I had the same issue with a South End Parlor level rental. Not really an issue during day, but at night when the lights were on, I felt like i was in a fishbowl. I never did anything about it, as it was a sublet, but if I were you i would get some blinds that go from the bottom of the window upward.

I dont know the official name, but there are nice linen/fabric blinds that are accordian style, or roman style and they start at the bottom of the window and you can pull the "up" versus lowering them for privacy. This way the bottom half of your windows are covered protecting privacy, but you still have sunlight coming in at the top. yes this will block your view a bit, but solves privacy and light issue. Hope this helps.

Cafe curtains on the bottom of the windows? If the landlord is okay with it, install shades that pull up from the bottom or even window film on the bottom part of each window.

If you don't care about preserving the view, cover the windows with a translucent film? Some kinds can be easily removed.

The shades lgs03 refers to are called bottom-up shades. That's what I would recommend, too. I'd go with a light-colored semi-sheer to keep as much light as possible. God luck!

I'm giving another vote for blinds starting from the bottom of the windows!

e.g. http://www.bottomupblinds.co.uk/ I dunno what they would be called elsewhere.

Gila makes fantastic window films. The frosted one allows tons of light in, but you can't see through it. The mirrored one lets you see through, but is a mirror for people on the other side. It does reduce the amount of light coming int. http://www.gilafilms.com/Residential/window-film-mirror.htm

I like top down/bottom up honeycomb shades. I got mine at a decent price at blinds.com. Since it looks like you have only two large windows to cover, it might be worth spending the money for these. Otherwise, I agree with comment above regarding cafe (inexpensive) curtains.

I would suggest light filtering shades or shutters.

You can now buy venetian blinds in a light transparent fabric. They had them at a hotel I stayed in recently and I thought they were great I think you can get them at www.comfortex.com

I second serialsquares' idea of a frosted window film.

Ikea has those panel curtains that are good at letting in light but blocking the view. The simple panels would prevent overdressing and should match all different styles.

Otherwise I'd go for a really sheer white curtain.

Probably not an option in a rental, but I really like half-height plantation-style wooden shutters. You can open them during the day (to the sides) or just adjust the shuttered openings as needed.

I'm thinking about installing them on my sunporch - I'll get plenty of light through the upper portion of the window, but can control the amount of light/privacy by adjusting the bottom shutters.

The other option would be to keep some houseplants in front of the windows. They could sit on the floor or a small bench and help to cover the lower portion of the window.

Wicker shades. I got mine at Saifee Hardware, but I've seen them at Ikea and at Pearl River Mart. They're cheap and good looking too.

The window film also seems like a great idea.

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/galleries/bathroom/Dark-wood_bathroom_10909.html?subslug=

Not sure I'd recommend the dark wood, but a good photo to show the combination of light and privacy.

Very few single window treatments can get you as much light as you want and as much privacy as you can get.

Your solution may need to be two layers... a light filtering layer during the day (possibly, as suggested, in a bottom-up configuration) and then a blackout/privacy layer, which could also involve simple and architectural drapery panels.

you can get translucent roller blinds, easy to replace and switch back again - your landlord neednever know!

Window film for sure. At least try them first as they are the cheapest option. Check this one out:

http://www.designpublic.com/shop/emma-jeffs/11050

Bottom-up shades are the perfect answer, but being a rental they may be an issue for your landlord... be sure to ask first, they require hardware at the bottom.

I would suggest a simple sheer panel (on a spring rod) on the bottom half of the window... something with a bit of a metallic sheen would play nicely with your lovely furniture. One vote cast for a house tour when you are settled... love the architecture.

I had the same problem being on the first floor of my building, with floor to ceiling windows in my bedroom. In addition to the standard vertical blinds my building had, I added these geometric patterned sheers from Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70141681

I had the same problem.

Top Down- Bottom Up Blinds are cool, but not problem free and they are expensive.

So, as a temporary measure, while I made up my mind whether they were worth the cost and extra strings etc. ,I put up semi-sheer white linen curtains gathered onto a tension rod (so no holes).

I like them so much I'm leaving them. I put the rod just where the top and bottom window meet so I have light coming in the top half, but the bottom half is blocked from sight. Though I can look out easily if I want.

I am always a fan of cotton canvas or sailcloth drapes in a light color. They are inexpensive, allow light to pass through, and will add softness to the room.

