Justa' thought for you and probably a much less costly solution.... First, I'd use black wrought iron poles/rods for what I'm about to suggest. Think about using a rich, earth toned fabric (rust & lt golds..maybe in a paisley design? However wide your total window is..buy that much yardage...(based on 54" or 60" wide fabric). I'm seeing a canopy suspended down about 4' from the very top of the top windows. The width of the fabric would be the length of the canopy (w/perhaps 3" hems at top & bottom. Run the top of the canopy on a pole at the very top.Then.. by simply placing a pair of the black wrought iron 'L' shaped plant hangars at the 4' mark-you can run the bottom edge of the fabric's hem thru another pole & it will project out away from the window somewhat..I think you can get them w/a 12" arm. This canopy would then cover the top 4' of your windows entire length. From a person's view sitting on your furniture-you'll still be able to look up and out the upper windows-but the glare from the sun will be blocked from the top portion. Also I'd again-(a simple hem job)...make dummy panels to hang from the very top of the top windows-all the way to the floor...one on each end and one on the 2 center wood casings. The canopy would hide your short rods from which the panels will hang. Then to give you a soft look to the bottom portion...you could hang, say- light gold,tab top sheers or semi sheers,on yet another black pole, which would diffuse any afternoon sun. This pole would be placed, on the section of the wider wood beam (for lack of a better word..the one that's 2 glass panes above your sample blinds). Topping it all off would be some really decorative black finials on the ends of the 3 poles. Methinks it would just be a different approach & not something eveyone else has. The cool thing is-if you bouth the drapery panels all in 1 continuous length at Joanne's? You'll get it for the 40 or 50% off price coupon-just cut off the 4 lengths of the windows yourself.

1. Roman shades are usually custom so are made to fit (width and length) your windows. Eta; if you want to know the length of the shades when pulled up, you will need to take into consideration the total length of the window and the bulkiness of the chosen fabric. 2. Goggle; 'roman shades from outside the house' (images) you will see some examples. 3. You may find a maker who will make your shades with the same fabric back and front. But, a print or color is likely to fade when facing the sun exposure outside. And your house will likely look strange (tacky?) from the outside if you have different colors or prints on windows in different rooms.

I honestly do not think the people on the river are trying to look into your windows.The shades you have are called solar shades they are made to let oyu enjoy the view but keep the sun and heat out. They provide privacy durin gthe day but at night they become as mentioned see through.I think if privacy is a big deal with you then install drapes that can close at night.

I don't think a built in would work there. Even if you do build in from the inside and render the windows sort of unopenable from the bottom up- it would likely look odd from the outside. You might be better off looking for a freestanding bench or seat that looks good in the space instead.