Looks beautiful just the way it is. A vase of colorful flowers would give it all the color it needs.

Beautiful views. Very much the concept of bringing the outside in. If anything at all maybe panels in a light fabric and color to "frame" the view. :-)

silhouette blinds.....classy look without taking away from the primary focal point....

Beautiful views~ if you do a topper, I would mount at the ceiling to keep from covering too much of the window…it also creates the illusion of a higher ceiling. I have similar windows and I like the bamboo/ matchstick or natural woven wood shades for warmth that is simultaneously clean and finished. I have large wooden shutters on rooms that needed privacy, but with the views, I really prefer something that you can open all the way when you desire. Many of my windows are unadorned and simply trimmed with wood molding. Go with your heart! It is your home and must be pleasing to you alone! Good luck!

When I start a consultation for Window Treatments the first thing I ask is "What problem are you trying to solve?" It sounds like you are looking for insulation in the Winter and some light control for the Media area. The next thing I ask is "What is your budget?". For the Nook area I would recommend the Silhouettes. That will give you the insulation you need, light control, and they can be lifted totally off your window. Hunter Douglas also has the Nantucket which is basically a Silhouette but at a lower price point. Silhouettes are one of the highest priced shades you can do so if that is not in the budget then I would do the Honeycomb shade. They are not my favorite but they do meet all of the criteria you are look for. The screen shades are great but they will not give you the insulation that the other 2 options will. Shutters will give you the insulation, however, with your beautiful views I would not recommend these. Plus they are going to be right up there price wise with the Silhouettes. I would put a valance over the Nook windows to soften the look. (see pictures below for some ideas). If you are thinking about drapery panels in the nook that you can close then that will take a lot of fabric plus you need room to stack them and you do not have a lot of wall space for that. They will end up covering some of your windows. If you are thinking decorative panels you could use medallions to hang them instead of a rod. (see pictures below) For the Sliding Glass Door and large window I would hang a panel on each side with a nice decorative rod and pull them shut when you need the extra insulation or the light blocked. Have them made with a Thermal lining to give you that extra insulation. If you do a Honeycomb shade in the Nook then a Vertiglide (vertical honeycomb) is a good option for the door and Honeycomb in the other windows. Do not put a Vinyl vertical in the window! If you need the coverage on the small window in the Family Room then I would repeat the Window treatment that you choose for the Nook otherwise I would leave it alone.

I know you would like to use the shades, so why not use a valance or something small at the top of the window to hide the shade when not in use?

The view is so beautiful, at least now, that I would not add any window treatment. I would paint the walls a contrasting color to add some life to the room. Also a colorful centerpiece on the table.

Sometimes windows need different treatments for different times of the year. For the summer I would recommned the sunscreen shades, inside mount. These will provide uva protection for your furniture, floors and keep the house cool. For the winter I would suggest using a thermal shade, again inside mount. These will keep the warmth. There are many options available, from a textured woven look in either roller or roman style to a honeycombe cellular shade. Using an inside mount will provide a neat and trim appearance while showing the woodwork. Hunter Douglas can be expensive but there are other options available without going to the lower end usually offered at Home Depot, Lowes etc. Try Comfortex or Country Curtains if you have a limited budget.

If you go with cellular shades, we make ours in Vermont, from US made materials. We also offer a lot of help before and after the purchase along with a 10 year warranty. As you can see in lots of the examples above, layering provides a more elegant finished appearance, but if you want minimal, just shades stack compact and cover very little window when not in use. Cordless eliminates dangling cords and can be combined with top down bottom up. Get some fabric and wood samples of anything you are considering to get a really good idea of the material quality and how it fits into your space. Check out our free samples page! http://cellularwindowshades.com/samples.html

We do offer a Shangri-La which is a Silhouette that does not require a Hunter Douglas consultation (Hunter Douglas cannot be bought online). It is made by Comfortex which is part of the Hunter Douglas family, so you get the quality without the steep price. There are free samples of sheer horizontals on our sister site: http://sheerblinds.com/samples.html

If you go with shutters, they really are best measured and installed by a professional, because they are a finicky product. Roller shades are nice for reducing heat, but sometimes have a very industrial feel depending on the fabric. A metal valance can conceal the roll.

I vote for Solar shades they have a clean look and look great.

Inside mount bamboo shades would be lovely here in a darker color similar to your chairs (many companies send free color samples). Add square or round chandelier shades in a linen fabric and you'll have a more current look to your breakfast area.