Alternatively, look online for instructions for how to use the existing shades as Bottom-ups. When I was trying to figure this out, I found lots of variations online.

Basically, you install them on the bottom of the window sill and figure out a way to hold them up to cover the window. You can use dowels and cuphooks, for example. Or a pulley at the top of the window and a long guide string.

Great windows! IKEA Enje blinds solved this problem in our kitchen and family room. In the kitchen I hacked them by taking the panel off the roller, cutting the panel length (to reduce bulk) and then stitching lightweight fabric on before putting panel and roller back together. This does cut down on the light coming through, so may not be what you want. In the family room, which is really dark, we left them as is and they do the job well for cheap.

There are hacks online to reduce the width of the blinds, too. It's pretty simple. I've also seen hacks to make them bottom up.

What about shutters that you put on the lower half of the window?

Since you are in an apartment and installing anything might be a no-no, what about a shoji screen? You can place it on the floor, one nice tall one per window, blocks the view, lets in light, you can move it if you want to, no hardware and you can find them inexpensively. Alternatively, a tall mirror frame with a white sheer curtain stretched over it would do the same job.

http://www.orientalfurniture.com/room-dividers.html

Another vote for bottom-up shades.
Lovely room, BTW.

They're expensive, but I'd pick a sheer shadings type window shade. They're sort of like cellular shades, but inside they have slats that can be adjusted, like a venetian blind, to go from nearly sheer to room darkening. I love them and would get them for my own place, but the size I need for my big windows is like $400 each.

http://www.justblinds.com/dynamic/product.cfm?productID=79

Does the window have enough reveal to hang half-length fabric panels with tension rods? I'd make them from a lightweight linen, perhaps with an interesting weave, and sew pockets on the top and bottom for the rods.

That way you could adjust or remove them easily, depending on what part of the view you want to block.

Solar shades are what you are looking for:

http://www.theshadestore.com/product2/solar-shade

They do exactly what you're asking for as well as cut down on solar gain to keep your home cooler.

Ikea has the perfect roller blinds for your situation. They are the Enje roller blinds and they range from $19.99 - $39.99 depending on the size. I have these blinds on all the windows in my house and I love them because they let in so much light, I can see outside, and no one can see in. At night if your lights are on people can see shadows and figures inside but this doesn't bother me and a light curtain would fix that. I have some pictures on my blog that show the blinds in the background if you are interested in checking them out.

Put one of several available colors/materials of pleated shades underneath, with or without blackout lining. Put horizontal blinds in one of many available colors/materials on top, routeless/wide-slatted/laddered for more blackout. Inside-mount both treatments. Their depths will be restricted by the depth of the sills.

Hard treatments are more durable and easier to clean than are soft treatments. If that's not a concern, put inside-mounted blinds underneath outside-mounted, floor length fabric panels, possibly with blackout lining. Cafe curtains traditionally are only for kitchens, and the ones I've seen provide zero privacy at night.

I've had good luck ordering custom blinds from Smith & Noble online and mounting them DIY. Some slats warped, but their customer service was responsive. I've tried roller shades and don't recommend them. They don't provide coverage at the sides and don't look nice.

I've had better results with removable vinyl film partially/completely covering cooler windows. Use it as one of multiple layers when there's no need to look outside. Film's lack of footprint is an advantage if your sills are shallow.

Shutters, top-down Roman/cell (honeycomb)shades, and Hunter-Douglas Silhouettes seem promising. I haven't tried them because they're more expensive. Temperature and sound insulation are other factors to consider when choosing treatments.

Confirm your privacy when you think you've finished. Check edges and translucence from the outside combining different inside artificial lighting levels and times as an assistant moves about inside the room. Mirror films, sheer fabrics, and wicker shades may stop providing privacy when there's more light inside than outside, e.g., at night.

Another vote for top-down-bottom-up cellular shades.

They are actually not that expensive (try justblinds.com...they often have specials where the TDBU feature is free). Costco has good prices too. The cellular shades are great for other reasons too, (1) allows in natural light; (2) retains energy (heat and chill); (3) provides sound absorption. I think they are possibly the world's most perfect blind. Good luck.

we did those emma jeffs window films in our bathroom. They are gorgeous, and have a great look, but be forewarned - very little light comes in and you can't see ANY sort of a view.

