Crescent, I've enjoyed watching your progress! We're kind of in the same spot. After obsessing for years about building the house, I've moved on to obsessing about decorating the house! We've had similar window treatment considerations. Our lot backs to woods and we also have tall great room windows like you. We have several stationary "dummy" panels in our house, that are purely decorative and meant to just add color and interest. I love layered windows, and I am not personally a fan of closed curtains bc I just don't like looking at a huge expanse of fabric in my room covering up my windows. So, my plan of attack was this (we have a ton of windows!): for all bedrooms, black out roller shades in netural linen or natural fiber fabric (I got all mine at Smith & Noble with a 40% off coupon). I recently discovered though that S&N changed its roller shade manufacturer, and I no longer like their style. The roller shades used to be just the roller and you could mount them right against the frame of your window so they weren't noticeable. Now, they have this big mounting metal piece that runs the width of the window. I got all mine before they switched styles though. I then layerd dummy panels on either side of all these windows. I also like the roller shades bc they are so easy to open and close. For all front facing windows, I have sheers and then dummy panels on either side. On all rear facing windows, I have dummy panels. In the sun room, I have natural fiber roller shades as well, and in the rear facing dining room, I have linen roller shades for light control. In the GR, I really went back and forth about what to do. I had similar concerns about being in a fish bowl, especially at night. I considered solar shades/blinds, etc., but with the height that I would have had to mount them at (about 12.5 ft), I would have wanted them to be motorized. That was really expensive. What I ended up doing was getting floor to ceiling sheers on a decorative metal traverse rod. I leave them open most of the time, and I love the look of them when they are closed. They are so tall and have a good flow and look very dramatic. I am a big fan of tall window treatments to accent the windows and make them look taller and more dramatic. So, while I considered doing some partial shades, on only bottoms of windows, I just didn't want to chop my windows up. But, I think that's all personal preference. Anyway, sorry that was a bit rambling. It was a major project to cover all our windows. It's amazing how when you move in, you are still at the beginning of making your house a home. It doesn't end at construction. But, I guess it's good to have projects...

Oh my goodness, I don't have any advice to offer on windows because I, well, stink at them. :) But I wanted to tell you that your house is lovely and I am in love with all those windows. Can't wait to see it filled with furniture.

We are at the same stage. I just started with rooms that needed WT immediately for privacy or light control and will take my time with the others.

cresent:

Dining room: I think long stationary panels would look lovely. I'm a sucker for dupioni silk.I would bring the rod all the way across even if you never intend to close the panels.

Kitchen: I would leave it alone for now. Once it's fully decorated, then decide if you need more color. If you will be using this slider alot it might be cumbersome to have bamboo shades on it.

Family room: definately leave uncovered!

Window seat: Is that your master bedroom?
I would start with bamboo shades on the lower windows. If you still want to add panels, I would do it at the height above the transoms instead of the whole window. I'm having a hard time imaging the super long panels. Although, if that's your master, you may need light control.

Here what we've done so far:(please excuse the mess we are still moving in!)

Gray linen panels in guest bedroom:
{{!gwi}}

Silk panels in master bedroom:

Bemboo shade master bath:

Cotton panels in son bedroom/playroom:
{{!gwi}}

Gorgeous house! You should check out the virtual decorator at babliblinds.com. It allows you to see what different window treatments will look like in your home.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bali Blinds Virtual Decorator

Thanks Gobruno and Pps7! I loved watching both of you on the Building a Home forum. Your homes are lovely-lots of inspiration so post more pictures when you can :)!
Since I am now in the same boat, I appreciate you taking the time to respond so thoughtfully. The suggestions are great!

Since posting yesterday, I have begun searching for window treatments.
Here is where I am at:

DR- Pottery Barn is having a sale on Duponi Silk panels so I will go and check out the colors in person. It looked like JC Penney had a good selection too.
The ceilings are 9 ' so should I go with a 108" panel?
Where would you put the rod? Between the window and transom or at the ceiling height?
Also, any thoughts on color?

Kitchen- Good point regarding a blind being in the way. I love the warmth of the bamboo/woven shades but will wait on that a little to see how it "lives." I do think that morning sun may be an issue.

Family Room- Both sets of windows are in the great room. The windows above the fp are on the front wall and will likely stay uncovered.
The TV will go on the side wall.
The wall of windows & window seat go across the back wall of the house.

Gobruno- I see your point about blinds on the only the lower windows breaking up the look but I know I will need coverage.
Long sheer panels sound pretty- light and flowy so I will have to think about that.
pps7- if I only did panels on the bottom 1/2, would the rod go below the transoms?

That is is so far... Any additional opinions or pictures would be appreciated and thanks again.

2 other quick comments:
Gobruno- thanks for the advice about S&N. I have black out panels for each of the kids rooms but the roller shades seem like a great option beneath them & also for other spaces.
I will definitely be checking them out!

pps7- your master bath has always been an inspiration. I intend to copy your look exactly for the window above the tub :). Would you mind sharing the details?

Was anyone else having trouble accessing GW this weekend?

I wrote and thought I sent my response on Saturday morning but it looks like it just came through now- hmm?

Either way, glad it is up now-- any suggestions??

Thanks so much :)

Hi Crescent50

Regarding the height of panels in the DR. I think they should go to the ceiling. But before buying the panels I would let an installer take a look since there might be some issues mounting a decorative rod up there (finnials will prevent from being flush to ceiling, and a way to hide the hardware). If you go with a non decorative rod it won't be an issue, but then I wouldn't go across the entire width with it.
In your kitchen if you go with woven woods, which I like alot, they will interfer every time you walk through the doorway. The stack will be over 10 inches. So you will have to duck when going in or out. A good alternative that will work a still be able to use a woven wood material is a panel track.

Here is a link that might be useful: Woven Woodsâ¦be aware of how much window the gather covers up

I have transoms in my FR and when we moved in, I wasn't sure how to treat them. I ended up placing the curtain rod above the transom and have since read on many forums, blogs, etc. that that is the way to go with transoms! I am happy we did it this way as it does not chop up the window.

oops

PPS7, how wide is your bathroom window? Just curious, it looks really wide.

I have two side by side dining room windows that are 48" wide apiece with about 7" between them and I can't find a woven blind wide enough for them. I have to do 2 blinds which I don't really want to do.

crescent,

I think the potterybarn dupioni silk would look great. Are your ceiling 9' with the tray? I would do 108" and mount the hardware as high up as you can. They will puddle a little bit, like the gray linen in my guest room. I love the look. In my master, I decided not to do the puddling b/c it's silk and we open and close them daily. But I'm thinking lowering them to puddle. You may think about getting double width since that's a large span of doors. As far as color, those silk panel tend to be expensive so I would stick to a neutral. I ended up with RH silk panels in sand b/c I wanted that specific color. PB ivory was too light and clay too yellow. Definately look at the colors in person.

For the family room I was imagining bamboo shade on the lower windows and then panels right above the transom. But don't take my word on that, I have no experience with 2 story windows whatsoever.

As to the bamboo shade: I ordered the master bath one from justblinds.com. It's their premium woven shade with top down option in espresso. Good bye kitty: it's 69" wide.I think you will end up needing 2 blinds-can you layer one set of panels to pull it together?

If you like bamboo shades, jcpenny has a great affordable bamboo shade that you can order in custom sizes. There's no top down option but I have ordered them for other windows. We haven't put them up yet.