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.
Jason says
Love the house Sarah!
Pinch Pleats, and traverse rods are expensive – especially custom sized like you have -it’s an asset! What you have now is period and beautiful. I agree that if you can leave the triangle without curtains and some UV film that is a great option for that portion.
As for the pinch pleats and the stack back – the rods can be converted to “one way” pull. When you operate them the curtains will stack to one side – this would open your corner but give you more stack back on each end. You can have one wall open to the left and the other to the right. I have a corner window in my living room and this is what I’m going to.
Trust me – I didn’t buy pinch pleats and traverse rod to begin with and I have regretted it – it’s impossible to open the curtains across a long rod unobstructed – or even open and close them and have them look right manually. Don’t make my mistake – you are blessed to have everything right there. I tried to make sheers on a rod work behind curtains on a rod – sort of the same look – work, but it’s not close enough to work well! It was cheaper at the time though – but a waste because I have to pay to replace it all and patch holes – hang new rods, etc.
You can easily change the opening direction and dye the curtains as suggested previously if you wish. Also, you have your measurements and sometime can get another set made for changing out at different times of the year.
My grandmother sold her last house in 1998 with all the custom curtains for her huge windows sold as well at her downsizing auction – she only left one set – the now 2 owners later still have the sets she left on each window because they haven’t had the money or cared enough to spend money on that project to get new ones made! Be glad you have them in hand. Make friends with your dry cleaner:)
I can’t wait to get my own pinch pleats – trust me it’s a hot topic to anyone who will listen about my house. When growing up at Mommom’s we only had 1 traverse with a fixed sheer rod – she didn’t prefer to open the sheers. Even though I like the fixed sheer gathered casually on a plain rod better than pleated sheers I’m still going to get pleated and a double traverse for the opening ease – I like to have the window treatments open to the glass sometimes. Of course right now I can’t open the regular curtains easily – let alone the sheers:)
Jason says
Sarah – me again!
In reply to a few things you mentioned above – traverse rods can be hung with seperate rod for the sheers or they come with a built in rod that is just for a pocket sheer or a built in traverse for the sheers, i.e. double traverse – so I doubt it is any kind of rig job from the previous owner – they like my Mommom may have just preferred sheers that are gathered and didn’t plan to open them much.
Secondly – it is absolutely fine and usually anticipated to have your “stack back” over the wall or part of it- at least if that is what you wish to get the glass to be as uncovered as possible – this would be fine to do and also appropriate. You would probably just have to add a few extra carriers for the extra distance onto the rod – and more hooks and you may find you need to add a bit to the drapes depending.
Traverse rods adjust like any other rod – there may be enough there to extend it on the wall – if the wall is not even with the wall where the rod is hung now – they sometimes use a block as a spacer so the rod can be hung evenly. Kirsch is a popular brand of rod if you want to google them.
Sarah V says
I’ll have to check out the rod when I get home to see it I can extend it further onto the wall. I still think it will look funny with the curtain stopping half way up the wall, but it would certainly be the cheapest solution.
Sarah V says
The thought to use just sheers in the summer and save the thicker “wall coloured” drapes for winter has crossed my mind. I know my Grandma always did that in their 60’s split level in the UK, and it was a nice way to change things up for different seasons. Not sure what the hubby with think… I’ll need to do the sheer panel at night test someone else suggested before I can get his buy in.
MrsPItcher says
I have “window walls” in both my living room and dining room. I got rid of the floor-to-ceiling pinch pleats that were there and made straight panel drapes. They hang on black rods just at the top of the window to the floor. I chose a pattern that was similar to a classic mid-century print that coordinated with my furniture and walls. Black is my accent color. Muted mustard and butter yellows, a light-medium blue and various shades of green. I would do some custom blinds for the angles on the top above, I know that’s going to be expensive. I wanted a classic traditional look with a touch of modern flair. If you keep the drapes, have fun cleaning them. Beautiful house! Love your site, Pam! 😀
Sally M. says
Hello. I’m enjoying all the options. I’m in favor of the window films as my parents placed UV protection film on their skylight in the kitchen. It was amazing how you could still enjoy seeing the clouds go by but it significantly cut the heat build up in the summer. The films do come in a variety of patterns, visibility, and privacy levels. I would recommend at least some UV protection film for the upper trapezoid of windows to protect furniture and other sun damage.
On another topic, I love your free standing wine holder. However, your wine quality will deteriorate in the sun and increased heat near all those windows, even if you install heavy curtains. If in direct sun, the bottles will heat up and explode. I saw that happen at a wedding on a sunny, hot July day when every table outside had a “specially bottled for the occasion” wine bottle. One by one at almost the same time, each upright bottle blew its’ cork and the wine flowed like lava all over ! It was a sight and a sound to remember !
Sarah V says
eek exploding wine bottles…. that would be scary! We have no wine on the back side of the wine rack (it’s like an a-frame sign) to give them more protection, but maybe a new location in the summer is a good idea!
my parents also ahve the UV film on their south facing windows – kinda like this stuff http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Residential/Sun_Control_Window_Films/ I’m wondering if they do something slightly reflective to appease my privacy lovin’ other half.
