The question
I'm stumped on window coverings for my new Arts and Crafts house with a scenic view. What period-appropriate option would provide privacy at night without hampering the daytime view?
The answer
The trick is to leave enough wall space on either side of the window – in the Arts and Crafts style, they're typically double hung with muntin bars in the upper pane with clear glass below – so that you can pull the drapes back far enough to avoid blocking the view. To do this, the drapery rod must be wider than the window and the fabric shouldn't be too full.
The real dilemma is how to avoid the fishbowl effect at night. I prefer sunshades that are motorized and recessed in the ceiling so that, when raised, they disappear. These shades offer varying degrees of screening. For the bedrooms, try blackout shades that can be coupled with a second, more transparent shade for use during the day. Or take a page from Kim Kardashian: Leave the windows commando and bring on the curtain wall of glass.
Follow architect and interior designer Dee Dee Taylor Eustace on Twitter: @ddtaylorddd. Have a design dilemma? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.