I was Thinking electric sconces on each side, large enough to make a statement! Put them on dimmers and how beautiful would that be at night!

Is it too late to ask builder to put a small door/ opening from the SIDE to access it without a ladder? I've seen this before but can't tell how wide your ledge is.

And I wouldn't cover the window with sheers as you do not need privacy through this window. I would do a treatment with stationary knobs on each side at top holding drapes.

Consider trimming the top edge of the ledge with crown molding, for a finished look!

Wallpaper with faux bookcases and wood shutters on window. You will never dust this area! I agree with crown molding.

We have a similar window. This is what we came up with so far.

Is that what's also known as a "Juliette's Ledge"? I remember years ago looking for design ideas for a home we were considering & that's what the realtor called it.
How beautiful with the hanging chandelier lit at night!
Is there an outlet up there already? If so I might use a pedestal or a few- with some size appropriate statues or other art objects and up light them with small spot lights.
That may give you softer lighting when the overhead main foyer light will be too bright.
No curtains or shades- too much work& it might clutter your intended look.

Lovely space. I would wood it and forget it. Good luck.

Oh yes, balcony sounds much better than ledge! Sorry for the dark visual- but that's what I had heard it called. Thanks BG Designs!

I think Barbara G. is on to something. My neighbors have a similar, but reversed, design where the front door is pooched out and there's an exterior ledge above the front porch with a big window. Like yours, it's inaccessible from the inside of the house (or the exterior, for that matter), making it entirely useless. They put a wrought iron railing on it. It could be very pretty as a Juliet balcony, if you pick the right wrought iron design to compliment the rest of your home.

Love Barbara's idea

Leave it alone. No drapes, nothing on it to call attention to it at all. Dust it with the furniture extension on your vacuum. No need for a ladder then.

Consider faux iron for these windows. If you like the look give us a call http://www.budgetblinds.com Cheers!

Barbara I love your idea too! I have a dormer window in my foyer that I have no idea what to do to it! I'm uploading a photo in hopes that you can give me some decorating advice. Thanks!

I like the iron piece above the doorway in the picture above.

I would replace that window with a single window FOR SURE. I think that is what you are finding to be so odd. Maybe a lead glass window or if your style is more modern, some type of modern casement.

I also suggest a better front door. That , with a single window, might make a lot of difference.

I would make a mock porch- add some beautiful railing from wall to wall, and pretty window treatment,

I agree with the comment to just ignore it. If you decorate it, you have then made it a feature and will draw attention to it. If you just ignore it, it won't stand out.

To "lfaulkenbery"...You have that great metal piece above your door..I would change out my foyer chandelier for something with black iron, or whatever the is color of the door piece (or paint that piece black). I would then purchase a smaller (but bigger than what is there now) version of the new foyer light for in the high window alcove ( maybe a 3 lite piece). I would also replace the glass and grid with a one piece unit of leaded pieces of clear and etched glass for the high window. Next place an 18-20" high wrought iron rail at the front of the opening. Nothing else. If I could not do the glass..oK, but definitely both light fixtures and the rail. The black metal is a uniting factor of the entire space.

Katey I'm a little confused about your comment suggesting that I replace the window with a single window? The front door is dated and when I replace it, it will be with a solid door with side lights due to the fact that I am not redoing brick work or stucco on the front of the house. The only other window is a single window in the dormer. That too, is part of the main frame of the house and can not be changed without major work. Therefore, my main concern now is decorating, any remodeling will be in the distant future. Thanks for your suggestions.

you can finish it with crown molding, i would not put anything there:))

Since you're still under construction, why not box the window in with a wall of moulding, bringing it out to the edge. So the window will look recessed.....

Less is more....I wouldn't add anything else that you will have to dust. Moulding and trim work should finish the detail enough.

So sorry, I assumed you were buying a house under construction and could make changes...if not, then I agree 100% with Sarah. Don't do anything, just add molding and trim. That should be enough. Good luck :-))

I would give it punch with moulding alone, without adding more to dust ham the ledge itself. Not exactly what I was looking for to share but hopefully you get the idea. You could go halfway up with wainscoting like in the photo or all the way up to the ceiling. Good luck and please post a pic for us to see what you decided!

Should the moulding go around the window frame, or the edges of corners and ceiling? (Crown)?

I think I'm leaning towards ignoring it...lol. Should the "ledge" be painted same color as walls, or darker?(it's visible from upstairs landing and a loft).

I think during holidays it'll be a cute place to put something....a Giant Elf with his legs dangling off. A Witch during Halloween. Hubby wants an electrical outlet put in up there...oh great...they're charging per outlet! :(

We don't have a ledge but similar plan. Looking at adding wall molding and furniture. Also enhancing the molding around doors

I wonder if doing something to the door (punchy colour and / or millwork) will lead the eye to it as the focal point rather than the window and ledge...........if so, keeping the upper part simple might be the key?

