I had them on all the windows in my last place, which was a terrace, so very close to the footpath. During the day, unless someone was actively trying to look in the windows it wasn't an issue. At night in Summer I closed the bottom half and left the top open to get a breeze in. Upstairs, in the bedroom I didn't like them as, you had to have them shut to cut all the light, but they cut all of the airflow.

We are wanting to do the same thing and have been having trouble finding examples of others using a light roof with black windows as it seems the done thing is dark roof dark windows etc. But I've found the following here on Houzz which I think shows it can work. I love the interior look of black window frames because they "disappear" and allow the view to take centre stage. Alternatively some window manufacturers can produce a different colour on the exterior and interior for you (although I think they are only on double glazed units).

Hi Lombo, beautiful space and I love the window seat areas. You don’t have to have identical matching window treatments in one room, especially an open plan area. The key is there is to have some cohesive elements. Velvet curtains designed well, will look fantastic in the dining area, and at nighttime when drawn will create a lovely intimate space. Velvet curtains made and recently installed by Decoro - these have blackout lining (which included thermal properties) for keeping out northern sunlight. Hardware specified to take account of the weight, custom made to continue around the corner. If you are in the Sydney area, please send me a message if require assistance with your project (including window seat box cushion). All the best, Louise.

i was wondering about a downstairs front door but then how would you use the upstairs entry and what about potential loss of the grandparents' bedroom and space taken away from the garage and storage... different internal stairs meant enlarging the whole downstairs floor area (and changing the roof) and sacrificing space needed for the new upstairs deck and future pool (and extending further into the yard encroaches on the neighbours' views) but the old front stairs can be lengthened to maintain the original look of the house and you'll find that friends and family will more likely come in through the garage or rumpus room and the old front stairs will be used for only very enthusiastic sales people and photo ops but you do need to confirm all the dimensions on the original floor plan as the room sizes are inconsistent and an accurate original floor plan (including exact location of doors and windows) will help ensure that my suggestions could fit with the least amount of alteration to the existing structure and may also invite different suggestions from other HOUZZERS and happy to redraw your plans if you can correct this copy