another picture showing wall with three windows

One covering for all four windows will be heavy. I think that what would work best is a ceiling mount with separate window shades with a single cornice board the same color as the window trim to hide the top of the shades.

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a series of windows like yours! I would say to inside mount each one separately so the corners would work out, but you cannot since the casements don't look like they will allow an inside mount (and it would be at a different height anyway). I typically like to condense a bunch of separate windows into one larger one as the HD guy told you, but how did he think it would work in the corner when both shades will have a projection? Won't they run into each other, or am I seeing it wrong?

If you are willing to allow some of the glass to be covered, what I would do would be a ceiling mounted rod and floor to ceiling drapes (can be insulated for more warmth) which can each be drawn into the corner to cover all of the windows.

The problem with one shade for the full width is that the wider the shade, the more expensive they get. Also they get heavier and harder to lift.

Suero - I thought the same thing that one big shade would be heavy and cumbersome to open and close but the HD guy said it wouldn't be. He also suggested doing two shades for the four windows and one for the wall with three. I'm thinking I would do that rather than one big one for all four windows.

sallymo - I would love to inside mount them but unfortunately I can't with the casements. So we have to outside mount. As for the corner this is also tricky. With the projection we would have to leave about an inch on either side of the shades where they would meet. I'm just not sure how this would look. that is why I was considering adding a fixed curtain in that corner to hide the gap and also put fixed curtains all the way to the left of the four windows and right of the three.

Tibbrix - haven't considered that but maybe I should look into it. Not sure if I will like that but can't hurt to check it out. Thanks!

AnnieDeighnaugh - I didn't even price out drapes with Smith and Noble because I think it would totally be out of my price range but I think that is what I would ideally love for this room. I'll have to price it out. The HD shade was actually cheaper for one big one than two smaller ones but not by much. If I go with the shades I think I will definitely do two on that window instead of one.

Thanks for all the feedback!

With that spectacular view I would choose something that disappears as much as possible, so honeycomb shades make sense to me. I would do top-down-bottom-up so you can drop the top and still see the sky if you need the shade down for privacy.

I like suero's idea of a long simple cornice with individual shades. That way you could leave individual shades up if you want to open the windows for ventilation but want the others covered for some reason.

I think Suero had a good idea, I think it would look nice and it won't cover much of the window with the blind up.

I like both suero's and Tribbix's ideas best. I think they will allow you coverage when you need it while keeping the lovely view and the windows themselves the focal point instead of the window coverings. I think a lot of drapery would detract from the view and would also detract from the windows themselves which I think are lovely on their own and unique enough to not want to distract from them.

This is a dining room, not a porch. Your taste is relatively traditional, as suggested by those cute chairs. There is no view at night, which is the time of use for the room. You have an insulation problem. You also have inconsistent window casing between operable and inoperable windows, distracting from the view. And you have a floor with a hard look to it. To me, all that says drapery.

Please reconsider painting the furniture. It looks beautiful and, if you end up with draperies, might be better suited to the room than painted white.

I wonder if white or cream panels on each of your windows would be a simple solution. You can keep them open or close them for privacy. IKEA sells long panel pairs at a low price. I'd hang them at the ceiling. You can then mount shades that aren't to heavy as well if you want.

Here is a link that might be useful: Curtain panels

I'm with Marcolo for all the reasons stated and, because at night with 2 full walls of draperies closed, it will look warm and feel warm, and all that fabric will add softness not only to the look, but the sound of the room as well, making it feel much more cozy. Moreover, the ceiling feels short and the vertical lines from draperies will make it feel taller.

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[Contemporary Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2103) by Other Metro Architects & Building Designers Luigi Rosselli Architects

I would consider adding a cornice board on top too, because the uneveness of the window framing is very distracting. A valance will hide that and will make the room look a lot less like a sun porch and more like a room.

The fabric need not be a print, but it could be with colors pulled from the lovely scene outdoors to bring the outdoors in.

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[Traditional Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107) by Round Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tonya Hopkins Interior Design

Depending on the fabric weight and the header style, it can stack back fairly neatly when open and can help frame the view rather than detract from it. From what I'm seeing, drapes blocking some of the view won't hurt as it looks like on one side, it would block more of the deck than anything else.

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[Contemporary Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2103) by Culver City Architects & Building Designers Natasha Barrault Design

While a valance and romans or other blinds could work, it would leave a much more casual impression than would drapes.

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[Traditional Dining Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2107) by Mclean Interior Designers & Decorators Storybook Rooms, LLC

Annie has some great examples--but one also includes something I forgot to mention. Her second picture shows solar roller shades. You can see through them, but they can be a big help in the summer cutting down on glare and heat gain from the sun. You can mix them with drapes as shown.

Agree with drapery or some solution that hides the different window casings. Additionally, I would put down a heavy pad (to even out the tile) and an area rug under the table. I generally do not like rugs under tables, but you need something to relieve the monochromatic brown and also to make the room warmer, physically and visually.

I really like the idea of a cornice with honeycomb shades. Your view is too pretty to cover with drapes. I can see how a cornice would make the corner look good with the shades up or down.
Have you considered a patio awning which can be retracted for the summer sun? That would help cut down on sun and still allow the view.

what drove me crazy about casement windows and shades in a house we once lived in was that when it was breezy and I wanted the window open the shade would then be flopping in the wind if I didn't pull it all the way up... assuming you like to open the windows in nice weather, I would either get individual shades for the windows so that the windows that weren't open could provide some light control or privacy if wanted or drapes.... I don't think I would choose to have a valence or cornice tho......