Do You Use Window Films?
Okay so I want to talk about window films for a moment. They’re often called window decals in the states, but over here window films it is. I was just talking to my friend Yvonne who wants to apply films to her glass doors and funny thing is, I’m currently looking to do the same thing for a few windows in my home that don’t face the most pleasing of views. My guest bathroom overlooks a light shaft and my entryway way transom window above my door could use a pretty touch, it’s a bit boring.
It’s time to go from idea to execution, so I’m surfing the web tonight for my options and I keep going back to Emma Jeffs. I REALLY wanted Otto but it’s sold out so I’m trying to decide on another pattern.
Do you use window films? If so, why and where did you get yours? How do you like them?
(images: emma jeffs)
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Flickr
LinkedIn
November 7th, 2011 at 11:35pm
Yes! We have just plain frosted ones on our basement bathroom window, which was at street-level (you can see it here: http://ourcornerhouse.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/second-bath-facelift-episode-1/), on our front door and on our back door.
These ones with the designs are really cool, though. Don’t recall having any fun options like those at our local hardware store. Took a peek on the Emma Jeffs site and I really like Orba!
November 7th, 2011 at 11:41pm
I’m looking forward to all of your/your readers suggestions as I have been looking for a window film for a bathroom window! Perfect timing for this post!
November 7th, 2011 at 11:45pm
I’ve never used window films myself, but I think these are a great idea! I really love the examples you’ve shown here – they’re light and playful, enhancing the window without distracting from it.
AJ´s last [type] ..Holiday Shopping Card
November 7th, 2011 at 11:48pm
I have a plain frosted film running across the borrom third of my bedroom window. The room faces the street and this just helps [a little] with modesty … and obscuring my neighbours’ view of me taking photos of my craft projects on my bedside table!
I bought the film from IKEA a couple of years ago, but those patterned ones you’ve shown are so lovely + tempting!
Julie :-)
Julie Kirk´s last [type] ..Purple Phase: Using purple in my bedroom
November 7th, 2011 at 11:49pm
We installed something similar, we glued (white glue, which dries clear) lokta paper onto our first floor office windows for privacy. The paper is semi-transparent and looks good, but these would have saved us much time!
November 7th, 2011 at 11:57pm
I have often thought of using films & I really like these, particularly the floral one at the top. It looks like eyelet! It seems like a sanitary and pretty solution for my bathroom.
Thanks for posting this and thank you for your fabulous, marvelous class!!! I learned SO MUCH! It will take me until BYW 2.0 to implement everything I’ve learned. I can’t wait until April! Thanks again Holly!
November 8th, 2011 at 12:12am
i used film, not so pretty as these, in a couple of windows on our london flat to give us some privacy (say it like you’re english). i did wonder if they have to go on flat glass? i have a couple of windows in more modern parts of our country cottage that are already textured for privacy, but not in a good way! however i suspect the films wouldn’t stick to them. x
November 8th, 2011 at 12:31am
I spied some privacy decals in photos of Shanna Murray’s booth at a gift show earlier in the summer and have been anxiously awaiting for them to appear in her shop.
They do not appear to be a ‘full sheet’ type of coverage–but they look very interesting from what I have peaked at in the photos.
If you scroll down a bit on the August 16th entry you can see:
http://shannamurray.typepad.com/shanna_murray/page/2/
I need some options for some smaller windows-so am reading everyone’s comments as well.
Janice
Janice´s last [type] ..holiday 2011: display curio
November 8th, 2011 at 12:48am
I used the Ikea ones on my windows. They held up for 6 years and counting. however we destroyed the bathroom window film and now i found out that Ikea does not sell them any more.
lets´s last [type] ..Nipple
November 8th, 2011 at 1:26am
No, but I want too! I hate how everyone can see us walking around our house through the windows on either side of the front door, and I don’t want to use curtains. I haven’t found that perfect film yet though. Most that I’ve seen are too plasticy.
