Today, let’s throw it open for ideas and suggestions for window treatments for a wall of windows. Home designs incorporating walls of windows were common in midcentury America, especially in midcentury modern ranch houses. However: How to cover the windows from the spooky black hole of night… from fabric-fading ultaviolet rays… or for simple privacy from the outdoors?
Sarah is grappling with this exact question and has sent photos from 1961 raised ranch in Vancouver, which appears to have been designed for and still features original window treatments — pinch pleat draperies over pinch pleat sheers, both set on traverse rods. And in most parts of the house, the traverse rods seem to be hidden behind wood valances built into the very architecture of the house. Let’s look at Sarah’s house — which I think is pretty typical — and then let’s talk about options.
Sarah writes:
Hi Pam,
We are the proud new owners of a 1961 raised ranch in Vancouver Canada. We have a stunning tongue and groove cedar and white beam clad cathedral ceiling in our livingroom, but I am stumped on what to do about window coverings for the room’s big triangular wall of windows.
Currently we have the previous owners double track of white sheers and “wall coloured” pinch pleat drapes that cut the wall in half (at the standard wall height to match the other windows in the room), which I am not so keen on. Surfing the web has only turned up images of similar rooms with no curtains on this type of window (which is beautiful to look at but according to my DH is not an option for privacy issues- our faces the street!).
As this is such a typical MCM feature, I am hoping that you and/or your lovely readers may have some advise on what to do. Thanks for taking a look at our little dilemma, to give you a little idea of what we are dealing with I’ve attached a few pics
This photo shows how it was when we toured the house before purchase 6 months ago, all of the window coverings are still there for now except that terrrible little ruffly job at the top of the “triangle”- that went on day 1 of owning the house!
This is the front of our “smurf house” (changing the exterior colour is a project for this year), and you can see the wall-o-windows and the sunny deck it leads to. We are in the middle of a 1961 development in North Vancouver called Westlynn Terrace.
The other three pictures hopefully give you an idea how our living/dining is post move in (still lots to do and lots to buy to better suit our new place).
As you can see, even when the curtains are drawn back, because the triangular window runs right to the corner, the curtains block a pretty big section of the wall. The adjcsent wall has another big window that runs into the corner that runs almost floor to ceiling, so we lose a lot of the light, and the curtains end up distracting from the amazing design of the living room.
Because we are a corner lot, and the two walls filled with windows are facing roads, leaving them bare is not really an option for my dear hubby.
Any suggestions on how to be true and respectful to the house, but still keep us from exposing ourselves to passersby would be a great help.
GORGEOUS house, Sarah! Yum to that ceiling, especially. Okay, here goes with a long answer — because there are numerous ways to address this issue, with various pros and cons IMHO.
- But first of all: The Retro Decorating Gods have blessed you with architecture to hide most of the window treatments. Go with this flow, of course.
Option #1: Pinch Pleats over Sheers:
- Pinch pleats over sheers: This is the “classic” midcentury window treatment. It is generally my all-time favorite, because it is so flexible.
- Pros: You can open up everything for full light. You can close the sheers for filtered light. You can close the draperies over the sheers for full coverage. The fabric adds softness, and there are thousands of fabric choices for both pinch pleats and sheers. There is pretty much nothing easier than opening and closing with a traverse rod. It’s hard to “break” curtains.
- Cons: The stackback (the width of the curtains when you must keep them open) takes up wall space. Custom-made pinch pleats — and even “off the rack” — are ridiculously expensive.
Option #2: Sheers only:
- Use only sheers. Turn on all the lights. Close the sheers only. Go outside and peer in. Can you really see the people inside? If not: Perhaps you can go with only sheers.
- Pros: you could change these out to match your wall color… get sheers in that color but also with some texture, and they will read soft and neutral but still give you the coverage and privacy you need.
- Cons: You would not have 100% blackout. You would still have stackback — but I’m guessing it would be less of a visual issue than opaque fabric curtains, and remember, I’m suggesting you get sheers that blend pretty seamlessly, in terms of colors, with your walls. Once you did this, no changing the wall color. You would not have 100% blackout. Cheaper than making new fabric curtains, although, still is gonna cost you.
Option #2a: Sheer style fabric — lined:
- This is what I did in my office, shown above.
- Pros: Kinda best of both worlds, light and sheer looking from inside the house, but no one can see inside.
- You still get stackback, but if you choose the fabric to match your wall color it will sort of blend in.
Option #3: Vertical blinds:
- I think that vertical blinds were invented for exactly this situation. While they have kind of a bad reputation today (plenty of *hideous* bombs thrown at them), they certainly would accomplish the functional objective you are seeking.
- Pros: They are on a rail that’s easy to manipulate… and they store “flat” so you have minimal stackback. I went at looked at the variety of vertical blinds available at Smith & Noble, which has a good website for this kind of research. I was surprised at the diversity of vertical blind options. The image shown above, for example, shows vertical blinds made out of fabric.
