Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Creative privacy

One thing I have not adjusted to in my 22+ years of living in Holland is the lack of privacy. Houses here are built so on top of each other and I find it very irritating to be so seen by my neighbors but also to see them. I know everyone says it is because land is at a premium here but I think that is simply an excuse accepted by all. Land is split up by our city officials and they have created this high pricing. They receive huge amounts of money by pressing everyone into a small area. Only 15 to 20% of the land in this country is actually housing.

You have to become a bit creative to give yourself a feeling of privacy if you do want it. Others leave things wide open but I don't feel comfortable doing that. So when I went with a friend last week to visit this wonderful farm selling all kinds of brocante, I found two wonderful wrought iron window ornaments and knew these would help give me a feeling of some privacy in the guest room.


I have been toying with the idea of having a balcony railing made by the same man who made our gate. It would be very costly and I still wanted more privacy too. Using these window ornaments works for both ideas. I have the added touch I wanted with the upstairs window and I also get a little bit of an obstructed view in the windows.


This is a perfect example of what it is like in our road. Our neighbors and we look directly into each others homes. My neighbor keeps his windows whited out even which means it is not the prettiest of houses to look at either.


If you have a view from your home, take a moment today to really look at it and enjoy it. It is a blessing!


22 comments:

Suzann said...

I don't know if I could handle no privacy. I'd like to live on many acres of land so I could have more privacy!

Brigitta said...

First of all: I love those ornaments. And yes, I agree with you on the privacy bit. When I was married we lived in a cottage-style house for a while and that was bliss (oh how I miss that place) Now I live in a terraced house. It's not too bad at the front as the estate is in a u-shape and I live in the middel bit with lawn like bit of grass in front of me with some beautiful maple trees. At the back it's a different story. When you're upstairs you can look into all the gardens and homes. Well, at least I can close the curtain when it gets dark ;-)

Susan in SC said...

I love the privacy window ornaments - makes me want some of my own. Very pretty!!!

Nancy said...

That is a very cute idea. I have one problem here. Why did you say the guest room when referring to MY bedroom. HUMMMMMMMM. They look like a good find.
Love you, Mom

Anonymous said...

Wow, Heidi, those are some wonderful pieces.

Eric

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Very clever idea, Heidi...I love it!

Tone said...

Hi Heidi!
Long time, I have had a kind of blog-tiredness....
But today I found the time to sit down (and the teenagers is out of the house for a couple of hours, so then mum can have the laptop..hehe..)
The window ornament you bought was absolutely lovely!! I can understand your need for privacy...
I celebrated SinterKlaas yesterday...! Got a packet from Janneke, and it was such a surprise!
have a nice evening!
Tone

Judy said...

What a great idea Heidi. It would drive me crazy too. I love your windows now, they look so nice.

Mary said...

What a great find Heidi - these iron pieces are perfect in the window!!
I feel quite blessed with the views from my windows. My master bedroom and dining room windows face the cul-de-sac but there is a small but heavily wooded area on the far side so it's like looking at countryside - we don't face another house. My kitchen and living room face the back garden which is quite large and there are so many huge trees around in every yard adjoining us that it feels private and rural.

I'm glad you have Cranberry Cottage to escape to - now that's real countryside!!

Have a wonderful week. Tutned cold here - only 27 this morning, brrrrr!!!!

RoyalTLady said...

I Love your pictures...

Check it out in my blog...an award for you.

Carolien said...

This is a nice way to have more privacy, Heidi!

Have a nice day & hugs, Carolien

Tracy said...

Hi, Heidi! We have a very similar problem here in Norway. The excuse seeming to be that Norway is a long, but narrow country, so unless one lives very rurally on a farm with real property, we are all heaped on top of each other! Whether in our house or in our own garden we feel constantly on display--LOL! I come from America, land of open spaces...so this had taken getting used to, and I'm still not sure if I have yet! I like your ideas for creating more privacy...those window ornaments are really lovely. Can you come and help me with my privacy-decorating?! ;o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

Terri said...

That's a lovely solution Heidi!

Anonymous said...

Dear Heidi, My husband immigrated to the USA in 1952 and we try to make it back to his hometown of Bedum, north of Groningen, every year. Bedum is a very small town and one of the reasons I love it so is it's most interesting to walk around town at night passing by the "open" windows. I thoroughly enjoy your blog and it must have been quite an adjustment for you in the Netherlands. I myself am not Dutch but have learned much about the country and it customs. Best wishes!

Susan in SC said...

I've tagged you Heidi! Go to my blog to see the instructions. Thanks!

Pondside said...

Your pieces of iron seem to be a perfect compromise, Heidi. I remember (from when we lived near Heerlen) that most of the houses seemed 'wide open' at night - lights on and curtains pushed to the side. I know that I couldn't live on display like that! I also remember that most of those windows were beautifully decorated.
In reading your last post about Sinter Klaas I was taken back to my children's early Christmases. That is a tradition that we brought home with us, and to this day we fill shoes early in December - wee Declan's shoes will be on the porch this year too.

Sweetie said...

Heidi, I never thought that the houses in Holland were so close together. I really never thought what life in Holland would be like until I "met" your mother and you. I love the wrought iron window ornaments. I really would like to know more about life in Holland and, if I am not invading your privacy, am interested in knowing how Holland became your home. Also, I'm listing your blog as one that I follow.
Hugs,
Sweetie

Anonymous said...

Dear Heidie,
What a great idea to place the ornaments in front of your window ! It's really working i think, concerning your privacy.
No such problems in Cranberrie Cottage, i can image. Are you staying overthere this weekend ?? Or still working on paint jobs etc. :)
From the three of us: a lovely weekend.

PS. S. has to do another presentation (in english) on monday, sheis now one of the 4 last candidates, brrrh so exciting !

Tone said...

Friday night, fireplace, sofa, candellights and redwine...
Wishing you a nice weekend!
tone

Reginas Cottage said...

Hello Heid,
Your window ornament is so nice.It's
really a great idea.
I wish you a wonderful weekend!!!
HUGS, Regina

Amy Marie said...

Those are so pretty and look great in the room! You have such great decorating taste!

Dena said...

Hi Heidi,

I understand exactly how you feel. We live in a neighborhood where all of the houses are pressed very close together. I would love to live in the country with acres of land...maybe some day! Cheers to your creative solution :)

Hugs,
Dena