To fix the black hole, put lights in the yard, beyond the black hole. push your visual outside the walls.
Linda c

Thanks, Linda, I think more lighting will be a good idea, although I also think I may need to cover the windows. Here's another angle on the room.

Here is a link that might be useful: another family room angle

Your view is incredible! I can understand you not wanting to cover up your windows, but get it about the 'black hole' at night.

Have you thought about inside mounted sheer (or very lightweight fabric) roman shades? They could be pulled up to almost nothing during the day, be left down when very sunny (but still be able to see out through the sheer fabric), and let down at night. I would leave the transom window above alone. Treat the glass doors with the same roman shades.

blinds.com has some solar shades where it protects from the sun glaring but you can still see outside so it doesnt block your view but you cant see real good from the outside in.what i mean by thta is it isnt total block but you cant see perfect in from outside,does that make sense....i have some and love them and they ship quick too!!

Thanks, Holleygardenand lilbit. I have thought about Roman blinds -- it might be hard to mount them inside because the windows are divided at the bottom so wouldn't go all the way down. I will look on blinds.com.
Anyone have any thoughts of curtain panels?

Curtain panels or roman shades would both look lovely in this space. I hope you don't mind my saying so, I do think they would be much more attractive, though, if you moved the couches away from the windows and floated them on each side of the rug. That would allow the window treatments to hang unimpeded.

It appears as though you have plenty of room to do this, and not have the heavy furniture pressed up against the full length windows.

Hi Nanny2a --
Thanks for that interesting observation! Actually, part of the reason we have the sectional up against the windows is to block the feeling a bit of being in a fishbowl! If we had the curtains we would no doubt not have to use furniture for that purpose. But there isn't THAT much room -- the dimensions are something like 15 feet nine inches by 23 feet, plus the nook that sticks out and then more space in the breakfast room.
I wonder if anyone out there has any photos of curtains or shads in a room such as ours?

Check out this link for some great inspiration:

Here is a link that might be useful: Cote De Texas Curtains

Thanks, Jan, for that great link!

I'm wondering if anyone has photos of a room similar to this with window treatments. Thanks.

I've found some very pretty silk curtain panels for a great price in a creamy, pearl color. Looking at the photos of my sunroom, do you think curtain panels would be a mistake as opposed to shades? Would the curtain rods look strange because they will be so long? Also, wondering about the color -- it's very close to the color of my sectional but with sheen.
Thaks so much. We've got lots of family coming and I'd like to get this done.

I think panels would really dress up the space without blocking the view. Did you see aktillery's makeover? She doesn't have as many windows as you do, but the curtains made such a difference in her room.

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: aktillery's makeover

Perfect inspiration Laurie...
Ditto the panel suggestion~ Can you show us the pearl colored panels??

Wow - AKtillery's makeover is inspirational!

Here's a link to Overstock's version of the silk curtains I have in mind (I'm looking at mine at Tuesday Morning, so I need to decide today or they'll be gone tomorrow!)

Because they are so light as is my sectional, it would have a tone-on-tone effect rather than contrast. But I really didn't want to call too much attention to them by making them a darker color -- I just wanted to add some layering and warmth. Or am I altogether too boring? By the way, the curtains are a much less expensive option than shades.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Signature-Pearl-White-Textured-Silk-Curtain-50-in.-x-108-in./3846748/product.html

Thanks so much!

Sorry to bump myself up, but I'm in need of help before Tuesday Morning sells out of all the curtains.

I think they will look lovely!!

Thanks -- I hope I'm doing the right thing with curtains rather than shads.

fromflorida, I know what you mean about wanting to decide before Tue. A.M. runs out. If you are worried about that possibility, you might want to just go ahead and buy the quantity you need now and then make sure to save your receipt in case you decide to return them. Then you can relax a bit more while you make your final decision.

Thanks, Jbrig, that's just what I did. They have a 45-day return policy so that should work out fine!