If anyone needs a definition for chutzpah, look no further. I am still reeling with laughter re: "garish light fixture".
Perhaps the complainer could bestow an appropriately tasteful lighting fixture to the complainee.
@Ann Korach I would feel the same. I live in a high dollar gated area, and my neighbors post pictures of home sale items on our Facebook page. I am stunned at their appalling furniture and taste and the inflated prices they think they should get. Your stuff is used, folks. These are young homeowners with mirror front dressers, gold starburst coffee tables, polka dot match match curtains and rugs. EEEU. Just saying. I also deal with the open windows in the high rise apartment behind my bedroom. It was unfinished when I moved in. Right now a male resident leaves his lights on 24/7 and blinds up. Can't wait til he moves out. I hate those apartments. Their residents walk into our area and let their dogs poop and park their extra cars in our guest parking that even we can't park in. Can't wait for the gate to go up!!! Renter to renter issues? Whatever. But that's why you buy a home is to avoid renters and their lack of accountability. Elitist? You bet.
I think this is a good time to remind everyone that for most middle class and poor households in this city, blinds aren't an option... They are a critical defense against criminals casing their homes. Having unblocked windows in a dense urban environment is already a privilege; having sunlight pour through those windows even more so.
So it is really hard for me to read about the "plight" of someone who isn't able to fully enjoy their (probably very expensive) apartment because they don't want solve the relatively minor challenge of finding a way to cover their windows and still have light (for which there are dozens of options). But going a far as demand that their building super solve this problem by telling the family minding their business to install blinds they themselves do not want is the type of aloofness that I would expect from a rich villian in young adult dystopian novel and not the NYT real estate section
10
So, your neighbor should mount curtains in their living room to allow you to walk around naked, since you’re not in the mood to mount shades in your own bedroom? I feel bad for the poor family that has you as their neighbor.
24
@M I have a very expensive townhome. There are apartments on the other side, supposedly nice, but not really. People who own Pitt bulls are not great neighbors. It's the guys who don't close their windows, leave the ceiling fan and light on all night. I do close my blinds at night, but now when I relax in bed with coffee to watch the sun rise I see the light in that stupid window. This is Dallas, not NY. You bet I feel entitled about an idiot renter (probably the one with the awful pit bull he lets off leash) destroying my view. Not to mention, we are in an electricity alert, and he leaves that on 24/7. Sustainable much? Of course not. It's not that he might see in my window because at night MY blinds are closed. During the day you can't see in if it's light outside. It's that the idiot leaves his lights on ALL THE TIME. Poster child for thoughtless people.
There's an easier answer: Behave normally. It's up to the people across the way to police their kids' viewing. You don't have to be an exhibitionist, but it's YOUR bedroom. If they don't like what they see, that's their problem, not yours.
8
If the apartment is dark, why do you care about having thick shades?
2
"I asked our superintendent to speak to theirs about the situation, but he never heard back." That's because the super probably rolled eyes at this bizarre request. A super is not responsible for dealing with a situation like this.
18
@HKGuy Exactly
1
The fact that someone wrote this down in a public forum (and even asked their super) expecting that the OTHER party was responsible for rectifying this "problem" is incredible. Does this person just walk around with blinders on all day, thinking that everyone else is responsible for the writers' happiness? They are called curtains, Karen. Get a pair.
15
I don’t understand how it could be someone else’s responsibility to cover their windows to avoid seeing you walking around naked with no window coverings. If you are uncomfortable with the neighbors seeing you naked (and most people would be), put up window coverings and close them when you’re undressed. If it’s too dark, there are many options for window coverings that let light in while providing privacy, whether it’s top-down shades, film you apply to the window, or a light filtering curtain or shade. By covering your OWN window, you’ve now prevented everyone from seeing you, not just the one neighbor.
6
Window film - decorative or just opaque. I have it in my house cuz I am in a mobile home park. Some of the designs are actually really pretty. You can buy some mainstream versions at Home Depot or Walmart but can find more creative options on Amazon or Etsy. You can also just put it on half the window and have blinds too so you can get more or less light and still have a way to see out.