I would not add extra trim or shutters to the window above the door, adding more to it will only call attention to itself and draw your attention away from the door. To make dusting easier you could add a painted wood (or MDF) cap to the horizontal drywall, very simple and flat, NOT molding - it will help reduce the amount of dust that sticks to the flat surface. Paint it the same color as the wall to help it disappear.

I have one of these guys...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lifesize-solid-teak-horse-6-feet-tall-/120953910842?pt=Art_Sculpture&hash=item1c296a363a

...and I sure wish I had a ledge like yours on which to display him!

Treat the window the same as the rest of the windows in the house (with casing and trim). Leave the window un-curtained if the chandelier over the entry will glow through. In some of our model homes over the years, I had a pair of very fragile antigue chairs I put on either side of the window if the ledge was large enough. Don't think your ledge is large enough for an onslaught of decorative material tho and I would probably leave it bare. Another consideration. do your stairs come down facing the front door? The only way I would consider any kind of drapery on it was if it was a matter of privacy or if the sun beat into that area. Then other remedies have to be considered.

We have 2 of these kind of areas in our house. One over the entry closet and one coming down the stairwell. We have put large plants on both. I don't know why you would worry about a window treatment up there. It would let in great light and no one's going to see in. The one in the stairwell has glass blocks behind it and gives great light for the plant.

Install bead board from the ceiling to landing floor and frame it. Frame your window and add two large electric sconces with dimmers to add that dramatic touch. When you paint, treat that wall as one. Keep it simple.

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Firstly, do nothing other than trimming up the window...Wait my dear...you have lots of other issues to deal with I'm sure...with a lovely new house...We often make mistakes from trying to do too much right away....Take all these ideas, and tuck them away...It will come to you...

That picture posted by Robyn Buxton was EXACTLY what I was trying to explain in my first comment, that is the 1 window look with the more ornate door. Since you are not changing the window, then I agree with the less is more option....(I keep getting these comments on my inbox, wow this is a long thread.) Good luck!

leave it alone. Trim out the window nice and wide. Paint that wall 2 shades darker or lighter than the rest of the surrounding walls. It is not a functional area so big decor pieces will just clutter it up and become a pain to dust. Decorate that space on holidays only. Hope this helps :)

I would treat this as if the "ledge" were really a balcony. Give it hardwood flooring with the appropriate trim under the nosing, and install a simple, decorative, wrought-iron railing that spans the width. I would treat the window in the a manner that is consistent with the rest of the house; to leave it untreated might appear incomplete.

A Hunter Douglas Silhouette motorized would be great for that window.

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/hunter-douglas/silhouette-toronto.html

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/motorized-blinds.html

Electric blinds or shutters controlled by a remote are a great idea! Won't be able to get up/down to do it otherwise. It's also south facing and will get full sun.

What possible reason would you want to cover this window?

Can anyone tell me how to stop all these emails from coming into my personal email account?
I have looked and can't find any way to opt out if this thread.

Work with the symmetry.A large colorful vase with tall branches on each side of the window would look nice an remote control shades. Good luck!

We have one of these. Don't decorate it. They make a tool to clean it. It a long stick with a sniffer on the end. Or use a stick with a hoop feather for dusting fans. I doesn't collect much duets anyway so don't worry.

Katey5212 - on the bottom of the emails (very tiny) ... are two lines of text allow you to opt out. Click the one you want :-)

OMG!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!! This looks exactly like the entry I helped design with an architect friend. What I did, is there was the Master Bedroom backing up to the right hand side of this window upstairs. I had the architect design it so that the ledge was made wider and became a walk out by adding railing which was put along it. Then I put a door from the master bedroom that walked out onto this space. The door was multipaned with glass, which was the best part and as it was at the far end of the master bedroom, it did not make privacy an issue. My client who has sinced sold the house, as it was years ago, said that was her favorite thing an everyone loved it. It created such character and charm to the entry. It matched the rest of railings that went around upstairs.

I got the idea from the many grand character homes of old Pasadena that I was fortunate to be exposed to as I spent a part of my younger life selling these homes.

Perhaps this might work for you? If it does please let me know, that would be exciting!!

I have the very same ledge over my door, I like the post regarding putting electrical sconces on either side of the window! Has anybody seen a wooden bench positioned on this ledge with pillows?
thanks
Bonnie Herskowitz

Like the idea of sconces. For mine however, doubt a bench would fit as its probably only 18"?

I sometimes think people set up theatrical vignettes in their homes....not sure the purpose...I'd stay far away from that in this case....

I agree with waiting to see what else you need to do to finish the house. But I'd put built-ins and make it a library wall. Obviously you wouldn't be able to use it, and there are tools to use for high ceilings. We just bought one from FrontGate. Haven't unpacked it yet, but we will!
Chrysteen

you can change it into this!

Personally, I would have a second floor put throughout this area and be glad to have the space as a second-story alcove, sitting room, or reading nook.