On Windows

Walking through Bolton Hill at lunch, looking at all the gorgeous old rowhomes / mansions, I started noticing the windows. You cannot NOT notice the windows in Bolton Hill -- some of them are huge expanses of glass that would cost a fortune to replace today. But it was not the construction I was paying attention to; rather I began comparing homes with the shades drawn vs. homes with the shades open to let in the sunshine.

And I realized that I am a “curtains open” type of person. I would never want to live in a home where the blinds were always closed, the curtains drawn, blocking out the light and keeping prying eyes away. Why even have windows then? I love to glance in the open windows as I walk past, see the antique furniture, fireplaces, and flowers. I get inspired looking through the windows of others, and isn’t that really all HGTV is? A peek into others’ homes and, by extension, their lives?

Now, I am not a peeping tom, nor am I an exhibitionist. There is a time to draw the curtains, like on a Saturday morning when you want to sleep in, or late at night, when open curtains are like an invitation to snoops. But during the daytime hours I want my home to feel as harmonious in its environment as possible, taking advantage of the natural light and beauty, and if some passerby sees inside my home and is inspired, then I am proud and thankful.

Frankly, I do not think I am so important that people even notice whether my windows are open, and I am not paranoid enough to be concerned that some crazy person is peering intently in my window with binoculars.

I hope one day to live in a place where my home doesn’t even need curtains at all. That would be living – to be able to blur the lines between our indoor environment and outdoors. I like to think of windows as additional pieces of artwork on the wall, looking out on streetscapes, trees, or skies, making a room feel bigger and lighter. Oh, big kitchen with wall of windows.... you will be mine some day.

I challenge you to think about your home. Do you keep the shades drawn on the windows? If so, why? What are you keeping out, and more importantly, what are you not letting in?


Listening: Wilco (The Album)
Verdict: Undecided