Thanks team. Here's another idea - what about white wooden blinds? I actually like having no coverings on the windows for most of the time. eg. We have great views west and east, so the doors/windows are normally open 6 months of the year. They still need to be dressed, but with something that doesn't hinder the view. They could be up for most of the summer, and only let down if I need to keep some heat out or in winter to keep the cold out. I'm concerned they would be too heavy to operate being most of my window/door widths are 240cm. I've never worked with a consultant before... should I get someone to come in and give me a professional opinion?

The master bedroom in my previous home faced north. Floor to ceiling window getting full sun during the day, and a street light directly outside at night. So, an exterior shutter, internal blind and curtains allowed light and heat control for various times of day and season. The master bedroom in my current home also faces north with a floor to ceiling window, but no street light. On full moon nights though, it shines right in. Once again an external blind controls light and heat, and interior blind and curtain gives me options for different times of day and season, eg. we love the sun coming in during winter, but not summer.

I agree with Country House Girl, go with panel glides if you need them. I am currently shopping around online for mine to cover a similar door opening but only 6m wide. I hope to get a light filtering style to keep it soft - as opposed to block out. And will be tinting the windows for just that bit extra privacy and also sun fading protection. However if I didn't have neighbours I would just leave them bare

I have done extensive research because I have same problem as yours. For the bedroom get double roller blind one is sunscreen you can see out during the day but no privacy at night and the other blind is either block out or light filtering. As far as sunscreen goes the darker the colour the better the view outside, so you can go black , but I would not have the second blind in the same colour because once it's down at night you have this huge black window in front of you, not that nice. You would be better of matching your block out blind to you wall or other furniture or bedding in the room. Instead of roller blind you can have Roman blind . I have gone with Roman's because they are fixed at the cornice level and a bit wider then the window so it looks softer and yes I used textured fabric. If your windows are big it's worth investing in motorised blind but only for the one that will be going up and down all the time not sunscreen. It's about $700 per motor. ( I should be a blind consultant lol).