Rebeccamom, there are so many people with the same dilemma, we should start a "show me your kitchen window" thread. I also have a finished kitchen with a naked window. While these are my backyard neighbors, I also live in New England and the window feels stark when the leaves come down. I just purchased Levolor cellular white blinds which they custom cut at the store and are really reasonable. It is still in the box and awaiting DH's next day off. I thought it would still give me the naked look, but could pull it down on those cold evenings that have already started. I saw some custom roman shades online at jcpenny, but I need to call to find out if I can get fabric samples.

thank you, I'm leaning toward Sherwin Williams as they have a 30% off this week.

maackia(Zone 4): If you are really putting this up to a vote, my vote is to keep it. But then, I prefer the "wooded look" to the "formal" look. I go for the majesty of a big old tree rather then something exotic with perfect form. If you decide to take it down later, you can always do it later. Only reason I can see to do otherwise is of you need to clear the space to plant a replacement, or if the tree looks much worse in person. davidrt28 (zone 7): Didn't notice your question. White pine look amazing in the woods up here. I've seen great looking rows of old white pine along the property lines of old farms and parks. Young white pine look great in suburbs. Old ones in suburbs can be problematic. In the woods they kind of screen each other from the wind, and no one much cares if they drop branches. In the open they are more vulnerable to wind, and people freak out if a tree near the house drops branches. A white pine grown in the open can go through an "ugly duckling" phase while they decide whether they really need to lose those lower branches (as they would in the woods) when they have all that light. The transition from the perfect Christmas tree to the majestic limbed up forest giant can look homely if you have to see it out your kitchen window every day. Also they are just too big for most suburban lots.

Thanks! It's in Aruba! It looks like you're a window expert...do you have a suggestion as to whether we should go with 3% or 5%? I was planning to go with the white light-filtering roller shades.