A new view

So, I finally broke down and got new windows!  Much less breezy in my house now!  But I needed a solution to window coverings in my bedroom.  I need the privacy, but want to see out a little bit, especially to see the trees at night from my bed.

With the old windows, I had those thermal shades.  Not so attractive.  So I put some goofy valances  on the top to hide them when I had them open.  It was all very unsightly.

When I moved in, there were cafe curtains that only covered half the window.  They were cute, but it looked like a cafe!  

So to not cover the whole window, I set off to make some interior shutters.  Half way up for the small side window and 3/4s the way up for the big back windows.  

For the smaller side windows, I started with 4 old picture frames which just happened to be the right size.

For the bigger back windows, I had to make the frames. I used 1x2s and cut wedges out of the ends with the jigsaw.

Then glued them together using a square to make perfect rectangles.  

I hammered in some finishing nails in the corners for more strength and put spackle around the corners to make them smooth (sanded these down as soon as the spackle dried).  

After painting, I drilled some holes in the inside corners to hold small dowels that would hold up the fabric.  

I could have just stapled fabric to the back of the frames, but I want to be able to change out the fabric or just remove the fabric to wash it.  

After inserting the fabric panels, I just screwed in the hinges and put them up.

I have white fabric panels and light grey panels. 

I really like when they are all open during the day.  They don't block the window at all so all the light can flow in.  

Ready for spring!!