Pleated shades can both provide privacy, let light in

Karmen Ng spent 11 years in marketing, strategic communications and management before turning to interior design, and it turns out that he may have made the right decision. San Jose Mercury News reports that Ng won the 2009 Metropolitan Home of the Year Award for his work on a multi-level contemporary home in Berkeley, California.

While the home is nestled very close to neighboring buildings, the 3,100-square-foot residence offers Ng and his family spaciousness without sacrificing an urban lifestyle. Perhaps the most impressive room of his house is the living room. According to the news source, the area is anchored by an elegant fireplace that is complemented by midcentury furniture and lighting.

Additionally, the dining room is one of the highlights, as Ng made use of clerestory windows to provide soft illumination while maintaining privacy.

"Given the constraints of this lot, it made sense to use this technique to preserve our privacy while allowing in natural light," Ng told the news provider.

Homeowners who may be faced with the same dilemma should consider hanging pleated shades. Along with adding an appealing aesthetic to a room, pleated shades can be easily adjusted to allow sunlight in or increase privacy.