Gorgeous as it is. How about sheer curtains on the lower half, they're not just for kitchens anymore. Truly, tho, your landing is inviting and warm. You could always pretend that the roof is a body of water just outside your window. LOL. How about planter boxes just outside the windows with seasonal flowers or herbs during growing season & pine boughs in the winter.

Betsyf- very interesting idea about the planter boxes. I never thought of that. The only thing I am not sure of with this idea is I think I may be drawing attention to the roof rather than diverting attention from it. But I will think about it. As for sheers, do you think inside mount on tension rods of each window?

You might put white top and bottom shutters on your windows and then only open the top ones.

Tension mount would certainly be less intrusive than a regular rod. Shutters are a nice look although even open may block more light than you want. Let us see what you end up doing.

I don't have any suggestions for a window cover, but I just have to say you've done such a great job decorating that space. It's so warm and cozy and everything is just beautiful. What color did you use on the walls? I understand you not wanting to see the roof, but it's such a shame to cover that beautiful window and cut down on the light that comes in.

Laurie

msrose- thank you. The color is SW Golden Fleece.

I thought of shutters but I think, as said above, they my block too much light and they will be very expensive as they are not standard size windows and would have to be custom. I can sew very little so we have had custom window treatments in every room of the house pratically. Therefore DH will probably not go for me spending a fortune on these windows! He almost passed out at what I spent on other windows in the house. LOL

What about mounting a length of low picket-type white fencing on the outside of the window frame, that would only come up about as high as the view of the roof does - the lower half of the lower windows? You could use the vinyl type of edging pickets, perhaps, so no maintenance.

The other option that occurs to me is to put a bench in place of the chest that has a high back, add the pillows that you already have, etc. Move the chest over to the other wall. That way you could also get rid of that little table, which seems to crowd the area. You would have to move the mirror higher, I guess, or perhaps that could go on the opposite wall from where it is - can't tell for sure what is there besides the doorway. Then you could move the two tall pix together over the cabinet.

What about very very full sheers across the bottom window
panes. Notice I said bottom panes only.. It would be running just a little above the back of
the chest, would completely hide the flat roof but wouldn't compromise all that wonderful light.

It would be very subtle.

Don't poo poo the look until you think about it.
You wouldn't have to mess with the beautiful look
you have going there with the furniture arrag either.
Run them on a rod and drop them just to the window sill.
A thought.

I'm with Les. Your furniture arrangement bothers me.

Also, we had flat roofs on an older house and we added white railing around the outside roof line (similar to what Les is saying.) The railing will drawer your eye out and you will look at pretty architecture instead of the roof. You could also paint or tar the roof, so that it is not so shiny. See example:
http://www.seeing-stars.com/ImagePages/SeventhHeavenHousePhoto.shtml

You have a very traditional & old fashioned feel to the space... I can't think of anything more traditional or old fashioned that cafe curtains! Take a look at Country Curtains online & check out all the various sheers they have to offer. They aren't all casual! I think that white sheers mounted on an attractive rod that is braced between each set of windows would be lovely. Choose a rod to compliment either the chandy or the table lamps. You'll just see the ends of the rod, but will make the treatment look more finished than the tension rods. You could make them as full as you wanted & they would let all that wonderful light flow in.

Wel, I kind of see it the way Les & NHB see it, that one could make a "faux widow's walk" and make it interesting, drawing the eye to that and move the large furniture to the sidewall and the small bench? to the window area, and eliminate some other items just to keep it flowing well.

Les and newhome- it is funny you should say that because I just added that small table there yesterday. I was in my "put it there and walk by it a few times to see if you like it" stage. I think I was actually starting to like it, but then I read your posts and now I am re-thinking.

I need something there. There was nothing there before the table and I would move the lamp a hundred times trying to "fill" the space but something was always missing. I think I like the table there because it is a beautiful piece and I kind of like it with the other pieces that were there. That being said, I have removed the table and taken some more pictures. I took some with the table in another spot and some with it removed completely. Let me know what you think will work in that space. Also- the mirror and the cedar chest (the low one) are staying where they are. That mirror was impossible to hang and DH will not move it again for me! ;)

I like your ideas about something along the roof line but that is not in the budget right now as we just bought the house a year ago and we have already redone just about every room. I am lucky that I am getting something to put on the windows!!! LOL!

