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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Barenaked Windows

Could you go naked?
I'm referring to your windows, of course.

It's slightly unorthodox to approach decorating a room without considering some set of great draperies, but I've recently found myself admiring curtainless windows. Here are some really fabulous, well-executed interiors that do not rely on window treatments.
(an Albert Hadley-designed room from House Beautiful)

(via Design Manifest)

(via Simplified Bee)

(via Abbey Goes Design Scouting)

(via Canadian House & Home)

(Jill Brinson's bedroom from House Beautiful)

(via House Beautiful)

(via Brabourne Farm)

(Donna Karan's apartment via Apartments I Like)
As a city dweller, I'm not about to throw caution to the wind, remove the curtains in our bedroom and living room, and expose our apartment fully to the world. But, maybe someday...

Curtains function like an accessory to a great view and, as many of the inspiration images above show, a contrasting window molding can serve as a frame for a the view.

So, what do you think: would you go barenaked with your windows?

15 comments:

  1. I like the look, but ONLY if you have really amazing windows themselves. In all the pictures, the windows are so awesome, they don't need any extra embellishment.

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  2. Hmmm...I like the look on the pics that had windows w/black moldings but not on the windows with white moldings. Maybe because the black offers contrast and an outline (somewhat like a curtain). Interesting.

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  3. i've got nekkid windows in my sunroom. i don't see the point of having a valance on them, and i don't want anything on the bottom half...think it defeats the purpose of a sunroom.

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  4. Great reminder & inspiring images of beautiful room w/out drapes. Has me wondering too about dark moldings.

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  5. I am so with you on this. I hate to put up window coverings, especially when the trim is so beautiful. If I didn't feel like I was living in a fish bowl, I probably wouldn't do it. My dining room is a good example of a place I'd rather no have curtains.
    Camille

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  6. If the windows have interesting molding, or if the windows have black casing like some of the picture's you posted, I like the look. And if they're windows that are high and let nice light in and you counldn't see me running around naked I would leave them be too!
    All the images are beautiful!

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  7. I have a couple of naked windows in my house, but only because I haven't gotten around to purchasing anything for them yet. I think my rooms will will look more polished once I do.

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  8. Like you said, love the look but as a city dweller - no way : (

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  9. Where we are now in the city, no, but I would love too. We have a few windows that because of where they face, we can and do get away with it. The window over our kitchen sink faces our back yard and lets in tons of morning light, love it. And we have 2 small windows that are set up high on either side of our fireplace in the living room, love them all bare. We have a glass paned front door that I would love to leave bare, but we can't get away with that because of the proximity to street & foot traffic.

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  10. Our house backs up to the woods so privacy on the back of the house is not a big issue. I don't have window treatments on some of those windows but mainly because I'm just lazy. However, when I finally get some new French doors and paint them black, I'm thinking of foregoing curtains because they would block the view and I think the black will make its own statement. Or maybe I'm just being lazy again?

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  11. We have big, modern windows in our pretty modern house, and while I needed to soften it up in the bedrooms and dining room with full on curtains, the living room and office face the back of the house, are therefore most private, and have gone naked for the year we have lived here. My husband, generally anti-curtain, is feeling we might need something to deal with furniture fading and TV watching, though, so we'll see. I love having a spot with no fuss.

    Heather
    loveyourspace.blogspot.com

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  12. I tried going nearly nude with my windows - just some semi-sheers - and for about a decade they worked really well until one day I noticed the "social boor" directly across the street from me watching my every move around my Great Room and decided that heavy, blackout lined drapes would be at least part of the answer. They helped, but so did contacting the police who contacted his landlord who asked him to move out.
    I found out that going nearly nude can be risky!
    Linda Ann.

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  13. Oh my gosh, Linda Ann! Well, I think your story has me convinced that I can't go curtainless in the city!! WOW!

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  14. Hmm, "nude" windows could work. The lack of window treatment does not equal a lack of design, as shown by those lovely photos. On the other hand, it does present a lack of privacy, depending on the location.

    William Gulliver

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  15. Those windows are amazing! I think what helped make them amazing are the views outside the windows as well. Surely, other home owners, home builders Missouri and decorators will also appreciate your post. Those look like pretty good neighborhoods. I agree that most of these naked windows don’t need extra embellishment because of the fact that they are already gorgeous! Thank you for this!

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I'd love to hear your thoughts!