We also have big windows and live relatively close to the neighbors – we knew that and accepted that people can also look inside. It's funny that it bothers our neighbors more, who have normal windows with standard sill height and who feel their privacy is being disturbed (yeah, THOSE neighbors). Madam then seriously demanded that we ALWAYS keep the blinds down.
Of course, we don’t do that – I don’t make big windows just to always keep the blinds down.
I’m not bothered by it either, and personally, I don’t even get the idea to look over at my neighbors. What could possibly be interesting there?
Now they always have their venetian blinds down (they don’t have blinds or roller shutters, only shutters) – well, if that makes them feel better, they should do it. I think when we get our privacy fence in spring, things will calm down.
What I found funny and somewhat presumptuous was the request "Something bothers me, I have a problem – you fix it to make it go away!" So if someone has a problem with it, they should please solve it themselves. It has worked out, now they have their windows shut tight, we don’t. Although, as I said, it wouldn’t bother me if they still didn’t pull their windows shut. I wouldn’t stare over at them. But if they like it better this way – then so be it.
I just can’t dance naked through the house – which I haven’t really done often anyway, so it doesn’t restrict me much *g*. We can move freely and unclothed upstairs in our private area of bathroom, dressing room, and bedroom because it is completely not visible from outside, and that’s enough. When I sit at the table or cook, glimpses from outside hardly bother me.
But it breaks my heart to hear Chris talk like this – it’s simply sad that someone builds a house and is so dissatisfied. It doesn’t help either when you point out that it was already said and warned about beforehand. He had what he thought were good reasons for the decision and now is unhappy with it. I’m sorry about that.
By the way, the fireplace is great! You have my envy, my dream of a fireplace was talked out of me and I still mourn it. Especially when I see such a magnificent piece.
Otherwise: how long have you been moved in now? It still looks really sparse and unfavorably furnished. I would start there first. Personally, I don’t like curtains, but with this type of windows, they just belong! That would be the first thing I would tackle.
I can imagine two options here: either a bit old-fashioned with rods at the top (well protruding above the window) and extra-long, lush, but absolutely light curtains that clearly rest on the floor, or the clean variant with a curtain system and curtain panels. These panels threefold and a play of darker and lighter, translucent panels not just at the window, but over the entire length of the wall (unless there are shelves, etc. planned there). Choose light, friendly colors.
Treat yourself to a few room-sized plants (check out Ebay Classifieds – many people have to part with plants that have grown too big, you can get great plants cheaply!).
The lamp in the living room also doesn’t create a cozy feeling. It’s been mentioned here before: get cozy lighting. Work around the couch area with small tables or illuminated elements. Right now Lidl has beautiful, simple lamps that you can easily put on a small side table next to the couch (cheaper than the classic Wagenfeld lamp). At IKEA, the round glass ball lights and put a few on the floor (three side by side also look pretty if you have the space – even better if they are different sizes!) or the rice paper lamps (make really nice light) in the corner and choose that lighting in the evening, not the ceiling light in the center. I would still hang a fancy lamp there that is an eye catcher even when it’s off – the glass ball hanging there now is not very charming.
Rearranging the couch as mentioned here several times would also be worth a try.
I have the feeling you’re missing a bit of a knack for this. That’s not a shame, but I would start with that first. Look at interiors (online, in furniture stores, in appropriate magazines) and find out what makes a room, so that you like it. Try to transfer that to your rooms. If necessary, get someone who knows about it and who can make some suggestions. That can also be a good friend whose apartment you like – it doesn’t have to be a professional, but it can be (why not possibly invest a few hundred euros there if you then feel “settled,” it’s worth it!).
I’m convinced you can get much more out of the rooms.
Enlarging the windows or making them floor-to-ceiling can be a project for the future – for now, I would be happy to get the dirt outside. Such a big change makes more sense when you’ve lived there for a while – then you know where it makes sense or where it’s quite good as it is.
I’m convinced you can get a lot more out of the rooms and that you will certainly feel very comfortable in your house then.
Thank you very much for your long text, really kind of you!
Complaining is actually dumb of me, but it did kind of hit me that I was so blind during the planning of such an important project.
I will gladly accept and implement your suggestions! Especially with the curtains, a lot can be done to create a cozy atmosphere.
The lamp is only temporarily there, better than the construction lamp.
The lighting should also be more indirect through floor lamps and wall lamps, rather than through the ceiling light.
And pictures can also bring a lot of color into a sparse room.