No to the lamp! You have too many objects at or near the same height along that window wall. Those coupled with the long mirror (beautiful BTW) and long paintings are just too many vertical lines.

I think if you get a window treatment, you will find that you don't need anything in that corner except maybe a plant...the willow.

You have some great pieces of furniture!

What a pretty little spot. I think you could do cafe curtains on a tension rod there, with a sheer fabric. I could see something a little rustic like a handkerchief linen. Silk road fabrics (srfabrics.com) has nice linens for not too much $$, also could try ebay, denver fabrics, fashion fabrics online. Rejuventation has pretty rods.

One last thing - I think your window spot really needs a live green plant. A small one on the desk might be nice, plus a bigger one on the floor could fill the corner for you.

You have created a very warm and inviting space. Your placement of things makes everything appear to belong. It's really beautiful.

I can't help with your question and am embarrassed now to ask one of my own. But I do love the two prints flanking your mirror. Would you mind telling me a little more about them? Thanks so much.

Thanks for the other views. I think you have too much going on in that small space, now that we have seen everything. I would leave out all the small tables, the floor lamp. I would take down the pix on either side of the mirror. They crowd the wall and the mirror. They are also meant to be hung together, imo. Perhaps you could hang them on another wall. side by side?

I would get a taller tree or leafy tropical plant to go in the corner where the floor lamp is now. It will act as a screen to the outside area, and soften the corner once you take down the two pix on either side of the mirror.

I would get rid of the tall vase of flowers and wax lamp, and get a low large arrangment of florals there. Add a single lamp on the right side, something perhaps in a darker finish, with a colored shade (red, bronze, or black).

Finally, I would paint the shingles on the outside roof. It won't cost much money, and you could paint them a deeper green or some other richer color to improve the view. Here are directions:

painting shingles

I really would hate to see a gathered sheer half-curtain there. I don't mind them per se, but I think it will take away from the open, 'in the trees' feeling that the little area has right now.

About not doing a curtain there...I'm curious - seeing the roof wouldn't bother me as much as it looks like the neighbors across the way could see right into your upstairs at night...I would worry about being seen less than fullly clothed if it were my place ;-)

I agree with Les. I think less is better here and that your lamp on the chest needs to be more substantial. Could you find one at a thrift store or antique store that would be of the vintage of your chest?

I thought your landing was beautiful when I looked at the pics.
Granted it needed a little tweaking.
A larger lamp for the chest.
A plant where the floor lamp now is.
Every one has a picture of how they would redo it but thats not what you asked.
You asked about curtains.
If you get rid of pics, table, arrang, then you have a bare looking landing and the things you like are gone.

I will get stoned for this and I'm sorry to be such a mouth but the landing was what you liked and how you wanted it.

It just needs tweaking a *little bit*

Curtains would do the trick re the roof IMO.

Slapping my mouth and hitting submit!

WowÂTrying to take in all of your comments. If you have not realized this already, I like stuff! This is how most of my house is decorated and I do feel that is what it gives my home personality and makes it feel homey. But I will admit to going overboard at times, ok, WAY overboard at times. LOL

Ok, letÂs seeÂwhere to beginÂ

NHB , Les, lilhome- I never even considered removing the floor lamp, but I will try it. I have always hated fake trees, is this what you are referring to when you say large plant? I canÂt do real because I hate taking care of indoor plants. I have always found them to be messy and a pain in the neck.

Les, dorothy,lilhome- I love the idea of a lamp on the larger chest. I will head out today in search of one!
Les- love the black or red shade idea!!!

Oofasis- I love these pictures too! All I can really tell you about them is that I found them at Home Goods. I donÂt know much more about themÂsorry. And I know some of you do not like them next to the mirror, but I do, so against your wishes :) they are staying.

Jenny- you are absolutely right about the privacy issue with the windows. Although I do not walk around too much not fully clothed, my DH is not as shy as me! :) I do not want us to be known as the house you can get a peep show at! LOL

Lilhome- thank you for your honest post! You are right about the landing having things that I love in it, but in fairness to others, I did ask for some "constructive criticism". So, that being said, I will be keeping the things I love, like the pictures (Les & NHB I hope you are not cringing right nowÂLOL) and try some of the wonderful suggestions I have received here.