I have custom Levolor cellular top down, bottom up shades and love them. They're worth every penny.

I too have the same issue and really like the top-down, bottom-up honeycomb shade from Bed, Bath and Beyond. They come in limited variety of sizes and did not cost me more than $70. Check it out!

Here's the link:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=114856

Another plus is that it's cordless.

I live in a garden apartment, and we have semi-sheer Roman shades that let in some light, but don't allow anyone to see inside. In the kitchen we have those cordless honeycomb shades and they let in so much light. They also look really clean and were very very easy to install. They were also pretty cheap on overstock.

I installed top-down/bottom-up shades in my bedroom - wanted to have the privacy but let in light and still see the treetops. I found them at JC Penney of all places for very cheap. Have had them for two years and no issues - they install only at the top of the window and work like regular shades/blinds with cords. This means you will have thin cords down the window when top-down, but it's not really visible and you can really adjust how you want the shades to be. Also, they are not opaque (I have white) so light comes in even when shades are drawn.
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=176d39e&DeptID=70751&CatID=70822&SO=0&Ne=5+586+1031+1028+18+904+949+833&shopperType=G&N=4294953317&Nao=0&PSO=0&cmAMS_T=XGN3&cmAMS_C=MERCHA&cmAMS_Z=XGN3TOPOFRESULTS&CmCatId=70751|70822

Gorgeous room.

I'd go with cafe curtains (look around for simple, clean-lined ones) on a tension rod or
large plants sitting on the floor. Both would still let you open the window for fresh air if you were so inclined, whereas bottom-up blinds wouldn't allow you do to that, I don't think.

Measure any plants before you buy to make sure they're going to cover as much of the window as you'll want them to.

I don't have a suggestion, but just wanted to say that I have the same issue...and I live on the ground floor...and it's a new apartment...and it's in Boston...and my name is Katherine. :)

Definitions of "blinds" and "shades" vary by location. I emphasized privacy when choosing my own window treatments replacements because my husband was working abroad for weeks at a time. These leads on lighter-looking, more affordable and energy-efficient options are good for future upgrades.

I think the top down - bottom up version of cellular shade could work very well, but they can get pricey. Another option would be to get simple roller shades for the bottom half of the windows, and then some nice curtains that could be transparent to use over the whole window. You could use the curtains for privacy but light during the day, and just pull down the roller shades over the bottom at night - assuming there is no need for privacy in the top half of the windows.

if privacy is an issue- I'd recommend Emma Jeffs window films- I used them for my kitchen window where I needed light but had a HORRIBLE view... love, love, love them! Functional & gorgeous- without 'covering up' the window too!

http://www.2jane.com/category/products/window-film

A salesman said that if I were to choose white horizontal blinds then I should use plastic instead of wood since plastic costs less and is indistinguishable from white-painted wood blinds. He said that if I were to choose the look of stained wood then I should use real wood since the wood-look plastic looks fake.

I had the same issue with my Beacon St apartment. I got this window film at Ikea and covered the bottom half of the windows with the film. I then put curtain sheers up on the inside top of the window with spring loaded rods and layered over that with regular panel curtains to the floor. It came out great, was the least expensive option and most importantly blocks eyes from coming in but leaves the sunlight from the top to come through. Good luck!

Home Depot also has window film. You can also spray a frost on windows that you can remove by scrubbing.

Top down bottom up shades are usually the best option, but since this is for a rental and you may not be able to install your own shades (or want to spend money on them) perhaps you should consider applying an inexpensive frosting technique to give you the privacy you're looking for.

Inexpensive would be to cover partially with a cool window film. A bit more with tension rods with sheer linnen fabric up to desired hight. Put weight in the hem so that the fabric falls straight and looks "clean". Most expensive top down bottom up roman shades in sheer. www.shadestore.com
Hope you will post your result.
Good luck.

I think either shutters (the thick, white, wooden ones) or a hobbled roman shade would look best in here. I am going in between the two, myself. My blog may help you find ideas: Happy Renovations

Simple! "Top-Down Bottom Up Cordless Cellular Shades."
This is what my sister has on her huge windows. It looks great. She always leaves the top down to allow light into her family room, and throughout the house. She never needs to turn any lights on until it get dark outside.

This should do it!
Madalina.