Jessica Senti´s last [type] ..{Holiday Giveaway} Wrapping Paper Kit
November 8th, 2011 at 1:43am
I have film on my multi-pane front doors. I love it. All panes are frosted except one, which is http://www.purlfrost.com/orderpage.php?code=NTA4&type=green&custom=&image=images/bespoke%20designs/nature/nta4_big.jpg&image2=images/bespoke%20designs/nature/nta4_pattern.jpg
I really wish I had added a little more allowance when measuring. The panes ended up being a hair too small. Luckily, it somehow works.
November 8th, 2011 at 1:43am
Huh, I literally have never heard of or seen these before…besides the ugly car one’s you use to keep the sun out a kiddos eyes in the back seat…once again something new and bright over here! I’ll have to check these out…
Jenni´s last [type] ..Quick Ideas for Decorating With Mint Green!
November 8th, 2011 at 1:55am
Yes, infact I just hung the Black film in the 3 windows by my front porch. I was so tired of nosey people knocking on my front door and then walking to the windows and peaking in to see why no one was answering! LOL
I like the graphic ones you have posted. Oh, I bought my black ones at Lowe’s..on sale!
Stephanie Buckeye V.A.´s last [type] ..Published Author & Coach: 10 Blog Ideas to Increase Relationship Marketing
November 8th, 2011 at 2:27am
I’ve used window film in the bathrooms of two of my apartments. It’s perfect for letting light in while hiding the line of site. The pictures you posted are lovely! I got mine at a hardware store in a stoke “square” pattern. It did the trick, but now I want to see about getting prettier designs for my next house!
Emilie
November 8th, 2011 at 2:48am
golly! Window film has come a long, long way from what I recall seeing as a child!! Thank you for sharing these inspiring images and reintroducing me to this super cool design element! who knew?!! btw- I love “otto” too. will they restock soon? I’d try to hold out for it if I were you….
November 8th, 2011 at 2:57am
I actually had one custom-made years ago to fit our side door that leads down to my graphic design studio. I used my icon and logo typography and chose a cut vinyl with an etched glass look. Turned out great! I really should get a new one made, though, since I updated my logo last summer :)
November 8th, 2011 at 3:21am
I put plain ordinary- not pretty- film in a dining room window that looks into my neighbours kitchen window. We are both happy for it. Never have I done such a smart thing in this house! It’s so great that I wish I hadn’t waited to do it and MAN! if I had pretty stuff I would do an even happier dance. Highly recommend it.
November 8th, 2011 at 3:30am
Yes! My house is an older home in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. It’s originally a two bedroom house, but we converted the dining room into a bedroom. There were already sliding pocket doors in the entrance, however, the top of the doors had see through window panes. We used window decals, or films, in order for the bedroom to have more privacy. I’ve loved them!
Ally´s last [type] ..Joy
November 8th, 2011 at 3:59am
The Orba is available in the US at 2jane.com. I like that one the best too. Perhaps you can have it shipped.
Jessa´s last [type] ..give thanks for great cooking tools
November 8th, 2011 at 7:08am
Found Otto for sale here:
http://www.homefurnitureandpatio.com/EJ1002-W-sku/15356/Emma-Jeffs-Adhesive-Film-Otto-Moroccan-Tile.html
I personally LOVE window film, especially in these great patterns!
November 8th, 2011 at 8:09am
I love the idea of these! I wonder if my new rental will let me use them…
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!´s last [type] ..Maps and Velvet
November 8th, 2011 at 8:14am
I don’t have the need for any but Iwould love to use the one that is the fabulous map of Amsterdam. I think it is a UK company as I have seen it in a coupe of mags here.
November 8th, 2011 at 8:28am
I’m so curious to see what people post here b/c we have been using a thin white giftwrap material to block the light…on our glass-panelled bathroom doors. Yeah. Totally need to get real window films for those doors!
Holly, I actually saw some at my local Xeno’s the other day (Dutch dollar/cheap store type of place here in Germany). I was rushing out to catch a bus and didn’t get a good look, but am planning on going back, so if you have one nearby you might check. Xeno’s has often surprised me in the past with some adorable products, so you never know!
