I am sorry to say but those windows are very hard to cover. The coverings would look great inside mounted if you did not have such windows. Norw to give you privacy you have to mount something on the walls - which brings another problem: THE CORNER! You will either have a gap created by a by pass hard treatments or will have to deal with a stack of fabric from drapery panels and your closet is not that big. There is a line of shades designed to be mounted inside the opening on each window panel. See website

http://rs-sylko.com/Sylko/pages/contact.html

THIS IS THE COLOR I CHOSE TO PAINT THE PORCH.

Have you considered just spraying them with frost paint - you will get the privacy yet still have light coming through. Very modern. Like your paint color!

Otherwise, I still recommend curtains. You could mount them from the ceiling to get the clearance you want for the windows to be able to open.

Karemore55 - how would you treat the corner?

if you want short curtains set in the window (inside mount) and out of the way, you need to think about your rod. I think they make a small sliding track that can be attached to the top. You want your windows to be able to open and miss this track. I don't see much room. This is a track in the photo is for curtains in a hospital but this is the kind of track I mean. They make them for residential. I like curtains and I like to open and close them often so I put everything on rings or some kind of sliding clips. Since you are still under construction, you may be able to have the drywall cut and embed this.

Shades In Place, I don't know how you do the corners because I'm very technically challenged lol? I have seen the ceiling mounted curtains used to create the 4-poster bed look, as in pics below, so I assume there are corner connectors available. Otherwise, a little internet research would probably offer some instructions.

Try Blinds To Go, great variety and range of pricing.

Aren't blinds going to have the same trouble as the curtains? unless you attach the blinds directly to the window, the window will have to pass under the blind when it opens. I wonder how much space there is between the window and the top of the casing.

THANKS petempich !!

Are exterior roller shutters an option? http://houzz.com/photos/6008923

There is one more thing that you might be able to use to keep curtains (rod) high and not hit the window as it is opened and that is stainless steel cutain wire run across up as high as you can get it. Then small rings or clips on it. I don't know if that is something you like the looks of but it might work. I checked the stores that sold these and the hardware would bring the line down too far but it would be easy to make your own. You have wood near the window so you have something very solid for the two, I bolts. If you have any friends into sailing ask them about making a STAY (parts and wire. ) You can also get the same parts in steel rather than stainless in any hardware store if you don't want to spend the money for stainless. If you do this make sure your setup includes a turnbuckle to keep the wire tight.

THANKS U ALL I WAS THINKING OF GETTING THE ROD THAT BOWS OUT IN A HALF MOON STYLE AND HANGING THE CURTAINS FROM THAT. IT WOULD ALLOW ENOUGH SPACE AND AN EASY WAY TO OPEN N CLOSE THE CURTAINS. I WOULD DEFINITELY ATTACH IT CLOSE TO THE CEILING.

I THOUGHT ABOUT A DOUBLE ROD THATS LIKE A HALF MOON. IS HANGING SHEARS WITH UR CURTAINS CONSIDERED NOT MODERN?

SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT'S A SHOWER ROD!!! LOL

Iloveittwo, I think the curved shower rod would look kind of weird.

@ROW, THE EXTERIOR BLINDS ARE INTERESTING

LOL@KAREMORE!! U MIGHT B RIGHT

MAYB A STRAIGHT ONE BUT I COULD JUST USE THE OUTER ROD WITH INE LAYER OF CURTAINS

@PETE IS HARDLY ANY SPACE BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE WALL. THERE IS A PIC ABOVE

You can get a frosted film to add to the window (and also remove). There is a company that makes all sorts of film, so you could have a stained glass design or texture, if frosted wasn't your thing. They will send 5 samples free of charge. The window opening from the top does make this a little tricky. I was going to suggest honeycomb blinds with the top-down/bottom up feature, but not sure that would work so well.

AND OF COURSE THE EINDOWS SWING IN SO I THINK MY ONLY OPTION IS A CURTAIN BECAUSE I CAN SLIDE IT TO THE SIDE IF NEEDED TO ACCESS THE ENTIRE WINDOW FOR CLEANING ETC.

Looks like 3/4-1." I added to my two suggestions above. I am still trying to find something that would work inside the window well. I like curtains too but it is because I open and close them very often.