4
If budget allows, then I second others' recommendations of top-down, cellular shades or plantation shutters. I use less expensive, inside-mounted, white, light-blocking, pleated shades under inside-mounted, horizontal wood blinds. They provide a variety of lighting and privacy options. Very inexpensive are the temporary (actually, they last indefinitely) paper pleated shades sold in hardware stores.
1
Well, you could install the bottom-up, top-down shades. I have those in the front of my home so I can get light without having to worry about what I'm wearing.
Alternately....don't worry about it. Eventually one of the parents is going to figure it out and probably raise a stink...at which point you can nicely point out that you are under no obligation to shield their children and it's unreasonable to expect you to live in a cave any more than it's reasonable to expect you to only appear in your bedroom fully clothed.
Another option are shades that allow light in but are semi-opaque. My godson and his wife lived in a condo in Chicago that was about 800 sq feet. The walls of the master and living room/kitchen are floor-to-ceiling windows. The bedroom has semi-opaques with blackouts over them. The living room is semi-opaques. You learn to ignore....like the neighbor they had who loved to sit in his window, clipping his toenails when he had just come out of the shower.....sans towel.....Trust me, it was NOT a pretty sight but it's a part of city living. Protecting other people's sensitivity is not your problem.
4
I just order this on amazon -- super easy to use -- does the trick. I still have plenty of light.
VELIMAX Static Cling Rain Glass Window Film Removable Rain Decorative Window Film Privacy Anti-UV Heat Control (23.6"x 90.5")
2
Top-down shades for sure. You will have both privacy and light.
2
I rolled my eyes at "seminude or worse." God forbid we see what is completely natural.
5
My wife and I use shear curtains that provide privacy but don't cut light much.
5
One solution I have used is to install two sets of venetian blinds in a window 'back to back'. Then, When the slats of each are angled differently, i.e. 45' out and 45' in, they block unwanted views - but let almost as much light in as a single venetian blind. A single venetian blind doesn't always work for privacy, and although Roman blinds are energy efficient and adjust to block sections of a window as the NYT writer suggests, they may not solve the issue.
3
Where is the companion letter that says "My neighbor has a window facing my dining room, where my family including young children eat meals and spend family time. She has no curtains and constantly walks around undressed even though she sees us. What can I do?"
35
@Lynn First, she has shades. Read the article. She's in her BEDROOM. Personally I'm not going to be getting fully dressed in my bathroom just to protect someone else's sensibilities. And how does one get ready for bed?? I sleep naked. I'm NOT crawling under my covers to get undressed. Bottom line, if the folks with the kids have a problem, it's on them to fix it. It's NOT the LW's problem.
4
So when you go to bed at night (naked or not), you keep your shades open? Most people close them because they like to sleep in the dark and not have the morning light wake them up too early.
6
@teri but the people who have the kids did not express concern, so the problem.
2
I'm surprised this is even a problem. I don't know if this window has a view-- other than that of the neighbor's dining room.
If not, you can solve your problem with some adhesive frost film on the window.
If you don't want to block the view, a translucent roller shade will work.
You will never get anyone to change their window arrangement to suit you, nor should they if they aren't doing anything wrong
22
@Victoria Applying the film will require the written permission of the landlord. Frankly, she's making their problem her problem. If they have an issue with their children seeing a naked or semi-naked body it's their problem. Guess they should have considered the view before renting.....so now it's up to them to spend the money to deal with it....if they even care.
2
@teri Frankly, you should read the article (rather than telling other people to). The neighbors don't have a problem; the letter writer does but doesn't have the basic smarts to fix it.
Dare I ask why the writer is spending so much time in his or her bedroom during daylight hours? (As stated, they don't want to close the blinds because the apartment is dark, which is only an issue in the daytime.) Don't most people hang out in their living or dining rooms, and not their bedrooms during the day? How often are they walking around naked in the bedroom? Can't they just close the blinds for those (typically) brief moments?