- Cons: Gonna cost you: I did a quick pricing experiment and got to $33 for a 72″ x 60″ window. And you have a lot of windows, dear. Also, I think that vertical blinds got a bad rap in part because they were so easy to tangle and break. So you are going to have to be more careful with them.
- Link: Smith & Noble vertical blinds — three styles.
Option #4: Sheer Elegance styles:
- I think that Hunter Douglas gets the credit for first introducing what Smith & Noble calls their “Sheer Elegance” style, shown above.
- Pros: Open and close like pinchpleats. These are so lightweight that I believe there is minimal stackback. You can control the amount of light coming in with a wand, and there is a blackout option.
- Cons: I think these are very expensive.
- Link: Smith and Noble Sheer Elegance blinds.
Option 4: Vertical Cellulars:
- Shown above: You can get vertical cellulars, too.
- Pros: Minimal stackback:
- Cons: Lordy, one bump and these would be over. Expensive, too, I’m betting. Too much cellular for my blood.
- Link: Smith & Noble vertical cellulars.
What I would not do:
- I would not do anything that needs to be raised and lowered horizontally. That is not a good solution for wide, floor-to-ceiling windows. People, traverse rods, rock.
What would Pammy do:
- Fabric drapery choices are so personal — like wallpaper — that I can understand why you want the drapes that are there, out. I would probably feel the same. Even so: Yours look pretty darn neutral. Draperies cost a Fortune. Are you sure you can’t learn to love them???
- If it were me, and I could not live with the drapes that came with the home, I would probably try Option #2 — Sheers only or #2a, sheer linen-look lined, like my office draperies. If the existing sheers do work, in terms of providing enough privacy at night, and if they are aesthetically pleasing, I would try and keep them. I am cheap. But, I also know that, if the exiting sheers did not cut it, I would likely be very picky about getting a design that were “just right” for creating the look I wanted. So, I’d start searching for fabrics. While I did this, I would also be scoping for price. A few years ago, when I had some curtains made for my house — including my office drapes — a fabric outlet that also had a sewing shop was able to make them for me at an exceptionally reasonable price. They closed up a few years ago.
1384 words so far. Sorry.
Bonnie Howard says
What about using a static window film? There are some that look like rice paper, some that look like rodded glass, all kinds of different cool modern designs. They would let light in, but not prying eyes. The drawback would be that you wouldn’t be able to see outside, though.
I dislike curtains because I dislike cleaning, so I am always looking for options that don’t require a lot of washing and rehanging 🙂
Sarah V says
I was also idly thinking about a reflective UV film (not sure if it exists) which would protect our furniture nad floors from the sun as well as block us from prying eyes…
hfetching says
I know that this wasn’t a given option, but personally I would leave them blindless and drapeless…no window coverings at all. I like the feel of a very open room. The downside, of course, is people being able to see in…just make sure you have clothes on at all times lol!
Sarah V says
I personally agree, but the DH doesn’t… I guess he must go around topless when I’m not home 😉
Patty says
i think in most places, curtains are important for security reasons. Especially if you have small children, who wants anyone coming by to be able watch all of your comings and goings.
JKM says
I vote for option 2a – sheer lined pinch pleats. One of the problems with two traverse rods with not much distance in-between (like I think you have now) is the “puffiness” of the window draperies, especially when open, and one line of well-made draperies will have a clean, straight hang. These would travel across the front of your room, too, leaving the triangular top portion open as you’ve already done.
Something to think about is how you stack them when open. I don’t know your window configuration but you don’t necessarily have to have a center split on each window. If there are small wall portions between each, you might think about covering the entire wall with a continuous line of draperies and having off-set stacks so, when the draperies are opened, they stack covering the wall portion – not the glass and view. Just an idea.
Your house has great “bones” – very nice!
Sarah V says
Unfortunately the window runs right into the corner of the room on the right so there is no wall to stack the drapes against, an on the left there is no natural way to extend the rods to keep the stack back off the wall without making it look funny.
Jeff says
Superb house- as others have mentioned, I would advocate for no coverings on the upper windows.
Lower ones should be pinch pleated to be historically correct, and if you wish, thermal and/or blackouts depending how how cold it gets with all that glass, and if darkness is necessary for sleeping, or if you just like it dark!
Of course finding vintage fabric in enough quantity is difficult these days, but take the opportunity to use a color or pattern on outer drapes, and perhaps do a sheer underneath, so you have the option of different light levels.
Also, I would recommend a cornice board, a THIN cornice board to mimick the horizontal beam above the glass- nothing that stands out, but that will hide most or all of the pleating.
You’ll need traverse rods, too, still available at Penney’s and not that expensive.
