Expert: John Henry Architect - 11/15/2009

Question
Hello,
My husband and I are at odds about window height placement in our living room. The living room is adjoined to our kitchen and share the same exterior wall. He has raised the windows in our living room to counter depth height so from the exterior they will be symmetrical. (We are using four 5'x5' windows; 2 for the kitchen and 2 for the living room. I believe the windows should be normal height and if we have to have symmetry then place the windows below counter height in the kitchen and work around it.  Sunken window sills in the kitchen seems like less of problem then windows one can't see out of while seated in normal furniture or in some instances standing in the living room (I am 4'11"). These windows will never be opened because of their size. Also, I'm not a big fan of using bar height furniture in my home which is the only way someone could be seated and look out the living room windows. Am I being unreasonable or is there an interior solution to counter height window in a living room? What would you recommend?

Thank you, Amy--


Answer
Hi, if this is a symmetry issue, then what does the exterior of the house look like right now?  If you can send a jpg or bmp, etc. to johnhenry@cfl.rr.com I can better assess the question.
You may be able to use longer windows in the living room if the symmetry can be managed using trim or some other means on the exterior.  Unless the exterior facade on this wall is exactly symmetrical per the placement of the windows, then you may use different sizes.  Symmetry may also be compromised in some situations depending on the size, height, roof line, of the facade.

Bringing windows down below counter top height in the kitchen is not a good idea as food may get trapped there and difficult to clean, etc.

Please send a photo.

Thank you