What about window wallpaper? Something frosted would keep people from seeing in. Maybe not the pot leaf on page 5 of the link, tho! LOL

window wallpaper

I used this frosted contact paper on some oddly placed windows in my old house.

Same as others said, frosted paper. It comes in some really nice designs. I was going to do the same for my house to keep the light from fading my furniture. I have shutters on bottom windows too.

Les, you are so funny. I had to look because I have seen some questionable patterns but this on is actually called Pot Leaves. That just cracks me up.

Threedgrad- that is sooooo pretty.

I'd try to talk him out of it...The window is beautiful it would kill me to cover it...

Believe me it has been a 6 month arugment about my wish not to cover those window and his wish to cover them. I think I am close to convincing him to spend the extra money and put shutters on them like we are planning for the other windows in the room.

I think it is going to have to be all or nothing. The frosted film is a good idea because it will be right on the glass so almost nothing.

But any kind of treatment, other than a shutter, like on the bottom half, is going to look like a multiple personality disorder.

It looks like the curtain is on a straight rod. What about using a curved rod on the inside of the window frame? I know you said you hate the ruffly sheer, but I think it's appropriate for the window and would be much prettier on a curved rod.

I chose what I thought was a beautiful (and expensive!) frosted window wallpaper pattern for my garage windows, and it looks like window wallpaper. Since it's the garage, I don't care, but in my dining room? I would not like it one little bit. I also think shutters up there would look a little odd.

I agree with Palimpest completely. I'd do the frosted film w/o hesitation.

I am wondering if it really will look that bad to have the window wallpaper on top and the shutters below. After all, I am guessing that the shutters will remain closed all the time, and just the slats might be adjusted. So how would someone know for sure what the window is like underneath?

I can't see that it would be any worse, honestly, than the sheers up there now. They look like austrian sheers, - just me, I know, but they have always reminded me of casket lining.

The other choice would be to have drapery panels that meet in the middle of the upper window and drape open from there in a traditional style. That would probably cover the upper window enough to block whateverview bothers your DH.

if we put up shutters they would follow the arch of the window, vs the current shears are square, hiding the arch of the window other then what you can see when sunlight comes through.

I was searching through the wallpaper for windows site and wonder how the lite frost would look on the top windows?

http://www.wallpaperforwindows.com/pc/Lite-Frost-Privacy-Window-Film-45p298.htm#

Can you get frosted wallpaper in a sheet large enough to cover the whole window without seams? Seams look very obvious no matter how carefully they are applied - or do you have mullions up there that will conceal the seams?

I know a lot of folks here like the window wallpaper, but as one who has it, I still think sheer curtains on a curved rod are prettier and more practical, and more in keeping with the room. I also think shutters up there will make the room a lot darker during the day because for privacy you will have to keep them closed, if that's what you want, and be impossible to keep clean. Will you also be removing the drapes?

Can you see through the current sheers from the outside? I love how they look with the sun behind them. On a curved rod...gorgeous, tasteful, in keeping with the rest of the room.

Can I ask you what your paint color is?

I am not sure of the paint color as it is a custom color put on by the previous owners.

I would be open to sheers, but do not like the ones that are up there now. I would prefer a straight sheer. Could a straight sheer be put on a curved rod? Also, it would take 2 sheers sewed together to fit the window. There are 2 now but you don' see the seam due to the ruffles.

Where is the staircase in relationship to the window? In that part of the hall with the dropped ceiling or further off to the right out of the frame of the picture?

It is directly across from the window. I will post a pic later to show you.

Yes, you can hang sheers on a curved rod across the top and stretch them to a straight rod on the bottom. If the sheers were full, it would be a lovely look.

For optimum privacy, you could apply the frosted wallpaper to the window under the sheers if you needed to, but that would probably be unnecessary.

I like the frosted wallpaper too.

Sonialigrawal - the color looks like ours BM River Gorge Grey.

still not sure if we are doing shutters up there but the window wallpaper intrigues me. Would you have a professional hang it? Like someone that tints windows who would get it exactly right? The arch might be difficult and getting it to look good w/o a big seam line. WDYT?

I think you should definitely consider having a pro do it, but I don't know who that would be, maybe a wallpaper hanger? Believe me, seams will look AWFUL and be very visible if you choose plain frosted paper (unless you have mullions), and trimming that arch will be tricky or light will show through. At least a random pattern might distract the eye a bit.

Could a professional hang the frosted contact paper plus do a mullion or a dark brown thin tape that looks like a mullion pattern for that window?

