disease magnets. i don't feel any need to soften windows. and good windows aren't drafty. solar mesh rollers will address heat and light- when needed. your view doesn't look like privacy is really an issue. let the sun in.

all that said. the windows need some work. paint the steps(if not removable) gray to match the concrete. the same for anything that is currently mint green. paint the earthquake support a sky color- pale blue, bluegray. it might even blend on our foggy mornings. it would look much crisper and modern....like a loft .

1- I say don't paint the steps.
2 - Gauzy white curtains, floor to ceiling for privacy, but letting light flow in. I like the idea above of having a coloured stripe at the bottom.

Ikea makes some stunning panels that are easy to install and could make a strong statement in this space at an economical price.

We have the Andrea Rund in red and white in our office covering up some damaged walls and they look great. Very crisp and modern and colorful.

-Start just below the top window. That way, light can shine through and you can still keep the panes that the neighbors see through, covered.

-Stop at the sill.

-DO NOT cover the steps.

For the love of bread! Will the purple support beams be painted white as well? Just wondering. GREAT potential!
I'd start the curtain rods at the bottom of the 1st row of glass panes. Or lower if modesty allows. The less fabric-the less dust & dander will collect. And the lower the drapes-the better your view of the sky/skyline.