5
@matt we no. Not everyone spends time in their living room. I certainly dont. And my lack of clothing time is not brief. Given i would have solved my own problem and not expected my neighbors to
2
@matt You have obviously never lived in an 800-900 sq ft apartment.
3
@teri That's not obvious at all.
This situation is not at all unique. You have 3 options, move, accept it or put up some window coverings. This situation happens in the suburbs also. Now if you want natural light you have problems vs. privacy. A friend put up crown molding with cove lights which are on a dimmer. She has beautiful light from this. She like you had very nosy neighbors. And the best thing about this is that it really added value to her condo. It sold in 2 days, in New York also.
8
@Per Axel Where does the letter writer mention "nosy neighbors"?
1
Since when does your the layout of your neighbor's apartment, the lighting, and lack of curtains becomes something to complain about?
They are doing nothing wrong, but you can only fix what you do in your own space. Find a means to get the light you crave as well as the privacy that should matter to you.
Too much drama.
20
@Barbara Pretty sure that is what she is trying to do....asking for solutions rather than criticism. Frankly, I think she's making their problem her problem. She was there first. Protecting the neighbor's kids isn't her responsibility. The neighbors clearly didn't care or didn't bother to check, to see what the view was before moving in. The LW has every right to walk around her BEDroom, or anywhere in her apartment, undressed or partially dressed. I could see it as an issue at night if she had no shades but that's not the issue here. I think she's very nice to be concerned. She's attempted to contact them and been rebuffed so I say, do as you will. What those kids see is their parent's problem.
1
@teri Pretty sure you didn't read--or didn't understand--the letter.
LOL @ comments.
The writer reminds me of a coop resident who, at a board meeting, asked that the board contact the newly-relocated ambulance station (two blocks away) to quiet their sirens when they drive by the block. (It's only funny because it's so absurd)
24
Reminds me of an old joke that I first heard in NYC some thirty years ago. It goes something like this: A college dorm has just been built opposite an old lady's bedroom window, and she asks her husband to buy curtains: "What if some kids see me naked?" - "Relax: if they see you naked, THEY will buy curtains!" - responds the old wise man.
47
Or like...buy window film? I didn't want to lose the light in my bedroom by having the shades down, so I bought decorative, frosted window film that just clings to the windows. I'm pretty sure you-not-wanting-to-be-seen means you're the one who should be putting up the window coverings.
26
If this were Singapore, the letter writer could face pornography charges which could lead to imprisonment or big fines if their neighbors were to see them "seminude or worst". Yes, Singapore often takes things to extremes. But they do get it right on which side needs to adjust their behavior, close your blinds if you don't want to be seen.
26
Why not put broad bladed vertical blinds in? You would still get light but the frontal view would be blocked to whatever degree is comfortable for you. Some come mirrored so you could increase the angled light into your bedroom.
8
Talk about first world problems.
27
I am reminded of a evening several years ago when I attended a dinner party at a friend's apartment. The building next door was NYU housing, and opposite my friend's living room window was a bedroom with a clear view through to a bathroom. At least a dozen of us watched in rapt fascination as the darling 20-something across the way contorted himself into what looked like an advanced yoga pose (perhaps "The Manscaping Fratboy") to make sure that the grounds around his monument were well tended before beginning his Saturday night. It would have been such a shame if he had thought to install blinds or curtains...and he would have missed our ovation upon the completion of his efforts. We were all very sorry when our friend moved to a different building.
21
When I was visiting a romantic interest in Oslo, I noticed that there were no blinds on the windows in the complex. It looked out onto a wide court yard but I could see a woman reading at her dining room table.
I asked if we were being immodest not wearing clothing and disturbing the woman. My Norwegian Paramour said, "Why would she be looking into my apartment". Everyone creates their own privacy , and some cultures are different. No blinds were ever added.