I WOULD GO WITH THE BLINDS , TWO REASONS, FIRST THE AREA IS TOO NARROW TO HAVE ANYTHING HANGING TO THE FLOOR ,SECOND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING A LOT OF SUN SO YOU NEED SOME SORT OF SHADE . DEPENDING ON YOUR BUDGET YOU HAVE A VAST VARIETY OF CHOICES . i JUST REALIZED THAT i HAD HIT THE MY SHOUTING KEY AS I CALL IT :))

What about Hunter Douglas Silhouettes? http://www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=1
Your sills are very deep. So you may still be able to inside mount all the way to the front of the depth of the sill and if you choose the pull up and pull down version (as you will see on the web link) you may be able to operate the windows as designed. The line also has verticals that operate the same. If you choose a vertical and outside mount, then stack it back completely off of the windows in one direction, then you can operate your windows even when the blinds are in their closed privacy setting. You mentioned a sheer that is why I think you would like to check these out. You should meet with a local professional who can specify these or other similar styles. Please don't go to Homedepot or Lowes in this case. I think it is too complicated. If I were you, I'd search the Hunter Douglas link for local vendors who carry this line. They will know their products and help you find the best solution. Also even though they look delicate and sheer they come with a white insert that when closed is total black out and total privacy, which I think you need in this case. Hope this helps.

The Silhouettes are beautiful but if you have pets or small children don't spend your money on them ,

I have never seen windows like these! Your situation is very unusual. I sugguest mounting sheers top and bottom on each individual window pane. I've attached a link that sort of gives you the idea. The panel stays taunt on the window whether it be open or tilted. Gathered sheer provide enough privacy and also light filtration. Have a split panel for each so you can move the panels to the side of each window if you want to. For a more modern look dont put a header on the panel rod pockets. For cleaning just release the top rod and wash the window.
http://www.dmada.com/window-coverings-for-french-door/attachment/3773/#image-1

btw this will save you $$$$. The only down side is having to put screw holes in your window frames.

I like using shorter stretch curtains but from the bottom up, leaving the top quarter or fifth of the windows open for light. That way you get privacy and don't close in the room.

jkherschey's idea to mount sheers on the windows would solve the clearance problem.

this is the only way I could ever see you getting a curtain in the window well. You may be able to put a 3/4" molding in front of it to cover it up, With the way I placed the supporting hooks in this photo, you would probably use 3 seperate curtains and push them to the right. You could place the supporting hooks in different places for a different set up. When you cleaned the windows you would unhook the wire from the top and push the curtains to the other side. All hadware must be able to pass through the rings. This is an easy project for someone who sails.

top down shades in a very small profile mounted outside. Shades can still offer privacy, yet you can still access your beautiful windows and have them open?? Those are some beautiful windows :)

I would definitely recommend going with Ripplefold sheers and drapery. This will have to be mounted above the window frames so it wont interfere with the windows at all. I will attach pictures below .

I absolutely love your windows, as challenging as they may be! I would not hang anything from the wall above as it will take up space and you will end up always walking along the drapes to get to the other end of room or running into blinds if they were hanging on outside of sill. Cant hang on in side because it will get in the way of opening your windows. So it is clear to me that the only option is to find someting you like that attatches to each payne individually. It will be both modern and functional if you go this route

HEATHER I WOULDN'T WANT TO CHANCE ATTACHING ANYTHING TO MY ACTUAL WINDOW IF THATS WHAT U MEAN. IM HONNA TRY ATTACHING A ROD TO THE WALL OVER TOP OF THE WINDOW AND SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT. UR RIGHT ABOUT BRUSHING UP AGAINST THE CURTAINS EHEN PASSING THRU TO THE OTHER END IF THE WINDOW. THIS SPACE IS SO SMALL THAT IT EONT B MUCH PASSING IR WALKING THOUGH. LOL IT'S JUST ENUF SPACE TO OPEN THE DOOR, COME IN FROM OUTSIDE, PUT UR COAT N THE CLOSET, TURN AROUND N LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND THEN LEAVE THE PORCH. ILL ONLY HAVE PROBABLY 2 PANELS OF CURTAIN ON THE MAIN WINDOW AND ONE PANEL ON THE SMALLER SIDE WINDOWS. I WON'T BE COVERING THE CENTER WINDOW ON THE FRONT MAIN TRI WINDOWS. ILL JUST PUT A NICE ACCESSORY OR PIECE OF ART THERE.

THANKS JILL FOR UR IDEA NUT I DONT SAIL LOL. I THINK A SIMPLE ROD SYSTEM WILL DO FINE, I HOPE.

The windows are gorgeous, but the situation reminds me of painting oneself into a corner, LOL Can your GC notch out the wall just above the windows? I did see the barn door panel suggestion. They do come in bypass styles and you can use virtually any material for the doors. They have very sheer frosted styles in cool patterns and colors. They can be made VERY thin, and any length, like just below the windows. And they won't billow into the area.