I don't like the idea of a frosted glass film but I think a stained glass film would be lovely (stained glass would be my first option, money permitting).

we are leaning towards shutters. I know it will be so hard to clean but don't you think it will look better to have all of the windows in the room with the same covering? I would keep the shutters at a slant for privacy.

Even though it's going to be expensive, I think you'll be happier with the shutters. My mother's window is small compared to your's, but she originally had a pleated silhouette fan in the upper window. It always bugged her because it didn't match the wood blinds on the bottom window, so she finally splurged and got the wooden fans.

{{!gwi}}

Laurie

I would let hubby decide decide whether he wanted it left bare or bear the expense of the shutters. I would not do two different window treatments. I think the shutters would look nice opened on the upper window but obviously they would be closed all the time for privacy. I am not sure how you would open and close them considering the height, it definately will make your space darker.

They will not be any harder, really, to clean than anything else. You need a ladder for almost anything, but at least for the shutters you can get an extension pole and a duster. This type of window is something that architects do without thinking of window coverings and maintenance. At least your room is big enough to maneuver a ladder around. I have seen these in entryways so small they are practically impossible to get to.

I don't think the shutters will need to have the slats fully closed. Remember that from the outside you will be looking UP at them so if they are slightly tilted downward, they will direct light into the room but will shield the viewpoint from below. Someone would have to be ABOVE the window to see in if the slats are tilted slightly down.

I would take that frilly drape thingie down immediately, it looks like a big dollie. Wonder what the precious owners were thinking? Please don't take offense lovetoshop.

Is there not a way to talk your husband out of leaving the window bare? Sometimes windows should be left alone, as in this case.

I had a friend that had a similar problem only he wanted something to keep the sun out, that was blinding around five. I gave him to the same advice, leave it bare and deal with it.

I hope this doesn't come across as too harsh, I didn't mean it that way.

....Jane

This is obviously a matter of personal preference and cost; the OP wants shutters; if she can afford them, she should get them. I personally think shutters would look awkward and heavy and darken the room (no matter what palimpsest says about turning the slats ;o)) - what's the point of having a two-story room with a window if you cover the window with shutters?

I don't understand the privacy issue, yet it exists for the OP. Where are the people who can see the legs on the stairs? On the roof or the second floor across the street?

Newdawn calls the current treatment a frilly doilie, yet I like it and would like any kind of sheer treatment on a curved rod. As it is I think the straight rod looks odd, but apparently the previous owner liked it.

And I think the window wallpaper would be a big mistake, but many posters think otherwise.

It is good to hash it out, though, and get lots of points of view. I hope reading here helps with your decision.

Sherry

Truly fascinating to read all of the different ideas! Great to have such a discussion and read about options!

I vote for shutters on both windows. I believe that the window would appear more finished.

Jan

Thanks everyone! Yes if we put shutters on the windows we would leave them angled so they would let light in. This is the best pic I have to show you where the stairs are. When out on the street you can see in the window to the top of the stairs. Our rooms are clustered around the top of the stairs like a wheel with spokes (the doors to the rooms). Plus there is a bathroom at the top of the staircase so if the window was uncovered you could not walk naked from one room to another, etc. Not that we do that a lot, but just in case :)Also, it is not the arch that you see in from but an upper window that is to the left of it that you can't see in the photo.

I have plantation shutters throughout my home and on 4 of my uppers I opted for remote shades. I leave most of my uppers open, but some were letting too much sun in during the day. I love your curtains.

Here is a link that might be useful: remote examples

I orginally suggested that you talk your husband out of any coverings BUT looking at your picture again and knowing how men can be...here's my new suggestion.

Looks like your current drapes are one long panel with fringe higher than the bottom of the arched window. Could you have someone make that top part of the drape alittle longer and have the fringe go alittle below the bottom of the arched window? Then have the lower window drape go up under the fringe - have separate drape rods for the upper part and just close the upper window section in the evening when someone could actually see into your home. That way you could leave the lower ones open and just close the uppers when you need to? You would still want them to look like one complete drape, but kind of "fool the eye" and have 2 separate drapes.
Does that make sense anyone on here?

jeannie01- clever thinking! Still leaning towards shutters. I would keep them open at a slant all the time to let in light.

Is there a kneewall at the top of the stairs or is it an open railing? I have seen a number of houses that have overlooks inside the house with shutters on them . What about leaving the upper window uncovered and shuttering the top of the stair area?

I'm completely confused. Apparently, it isn't that window that is the problem...Also, it is not the arch that you see in from but an upper window that is to the left of it that you can't see in the photo......So, as Emily Lutilla would say, "Never mind!"

sorry to be confusing. Yes it is the window in the photo but there is ALSO a second window that you can't see that also poses a problem.