9
@Donald
In Britain, they are paranoid about peeping toms and many people draw the curtains on all rooms in the house - even ones that no one ever go in - as the sun sets. In contrast, most Americans seem quite blase about being in well-lit curtain-less rooms after dark. When my mother is over from the UK, she often remarks that she can see all sorts of fascinating snippets of US domestic life on our evening dog walks.
11
You have no view as such but you want light. Install frosted clear vinyl to the windows. The vinyl makes the glass look acid etched, but the light gets through. This material is often profile cut into signage and installed for businesses or exhibits. You could also do this in a lower band on the windows blocking your neighbors line of sight.
10
One option is to install a one-way mirror or one-way mirror film onto the outside of your bedroom window.
You can also get film that is patterned like stained glass or similar. It blocks the view but lets colored sunlight in, although diffused.
I have windows in my living room that are taller than wide. We put colored film on the bottom portion allowing us to stand and look out but no one outside can see in when we are seated inside. This is particularly effective at dusk and at night when it’s lighter inside.
Or you can pay me to strut around inside your bedroom nude. Being an older male, I guarantee your neighbors will close their blinds (in fact, nail them shut), despite the darkness. (I am joking of course :).
14
I can think of only two ways to prevent Peeping-thoms from looking into your apparment:
1. Non transparent curtains;
2. Strong lights and/or laser beams aimed at the undesirable neighbors.
Good luck!
2
What a ridiculous question. Buy some curtains!
57
Given the obvious simplicity of the solution here (duhhhh: get something to block/limit the view), I am wondering about the helplessness of the writer on issues that actually matter.
59
Why not buy a gorgeous,thin piece of decorated silk or other sheer or translucent fabric and make that into a shade or partial shade? I know someone who got a beautifully colored sarong (this one happened to be of a bright tropical garden) and hung it in front of the bedroom window. It allowed lots of light, privacy, and the benefit of a lovely scene that much more attractive and relaxing to look at than is the neighbor's family room.
11
A nice stained glass or mottled glass piece or collection of pieces may also work well (though more costly than fabric). So would a vinyl window film that mimics stained glass.
The latter is widely available on the internet, at home improvement stores, and even, apparently, at a certain Japanese-owned chain that's similar to the Dollar Store.
5
For me (owner of Hunter Douglas Gallery), this is the perfect opportunity to add the perfect shade to the bedroom. With this being a bedroom, I'd for sure recommend a smart shade that can lower automatically at sunset. That way, you are never caught off guard with the shades up when the light is stronger inside and someone can see in.
9
Who does this person think they are, wanting the neighbors to take care of providing their privacy?
67
@Maureen
Exactly! I have the same problem and just bought window film so I can have more light enter versus my current curtained bedroom window.
9
Blocking the window with bookshelves, etc., is probably a fire or building code violation. Shades that open from the top down can cost less than $300/window and are very effective.
14
This is obviously a question planted (pardon the unintended pun), so that the Mr. Aventajado, can get free exposure (surely not another pun) exposure. To sell his plants.
The answer is put up some window coverings.
22
Love the plants solution!
5
But plants and the shelving would block light. The designer's "solution" ignored the person's desire to allow in as much light as possible.
8
There is plastic window film that reduces glare but allows light to come in. You'll be able to see out, but from the outside, your window will look mirrored, and no one will be able to see in. It's inexpensive and you can apply it yourself.
24
Best to have a professional apply the film, if you can afford to do so.
@JudithThe thing is that in the night, when the inside of the apartment is brighter than the outside, people would be able to see through the vinyl film
2
There are translucent plastic films on sale at Home Depot that are very decorative that look like etched glass that adhere to the glass. It lets in a lot of light and also looks like etched antique glass.
11
I vote for the 2 young daughters being able to see outside.
Put your clothes on!
35
Inconvenient, but the person could also change clothes in a closet or bathroom or hallway. That is, if sleeping nude/semi-nude is not the issue. A good night's sleep is equally or more important to kids' need for a view
1
@Readers
I'm not going to scuttle into the hallway or into a closet to put on my nightclothes or to get dressed for the day -- that's what we call "a non-viable suggestion."