With a view like that there is no need to cover it. If it were a view to your neighbour's backyard or the street it would be a different story. But, you have the perfect story: sitting at the the table, conversing, drinking and eating, with family and friends enjoying a view that's just for you- how beautiful! Just for you!
What you need to work on is actually the dining setting: add rich mauve's for contrast against the green outdoors.

I agree with the solar shades. I have solar shades in a large room with multiple large windows. The room is painted eggshell and i used a dark taupe solar shade. I get soft light even when the shades are down but can still see out to the courtyard beyond. I use them because i live in a climate of extreme heat in the summer months. Excellent way to keep the light but cut down on heat. I imagine it would work the same for cold.

I would use an insulated Swedish roll-up blind in a wool fabric in the winter, for nightime, primarily, and in summer the same type of shade in a beautiful linen.

I like the suggestion of solar roller shades. It's nice to get a lot of light but it's also nice for filtering out harsh sun that fades furniture and rugs. For the doors I wouldn't do vinyl slats. For our new home on the water we spent a little more but got Hunter Douglas fabric pleated shades that are only 2" wide when all the way open so they don't block the view and then slide easily across the doorway to close at night. We love them!

Oh my heavens you must feel bombarded by now LOL! I noticed your dining and living space have Thomasville furnishings which have nice wood tones and rustic colors. I also live in the great NW and understand your concerns regarding light and privacy. For the dining area I agree that and outside mount at the top of the window molding with top down - bottom up fabric shades would be best suited. They would tie in the formality of the dining area yet be functional for insulation and for altering from views to privacy. Not knowing the width of the farthest wide window I'd suggest the same style on that wide window then have black out panels in a coordinating fabric for the long windows behind the loveseat to add more dimension. I have wonderful resources in the Portland, Vancouver area if you need them. Check out this website - http://www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=36 - Best~Judy

I would add white vinyl shutters in the dining area and light coloured drapery to the patio door and large window next to the patio. The draperies could be drawn shut or open whenever necessary. The beautiful transom window would be used as a glass display area. A few well chosen pieces that would coordinate with artwork on the wall below the transom. Good luck!

Solar shades with panels framing the windows would look really nice and give you the ability to cover the entire window only when you want to. I have something similar and it works well! If you do panels, you can't go wrong with fabric that matches, or is similar to, your wall color.

I like unadorned windows in contemporary/modern rooms and where you don't have privacy issues or strong light.. In one of our houses, the back wall of our breakfast room was actually a 12 ft tall greenhouse window that faced north. Mother nature provided the adornement..

NO vertical shades. Leave the sliding doors alone.

You have quite an array of windows in this area. You need to have blinds, cellular shades, etc at the very least! The problem with leaving windows completely uncovered comes at night...the dreaded "black hole" effect. Too add color, you should consider having top treatments and/or stationary panels custom fabricated.

I'm in a similar situation with a sunroom, facing north. I'm going to put light, cotton drapery just to block the sun sometimes, on the east & west sides for now. Love the look of them blowing in the breeze! I'm in the country, no need for privacy, so will leave the north side totally bare. Come winter, I may substitute with something heavier for coziness, but not sure yet.

if for some reason the link has still not appeared look up-Luxaflex interior vinyl plantation shutters - plastic design - folding - adjustable louvres

Here's an image which gives you an idea how versatile they are

Colour, colour....need something to break the neutral. Romans whether true or false shades will add the colour...and you probably do want shades that will insulate at night in a colder climate...even if your windows are good thermal.

Cellular shades for sure. They almost disappear when up, and some don't even have a cord, you just easily pull them down & push up. They come in any color, and you can choose whether they let a lot of light through or a little or none. They insulate as well, and you can get extra layers for even more R-factor. I've had them in my bedroom for years with no problem and no maintenance or even need to clean.

Something at the window is a good idea. At night, you are just staring at black glass. Even though you would like to maintain the light in the colder months, a window treatment can soften the light coming into the room. I would add a short valance to bring color and pattern/textureinto the space and then something to cover the window--a woven wood shade perhaps.

I think it's beautiful as-is, but for practicality (privacy, energy conservancy and light filtering), the solar shades shown in the photos by mforr would be very nice.

I too am having a real problem on what to do with these New windows..So I am enjoying this thread! I live in the country but since the kitchen is first floor front kitchen, which is next to front porch..might need for privacy. sometimes.

