we successfully used Sarlon roller blinds on the outside of windows...make sure the blind is held out from the window to maintain air flow We also created a screened outdoor room using black Sarlon cloth attached to frames enclosing a verandah (access through an old fashioned fly screen covered in Sarlon)...initially to keep out the sun but it also did a great job of keeping out bugs and keeping inside warmer in cold weather..the black Sarlon has the effect of looking through fly screens thus improving the view looking out and obscuring the view looking in during the day...i suggest you double check the use of double glazing in the tropics as you need to allow heat to escape overnight and a window covering would be better on the inside to keep heat in during short periods of cold weather

Kill two birds with one stone and replace the balustrade with a full length, double sided cabinet. This will blur the height difference between the rooms while creating more if a sense of the two rooms working independently of each other, and provide a place for interesting piece or two on the top(like sculpture). In the process, you could ensure the traffic flow and furniture of the rooms works best with the passage to the lounge where it is, and if not, decide where it works best and build the cabinet either side of the passage.

It's really hard to provide advice without getting a feel for your decor . Plantation shutters can look great, are not a total block-out solution but can be close and sufficient for most people to be able to sleep with. A lot will depend on the quality of the shutters and how well they are fitted. I think the post bigreader was referring to can be found [here[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/block-out-blind-behind-shutters-dsvw-vd~4314237). Here you'll find a good example of what can go wrong if you don't choose both your shutters and fitter carefully. You will get a variety of prices and there is a difference from brand to brand, and the materials they are available in. Take some rough measurements of your windows and call around to get some indicative prices which you should be able to get on the phone without committing to a check-measure or any other commitment given to the potential supplier. Do your homework and don't automatically default to the cheapest price. I have to agree with Kerri Graafmans in that Venetians are difficult to clean and I just don't think they will work well if you are working towards a beach feel for your windows. Depending on where you are located, thermal rollers will be a must with just about any window treatment with the exception of Plantation Shutters. The thermal rollers will give you added light control when used in combination with solid drapery. They will also provide worthwhile insulation which, in combination with drapery or a Roman blind, will make a noticeable impact on your cooling and heating bills. Alternatively, Sheer Curtains and Solid Drapes can be made in a large variety of heading styles. Traditional Soft Romans might work well depending on how your rooms start to take shape. Think carefully about your budget and if possible give the consultants and idea of what you are prepared to spend, - Even if it is only a rough idea. Reputable companies will not intentionally pad-out quotes to meet your budget. But they will work with you to ensure you get the best value for your declared budget without sacrificing quality or taking shortcuts just to seal the deal. Always get an itemised quote so you can see what you will be paying for. Fabric, in many cases, will be the biggest ticket item on your quote. If comparing quotes ensure you are comparing apples for apples. Especially for drapery, both in terms of fabric brand and price as well as the quoted 'fullness' of the curtains / drapes you will be purchasing. If you find you just don't have the budget for your ideal window solutions then my best advice is to either wait until you do or think about a phased approach to dressing your windows (say a window or a room at a time). Far better to pay for a quality product that will last for years than to go for something that does not meet your expectations, but which you will be forced to live with, and be reminded of, every time you enter a room in which the treatments were fitted. Above all, get an idea of what you are likely to need to budget for to get the solution you want early. Too many of those that undertake renovations leave pricing the window treatments to last and have not made a sufficient funding allocation to do the job properly. I may be biased, but I truly do believe that good window treatments can really add 'wow' to both a window and a space, - Yet it's often the one item that suffers the most when reno' budgets start to run dry. Hope this helps ;)

would much rather buy an old home in original condition than one that has been renovated to "add value" for future sale...apart from making sure that we keep a home in safe, clean and good working order we renovate for our own comfort and convenience as new owners and tenants will inevitable want/need something different