I think that blinds that can be lowered from the top, or plantation shutters that cover the lower portion of the window, are a much more reasonable idea.
1
I support walking around completely nude in your apartment. Why be concerned about what your neighbours think?
15
What is it with this "walking nude" around your place, people? Seriously, wear some clothes or buy curtains. BTW, Hope your friends do not mind your bodily fluids all over your couches and chairs when they come to visit. YUCK.
4
@Rosie What is with this being psychotic about nude bodies. Seriously, join the 21st century.
How awful - in NZ we don't have many high rise apartments. I live in a house and have net curtains; and thermal backed curtains that I close at night.
Living in a house is preferable - fences, trellis, and trees screen out neighbours! lol!
I wonder if anyone has ever done a survey of stress levels of people who live in high rise apartments. It can't be healthy living in such cooped up high rise buildings on cheap side.
Move to the country or a small town and use skype to communicate with your workplace and fly into NY once a month for catch ups! Concrete jungles! yuk!
4
@CK Actually, those high rises are very expensive. And not everyone wants to live in the country (we do, though, outside of a small city). What if their jobs don't permit telecommuting? Your ideas are all good, but impractical for many.
10
@CK- I love my NYC apartment. And my neighbor keeps the lights on all night long. It's called the Chrysler Building.
13
@CK-I love my NYC apartment. And my neighbor keeps their light on all night. It's called the Chrysler Building.
4
How does she know they are not blind?
2
@SweePea What?
1
@SweePea How does she know they aren't aliens?
Of course she doesn't know that they aren't blind, but such lack of certainty is not an issue for people with IQs above room temperature.
Go to a window coverings store. Tell them your problem. Choose from the options, one of which is mentioned in this article. Live your life and don't think about the neighbors.
If this doesn't work, search out other places to live and look at the placement of the windows in the buildings opposite the bedroom windows.
Above all, live and learn.
8
The comments here are wildly entertaining. Thank you all.
69
Go to Home Depot and get some privacy film
Very easy to put on yourwindows
Other than that go talk to the neighbors yourself
It’s not hard
14
The quickest way for the complainant to solve this problem, (particularly if s/he is grossly unattractive and/or morbidly obese) is to start walking around the bedroom buck naked, which s/he is perfectly within her/his rights to do. As long as s/he is not directing any lewd or lurid behavior toward the young neighbors, they have no more basis for complaint than if a bright garish light fixture was installed.
20
Actually the quickest way to solve this problem: mirrors. Once you see what you really look like naked, very likely you will be wearing clothes in the shower. :-)
1
@Vira The neighbors aren't complaining. The writer, who wants to walk naked, but doesn't want to draw her curtains fully, is complaining. It appears that the family hasn't noticed or doesn't care.
2
@Vira Only people with IQs below room temperature think that the neighbors are complaining.
I think their best bet is to move to the country.
12
" I asked our superintendent to speak to theirs about the situation, but he never heard back."
So...did she expect the neighbors to shut their blinds because SHE didn't want to? How privileged...
76
""My Neighbors Can See Into My Bedroom. What Can I Do?""
MOVE!!!
30
Buy fudging curtains, helpless dude. Next: cook if you are hungry. Do laundry if you run out of clean clothes.
6
@CCNY Send your neighbors some binoculars. Once they get a really good look at you, they will put up their own blinds or curtains.
3
There are some good solutions in the comments, but never say die, so I would suggest that if you want your neighbors to close their blinds then walk around nude. All the time. Also, perform intimate bodily functions on full display (come on! you need the light for those things). Guarantee you will get their attention.
16
What should the neighbors close their curtains? This dude is the one with the issue. It is his apartment that lacks privacy, something he should have noticed when visiting the place the first time. Next, he will rent a place next to the High Line and ask the city to build privacy walls?
5
First off, this is the goofiest question I've read in the Real Estate section, I think EVER.
I have never been partial to windows which allow the world to look in, without any kind of obstruction. The very basic of reasoning is to prevent anyone from knowing whether we are home or not, thereby making the house more vulnerable for burglary than ever.