Les- we cannot really do anything to this roof. I was speaking to DH last night and when we had contractors out for other projects we asked about options. I totally forgot that they all saidÂ"DO NOT TOUCH THIS ROOF. If you do not have any issues with leaking now, leave it alone. Do not put anything into or on it if you do not have to." I may consider painting it at a later date, but it is not happening now.

Back to the original question- what to do with the windowsÂI hate bare windows and would really like to have something on them. I may start with something simple like sheers on the bottom half of the windows on tension rods or café curtains.

THANK YOU ALL!!!
Now- I am on a hunt for a large plant (let me know if fake is a big mistake), a new lamp, and something for the windows.

"I may start with something simple like sheers on the bottom half of the windows on tension rods or café curtains."

I think your solution will turn out to be the easiest and simplest one.

I love your landing area since it looks like a full room, you've done it well.

What a warm and inviting space! I would not want to block any view of those trees. I like the window box idea. In NYC many of the gorgeous old brownstones have window boxes that are held/enclosed in decorative wrought iron. Many are filled with boxwood and ivy. The ivy wouldn't show much in your box, but the boxwood could, perhaps, be tall enough to block the roof.....which does not bother me all that much, BTW. My eye would go to the lovely trees. Oh! On one townhouse I actually went up to check out the box closely and the Boxwood was FAKE!!! Looked wonderfully real, too. Had to be a special order, cuz no such thing at Michael's, etc. Doesn't look like your bench with pillows is tall enough to block the roof, but I do love the idea of something no taller than the window sill, and an invitation to sit there would be nice. However, I love it as it is...very nice!

You have beautiful furnishings.

You have a lot of options as everyone has pointed out. I agree with Mitchdesj about the sheers being the most reasonable solution. I also would not rule out drapes, if the $$ allow for it, in addition to the sheers. I like a dressed window.

Your upperlanding is very pretty and I am sure it is a joy to walk by. I agree that you need something on the windows and all the ideas are good ones. What I first thought of, is that your room is very anchored. You need to draw the eye upward and a valance on the window would do just that. It would "mirror" the top of your mirror and balance out the space. A simple scallop design or roman shade would work. However, it would not hide the roof, which I did not find offensive. If you went with a valance you could attach it to the ceiling or top of the woodwork and come down 12" to 15", at the most. Then you could do cafe curtains at the bottom half, but doing the bottom half only would make your windos seem bottom heavy.

I also tried adding three different valances and I think it will cut down on the light and add to the business in a small space. Here's one of them:

So sorry!

Add to the business? I meant busy-ness.

See what happens when you multi-task????

I really like what you did! That's exactly what I was thinking of. She would still have to take away the small table with the flowers on it. :)

Thanks, Ozzy, and I agree about the table.

Hats off to those of you who suggested bottom sheers. They're simple and don't add anything that will distract from the beauty of the setting. Keeping it simple keeps your eyes inside and on the right thing. I know I suggested shutters, and they would have been too heavy and distracting, too.

If it was a tad bigger, I would ask if I could move in. ;-)

mareda...the sheers alone ( no valence) look lovely, and I'd be very happy with just that. it's probably the perfect solution. It does block a little greenery for less of an open feel, though. In a perfect world I'd love to see those boxwood in the window box photo- shopped in:>)

Mareda thank you! But....

While you were working so hard doing this for me, I got impatient and went shopping today. I had every intention of going out and looking for sheers, but ended up at Home Goods to search for the lamp Les had suggested and well...take a look at my new landing. I like it...no I LOVE it! I know many are going to say it is too busy, but I guess that is just my style! Thank you all for your input and of course I am open to suggestions on the new look:

It is hard to tell from the pictures but the curtains have a pattern that picks up my wall color perfectly. Well? How did I do?

eaglegal, now I know why I loved your landing so much!!
You have *stuff* on it ! Lol

I love stuff too and probably over indulge with my nears and dears.
Just in the last couple of years, it seems to have become the trend to *de-clutter* as its called.

There will always be women like us who have to put something in that corner because its empty.
Thats ok too.

Premier posted and remarked I had a few empty places on my bath counter. I said , "where where , I need to run to the
attic"! Lol

The sheer looks very pretty on the window.

