Chloe

Do you plan to have a window covering there?

If so make it to cover the small section of wall as well

Or paint the left side wall and the window wall in one colour, and the right side wall a different

colour or lighter shade of the main colour

I love the lights that julie suggests, especially the first one - that fitting will give some lovely, watery shadows when the lights are on

Chloe, it certainly doesn't look that great, understand your concern :(......a floor to ceiling sheer curtain perhaps?? What's the external cladding/finish? Either way it will involve some type of cost...considering it's the entry I'd actually be asking the question what would it take to centralise it? Or is the window offset for a reason due to the external proportions?

That window offset would annoy me every time I went down the stairs. Two suggestions:

1) Consider window furnishings that are wider than the window and run the full width across from corner to corner.

2) Get a custom made, frameless mirror, which is the same height and width of the window and hang it in the left hand corner wall at right angles to the window, aligned with the window. This will have the affect of doubling the width of the window and looking more symetrical as the other half is a reflection.

I would also check your plans to see that it was actually designed with the offset, or if it is actually a builder's set-out error. It happens.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Dr Retro House Calls

Did someone move a wall and forgot about the window? Julie's lights are perfect. What do you look at from that window, street view?

I would be asking to have that window replaced with a wider one, that would be the easiest fix so as not to have to pack out the other side.

I agree with siriuskey - is there any way the window could be replaced with a wider one so it is even? At the moment it just looks like a bad mistake. You could detract from it a bit with the light fittings suggested but I don't think any of those will be very cheap!! Far better to spend the money fixing up the real problem.

i have to disagree with everyone else and say that i like the asymmetrical window position and would actually paint the walls in a strong colour to draw attention to the difference but, if you don't love it, consider a window covering that is as wide as the whole wall, maybe sheer venetians or roman blinds or shutters or if you want to spend more money a decorative glass might be exciting and definitely add an asymmetrical pendant light

This is a new build, so you shouldn't need to be asking this question, someone has made a big in your face mistake and it needs to be fixed and not covered up.

I think a photo of the exterior of the window would give us a better understanding of why it is off centre There may be a structural reason for it being like that

At this stage of the build changes may not be possible

The asymmetry is a quirk of your new house - it's developing personality already!!

Say it's a wabi sabi feature and enjoy its character

Other situations where the owners have embraced the wabi sabi

Notice that lighting is used to distract the eye

Marrickville House 2 · More Info

Asymmetrical Overhaul · More Info

Leschi Residence · More Info

If this window were to be placed symmetrically, the building would look 'naff'

This way it shows character

when we consider asymmetry we have to think about overall BALANCE in regards to the space.........asymmetry is actually quite important and offsetting certain elements is often what is required/looks better than centralising perfectly......there is however big difference to the examples above that demonstrate deliberate, controlled and considered asymmetry as opposed to the window that has initiated this discussion, that is most likely a stuff up or a builder's lazy "oh she'll be right" thing, rather than a conscious "design decision" to be offset......if you were going to offset a window in a narrow space like this, it would be more balanced and offset like a 50/50 or 1:3 ratio and articulated as a design feature..........this is a bit like a Get Smart: "Missed it by THAT much....." ......it doesn't have to be much - it's only a small100mm difference one way or the other here between what we see in the photo, and what alternatively could be a far more balanced result....good Luck Chloe :) PD

This has nothing to do with Wabi Sabi. It's a monumental mistake

siriuskey

Wabi sabi is the enjoyment of errors, breakages, muck-ups, cracks, wrinkles and the nature of the world to give us 'less than perfect'

You have the ability to use strong words when a soft approach would do -I'll take that as your wabi wabi piece in your nature, and allow you your opinion

Give me the same respect for my opinion, as that is what this forum is for

It's only a window

Paul Di Stefano

Yes, you are right about BALANCE being important in the use of asymmetry- I did the uni course too!!

On some occasions the styling that comes after building is what gives the BALANCE

Take picture 1 that I posted

The window on its own is poorly balanced It is the painting and the placement of the light fitting that give the BALANCE

In pictures 2 the furnishings and, again, the light fitting is what gives the BALANCE

In picture 3, obviously it has been intentionally built that way. Consider how it looks inside!??!

