how about a soft yet functional treatment like roman shades,or honeycomb shades

Hi, Here are some pics of a place on the East side which is flooded with light across one side of the unit and in shade across the other side. Most of the 27 windows are inset into the walls just like yours are. Some of them are flush with the walls. To keep it unified and clean I used flat shades throughout. Fabrics vary from sheer to room darkening and in some cases I used two shades. The costs of making this kind of layered treatment is really reasonable and they can easily be taken down for cleaning or moving. Let me know what you think. Jeffrey Brooks

More variations

Solar shades. Dark gray. They will cut the sun go all the way up so you don't notice . Go on line get best bid. You don't have to spend a lot. Ask bldg if they can pay half.? Doesn't hurt to ask. But I agree mini blinds are dated and ugly. You might ck at Lowes, and see what they have. what you want are roller blinds, With that view I'm sure they will be kept open all the time. Lucky you.

Also hang a chandelier over dining table. You can take with you when moving. Ck Z galleries for a contemporary look. Or go a drum style black 20-24" hang 36" frm table top.

Have you ever considered smart film? Take a look at the unique abilities and it is 99% uv protection in on and off!

@travisinteriors...I actually have the Jonathan Adler Small Meurice pendant lamp...very simple drum lamp. I haven't hung it because the fixture doesn't line up centered over my table and hard to move table and be in dining area comfortably. Does it matter if drum pendant isnt centered?

You can swag it into position.

studio10001...guess im on right path...already had bought extra chain, but just never installed it. will do that asap. will make a massive difference.

Solar shades. You can get solar shades that will cut out the glare of the sun but you can still see through them. Less expensive than roman, honeycomb, and others.

Expensive custom shades for a rental? No! Instead, install a simple rod and sew your own curtain that ends just above the HVAC unit. Grommets in the right fabric make it look modern and would not be expensive at all.

If you can't/won't/don't sew, you could even accomplish this with just grommets and fabric glue.

For drum pendant in dining area....yes, it really has to be centered. It will bother you every time you look at it otherwise. Also off-center light on the table is just plain uncomfortable. No need to change wiring.....just install new fixture where existing one is, with extra cord length if needed, then add hook to swag drum to center over table. Not ideal but easiest by far for a rental.

What a dynamite apartment!

I am a recent owner of a NYC apartment with the same ugly and inconvenient HVAC units under the windows. I'm higher up than you and my windows and doors give views to the north and west. Privacy and glare are my concerns. If they were not, then I'd go without treatments . But I must have something. I need to know what kind of materials on window treatments are heat resistant. That's important to know for the winters where the heat is on all the time. I know the metal blinds, while ugly, are heat resistant. Most of the people in the building go with those or nothing at all. I would love something more decorative but am concerned about safety first. Any ideas?