Juliette´s last [type] ..3 DIYs I’m dying to try
November 8th, 2011 at 9:01am
Our living room and front bedroom each have one huge window that face the west…and also the street. Keeping the blinds closed keeps the peerign eyes of neighborhood kids, and little old ladies out – but it keeps the sunlight out also. boooo!
These window films would be a great idea for the bottom half of our windows. Since it’s winter I want to take advantage of as much natural light as I can.
julia @ Simpletruths´s last [type] ..Crochet doily rug
November 8th, 2011 at 10:34am
Hi Holly I have my eye on this one (http://www.amazon.com/Lace-Window-Film-Contact-Paper/dp/B001B0529M/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1EBSLHYBK4703&colid=QO9FYLXZVJRH) – maybe another company for you to try. J x
Jane´s last [type] ..Some Saturday soul food: Mark Twain
November 8th, 2011 at 10:55am
I used a window film in the pane above our front door. It wasn’t a decorative one but it had the house number cut out of it. I got it from brume.co.uk and it was nice and easy to install. They do have decorative ones too.
November 8th, 2011 at 11:29am
Hi Holly , yes had a run with Otto so at the moment I am out of stock. But the good news is that it will be in stock from November 21st and I am really pleased to announce that from the 21st my window film designs will be on a new Non PVC and Phthlate Free material. It is something I have been working on for a long time now so I am delighted to be able to offer the films with fewer plasticizers for a greener world. You can also buy the films in the USA from http://www.2jane.com Bests Emma
November 8th, 2011 at 11:39am
I love the windows in my original mid-century modern front door. I don’t love that you can look through them into my bathroom. Frosted film lets me keep thr windows visible instead of covering them with curtains.
November 8th, 2011 at 11:56am
well, I was thinking on the same solution for my front living room window. I have ordered the sample pack from Emma Jeffs two weeks ago! I want to be sure how it looks like and if it is possible to see through it when you get close.
November 8th, 2011 at 3:23pm
I have used window films quite a few times, from the local hardware store, in different rentals we have lived in.
We currently have a Moire pattern which almost looks like rain.
We’re using it on one of those slim windows beside the front door, but I left an empty edge around each one, just big enough so you can see who’s out there and as our house is on a bit of a hill I also used it on the bottom 1/4 of our living room windows and we are getting more for our sliding glass back door which looks out onto an alleyway.
I have never seen patterns like this though, love love love that one with the little houses!
November 8th, 2011 at 4:09pm
I was going to recommend pulfrost but someone already has. Another recommendation from me is http://www.brume.co.uk/ They have really nice designs. I used the plain Ikea ones in my previous home and cut squares in it using a very sharp scalpel. It was the cheaper option as I was a tenant and didn’t want to spend to much. It looked just like the expensive ones ;)
November 8th, 2011 at 5:55pm
I found otto on sale here on the top of the page it says the promo code and this works:
http://www.myurbanchild.com/shop-by-brand%21/emma-jeffs/ I purchased it for my little girls room about a month ago and the windows look great.
November 8th, 2011 at 6:41pm
You can also buy otto here: http://www.myurbanchild.com/EJ1002-W-sku/7464/Emma-Jeffs-Adhesive-Film-Otto-Moroccan-Tile.html
November 8th, 2011 at 8:39pm
Check out these, by Dutch Haikje.
http://www.haikje.nl/raamstickers.php
November 8th, 2011 at 8:55pm
I had simple plain ones before. When I lived in a flat where lights from cars come in, and where neighbours could see everything.. So I had some then. But here in Bergen, not so many good looking films to get… I love the flower pattern, the rest.. Well.. Not for me :)
Ege Denne´s last [type] ..Tåke..
November 8th, 2011 at 9:19pm
I think these are a must for a bathroom window. I love the ones you’ve found. It’s nice to see some that aren’t roses!
