What about plantation shutters instead? And if you're really not worried about light or privacy, why anything at all? If you want something for decoration a valance or cornice would work. You have such a nice view I wouldn't want to block any of it.

A blind in the kitchen will get grease and dust. How do you propose to keep the blind clean?
I agree that nothing is a viable option.

I would leave the windows bare, but might add roller shades if you wanted some privacy at night. I just looked at www.smithandnoble.com and they have some nice ones with decorative edges. Have never bought from the website, but love the photos for ideas/inspiration.

"Nothing" is something we certainly hadn't considered. After thinking about it some more, we are liking the idea of a cornice and/or valance only, since the intention is to keep the blinds open most of the time. smith+noble has a nice photo gallery, thanks for the link. (Also means back to more research on whether shades or shutters is an option!). Thanks for all the feedback - appreciate it very much.

I a 60 inch slider window that came down to the counter like that in the house I lived in in the 70's and early 80's. I had a mini blind on it because I needed it for sun control. It was a real pain to keep clean .

Another vote for "nothing."

What is the style of the rest of the kitchen?

Any single blind or roller is going to be heavy and will get dirty.

Do you have any plans for doing a kitchen remodel in the next year or two? I would not spend a whole bunch of money on WT if you might change that window out, countertop, cabinets, sink, etc. An 8" wide solar shade like I have on my patio is not heavy although it is 6' long and so will still have a roll at the bottom when you close the shade.

We have a similar sized window which also faces the backyard. When we purchased this fixer we were able to change the aluminum framing to vinyl. What a difference when the window actually will slide. When we redid the kitchen we decided to paint the window siding and frame it. For a long time I couldn't decide if I should have a valance of some kind but I've gotten used to it without. I do have a white roller shade that is now attached to my patio and on really hot days, when we go out of town or I want privacy, we put it down. Enjoy your new home.
Before/after:

If you need light control, how about roller shades (with chains so you can reach?) under a pretty valance? I think the window's too big (8ft!) for anything else.

Don't want to hijack, but just had a ?. My mom had new granite counters (and backsplash under window/over sink) put in 2007. *Now* she wants to replace the (6ft?) casement windows (original 1970's) with sliding ones like you all have. What are the chances they'll wreck her granite b/s putting in new window? The granite comes right up to the window stool. She also has some new paneling b/t the window trim and her upper cabinets, I'm assuming they'll have to pull that to get window out (though they'll pull it out from outside and put new one in from outside - easy b/c there's a deck).

I'd appreciate opinions/tips for minimizing damage from those of you who replaced your windows, though I'm sure you finished the interior *after* the windows were in. Thanks

Here ya go! These are casement windows on the back wall of my kitchen.

{{!gwi}}

I've decided that I don't like the triple swag looking valance and would rather a two swag valance. I wish we had a decent Craig list. I would list this valance so I could get a new one. It's only 4 years old. We needed a little light control so for the most part the valance was purely decorative.

The bamboo roller shades have a self (?) valance, meaning that the top makes a valance when the shade is hung. I have one in my water closet that shows the self valance.
{{!gwi}}

ajamama, I didn't read your post prior to me posting my casement windows.

To try to answer your question I'm sure that the pulling out of the casement windows would be a pretty large job. If the windows have been there since 1970's there very may well be other issues behind that said window. Anytime you have a window near moisture you are at risk for issues. Sometimes it best to just leave it alone. Ask me how I know that ;-). If there would be any way for the carpenter to check for issues behind the window, and everything is fine, then she should go ahead and change them out.

As for cracking the granite? The carpenter may have to cut away the granite backsplash and later replace it. But a good carpenter should know how to replace a window without cracking the granite countertops. That said, I would have the worker sign a contract on breakage by the service person. He should replace it if he breaks it. Any chance for pictures?

My mom is just having "window guy" replace the casement windows over the kitchen sink when he does the other windows in the house. She's famous for doing projects out of order - they had all the doublehung windows in the house replaced years ago, didn't bother with the casement windows over sink, the very small awning windows in the downstairs bedrooms (last summer pulled out the sashes and put in small ACs - without reframing and insulating so only thing on sides are the "accordion" plastic sliders on the AC units during the winter!). Then she did kitchen counters, tin ceiling panels glued in with Liquid Nails above the 3" granite b/s, and new paneling (whitewashing fake wood instead of dark fake wood) put in FR (finish nails) with crown molding. Now she's painting the ceilings (yesterday and today), then in a couple of weeks rebuilding the sunroom with new windows/sliders some drywall and insulation to replace old jalousie windows, getting the big picture window in the FR and the casements in the kitchen replaced at same time. She's not replacing the bay window in the LR (the only remaining original window - she says she hangs heavy drapes in the winter so doesn't worry that it's single pane??). After the sunroom and windows are done she'll be having either my cousin (carpenter) or a handyman (same one painting her ceilings) trim out all the new windows, then she'll have the window trim, doors and door trim (she had new masonite doors put in when she did the windows last time and hasn't painted them yet, baseboards and crown molding painted - hopefully she'll have the hallway walls that I patched and primed this w/e (so I wouldn't be sanding after she got ceiling done) painted before she paints all the trim.

I'll tell her to have the window guy sign a contract that he'll pay to replace the granite b/s (and the paneling) if he damages it in the process of replacing the window. When I mentioned my concern to her, she just said "he'd better be able to replace it w/o damaging anything, that's his job!" but I doubt she's got anything in writing...

I don't know if she'll have the window guy pull the cedar shakes off the back wall to see if there are any leaks? They didn't see anything when she pulled off the old laminate counters and the Formica off the walls, I'm sure either the granite guy would have mentioned something about the sink cabinet/wall when he came to template and install if there had been damage, or the handyman might have said something before putting up tin and paneling?

Oh wow! Sounds like someone I used to know...lol! My mom could have been famouse for out of line scheduling on home remodeling. Are you sure we aren't sisters?