Peggy says
love those windows….what a shame to cover them at all!!! sigh. ok, so if privacy is an issue at night or the sun during the day….cellulars are a good choice, something that gives coverage when you want it w/o making it look like a cave inside and covering up the modern architecture…..but will dissapear when you want it to. I put cellulars on my french doors…love it. as for the top part…why put anything at all….
John aka AtomicHipster says
Hi,
My first thought was to leave the upper triangle of windows curtinless. They are too high for people to see in and will let light in even when wanting privacy,also at night you’ll be able to see stars or moonlight streaming in.
My second thought is to keep the curtains as light as possible so they don’t detract from the view out the windows. Perhaps curtains that are the same color as the walls so they blend in.
John
pam kueber says
Yes, I agree you can keep the windows that border the roof clear.
Mia says
We have triangular clerestory windows in our 50s ranch. We’ve opted not to cover them and it has been a great decision thus far. Now covering the rest of the ceiling to floor windows have been a challenge. We’ve gone with all sheers so far and it’s done the job, but it does absolutely nothing for insulating from the cold weather we get.
Sarah V says
Hi John,
taking down the ruffly top piece was the first thing I did once we were the official owners, and I haven’t regreted it for a second.
vintigchik says
Off topic, but if you come back to this thread I would like to talk to you. We are thinking about moving to your city from the US. I would like to go to school there and hopefully we could become citizens. I would love to discuss the area with you! Thanks
pam kueber says
vintigchik, honestly, there is no mechanism right now to connect readers….
neca says
Lovely home! If you don’t like the current drapes but want drapes, you can take a plain curtain (one that has a simple “hem” on the top for a rod) and make them into pinch pleat drapes. I’ve done this with clearance curtains from Target. It’s pretty quick and requires very little in the way of sewing skills – you don’t even need a sewing mahine!
Ann-Marie Meyers says
That’s right. Kirsch makes drapery hooks that actually pleat them for you.
wendy says
I would do roller shades! There are some cool options out there that look very modern. If the roller got too big to fit behind the current pockets, those could be built out somehow.
Just a couple pics:
http://www.selectblinds.com/rollershades/sheer-weave-5000-roller-shades-with-cassette.html
here is a site showing a big roller shade and I also love the Roman shades shown in the first pic.
http://www.santabarbarascreenandshade.com/shades.htm
These options are likely expensive, because with huge shades you really have to buy quality. I think they’d look fabulous though, and fit in with the sleek vibe of the house.
pam kueber says
I am basically “anti-” anything “horizontal” for a wall of windows. No way are you going to “build out” those valances — they are part of the architecture of the house. Unless you get ONE horizontal shade it’s too much time to open and close everything. When they are down, one bump, and they are wrecked. While those Romans in the second link you provided look cool, I am unconvinced… resisting.
Patty says
Our library has floor to ceiling windows and commercial grade shades that I’m sure were very expensive. They work great if you are careful when you pull them up and down. just don’t yank on them. They do keep the maintenance guys somewhat busy fixing the chains when a patron pulls the shade too hard. It’s great to be able to open them all the way up on a dreary day.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
I have shades on the huge picture window in my living room. Very nice, except they only go two thirds of the way down. I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone would feel secure walking around at night letting people drive by watching their legs and feet, but the previous owner of my house did.
The window, although large is a fairly standard size for its period. I am keeping an eagle eye out for used drapes, or for fabric to make my own.
chris says
I really like the pinch pleats that are there.
They suit the house, I think.
However, if they don’t suit you, I agree with Pam…. see how sheers will work for privacy.
What a wonderful house!!!!!!!! Inside and out!
pam kueber says
I woke up thinking: I would give the existing drapes as much a chance as possible to grow on me. I would also start watching estate sales like a hawk, and carry my measurements with me. Maybe down the line, the RDGs will send me walls of vintage pinch pleats I like better…Hey, they did once before. The pinch pleats in my living room — there are lots of them and they are TALL — came from an estate sale; they were not even officially for sale; I just asked; and for $20 Cdn they were mine; I had to get on a ladder to take them down; they saved me thousands of dollars, they are authentic vintage, and I love them.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
How about talking to someone that overdyes draperies? I don’t know how expensive this service is these days, but it might be cheaper than buying new drapes.
I am about to actually sew drapes for the sliding patio door I replaced my french door with. With a one way pull, it will look like a wall of windows when the drapes are partway and the sheers are closed, because there is a 4 foot area of plain wall to the right of the doorway where the drapes can retract.
Now all I need is for someone to put the right fabric on Ebay…
Laura says
In the early 70s I made pinch pleat drapes out of a very loosely woven open weave fabric. (avocado green no less) I hung them over sheers. It provided privacy but not black out. I liked them so much I hung them in my next home as well. Over 12 years worth of good out of those drapes. Consider that when pricing the cost.
pam kueber says
Yes: Sounds GREAT!