But we also crave and enjoy natural lighting which is why we have always used wide blinds with sheer curtains behind them. We keep the privacy AND the daylight. And I just love the look of sheer curtains and blinds.
The possible solutions listed in this article are a no brainer for me. Can't believe this question could or would be a topic of discussion with the NYT readers.
30
@Marge Keller And you're joining in. I think so many of us are just in awe that the question was published in this column. One almost can't help but comment.
29
@WF
The subject matter practically cries for a response.
18
Solar mesh blinds obscure the view to whichever side of the window is brighter. When the neighbors have their lights on, the view will be obscured to your apartment so long as your lighting is dimmer.
There are also decorative window frosting films, some patterned with clear areas to let you see out, but they distract the eye from seeing further into your space (again, so long as the lights are dimmer in your place.) These would obscure the least daylight. The films are sold online and in big-box hardware stores.
6
Shortly after moving into a nice building in Paris 16e, our concierge came to see us. An "important person" living opposite our bedroom window had complained that we didn't make our bed in the morning, and it disturbed her to see that. We were prayed to kindly close our curtains during the day. It is one of our most precious memories.
68
I hope you did begin to make your bed.
A made bed is one of the signs of being a grownup.
No doubt I will get flack for this comment.
Perhaps someone will even suggest he can divine the size of my bank account from my comment.
I promise I will not respond.
20
@B. When I became an adult, I realized that I don't have to make my bed if I don't want to. And most days I don't want to!
43
@Repatriate I hope you went the opposite way and made more of a mess to disturb them. sheesh!
28
I got to say that blinds that open from the top and bottom is an easy, inexpensive, flexible solution offered by the columnist. Problem solved.
20
Hang sheer curtains on the bottom half of your window. You will still get light but they won't be able to see in. At night, you need heavy curtains not only to make your room dark for sleeping but to prevent your silhouette from being seen against your own room lighting.
8
Why don't you make an offer on that other apartment and then keep it empty after it's yours? If that doesn't suit, you can buy vinyl film that adheres to your window glass without adhesive, in many interesting, translucent designs (including faux frosted glass). It's about $20 a roll as I recall.
28
Oh, how I would love an update on this letter - and a comment from the people the LW is harassing.
30
Your super "never heard back" from the other super because he never actually asked, he just yessed you about it so you would think he did something. Instead, he LOLed to himself after this ridiculous request. We are all responsible for our own basic levels of privacy - if you're not comfortable with what your neighbors are seeing, you have to cover your windows in those intimate moments.
92
@Erika.
or cover himself.
2
SBuy a very powerful worklight (you can get one at Ace for 30$ or so), like those used by painters. Aim it carefully at the window across the way, and keep it on at all times. They don't take up much space, so it wouldn't cut down on the amount of light streaming into your apartment. This is certain to achieve your goal. It may have side effects, however.
13
There are many ways to block the lower half of the window. Maybe she doesn't like the children looking out, but they have the right to do so.
21
What a selfish person! She doesn't want someone looking in her bedroom she should solve the issue herself.
66
@John
A bit harsh. Whose window are you looking into?
2
For goodness' sake, you can buy Venetian blinds for $20. One twist of the wand or tug at the cord and you have complete privacy, partial sunlight, or full-on publication of your life to the neighborhood, as you choose.
50
There are so many ways you can let light in and at the same time block a clear view from the outside. A curtain with glass beads? Small mirrors? An opaque plastic shower curtain?
6
I'm shocked but not really that someone wants to keep their window open but doesn't want anyone to look in so everyone else has to close theirs. #entitled #privileged
102
I cannot believe this question was asked! How entitled are people?
53
Get curtains. Close them when you're nude. Open them when you're not.
63
She asked the super to ask the neighbors to close their shades so that she didn’t have to? Now that I’ve officially heard it all, may I suggest a privacy film. I just put one on the door of my new house. No one can see in, but it doesn’t block the light. It’s about 20 bucks on Amazon. You can still put a plant there too.