My concern would be the curtains catching on a back pack or brief case and getting damaged.

I have a question, what is the space just past the closet? Does that lead to another part of the house? It looks like there is a door that separates this area from the main part of the house, is that correct?

OK, went and looked some more, so it is separated by a door. I know you've added drywall for an enclosed closet look, but would you consider removing that and doing more of a custom built in closet with drawers and wardrobes? Would that buy you enough space for the window coverings?

If that's not an option, at the very least I would finish the space and see how you like it without window covers.

In many of the newer modern homes, they don't use window coverings at all. Just beautiful open windows, like yours. Or there are glass doors where you can see straight through the whole house. Not my style, and since you are pondering window coverings so diligently I'm assuming not your style either. This is a tough one.

One more question, it basically looks like this area is just a closet area right, no access to the house other then the original front door. How often would you be opening these windows anyway?

THIS AREA IS A PASS THRU PORCH BEFORE MY SECOND DOOR INTO MY LIVING PASS. I WILL PROBABLY KEEP THEM OPEN A LOT IN THE SUMMER TO COOL THE PORCH WHEN I CAN. THSTS IFVIT ISN'T TO HOT. I WILL PROBABLY ONLY USE THE PARTIAL OPENING, NOT THE FULL WINDOW OPENING

Are these windows metal? There are curtain rods that attach with magnets. They could go right on the window just above the glass

NO THEIR NOT METAL, THEIR PVC.

Okay just one more suggestion :). It appears that the window frame is fairly squared off. Could you attach a small tension rod inside each window frame?

NO JK I CAN'T BC IT'S TO TIGHT OF A SPACE AND THE ROD WOULD GET KNOCKED OFF EVERYTIME

I think the one solution to this would be to rip out the windows and install the kind that have the blinds already installed between the two layers of glass. Now, considering that you probably won't want to do that....I have to vote with the frosted film group or bamboo blinds.

If you haven't found a solution yet consider taking a look at an iron rod mounted above the windows in your bulk head area. They make an elbow for the corner and have special brackets and"c" rings that will allow you to move the drapery panels from one window to another. By doing this with a top pleat and a light wait fabric to keep the bulk down you can achieve a crisper look and less stack up.
Take a look at our Ethan Allen rods and rings they have a few that will work. Happy to show you the difference. Because you pass through this area you can keep a crisp fabric and keep it off the floor by only going to just below the sill.
I had mentioned before about the panel with an accent stripe can look great and keep your view too; by putting a sheerer fabric at eye level you can give a crisp and airy look to the smaller space.
Lots of options,

UPDATE TO MY ALMOST JUST ABOUT FINISHED PORCH AREA. I'VE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PAINT COLOR, MIRRORS, FLOOR, CURTAINS/SHADES FOR WINDOW AND CLOSET SLIDER DOORS. HERE ARE SEVERAL PICS I TOOK FOR U ALL WHO ASKED FOR A UPDATE ON COMPLETION. IM BASICALLY DONE EXCEPT THE DOORS HAVE TO BE ORDERED I HAVE CURTAINS TEMPORARILY AND I DIDNT DO ANY WINDOW DRESSINGS YET. I LIKE THE LITTLE SEAT CHAIRS BUT THEY ARE COLD N HOT DEPENDING ON WEATHER AND THEY MAY NOT HOLD UO TO WEIGHT OVER TIME. TEMP LOOK UNTIL A FIND A SMALL BENCH ETC. THANKS EVERYONE FOR UR INPUT.

DOOR

AND I HAVE TO STAIN THE LEDGE THE SAME STAIN AS THE INTERIOR DOOR.

Long flowy curtains are the last thing you need in this narrow space. It could be a safety hazard! Not to mention the scale of the space calls for something minimal. All of the pictures above, of the average drapery panels, scream out-dated, to me. I would turn a problem into a benefit - as someone who has NO light in their closet - all I could think of was "what glorious light" for picking out clothes and hunting for that one particular pair of black pants! This looks like it will be the least traveled space in your home. Keep it simple and functional. Perhaps your architect will reimburse you for this area because of the problem in the corner that they overlooked. p.s. - I have to say, that in 2016, no one should have to be told to turn their caps off. All of us can see better on our phone with larger text. They have a feature built into your phone for that now. Go to device, text size, accessibility, etc. to accommodate so your readers don't have to suffer on the other end.