Privacy issue in Stoneybrook Model Courtyard Villa
 

I recently bought a corner lot Villa with a slight twist in the floor plan. All three bedrooms are on the same side vs most models with guest bedroom on opposite side of the hall.

When I stand in my bedroom, I'm in direct sight line of the front door, which is glass. I was horrified when I first noticed this and am looking at options. And before you say that there is no way anyone could really see into the house that far, I sent my husband out front at night while I stood in bedroom with a lamp on and he could easily see how many fingers I was holding up. This is a horrible design/floor plan issue.

Anyone else have this same variation of a Stoneybrook, and if so, how did you solve this issue? I don't want to keep the bedroom door closed day and night (and I wouldn't remember to anyway). Only thing I can think of is either a shade for the door (which would not look great) or a solid door replacement.

Still can't believe they built this floor plan with a glass front door. thoughts?

Have the glass frosted which should give you the privacy you are looking for.

glass
 

You can buy a applique from Decorative Films, LLC. Decorative Films - Decorative Window Films, Stained Glass, Privacy. I've seen them installed, very beautiful.

You can go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some press on decorative film, mentioned above, and it makes the glass look frosted. We had clear panels on each side of our front door in Hadley and only used the film when we would go back to Ohio when we were snowbirds.

Thanks, everyone for the feedback. I don't want anything too busy - as far as decals because the door is already very decorative leaded type glass and very ornate. The option of the screen/room divider is one I thought of, but due to location, it would be in a very awkward place. I will give it some more thought though.

Fred, I don't agree that my "lack of imagination" is the issue. The front door and side light (side light is out of sight line) are very nice and decorative but has some clear glass portions easily seen through. I have a great imagination, but don't want to "junk" up my lovely new home with a strange window treatment. I was just wondering if I'm the only one with this strange layout and wanted to see what others have done.

Are solid entry doors even permitted here? Not sure what that would even look like?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I appreciate the help.

Perhaps you could put the frosted film in just the areas with the clear glass, this would keep your stained glass effect intact, and block the line of sight.

Do your neighbors have a similar situation as you do? Maybe you could ask them what they did to take care of this issue. I think the idea of the "frosted" glass-look-film would be lovely! Still lets the light in and noone can "see". Yes, there are solid doors in T.V. ---there are many. We have one ourselves and sometimes I wish we had your delimma of having a window in it.

I will ask neighbors as I meet them. I'm going to look into the frosting as well. Thanks!

I wold hesitate to put a solid door in. Think how much light you would be blocking. Our house is oriented east (back) and west (front). In the afternoon our kitchen gets dark, and we appreciate the light coming through the door window. Of course, you could always put a sun tube in. We personally don't care for the white-type light that comes through the sun tubes.

A fabric shade that could be left up during the day and lowered at night would be my choice. We had small-pleat fabric shades on our windows in MI that could be raised from either top or bottom. Loved them.

They have PLAIN film, not like stained glass, no color, no design, no swirls, just a frosted look and it goes on, and it comes off. You can reuse it time and time again.

Artscape 36 in. x 72 in. Etched Glass Decorative Window Film-01-0122 - The Home Depot

CFrance, I'm looking into a honeycomb type pleated blind that will stay raised during the day and come down at night. It isn't too bulky when pulled up - at least not as bad as some options.

Gracie I will def. go check out the frosted idea - sounds viable especially if I can remove and replace ocassionally!

I've got to ask this this since no one else has, did you buy the villa sight unseen, as is the way we bought our home, and not discover this until you moved in?

The film is the way to go, we put it in the sidelights of our door in KC to keep people from looking into the home.

Well, we saw it in person first. But, you know, when you are looking through the rooms and they are far back from the front door, you just don't think to look at things like that. The Master Bedroom is even down a short hall way with a turn - but, as I said, even with that - it is still a straight shot to the front door.

It would not have stopped us from buying - as the villa has a large expansion, over sized lot and tons of upgrades - it is just an oddity. I am curious to see if there are any others with this configuration.

I think the film will be best option - and I guess even though the sidelight is not really the issue, I will put film on that as well to keep it looking nice and consistent.

We had honeycomb blinds in another FL home and found them to accomplish our (and your) purpose very well

I would go with solid door. A door with glass is so easy to break into, just break a little glass and reach inside and unlock it. JMHO

Shimpy, If we did elect to go with a solid door, what about the side light? Someone could just as easily break that and turn the inside door lock.

I think the leaded decorative doors are beautiful and do add light, but in my model, you do feel exposed as you walk through the home. I can't even pretend that I'm not at home for the door to door solicitors, as I can't cross from one room to another without being seen. LOL

I admit I'm used to a solid door with a peephole. I could always see who is ringing the bell without letting on I'm home.

I'm torn on which way to go but think the frosted vinyl will solve the immediate privacy problem for now. I just keep thinking about all of my UPS packages and the UPS delivery guy getting a shock!

Thanks again everyone.

I agree with CFrance. A simple and elegant solution.

:22yikes: Don't worry, the UPS guys have probably seen everything on their routes.

Just remember to close the bedroom door. A curtain on the door might work.

The frosted glass "contact paper" is a nice option. We have seen it used and it does look just like frosted glass.

We opted for a solid door. The glass options are lovely, but I would always feel as though I were being watched. Ours is a very nice 6 panel door. We had a "rain glass" sidelight which makes it impossible to see inside, while still letting light pass through.

I'm really not paranoid. I just don't like the idea that someone could be at the front door watching inside with out our knowledge. I guess we need a dog! LOL!

We have fabric shades on our front door. They work great for blocking the view of the inside from the outside. You just need to remember to put it down when you want privacy.

In the last home I had I had that side light replaced with glass blocks. It let light in but wasn't going to be broken. In another home with the same side glass I installed another dead bolt lock that could only be opened with a key from the inside. I put the key on a nail far away from the side light. This gave me security that someone couldn't reach inside and unlock the door, but I could in an emergency open the door from the inside.
I'm more concerned with security than how it looks even though I really like the looks of the glass doors, but impractical.

I have frosted my front door with the spray that comes from an aerosol can. You can tape off all areas you don't want frosted, and when you are tired of it, it scrapes off. It looks like the real thing and costs very little. The more you apply, the more opacity you get.