We have a couple of projects that we used architectual detail for a specific reason. In this case we used standard 4’ x 5’ windows purchased at Lowe’s . While we wanted to save money, we didn’t want the design to look incongruent with an Alice in Wonderland experience where everything appeared to be out of whack with huge walls and tiny little windows, so we used this step detail to create an illusion of bigger windows.
Step detail to create illusion of larger windows
Why didn’t we just put in larger windows? The bigger the window the higher the price tag. And that’s just for starters. Then you have more draperies, bigger blinds or other window coverings and all of that is figured at a square foot price….yikes!
The next thing to consider is that you’ve probably spent considerable time and money on insulating the ceilings and walls. Even with the very best glass, you’re still looking at just an inch or so between you and the outside world. Now you have to figure heat loss or in our case (Arizona) heat gain. So, the question is how do we get a look that’s congruent with the size of the building without seriously dipping into our budget?
I saw this detail in an episode of Monk. Besides all the good Crash show on DIY Network, the other place you can get inspirational ideas is TV, movies and high-end restaurants or hotels. They have the money for top, creative designers.
In this detail the top step is 15” from the wall and framed as an enclosed box. The second step is 7” from the wall using the bottom of the top step as the ceiling of this second step and keeping it as an open soffit. All framed out of 2x4s with 1/2″ drywall. I can tell you that Bill questioned the intelligence of this design as he drywalled, taped and painted up inside this tiny space. I kept reminding him how awesome it would look….and clearly it does!
Step detail to create illusion of larger windows
As you can see we hung the pleated shades up inside this open soffit to create the illusion of much larger windows….more questionable design comments from Bill! But doesn’t it look great?!?!? And when we open the shades we pull them up to almost the top of the window. The shade hanging up inside the detail makes the window look much taller than it is even in the daylight!
TIP! A tip shared by our Lowe’s shade guru was that we should purchase our window covering so it’s 6” wider on each side. This will keep the light from sneaking into the sides. Works great! And so do these room darkening shades by the way, which are available in two earthy colors! We used the taupe color, which is lighter than shown here, in the office.
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[…] and then pin nailed the lower part to the drywall. You may remember this from the blog on Architectual Detail for a Reason….The Illusion of Larger Windows. What I ended up with was a windowsill that I can wipe off and not worry if the windows get left […]