We just built a house and put cellular throughout with the up from bottom or down from top option. We love them. We put light filtering throughout the house and room darkening in the master suite. The down from top option is nice to add a little privacy but still have natural light. They are very durable and clean looking.

Not that the question is about this, but I thought I might add a side note about lighting outside at night time. If there was someplace to put spotlights (that won't irritate your neighbors) or up lights further out in property, you could light up that lovely view at night. I think those lovely evergreens would look great at night through the window. There isn't really anything attractive about a black window at night. Either a covering on window or light up that landscape!! :)

Nature is providing you with the most amazing pieces of artwork for your home that you could ask for. If you go around hanging scarves and things on your framed art then you should put a valance up. I would completely go with minimalist pull down, cordless shades in a totally neutral color. A valance or curtains would only serve to make the space feel more crowded though I could see how some would see it as cold, I just see it as beautiful. If I had this view I would drink coffee in the morning (with the heat cranked, no doubt) just looking outside which, based on the placemats, I would say you probably do too (as a sidenote you could go ahead and put a placemat in front of every chair even if you don't use them). Gorgeous home but some folks are right, you could use some color. Through some brighter pillows on your sofa, some tabletop items that are colorful and consider painting out the bay with a rich color that would complement your cabinets. It would make the space special and only cost a gallon of paint to change if you don't like it eventually whereas window treatments would cost a lot more. My 2 cents is worth precisely that much!

Depends why you want to cover the windows: 1) Privacy, 2) Solar fading, 3) Insulation or 4) Decoration. Assuming that you are only concerned about Solar fading, Hunter Douglas offers and extensive line of transparent solar shades that can be opened and close automatically, using batteries or hard wire.

Do not cover. The windows are perfect. Just add some color to your rooms.

What beautiful rooms! I think the eating area windows need only minimal treatments like the cornices or valances pictured above. If, however, the cold is a factor than I would consider 2" wood or faux wood blinds to match the woodwork. I also love Roman shades because they can be stacked at the top of the window and maintain your view. You could also get them made in a cheery patterned fabric to add color and as someone suggested, get pillows made for the sofa in the same fabric. For the sliding glass door, I would stack a panel at one end that could be drawn across made of the same fabric or a coordinating fabric. I would treat the large family room window exactly as the eating area, and leave the high narrow one uncovered.

Well it depends on the style you are after, the view, and privacy. It looks like you have a beautiful view. Here are a few ideas to look at

More formal look

Love Ashton's idea!

Do not clutter the window nor hide it behind anything large like drapery or shutters. Keep it simple. The window has a welcoming and relaxing presence and to add anything bulky will only close off conversation. I am a believer on conversation at a table and light colours tend to keep the air clear. Use the window to keep the conversation flowing and use a roller. When you want to enjoy the fresh air or the greenery just pull the chain up and welcome the outdoor Natural light and fresh air.

WOW, many wonderful ideas! Thank you so much. I checked Hunter Douglas and found there isn't any dealer who can access my area, and neither accessible in cost wise. Seems like vertical vane blinds are not favored very much. I will reconsider it. So far, I lean toward the idea of shades and top valences. Would like to give something to windows before they start to become cold black walls.

Window frames can really make the room look finished. Since the are done you might think of some nice crown molding around the room and that would finish it. I don't think I would cover the windows.

Crown molding sounds very nice. Maybe except the dining area.There, space between top of the trim and the ceiling is shy of 6". Is it strange if I add valences only for dining area?

Gorgeous! How can we get the curtain and the rail like this?

Shutters are always a beautiful look

You have received some wonderful ideas above. Please take a look at my photos and let me know if I can help you with anything at all. Thank you.

Ikea has track rails system with corner piece
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00079362/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70079368/

Or another option could be the curtain rod with the curtain rod corner connector

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30217135/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00219918/

I recommend using Roman Shades. What about Roman Shades in these fabrics?
http://www.cheerycurtains.com/qye223bd.html
http://www.cheerycurtains.com/qye122ab.html
http://www.cheerycurtains.com/qyb251dd.html

Roman shades in a neutral colour so they don't distract from your beautiful view! Flush to inside of window frame.

@bobsawa, I am looking for chairs like the ones at your table and the coordinating counter chairs to the left in one of the photos. Can you share the manufacturer/style/model info with me? I've been searching extensively and cannot find this style with the nailhead and the swoop and the arms with a fabric inset. Please provide any info you may have on them. Thanks!

Shades would give a cleaner and sleeker look. If you have total privacy I'd just enjoy the view ;o)