We have plantation shutters on our windows, and I simply love them. I have not heard the term cottage shutters. We have exterior shutters as well, I never thought about them not going together. Most people I know who have plantation shutters also have exterior shutters.

Yes, Penney's installed them and it's included in the price. There was only a choice of real wood or composite. Then you could pick your color (they had many colors including stained) You also pick your louver size. They are made my Norman Shutters. Scroll through their website and there are some beautiful pictures. I wonder if different Penney's use different brands???? I only did the front of my house but that included french doors and that sometimes raises the price a bit. So with my 40% off sale, my total for 14 windows and 2 french doors was $6100 and then I got another 10% off for doing the whole house with them. (wood blinds on the back) So that brought it down to $5490 The French doors have a cutout for the lever that I think looks pretty cool. Here is a link that might be useful: Norman Shutters

L A - thank you - that's beautiful!! eld6161 - thank you - I hadn't seen them on a slider before, that's great. I think we're going to leave our slider bare, but good to know that's an option! Ocotillo - thank you - do each of those panels open wide left and right respectively, or do they bifold? It looks like you have the wall space for either, just curious. We're meeting with our vendor later this week for prelim measurements so I'm sure I'll get their professional input, I'm just curious what others did and why. We don't have spectacular views and I don't know if we'll want to completely open them occasionally (we don't ever do it now w/ blinds) but if we do, just wanted to consider the different possibilities. Thanks, all -- appreciate the input and pictures!

Can we PLEASE stop with the "I don't like shutters" commentary? There are many instances where they may be the BEST selection, for versatility, finished look with no other treatment, or someone LIKES them. or they simply well suit a home and decor style you also do not like. Now that I have that out of the way? As to the OP'S bedroom: It appears you need a completely blacked out tomb to sleep or avoid waking. In ANY situation? A natural woven shade on an inside mount with a blackout lining would suit the cottage feel in the room, and mount drapery panels over that, and RETURN them to the wall. Doing so, prevents light seep at the sides. The high and small window would get a shade only. Inside mount and same black out lining. The same concept will work in the living room, ( including the shade only door )and I doubt you need any lining, but simple privacy on them if you must. It certainly isn't a strong light situation. Blackout or any lining here...... UN lined below......which shows more light, and more texture of the shade For an inexpensive solution? The same method of light/decoration works with a simple trip to a Home Depot for cut on site BLACKOUT cell shades, cordless, and when you don't need them ? You push up to the window casing and out of your view. Leaving only the pretty decorative drapery to shine. You get the same in living room, in the transparent variety. .....which will obscure somewhat, but not block light and view