What would you suggest for these gorgeous windows?

Rosa_Damascena

MysteryMe said:

Depending on where facing you might need to consider solar gain with those huge windows, no point having a view if the room is unbearably hot to sit in.

I was thinking quite the opposite, with high ceilings, a hard floors and huge windows that don't look anywhere near triple gazed, I'm wondering about heating bills!

Lorian

And down draughts when it's cold outside. Id definitely be considering heat retention as well as asthetics

MysteryMe

Rosa_Damascena said:

MysteryMe said:

Depending on where facing you might need to consider solar gain with those huge windows, no point having a view if the room is unbearably hot to sit in.

I was thinking quite the opposite, with high ceilings, a hard floors and huge windows that don't look anywhere near triple gazed, I'm wondering about heating bills!

Of course, but heat loss had already been mentioned by other posters and I saw little point in mentioning it again. I was offering another potential issue the OP may wished to consider.  

Savvy_Sue

I've been having another look at those glorious windows, and thinking a bit more on your behalf. It looks almost as if you have wooden shutters already - can I see something like that off to the right? What I WOULD have suggested would be cutting the shutters in half so that you can close bottom separately to top, except that from the picture it seems that the windows are larger at the bottom than at the top, and the shutters - if that's what they are - have a panel across the middle, which is a bit lower than the top window. So it would be a pretty major job! 

Another thing to consider is how you react to darkness outside, and this isn't something I'd ever really thought about before, but it was a friend who triggered it. He was explaining how frustrating it was when he visits his parents, because his dad shuts the curtains almost before the sun sets, whereas he keeps them open well into the evening and beyond! He realised that his dad is shutting out the darkness, whereas he is embracing the light for as long as possible! And he doesn't mind if there isn't much light at all: as long as there is some, he's hanging on to it! But his dad just doesn't want to risk the darkness getting in, as it were. 

And to me it will also depend on how cold that window bay becomes in winter: we had new windows put in last year, and I noticed last winter and even more this year that the house is much toastier, so from that point of view I draw the curtains later and later, because I no longer have howling drafts coming from all sides!

Placitasgirl

Just catching up after a busy few days... thanks again for all your comments, suggestions advice, it really is very much appreciated. 

The sash windows in the property are new and double glazed; they are in keeping with what would originally have been fitted to the building, a fully restored/renovated Manor house where modern materials but traditional styles have been used due the the Grade II Listing on the property. The property has underfloor heating. 

A bit more context... this will be the last home my Husband and I live in together as he has a life limiting illness and his clock is now ticking fairly loudly. We chose this apartment because it's a beautiful property which has been restored with love and care by a developer who's known the building for many years. The open plan living/dining/eating room works well for us and the views of our private garden and the grounds and countryside beyond (through those beautiful windows) is stunning. Hubby is disabled and quite poorly so will very much enjoy an armchair in the bay enjoying the outside space, hence being a bit hesitant to jump in and get curtains from the get go as we simply adore these windows and the way they bring the outside into the room. 

We've decided on blinds/curtains for the 3 bedrooms on the smaller windows on the other side of the property, but really do want to see and feel how we use the space in the main room for a while, and how we find it over the cooler and warmer months. The wooden "shutters" that can be seen on the walls near the windows were rescued from the original room, but are "faux" shutters and fixed to the wall, they're not usable. I think that plantation cafe shutters could be an option longer term, but am keeping an open mind about how "dressing" the windows with curtains and their insulation properties in terms of heat and cold might be more important than it feels at the moment. 

There is one other ground floor apartment with one bay like ours, but the new owners are returning home from Canada and like us won't be moving in until Christmas/New year time, so no sneaking a peek at their ideas for their window unfortunately. I have no problem with the dark and am definitely one for leaving curtains open until dark, I hate shutting out the light! 

Your responses to my post have given us lots to think about. We're visiting for another viewing/meeting with the Developer tomorrow to measure up and check on a few things, so it'll be lovely to see it again and really start imagining living in and using the space. We're hoping this will be a happy home for us at what's a challenging time in our lives and having input like this and really thinking around the question has been so helpful. Thank you all. 

Mutton_Geoff

Nice flat in a lovely building. Definitely consider heavy curtains.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145971341#/

Rosa_Damascena

@Mutton_Geoff - clever you for tracking it down!

@Placitasgirl - I think you answered your own question when you stated that your own garden is private, with grounds beyond. If you find that you can live without any window coverings, that is the option I would go with. I think a room divider would be a good idea, it could fold up into a corner when not in use and brought out when required. Do however make sure you are able to move it yourself. (I had a beautiful carved wooden one myself, but it was so heavy that moving it singlehandedly took quite some effort).

Placitasgirl

Right building, but that link is for the two bed apartment with the single bay. Ours is the three bed... to the right of the picture with the two bays.  

ThisIsWeird

Stunning!

Best wishes, Pacitasgirl.