Sarah, a lot depends on the ultimate finished look you want for the room. Search Houzz for photos of rooms with panel blinds to get a better idea. I do like panel blinds - considered using them myself but then decided the look was too austere for my taste and how I wanted the room to look. If you do decide on them, I think I would take them across the window too to fill the whole wall and give the room a more elegant look. Two different finishes can break the room up and look bitty. The second window could have a roller blind. If you are using a thermal blind though, use a double blind with a mesh for daytime to let the light in. The thermal blinds do keep light out and can make a room very dull. You could do sheers from the ceiling without recessing them - not as luxurious a look, but they will still look very nice. You would almost end up with two walls of curtains but it would make the room look very inviting and offset your heavy furniture.

Thank you Houzz friends! Your photos look lovely. Here's my dilemma. This will give you an idea. E.G Bedroom (Pictured) We will need both 'white/neutral block outs' and screen blinds in this bedroom and, just screens in kitchen (kitchen not ready yet so photos to come at later date). Reveals of most windows and opening doors will not allow for mounting on black metal and if blinds are fixed there, we will lose a good part of top section of windows. So for us ... the only place to fix 'black' screen blinds would be on the Antique white USA window frame/surrounds. Considerations: 1/ Black Screens - if we go this way, are they going to look odd/heavy (like eyebrows) mounted on white frame? 2/ White Screens - these are an option but I don't think they are our preference. 3/ Taupe Screens (almost wall colour match) - we have been advised to mount these on white surrounds but i think it might look 'bitsy' - especially in this bedroom when we need double blinds e.g block outs as well. Hope this all makes sense?!!

Hi diviabhi Here are a few links to companies which supply the roman blinds you are after (blockout & sheer). I would suggest looking at a few, getting an idea of the type of blinds you are after, doing a cost comparison between them all. You might want to request an obligation free quote. Of course, depending on your location, some may be more suitable than others. Fabric/Material, Exposed/Hidden Tracks, Motorised/Manual, Cordless/Corded and COST are all things to take into consideration. http://www.kresta.com.au http://www.victory.com.au http://www.luxaflex.com.au http://www.sunway.com.au http://invisageinverloch.com.au Take your time and good luck with your decision.

great looking house and congrats for thinking about privacy!..depending on aspect (N, S, E or W?) and amount of sun and light you want and if you have a view on this side then old fashioned venetians provide a great amount of mutual privacy but if you just want light without view then putting the windows up above the wall cabinets in the kitchen and in the same line in the dining room with or without any height vertical window hard into the corner of the dining room will mean that you have to stand right next to the window to see out...BTW glass/window splashbacks are a pain to keep clean, especially clear glass, so if you want to keep the window at bench height in the kitchen the frosted glass will give light without looking so dirty all the time and a mix of heights and window shapes will look interesting from outside...see suggested inside view