The frame and grid all make up the sash and should be one color. If you are building just skip the grids.

Or remove the grids if they are snap in .

BTW? Better to post your room, not an inspo. We all know well what black windows look like: )

Lol Jan! I’ve posted to Houzz so much recently with our new home build. I don’t have the mental capacity to make anymore decisions 🙃 here’s a few pics, albeit not sure how helpful- it’s all I’ve got thus far!

Thanks for the input all :)

I agree skip the grids and IMO what you are asking to do will make the windows look cheap.

Skip the black. It is trendy. If you still want black in 5 years, then paint. The only way to "soften" is not to paint it black.

A different color for the mulliions won't make much of a difference. If possible try a softer sash and mullion color.

Why is everyting black and white these days?

My house was spec'd with black steel windows in 1965. It never got them because of budget but when I replaced the combination of plate glass held in by wood stops and cheap replacement windows it had when I bought it, I decided to go with black windows because that's what the architect had wanted 50 odd years ago.

However, I chose the narrowest muntin profile I could get (mullion is between windows not between panes) and on the inside everything is painted the trim color of the room except the actual sash itself much as it would be on a steel window. So there is a very narrow margin of black sash and the narrow muntins. It's much less dominant than if the jamb and everything were black.

Are those wood windows? The wood color is lovely and modern, it goes well with the kitchen elements that are also wood. Maybe I’m missing something?? .. but I say skip the black, stay all wood, or if you love black, don’t split the color, go all in.

Thank you so much for your advice! Ok that makes sense palimpsest. Thanks! Maggie, that’s a interesting point I never thought of. Not sure my husband would go for it but I will look into all options. Appreciate it

What are the window casings? What are your doors? Your base boards?

When you want the look of your inspo? You buy that type of window - best achieved in metal.

It can't really be re produced well in any other way. Paint the trim and the hopefully you've clean simple , substantial casings white.....and move on : )