Why the complete horror at the idea of vertical blinds? I knew they weren't as popular as they used to be, but they certainly make sense in a lot of applications. We have a floor-to-ceiling 12'+ wide window in our living room and *need* privacy. We've had vertical blinds for the last 25 years or more. The current set is soft off-white and stacks pretty slim. Generally the panes are rotated open rather than fully pulled aside, but it's nice on occasion, like after a snowfall, to have them wide open. They're not completely opaque so they let in some soft light even when completely closed; our previous set, fabric backed by rigid plastic, was better at blocking light, but we didn't really need a blackout feature in that room. When closed they're flat and not intrusive, just a plain backdrop. I've no immediate plans to replace them but have wondered idly what I would choose. I'm not sure any kind of horizontal blind comes that big, and I know from experience with a smaller window that wooden blinds can be VERY heavy in big sizes. We could get side-by-side cellular shades but from what I've seen it can be difficult to get them to align without being crooked. We also have a couch in front of that window so it would be difficult to raise and lower separate sections unless there was a remote control. The current vertical blind is all one piece with controls in a convenient place. Pleated traditional draperies can look nice but are VERY expensive, and perhaps too formal for our mixed contemporary style (though I know that's debatable). The previous owners had beautiful custom-made lined draperies and I'm sure they paid a fortune, but by the time we moved in the linings were completely sun-rotted. I don't get many ideas from magazines because they generally show big windows as bare, but that's not an option in a neighborhood with close-set houses like ours. I also hate the black hole look of bare windows at night. I'd love to hear some suggestions for treating such a big window.

Pal, the ripple fold drapes have a clean tailored look which I find much more pleasing than pleated drapes. They would look nice in the room. However, they wouldn't provide the ability to block excess light while still having the yard visible as tilting verticals does. Have you bought from the Shade Store? It seems like they only carry their own line and I can't tell what the quality of their mechanisms is which is very important for verticals. I'm also having trouble finding technical information on their site - e.g. what the size limits are. Fun, those panels cover up to 120". Our window is over 144". Hunter Douglas has panels that cover up to 150" in a one way draw (and note that we don't have any stacking room on the door side so we have to have one way draw). That would mean that over 2' of our window would remain covered when they are fully drawn. And like the ripple drapes, they don't provide a view and shade at the same time. Annie, those are awful looking but I've seen some awful looking cheap curtains too. That cheap, badly done or mistreated ones can look awful doesn't mean that they all do. The ones we had were good quality. They are about 27 years old and only recently did a few vanes develop problems with turning in unison with the others - which is reasonable to expect after that many years. We have over 60' of sliding glass doors and fixed pane windows on the back of our house covered with these and not a one looks like the pictures you posted. Onedog, thanks - we found the kitchen forum here very helpful with our kitchen remodel. Do you know what brand the verticals at your lake house are? I've never found ours difficult to operate. Our cords operate smoothly with no yanking and only now that they are very old do we have trouble with a vane or two not turning correctly. I'm not sure what brand we had and I'm away on a business trip. I've heard good things about the quality of Graber's rail system. We are leaning toward selecting a color that blends with the wall. There is a lot of pattern in the room already from the wood grain and the quartzite in the kitchen and fireplace surround. Plus we have a Kurdish rug on the floor, so we will probably go with a white or off white window covering without a pattern. Here is a picture with the rug: (BTW, the chair in the picture is quite comfortable and handy for holder our grand daughter while she has a bottle, but I feel that it doesn't really go and should be replaced with something visually simpler. The couch is getting quite worn and needs replacement. I was hoping to wait until our grand children were a bit older and tidier but it really is getting too bad and needs to be replaced in short order. So I have no need to take either into account in the decorating of the room.)

Hey, guys! I was reading some of your comments and I share your thoughts on vertical blinds, they are easy to use, practical and you can control the light coming inside. I am actually looking to replace my old ones and I came across this offer, which apparently covers up all aspects: Suitable for floor to ceiling, patio doors, conservatories as well as smaller more standard windows in your home you can control the light or the heat and glare from the sun to enhance your living environment. Our top quality louvre blinds are manufactured from a vast range of fabrics including blackout, voile and flame retardant. Using the quality chain operating system, however, you prefer your made to measure vertical blind will glide easily to the left or right or order your blind to split bunch in the middle. Order one of our vertical blinds today for next day delivery and enjoy a simple, durable window blind for years to come. Don't you think they're trying to oversell it, though?

Designer Banded Shades by Hunter Douglas are an excellent choice of window coverings for this space! Love the look. Not only will they help with sunlight control but they will also finish off the space and soften the room with such large windows. As far as the sliding door goes, the recommendation of Luminettes vs. Skyline Gliding panels are exactly what I could recommend. The Skyline is more modern and goes with the Banded Shades better than the Luminette in my opinion. You loose the functionality of tilting a vane that the Luminette offers but I find that most people use the sliding door as all or nothing meaning it's either closed for privacy, or open for visibility out. You also have more options for coordinating fabrics/colors in the Skyline than you do in the Luminette so I would recommend going that route.