I neglected to include a picture of my windows. Here it is...

Here is a link that might be useful:

Oy, those are such beautiful windows with luscious moulding that I hate to cover any of that up!

Aside from heat loss, what do you need from window treatments? Do you need privacy? Do you need the light? When would you use the window treatments---infrequently or seasonally?

You could always run a rod up near the ceiling and do drapes that retract completely passed the windows a few feet on each side (looks like you can do that) so that your mouldings are all exposed. Then you can pull them shut at night when it's cold; use a thermal lining on the drape.

Or you could do the small shade below the transom of the window as well... Do you have enough depth to do that?

Thanks Texas! I do love the windows - when we built my priorities were lots of light and lots of storage! And I really never contemplated window coverings at all until recently as I also love the mouldings and don't want to cover them up.

We don't need privacy - only deer and our chickens out there to spy on us!

We'd use the window treatments at night in the winter for insulation. Although I have also considered putting something light up in the summer at the height of the day to keep the house cool since the windows are south facing and get lots of sun. (Maybe if I went with curtains, I could get two sets - heavier for the winter and lighter for the summer).

I think we do have the depth for a shade below the transom. I wonder how intrusive they would be? Any thoughts as to the height of shades when they are open?

I would love to see pictures of window treatments on windows with transoms if anyone has any to share.

Thanks again.

Gorgeous windows. I wouldn't want to cover them up. I also like the idea of drapes that would clear the windows on a decorative rod.
I think those cellular shades stack up to just a couple of inches.

You might consider tightly gathered sheers on tension rods, set into each window frame. (Just to the sill in length in the large windows, not in the transoms) They will provide the airspace to have some insulating effect, would also provide sun screening, and could be removed during the times of the year when they aren't needed.

Hee Hee, I also have the speaker wire project!! Althou, I couldn't see yours.

Gorgeous windows - I love that you went with a darker trim - very nice!!

Since privacy is not an issue....what about the window film?? It is supposed to cut glare, prevent ruining upholstery and floors and maybe help with heat/air loss? I am looking into it for my house, also.

Althou, I do love drapery - I wouldn't want to cover your windows up!!

Smiles:)

I'd first put my money on fixing the heat loss problem, then worry about decor.

Love the windows. I'd hate to cover them up, but I understand the need for warmth, too.

I'd be thinking along the lines of inside mount shades or blinds. You can check at the store to see how tall the "stack" would be when they are open. I have cellular shades on a few windows and the stack does not cover the window glass at all.

Or the suggestion about about drapes that would clear the windows on both sides when open. I'd run the rod under the transom. I don't think it would make that much difference if the transoms were not covered.

In general, I'd say a simple treatment that would allow you to see as much of the windows as possible when open. Because the windows themselves are great and don't need any embellishment.

About the window films--check the warranty for your windows. Some double-paned windows do not work well with the window films. I can't remember exactly what the problem is, but you should check first before putting a film on the windows.

I'm not seeing stackback space for drapes on either side. You have furniture to the right and what looks like limited space to the left, with a speaker as well. Cellulars are great insulators and take up the least space when up; if Roman shades, you'd be covering some of the glass when up. But both of these types will compete with the panes in your window imo. Like camlan said above, keep it simple. A flat shade that doesn't have any horizontals perhaps? Might be too basic and bare bones.

Your windows are beautiful and it would be a shame to have something that would cover them up. With that said, I think drapes would be great but it looks like you may not have enough room on the left to stack that side of the drapes. Roman shades are nice because they are also decorative in nature (I would not cover the transom at all). They would, however, cover part of the window at all times. But I think your best solution would be the cellular type shades that you could hang under the transom. I have these in a room that has 3 walls of windows and find they really help with the insulation of that room and look nice in the evening when down--they give some texture and color to the room. When they are totally opened they only use a couple of inches of space over the top of the windows. You do have the issue of the "strings". (I have drapes in between each window for decorative purposes which hides the strings when the shades are in the up position.) If your shades match or are similar to the moldings, they won't be noticeable. (They may make them without the strings but I am not positive about that).

Thanks all! I appreciate all the votes to keep the window treatments as simple as possible. I think I will check out shades at a store to find out how big the "stack" would be for our windows. And I will investigate window film as well. Any ideas of brands to look at?

Perhaps I will try to photoshop some curtains in to see what it would look like to hang simple panels that extend out beyond the windows at the top, and just below the transoms. If I have success, I will post them here.

Johnatemp - thanks for the compliment on the trim color. I was very nervous when we first chose it, I thought it would be way too dark, but now I absolutely love it! And good luck with your speaker project!!!

Lucy, you are right that heat loss should be a priority, but this is really our only heat loss issue - and I want the solution to be attractive as well as practical. Our walls are well insulated and the windows are high efficiency and well installed, but we've found that even good windows are not perfect...

Again, thanks so much for all the advice!

Wonderful windows!

I would mount Roman shades right below the top section of glass, inside of the frames so that the wood all shows.

I would put Comfortex Shangri-La's or Hunter Douglas Silhouettes on the windows to let a lot of light into the room, keep the look simple and clean and elegant and since there is not a lot of room for stacking of drapes. Maybe you can put a valence on top or decorative short rods with drapes on the sides for color or more style.