Consider also that half the Arab world is blown to smithereens - does a lop-side window matter THAT much?

very well said Julia... i would rather ask the builder and maybe find that the so called builders' error is a result of a design flaw where someone hasn't allowed for the thickness of an internal wall or there's been a late change to the original design or a million other possibilities ...sometimes we need to take a breath and decide what's most important but if Chloe doesn't like it that's more than enough reason to ask the builder about changing the window, the wall framing and external wall cladding and then i imagine that we'll forever wonder if it's worth all the extra effort and expense...hope Chloe gets the result that she wants despite what we all say

...........projects are never perfect. Mistakes happen, opinions vary, perceptions/expectations on various details can be misaligned.....it's somewhat delicate business managing these situations that involve costs, outcomes & varying degrees of opinions from different parties involved....... there are of course varying solutions.......everything is always in perspective and I think we can all agree that issues discussed/debated on this forum are exclusively First World problems & in perspective pale into insignificance relative to the bigger world problems................but back to this, the only person who can make that call is Chloe...she asked a question, we've thrown in some (hopefully helpful) and all relevant, although slightly varied, considered advice & opinions ;)

Hi Chloe, The Houzz forum is where you can gain some great inspiration and help from all Houzzers.

You may or may not like all comments but that's a forum and honesty is foremost with me. You asked about your offset window which is in a prominent position and will be viewed many times every day.

Even with any of the lovely Pendant lights that Julie Herbert has suggested the window will still be wrong.

Are you willing to give us more info on how the window came to be like it is and what does it look like from the outside.

As I have already mentioned this is a new build and you shouldn't have to accept a fault like this, someone, the designer or builder has made a mistake and needs to fix it, that is unless you approve of it as it is and are happy to try and work around it which is a shame. Very much looking forward to seeing more photos of your new home

the cheapest option to centre the window would be to move the short left hand wall

We have a framed copy of this in our home.

I don't think the cost and effort to change it will be worth it. I remember seeing it in the plans but not putting too much thought into it. the window is at first floor height, so there is quite a drop below it - so lots of wall and gyprock!

thank you all for your passionate responses. I do like the idea of multiple pendants at different heights etc which is what I was investigating before posting.

Hi Chloe, After a chat with my better half last night who thankfully loves my cracks and crevices , it would appear that this is not a new build but a renovation/extension which would account for the the window being off center and that you and your builder/designer had agreed to.

Julie Herbert's lovely light suggestions would certainly help make this window look like it was meant to be. Would love to see your new light fitting installed

its's such a relief to know the facts... thanks for explaining the real origin of the problem and i'm sure everyone will be very keen to see the finished product, best of luck with your new home

Chloe I missed your second post saying that it is a new build. The important thing now is that you are happy with the house and move on with the rest.

Thanks LF, This copy came off Pinterest/ Wabi Sabi, there's lots to choose from, I love it and haven given framed versions to special friends. Hope you find it,

Unfortunately, that’s just poorly resolved design detail.....Is it the end of the world? No, but it could have easily been avoided with some design competency & care.......potentially understandable on a reno, but on a new build you NEVER should have to deal with thinking about how to strategically select/ position say a pendant or curtain in order to counterbalance such an obvious problem.......

but seems to not have been a lazy builder

I feel sorry for the builder who was left without a choice to do the right thing with the building, I can't say that I know any builder that would be happy having to show a window like that.. Who designed the house?

Dreamer, It's not unusual for a door to be set to one side to allow for a wider opening into the entrance, ie: door opens up against the wall. as yours does, makes sense to do that.

3DA that could work to help cover this problem

It looks nice, and actually matches with the door.

Absolutely gorgeous Chloe, so glad you did pendants, looks beautiful.

Yes I noted the door placement back in October 2018, therefore I didn't think the window was an issue. Turned out to be wonderful. Great pendants.

That looks great Chloe! The off centre window is barely noticeable!