73
@Kelly Burgess I second this. My apartment windows face another building, and to get sunlight and privacy, I stuck removable window clings on the bottom half of my windows. The window clings have designs and blur images but still let in light. I also installed window sheers over my windows to let in diffused light and add more privacy.
22
You should fire the staff member who chose this question to publish. I’m thinking his/her supervisor, also. That is all.
71
@Carol This response is about as silly as the question. You've been watching too much Trump if you think people should be fired simply because you don't personally like their decisions.
23
@Carol
I'd say there's a better than even chance that the question was selected precisely because it was so self-centered and clueless.
44
@Carol -- I agree with you we can't ask our neighbors to close their windows so we can keep ours open. However the article and comments have some good suggestions on keeping one's space private while letting light in. This is something that I wonder about. I'm really glad to find it!
Them that walks nude need to keep the blinds down and shut. Period.
Now, if the writer was fully dressed and the neighbors were walking around buds, I'd say it's on the neighbors to get blinds and shut them.
.
21
"Buds"?
Bare-bottomed? Nude? Naked? What hath spellcheck wrought?
32
Why get Your building Superintendent involved? This is not his issue. Speak to the superintendent next door your self.
15
@frank monaco
Why is this an issue to any superintendent?
64
@frank monaco She's the one with a problem with the view. She should fix it by making changes to her own apartment, not expecting others to change theirs.
55
This basic question really needed addressing in the NYT? Seriously?
80
Please tell me this is not a real letter. Essentially - "I don't want my neighbors to see me, but I don't want to close my blinds. Therefore, my neighbors have to close their blinds". Is it really possible for some one to be this entitled??
209
@PM Co-op owner.
21
@PrairieFlax
Not just any co-op owner -- an Upper West Side co-op owner -- the very top of the entitlement scale...
51
@PM Unfortunately in today's society, yes, yes it is possible. Or more likely, probable.
15
If I dislike something I change it I do NOT expect the neighbor to fix it. We have simple sheer plain white long curtain panels that let in light but give our bedroom privacy.
43
This is NYC. We all live in close proximity to each other. Letter writer needs to learn to be tranquillo. "my neighbors kitchen is bright and they have family utilizing the respective space. How dare they!" If your modest then it's on you to install window treatments. If you are not modest then most people will just look away. One last point: if their kitchen is bright then they will not even be able to see into a dark bedroom.
34
Not only is the letter absurd - but the answer is nothing more than a thinly-veiled advertisement for Xandro Aventajado and his business - with a link to the website --
I wonder if the Times would provide me with free advertising -- or perhaps it wasn't free and there was quid pro quo involved --
But in any case - joining in the spirit of Upper-West-Side passive-aggressive neighbor tactics -- I suggest the letter writer buy one of those high-intensity spotlights - like the ones they use for film shoots - and beam it directly into their neighbors' window every time there's a privacy issue...
48
@Howard G The neighbors would have a legitimate complaint to this aggressive intrusion into their living space
1
Buy the blinds that adjust the whole length of the window and you can just have the bottom part covered. Then you get an all the light from the top. I just bought these for my whole house because I’m in a single-story and I want the light but the privacy at the same time.
23
Buy Window Film. Static Window film is easy to apply and can also easily be removed. You can cut it to size and it also has the benefit of letting in light while giving full privacy
24
@Carlos Ortiz
window film is useful, but not that easy to apply. (think wallpaper hanging.) window panes have to be carefully measured as does the film. lots of issues can occur, e.g., mismeasurement, wrinkles, bubbles. once applied, film does block prying eyes & glaring summer sun, but not the daylight. when the film is removed, it peels off easily. any vestiges of glue can be cleared with a quick spurt of window cleanser.
2
@vg rosenwald I admit, I'd tried to use the film in my Dallas condo but had a lot of problems (but admit, I was trying to get it attached to a sloping glass roof in the solarium. I'd say it was even harder than wallpapering but I can do that as well as a lot of 'professional' jobs I've seen. Either one requires patience, attention, and never, ever try to rush.
