Really need window treatment advice needed

14 years ago

I really need help figuring out what to do with all these windows - photos below.

This will be our master bedroom which is round and faces southwest with lovely partial water views and an abundance of light.

In the round section, there are 10 windows 36" w x 48" high. There are also two windows of the same size in the hallway (photo 2) with a little separation, from the round main room. There are another two windows that face the street above tub in master bath. So a total of 14 windows in all.

Whatever we get, we will need to darken room for sleeping. We also have a privacy issue since we face the street on two sides. However, most of the time, when we are not dressing or sleeping I would like as full an unobstructed views as possible.

We would like something either contemporary looking or at least transitional - so no balloon shades, or any billowy things.

Here is what I am considering, but I am not good at windows.

1) Curved metal panel track with two fabrics - one sheer and one dark with the wands that meet in the middle - like in hotels. Pros - don't have to open/shut 10 shades or blinds each day, when they are open, nothing obstructing main windows. Cons - since the span is so large, there will be a huge amount of fabric bunched, I suspect, on each end when they are open - but I think that's a small con since it will probably only block one window on each end of round run. Then - what to do with the two hall windows that are not part of round run? Will it look strange to have a different treatment on those, or would you duplicate, just on a smaller scale?

2) Honeycomb or similar top down/bottom up that you you can push down or lift up because I hate dangling cords. Pros - you can do the bottom up in the morning while dressing and still see outside, we could do all 14 windows with same treatment. Cons - will it be a pain in the butt dealing with 10-12 windows shades each day and you have something on each window. I suppose we could just leave the ones on the side a half mast most or all of the time.

I am guessing based on a cursory visit to Smith & Noble, just to get ballpark numbers, that the relative cost will be similar??? The only thing is with that huge, round span, I am thinking that we may have to have the track and panels custom vs. a Smith & Noble.

Any ideas on options and sources (is online good for this?) would be greatly appreciated!

Comments (11)

goldenpond
14 years ago
SHOW OFF! LOL
That is an awesomely fantastic space!
I would definitely go with blinds that close from the bottom up.You could have privacy from shoulders down but still enjoy the light and treetop views!
Again ,It is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooofantastic!
threedgrad
14 years ago
wow!!! Great space to work with. How about a remote controlled sent of panels that will fold back onto each other but not in bunches like drapes. I am thinking more like like vertical blinds but much wider panels. Another thought - remote controlled shades - maybe a set that comes up from the bottom to keep privacy but allow light in from the top of the window with another set that works from the top.

I think electronically controlled window treatments would well be worth the investment. In fact, I think you should have gotten those windows that turn opaque by flipping a switch but it's too late for that. Look into local companies to come in and give you written estimates.
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I personally like top down bottom up cellular shades. They are very insulating and can give you additional privacy if necessary. They come in lots of colors, translucency and textures and are super easy to install. You may want to post your inquiry on the design forum.
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I agree on front of the house bedrooms, but it won’t be grandkids’ space, which will be the middle room connected to the front room of the Jack and Jill bath. There’s a gorgeous view of a pond in all the rooms on the back of the house, which are a sun room, family room, breakfast room and master bedroom. That didn’t leave other options for seldom used bedrooms. Here is the floor plan, along with a couple of photos. The first photo is looking in through the foyer; second is looking at the pond from the master bedroom. There are cedar beams in several places. There will be white oak engineered flooring through out most of it where there’s not tile. That was an early floor plan, so the flooring listed may not be accurate. I would say the style is craftsman with some elements of modern farmhouse. I think the woven wood blinds with blackout liner will be lovely in rooms where there has to be light control. So far, until we live in the house, that will only be the front bedroom and master bedroom. Thank you for your help! I’m just wanting a uniform look on the front - so thinking a dark liner will match the darkness of uncovered windows. I don’t want to put up blinds on the second floor at all for now, as it will be unfinished for a while.
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
14 years ago
Aw jeepers, I am not sure there is anything you can do that will really work, so why don't you just sell to me and start over elsewhere? teehee.

Anyway, to be serious, I like both the above suggestions. I love the bottom up shades because I do like being able to see out to the trees 24-7. Electronic controls would be way cool-lie in bed and hit the remote-wow.
ctreno
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone. I know it seems great to have all these windows and I am definitely not complaining, but we realize we could have had almost the same effect and light with 8 instead of 10 - and saved a lot of money (in cost of windows and framing) but the architect shows you the drawings and you think wow, that looks good, and you don't think about whether or not it will be practical in use. Our architect came up with that to remedy an really unfortunate addition done by former owner. They stuck on a weirdly designed very 1980's round addition to a 1920's Dutch Colonial - but in a completely different style from original and tried to make it look somewhat like a lighthouse. From the outside, it just looked like a big round mass of stucco, now it looks much better. But I digress...

Anyway, that's a good idea about the remote control shades/blinds. Do you know if they work well over time. I like technology, but just want to make sure they are not repair prone. I guess I can search and see if there are any threads about that.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
I don't know if gliding panels would work for your curved wall, I don't see why not. They would eliminate the bulk at the ends when open. Hunter-Douglas has what they have named 'Harmony Program' where you can get gliders and roller shades matching for applications such as your where there are a couple odd windows in the room.

Check out the whole slideshow below. Gliders come in sheers and opaque and everything in between.

Besides getting remote control for blinds and curtains you can even get them put on a timer. You don't have to lift a finger!

Here is a link that might be useful: HD gliding panels and matching shades
amysrq
14 years ago
How close are you to New York? I met some some of the reps from this company at a trade show and thought they were awfully nice. They had gorgeous fabrics and hardware, definitely leaned toward contemporary. I am in no way associated...

Here is a link that might be useful: Sun Decor
suero
14 years ago
EAch time that I look at your lovely room, I see soft draperies and a tented ceiling, somewhat like this:
ctreno
Original Author
14 years ago
Dilly Dally - thanks - I checked out the gliding panels. That could work. Do you have them? I'm sure it was just bad luck, but I have three Hunter Douglas window treatments in current house and they have all been a bit of a disaster/parts broken. Again, it must just be my bad luck because they obviously have a good reputation.

Amysrq - I'm in Fairfield County CT so close. I will check that out.

Suero - thanks for the photo. That's a cool look, but I am going for something much more simple and streamlined.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
No I don't have the gliders. I had been searching for something like a sliding barn door style for between the KIT and DR when I found them. (I hate having a door that swings out into the furniture but don't want to remove the door exposing the KIT to the whole LR.)

Sorry to hear about your experience with HD. I have HD Sillouettes and never had a problem. I adjust them numerous times a day depending on the sun. I've recommended them to everyone I know. Neighbors came over to 'ooooh and aaaaah' over the when I got them.
amysrq
14 years ago
The reason why HD has a good rep is because they honor their warranties. I have seen them stand behind things that are old and have been moved, believe it or not. If you still have the offending items, you might want to get in touch and see what they can do for you.
bobtheblindguy
14 years ago
I think the cordless cellular shades would like very nice here. Seen them in a similiar arrangment and they looked spectacular. The remote option would be my suggestion. You can have them hard wired but most commonly they are battery operated. They usally last several years before changing batteries. You can get them to all raise together or one at a time.

Really need window treatment advice needed

Comments (11)

goldenpond

threedgrad

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