skip to main content

Home Decorating

Window over front door in Center Hall Colonial

14 years ago

This is not my house but very similar. I love the houses like this that have a beautiful chandy showing through the center 2nd floor window. Unfortunately, in my house I have a one story foyer and the area behind this window is my walk in closet! I currently have mini blinds over this window but I would like to come up with something that looks better from the curb. I also use this closet as a dressing room, so I need WT that won't give the neighbors a peep show. I'm hoping someone will have a creative idea.

I was inspired by the post about light blocking shades. Someone suggested a cornice and black out shades. I wonder if something like this would work for me.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

bobtheblindguy
14 years ago
Is this an arch window? If so do you want to cover the arch as well? If not then I recommend a light blocking silhouette. It is a very soft and elegant treatment. You can either filter out the light or block it for privacy. A cornice would add a nice finishing touch but not if you have a arch.
artlover13060
Original Author
14 years ago
I don't have an arch. I forgot to mention that. What is a light blocking silhouette?
Related Discussions
Help with small center hall colonial with no foyer/entryway
Q
Comments (21)
Hi Maureen! It is wall mounted. I think it has 4 screws in the back. It does not interfere with our base moldings. I love that the depth is perfect. Ikea has a tall one and a wider one. Just search "hemnes shoe" on ikea and you can see what is available. They hold a ton of our shoes as well as keys, mail etc. I have the wide one in our kids basement are and the tall one in the living room. The backs are mostly open with two support bars that go across that may or not interfere with your moldings. You would have to measure up to see where your molding comes in play. I would be happy to measure the height of the two support bars if you would like. We also used a coat tree in the corner of our living room.
...See More
Recessed area above our front door of our center hall colonial?
Q
Comments (10)
Thanks to you all for your comments! You are correct - it's a 1978 built center hall colonial. Since we purchased the home 2 years ago we have removed the overgrown shrubs in the front beds. Where the window WOULD be above the front door on the second floor is actually the exterior wall of my daughter's walk-in closet for her bedroom (which is at the end of the center hall). We have toyed with the idea of adding a window just to create that symmetry (despite it being in her closet), but we are still torn. I can't seem to find example photos of homes WITHOUT that center window above the front door. Again, thanks for your responses.
...See More
Removing shutters from 1960s center hall colonial???
Q
Comments (20)
Take the shutters off, you need to do that for painting anyway. Put them away, and once the house is all painted and finished, see how you like it without the shutters. You can always put them on later, if you really like it better with them. Live without them for a while, until you get used to them not being there.
...See More
1960’s Colonial Off-Centered Windows
Q
Comments (5)
I agree with @Sigrid that there's nothing wrong with your house's proportions. And that's the important thing. Very few houses are symmetrical and your is balanced, which is more important. The large garage door is balanced by the large window on the other side. The lack of perfect symmetry of the upstairs windows is hardly noticeable. A few suggestions to make your house more attractive. Paint the downspouts to match what they're against e.g. a dark dull brown against the brick, charcoal against the roof. Your porch lights and house numbers would look better if they were larger - more in proportion to the size of your house. Some people might say to remove the shutters but I like them on the upstairs windows, although they would look better a bit wider. I would remove them on the lower windows. It would be helpful to have a picture of your house taken at a different time of day, with the sun shining on it from the front. But from what I can see, you could make a big difference with some more landscaping. The shrubs between the walkway and the porch look like little balls. I agree that's a good place for evergreens but they could be more varied in shape and colour. The bed to the right would look better if it was deeper, at least as deep as the walkway and even better, curving around the walkway. Again, more variation in shape and colour of evergreens. If you are really bothered by the porch overhang not going all the way across the house, a darker siding colour will help to camouflage that. But it doesn't bother me. Maybe someone with better computer skills can mock that up for you. Nice house, doesn't need much work. Don't overspend on things that won't make a big difference.
...See More
User
14 years ago
I think whatever you do it has be similar in style and color to the other window treatments in the front of your house to look good IMO. What do you have on the other windows?
patty_cakes
14 years ago
Why not try to find(antique store/salvage yard/auction/estate sale)a beautiful stained glass window or even a clear beveled glass window and suspend it w/chains? If not chains, maybe a thick cording which is affixed sufficiently. I would want it to look just as pretty from the inside as well as the outside. ;o)
artlover13060
Original Author
14 years ago
Roseabbey - In the Master Bedroom I have bamboo roman shades which I don't think look good from the outside, so I pull them up and out of the way during the day. The windows on the other side have white faux wood blinds, but I need to pull them up and out of the way so at least the windows on both sides look the same. No one uses this bedroom so privacy is not an issue.

Patty Cakes I really like the idea of stained glass, but I wonder if the panes in the window would interfere with the look. I have thought of making my own faux stained glass panel designed with the window panes in mind. I can't remember who it was but someone here made a lovely one for their front window. I would still have to have a privacy shade to pull since I dress in this closet.
User
14 years ago
HomeDepot, at least in Canada, has the film that sticks to the glass through friction, in a variety of looks. You spray the window with soapy water, put the film on and use a credit card to get the air bubbles out. Comes off just as easy. The most current one I saw was etched glass. I had to touch it, it looked so real. I think that would be a good idea. I believe they are around 35.00 a roll.
artlover13060
Original Author
14 years ago
Rose - that is a good idea. I've seen that around here. I'll have to check it out.

Related Stories

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Black

By Jennifer Ott Design

Love the idea of a black front door? Here are 8 exterior palettes to make it work

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Blue

By Jennifer Ott Design

Who knew having the blues could be so fun? These 8 exterior color palettes celebrate sunny-day skies to electric nights

COLOR Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Purple

By Jennifer Ott Design

From grapelicious to lavender, a front door cloaked in the color of royalty might just reign supreme in the neighborhood

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Orange

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bring high energy and spirit to your home's entryway with a vibrant shade of orange on the front door

DENS AND LIBRARIES These Rooms Put the Allure of Books Front and Center

By Simon Farrell-Green

Immerse yourself in a collection of book-filled rooms that indulge a passion for the printed page

REMODELING GUIDES Renovation Ideas: Playing With a Colonial’s Floor Plan

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Make small changes or go for a total redo to make your colonial work better for the way you live

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Spanish Colonial Restoration in Hollywood

Honoring its Spanish heritage, a 1928 home in California becomes a romantic sanctuary and inviting space for entertaining

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Colonial Kitchen Opens Up to Scenic Views

By Jeannie Matteucci

A lack of counters and a small sink window motivate a New York couple to update their kitchen to add space for their busy family

KITCHEN DESIGN Put Your Kitchen in a Good Light With a Window Backsplash

By The Inman Company

Get a view or just more sunshine while you're prepping and cooking, with a glass backsplash front and center

DECORATING GUIDES Switching Up a Colonial Home to Suit a Modern Family

By Becky Harris

Floor plan labels are thrown out the window as a designer helps a family shape rooms to fit the way they live

Sponsored

More Discussions

Need help with a dining room table?

1

LONG ENTRYWAY HALLWAY

3

knob placement - new bifold shaker closet doors

1

Good Moooi Heracleum Replica?

0

living in small house with kids - student research

0