3
I live in a house. The nearest neighbors are over fifty feet away and that house is unoccupied. I still put down the blinds when I change clothes. It's really not that difficult.
97
I installed one-way mirror film on my bedroom windows. It is very effective during the day, but at night I have to close the shades if I want privacy.
13
Succulents need direct sunlight.
Ordinary 1-1/2” slat Venetian blinds, or even shutters with slats, can be tilted so that light comes from above into the room, but people across the way can’t see in.
23
@Michael c I used to see blinds sold by the premium blind companies like Bali, Levolor. Also a lot of companies that make custom cut blinds you can find onlin and in the NYC area. Look for Light Control blinds. A lot are made of fabric. Pick white or off-white to allow bright light in the room but maintains privacy.
7
Buy a cafe curtain and rod so that light can come in the top half of the window, but the occupants across the way cannot see you when they are seated at their dining table because the bottom half of your window is blocked by the cafe curtain. Alternatively, buy sheers which let ambient light through.
19
Really? Your neighbors can see into your apartment and you can see into theirs. You don't like this. And they have to fix it? What world does this person live in?
308
What a sense of entitlement. Why, pray tell, should the new neighbors have to adjust their living arrangements to accommodate you? They, according to you, are using their dining room in an appropriate manner. You, on the other hand, enjoy walking around “ seminude or worse”. Close your blinds or stay dressed.
220
@omedb261 Well, walking around nude in your bedroom is using it in an appropriate manner. The letter writer's attitude is the problem - not her attire.
14
Is this letter a joke? Why does the writer think the neighbors should change their window covering instead of himself changing his? [Or hers.]
166
You might consider stained glass panels hung in your window. These can be quite decorative and admit light. Non custom made units that might fill your window are available are reasonable cost online.
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@David
I have large panels of hand-made stained glass hanging in most of my windows, because I have wonderful views of the blank brick wall across the street.
10
This is entirely on the writer. Buy day/night cellular shades. You cannot expect your neighbors to close their blinds/curtains or not use their living room to grant you privacy.
83
Perhaps the way the questioner/s fix this would be to move out of New York City. Given their tone, however, I would hope they don't move into my neighborhood.
103
@C This is exactly what I thought. The LW is clearly not suited to live in a city, especially a big, high density one like New York.
19
Why does the letter writer think the neighbor should cover their windows to accommodate them? And to involve building staff in this is beyond me. Of course they haven't heard back and they won't. Cover your own windows if you want privacy or let the neighbors complain about your nudity or not.
138
You need to switch out your blinds to the kind the lowers from the top. That way you still get light, but you still get privacy. They are a bit more expensive, but worth it.
45
@Angmar Bokanberry that's what I have. They are sheer and let plenty of light in.
2
Hardware stores sell press-on window film that blocks views but not the light. With the film on, the windows look frosted. The film comes in large rolls and you cut to the size you need. Some brands are press-on and some brands require a bit of adhesive. In any case, when you move, you simply pull off the film, roll it up, and go. No damage done. I bought my window film at a big box store, but the product is available online and elsewhere.
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@Dee
I used to have a bottle of that spray-on stuff you use to make your windows look like they're frosted for Christmas. To remove, use a scraper.
Now I just use some wax paper taped to the lower part of the window. Incredibly cheap and held on with a little adhesive tape.
15
@Dee,
This sounds like a great idea! Even though I'm not sure the letter writer deserves to bask in their entitlement.
In 1985 I went to Dr. Kenneth Cahill, who specialized in infectuous diseases and had been NYS Health Commissioner, to get the appropriate vaccinations before a trip to India and Nepal. He had a corner office on the first floor of a Fifth Avenue apartment building in the sixties. The room nearest the street corner was an exam room. My point being, it had one way mirror windows !
It was a little weird to be watching Fifth Avenue trafffic while getting an injection in your hip, But I thought it was an ingenious design feature. From outside one just saw mirrors.
4