Michelle´s last [type] ..I’m on Pinterest
November 8th, 2011 at 10:08pm
I follow this blog and he is a monster DIYer in rented apartments on a student’s budget no less. VERY inspirational! Anyway he did this cool thing using fabric to privatize some interior doors. http://manhattan-nest.com/category/diy/page/2/
November 8th, 2011 at 10:26pm
Hi Holly,
actually I do have one in my bathroom because I didn’t want the entire window in frosted glass. I got this one from Dawanda seller Create and Wall custom fit to my window and it worked out nicely. Love the ones by Emma though!
http://de.dawanda.com/product/2649838-Windowtattoo-Branches—Milchglasbeklebung—Sa
Cheers,
Swenja
November 8th, 2011 at 10:35pm
I recently tried using fabric with simple cornstarch to screen out a window which worked amazingly well. Free and simple, just using stuff around the house. You could use patterned fabric or paper for this as well…like that white, lacy japanese mulberry paper…and it would be a fraction of the cost of those patterned films!
See a tutorial here: http://winstonsroost.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/anti-social-screening
It is SUPER easy and very forgiving! You can peel it back up and reposition as often as necessary. Also, just wet down to remove, so perfect for rentals.
Winston´s last [type] ..One Shot Wonders
November 8th, 2011 at 10:56pm
I was thisclose to buying the Otto film for my old bedroom window – we had installed a little unopenable window above our bed which was great for light; not so great for privacy. So I wanted the Otto but at the last moment, thought I’d try stencilling it. So I did – I loved the result, though in hindsight i’d probably have used plain frosted film and painted the film, not the window so the parts inbetween would be frosted still (and easier to remove!). but this way i got a pattern i wanted – and really, you could easily make any pattern by making your own stencil. just a thought! You can see the result here (scroll down for one of the later pics to see it better) http://thehappyhomeblog.com/?p=2167 xx
belinda´s last [type] ..more christmas crafts to try
November 8th, 2011 at 11:03pm
Our house is located directly at the pavement, and to prevent that everybody can see our family life through the window, we applied a strip of (undecorated) window film in our living room. I am also thinking about buying some more quirky variants for our bedroom windows. The ones by Haikje are very pretty (www.haikje.nl).
I also use window film for decoration purposes. A plain vase gets a whole new look by applying some film! (like here: http://irideeen.blogspot.com/2010/11/folie.html )
x Iris
Iris´s last [type] ..Gitte Kjaer
November 9th, 2011 at 9:59pm
I desperately wanted to use Emma Jeffs Otto style on my French Doors, but it was too expensive to cover so much space. Instead I went with plain frosted films from the hardware store for about $20. I plan to draw a design on them myself with a few white paint markers.
Addison´s last [type] ..Spare Bathroom Reveal – 3rd Floor
November 11th, 2011 at 6:08pm
I LOVE Studio Haikje’s lace inspired window film, but recently spotted another lace film on a shop window. I found out it’s from Kitch Kitchen, a Dutch company as well (it’s here http://tinyurl.com/7q89kxq ) (and you can by it here for example: http://tinyurl.com/csgkoee )
I took a picture of the window where I spotted it, which is here: http://flic.kr/p/aDP35J and here http://flic.kr/p/aDP3rw
Pretty cute too, no?
November 18th, 2011 at 8:25pm
While I like window film because it’s offering privacy, I want to be able to see what’s happening outside. I had window film on my dining windows and took them off( pain !!). What I did instead, is a faux patterned window film created with frosted glass spray paint. It offers some privacy, let’s the light in, and creates movement. You can see it here: http://blog.art-for-your-walls.com/2011/10/my-stenciled-frosted-glass-windows.html
Please disregard the rest of the room; there is so much I have to change in it :)
November 26th, 2011 at 12:03am
I have never thought to use window film. This is an awesome way to make changes to a room for a very personal and jazzy touch. Awesome site design!
Mr MakingUsmile
Mr MakingUsmile´s last [type] ..Recess Satisfies the All Work and No Play Mentality
December 7th, 2011 at 7:01pm
These are a godsend for ground floor flats – Ive just used the Ikea one in the past, but the ones in this post are stunning.