I like the drapes - had thought about them, but you said you didnt't want the windows covered! LOL Just for fun, try pulling them back just below the spot where the double hung windows meet. What I think will happen is then the bottom panel will flare out a bit more on the lower half, which will actually help hide the roof view out the side windows.

Lamp is great, but I would put it over to the right side, rather than in the middle. About where the red candle is. That way some of the visual weight is more on the right, to balance all the weight on the left side of the space with the mirror, art, plant, etc. It also keeps the lamp from being directly in line with the chandelier, so your eye moves through the space, rather than straight up the center of the window area to the ceiling.

You went shopping , did all that to the landing and I was still sitting here typing and yakking about the sheers?????? Lol
I'm slow !

Isn't HomeGoods just too wonderful!

You really bought some great things too.
I wouldn't have thought of draperies but they are so
pretty.
I agree with Les to try pulling them back where the
windows meet. That should give you some fullness there.

Great job.

I was going to suggest lace on lower half of windows, but I see I'm way too late. LOL

The big drapes are pretty but, I think the half curtains would have been better and not blocked out so much of the light. JMO

Eaglesgal, how funny that while I was in your home hanging up shears, you were out shopping!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those drapes. For me, though, I prefer just the sheers in that specific window. When I look at the area with the sheers, my eyes are drawn first to the beautiful items in your home, then outside to the beautiful landscape. With the drapes, my eyes are drawn to the drapes and everything else is lost.

That's just me, though. The important thing is that you love it, and I'm glad you do. You've done such a great job putting together your landing, the rest of your home must be stunning.

Nope, I like the lamp in the middle of the bureau just as you have it. I would like to see the drapes tied back a little LOWER...at where the first mullion divider is.

I love what you did but would move lamp to the right somewhat and raise that plant up onto a stand so that it gives some height on the left. Oh, yes and you can pull the drapes back a bit and you could still have a lace cafe panel.

LOL- just when I thought I was finished. Ok..when I go home I will try the lamp in the other spot, I think I am going to prefer it in the middle, but who knows until you try it, right?

Also, I played around alot with curtains and tried them tied back in several positions, however most of the places I tried were lower than what I have now. I will try them higher and see what happens. Will keep you all posted!! Thanks Again Everyone!!!

I really like the drapes alot. It makes the landing look elegant. I would not add the sheers. I like the openess of the windows.

eaglesgal, just had a vision of *all of us* on your landing redoing. Lol, now that is a funny visual.
You and I would be slapping hands saying , "no, no, that
came over with my great great grand-somebody twice removed"!!

I have 3 best friends that helped me arrange when I moved here. We did more laughing than *fixing".

It was always two against two .
And you thought you were finished? Lol

LOL! Lilhome that is great!! As I was reading I got the visual!

Still haven't had a chance to "play around" with moving things but as soon as I do, you all will get an update!!

Very pretty, you did a great job. The only thing that bothers me is seeing the white wall/molding strip down each side, where the curtains meet the walls. Maybe it just jumps out more in a picture, but, do you guys see what I mean?

About using the lamp in the middle. You need to create peaks and valleys to keep it interesting, moving the lamp to the right and having a tall plant to the left, would give you that, which keeps the eye moving easily.

The size and shape of the lamp does not lend itself to being placed off center on that bureau. If placed off-center it should be a slimmer bodied lamp.

I like this lamp placed in the middle with minimal and lowish other adornments on the bureau.

Curtain/drape sides should completely cover the white window side mouldings. JMO

ozzy and teedup- I completely agree with you about the drapes coverthing the trim. However, my problem is that the trim runs right up against the side walls, so I cannot extend a rod over the trim on each side. I went out looking for a tension rod so the drapes could go all the way to the end, however the only ones I could find had a polished brass finish or a silver finish, which would not go in this space. I am going to keep my eye out for one in an antique brass and I think that would correct the problem of the trim showing.

After living with the space for a few days, everytime I walk up the steps, I smile. So for now, I do not think I will change much. I have decided that I do like the lamp in the middle, so it will stay there. I may play around with some other accessaries on each side of the lamp. Maybe a stack of old hardback books.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions!!!

Glad you are happy! That is what it is all about. Enjoy.