Wow!

We have a similar window problem in my family room. I was happy when you mentioned motorized blinds as that was what I was thinking for your mom's space but didn't know the budget. We couldn't afford them and went with regular woven woods on them all. That means that the uppers are always closed, as we can't reach them. We have a Southern exposure, heat and glare on the TV. What are these builders thinking? I have these windows everywhere.

If she can swing them, that's the way to go, IMO. Then she can have fabric on the sides or four panels , splitting the windows, if she wants a softer look.

Thanks for the reply, parma. She has windows like this in the family room (or "keeping room" I guess,) too. I threw the motorized blinds out there as an option without really knowing how much $ we're talking about. Did you price out that option? Right now they're spending like there's a money tree in the back yard. They're giddy with new home fever, but I'd rather not offer up a window treatment option that would be the cost of a new truck.(I'd prefer a number closer to a small sedan.) I'd love to see pics of your window wall with the woven woods.

I doubt they'd be the cost of a new truck but I remember they were more than we wanted to spend.

Don't have a pic of the room, per se, but I had a few stored on Photobucket for paint and shade ?s. The windows aren't as nice as your mom's, just insets. The great room is the one that we've put off finishing until last. After we bought the blinds for the bottoms, there was still too much sun coming in so we ordered five more for the top windows.

We have to finish the fireplace so I don't show pics of the whole room. It's a work in progress.

If you get woven blinds, I'd just get them without lining. East sun shouldn't be too bad for her and the lining isn't a thing of beauty from the outside.

Lax, you're the poker player, aren't you? DH and I love Texas Hold-em. Nine minutes until the cash game on GSN. :)

I would do motorized blinds for the hard to reach windows and matching regular blinds for the bottom 3 windows. Otherwise you would always leave the blinds closed at the top. The extra cost might be worth it since it will save you so much work.

parma, thanks a bunch for the pics. Your windows(and decor in general) are lovely. You have a great memory! I am the poker player. I'll be missing a High Heels(women only) Tournament at Turning Stone that's being held on the same day as my god-daughter's 1st birthday. Her mother told me I should just go 'cuz Gwynnie won't remember anyway. Her mom's a trip. Obviously I'll be at the party.

threedgard, that's a great idea putting matching blinds on the bottom. Great way to save a little $, but keep the consistent look.

I would do curtains.

That's not exactly the same, but you get the idea.

This is what we did in our GR with the window wall. I am considering film because there is nothing behind us but woods and trees so I really didn't want to cover up the window.

Regardless what drapes/valances you may choose, I think either motorized blinds or window film on the upper windows is a must. You can't block out direct southern sunlight with 2-story drapes unless someone has configured a way to easily open and close them without pulling the rod off the wall...? Even then, I don't think I would appreciate the look of closed 2-story drapes across an entire wall.

We have large windows south facing windows and installed 80% solar screens which attach to the outside of the windows. You can see out of the windows with no problem and they really keep the house ALOT cooler.

Having the solar screens on the outside allowed us to put up the type of window treatments we wanted and we didn't have to worry about the sun.

You can google window solar screens and search for your city, or if you DH is handy, you can easily make them.
Below is a link -- I don't know this company whatsoever, just did a quick search, you can see what the product is and how it works.

Bonnie

Here is a link that might be useful: Outdoor Solar screen idea

I love my motorized Hunter Douglas celluar blinds. My windows are large, and each blind cost about $400 in 2006. We bought them on the internet and self-installed.

As I recall, motorizing a blind adds about $100 to the cost. The batteries that run the blinds have to be changed every 18 months. So if getting to the top of those windows on the upper level involves scaffolding or a really tall ladder, think carefully.

Thanks for all the responses, everyone. I love this forum!

graywings, I didn't even think about the battery changes. Good point. I definitely don't want my dad up on a ladder changing batteries. Thanks for the pricing, too. That's definitely doable, but the battery changing gives me pause. My dad is definitely not the kind of guy to wait around for one of us to do it even though he's getting up there in years.

movin-on, thanks for the link on the solar screens. Both my DH and dad are handy and that may be a fun project for them to do together.

learn as i go, good point about 2 story drapes being non working. I think I'll take a hard look at the solar screens and then do the 2-story drapes like oceanna and deborahnj. Beautiful fabric, ladies! Thanks for the pics. I love seeing your beautiful homes.

Curtian, window tint and blinds are what i did. Upper windows are tinted, blinds on lower.