Kersten says
I can’t tell from the pictures if there is enough wall space for the stack back to be pulled away from the corner. We have 2 huge picture windows that meet at a corner (each about 11′ wide). When we moved in, the curtains did a center split from each window. This meant that when the curtains were open, the stack back in the corner where the windows meet ended up taking a lot of space. We bought euro rods and mounted them to the ceiling, and the curtains now pull away from the cornered window, allowing for much more window exposure. This photo kind of shows what I’m trying to explain:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90638496@N00/3286415736/in/photostream
Is there enough wall space to pull your curtains all to the left of the windows (the one with the patio outside.) On the other wall, can you pull your stack back (love this term!) to the wall with the 4 mirrored panels? Then, the next set of windows could have the curtains all pull to the right again? (The one way traverse rods that Pam talked about.) Seems this would allow for the most window exposure. We really like the fact that our curtains aren’t bunched up in the corner anymore. Looks much more open, and does let in considerably more light! I love having the entire window showing when the curtains are open. Our stack back takes about 2 feet of the wall.
On an unrelated note, that is one serious wine rack! The heat and light isn’t destroying your collection, I hope! 😉
Sarah V says
hahah, the wine rack is actually a champange riddling rack from France which is used to get the sediment out of champagne- it was a gift from my DH. The wine on it is all the “drinking wine” so it is rotated pretty frequently 😉 all the “good stuff” (aka the collection of my DH which will never get drunk) is stored safely in the basement.
We could have the big wall’s stack back go to the left, but the way it’s currently designed the track ends at the edge of the window so the stack back would be huuuge – and I don’t know if pushing the track out into the regular part of the wall to the left would look “ok”.
Kersten says
HA! Sarah– I figured someone with that big of a wine rack had it all under control! Love being educated about the riddling rack! Way cool!
Michael says
I just creeped ALL of your house photos– what a gorgeous place! I love your living room and your sunroom especially. Terrific furniture finds! And I have a 3-light pole lamp identical to the the 2-light lamp in your kitchen. Oh– and that patio furniture (especially the chaise) is *fantastic*!
Rachael~The Thrifty Picker says
i am with the vertical blind idea for the living room.
for the neutral colored pinch pleats in the dining area, to jazz up the existing window treatment, think about doing a painted stencil pattern on them in a complimentary color. if it was me, i would probably use a turquoise color to match the lamps.
Shannon H. says
I have similar windows and I left the upper ones uncovered and went with vertical blinds in a light medium weight because they give me light and still quite a lot of privacy when they’re opened at an angle and give a clean look to the room. I think verticals fit in with a mid-century style. My old high school, built in 1961, had vertical blinds (original) around their atrium.
Michael says
Here’s another option: no window treatments at all. Instead, invest the money in a custom-made cedar planter box, and plant a wall of upright cedars– as tall as you can find. That would give you the privacy you need from the street, still allow in light, and give you something green and pretty to look at year round.
ben smithson says
We did the IKEA track system on 3 walls [of floor-to-ceiling glass] in the living room of our 1955 Cliff May. We nearly killed each other in the process, but now it’s a great option for “optional” privacy, and the curtains tuck away nicely in to the corner for when you want light in. We are not planning on shading the gable windows. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensmithson/6207412957/in/set-72157625188852469 and http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensmithson/6207412797/in/set-72157625188852469
pam kueber says
Hi Ben, just to be clear, you’re saying you installed the Ikea tracks that mimic traverse rods and hung curtains, right? No “blinds” involved…
ben smithson says
@Pam yep, it would have been super cool to have a curtain with sheer combo…. or blinds… but we had a budget to stick to.
pam kueber says
BEAUTIFUL HOUSE!!!!!
ben smithson says
Thanks! I love your site.
Sarah V says
I love how thin your stack back is, maybe we need to loose the thick lined drapes and go for something more lighter weight that will take up less space.
Sarah V says
Yes, the replacement cost is insane. Having googled ‘traverse rods” so I know what you guys are all referring to (yup, I’m a newbie!) I notice that the set-up shown is not quite like what we have — I think that the previous owners ‘Macgyver-ed” the system, as our sheers are actually pocket top that is quite snug on the rail, and so don’t draw well…. maybe my first step is to try and re-configure it properly so it draws better.
Heidi Swank says
Your living room looks a lot like ours (minus your cool clerestory windows). When we moved in there were vertical blinds on the windows. They worked fine but we didn’t love them. When we had the windows replaced (they were literally a single sheet of glass held in by little strips of wood at the edges!), we took the vertical blinds down.
Now five years later, we just never quite “got to” getting new window treatments, although we meant to. At first it was kinda odd living in what seemed like a glass box, but now I couldn’t imagine putting anything at all over the windows. We have nice landscape lighting in the yard, so even at night we have a view.
With that, though, we did put in low-E windows to save our furniture and the windows do not get a lot of sun. However, I would consider freeing your windows from any treatments. 🙂