No window treatments are going to give "total darkness" Anyone who sells you something and says it will is a liar. Even the best blackout shades installed with side channels will block (maybe) 90% of the light coming in a window. Call a local professional to come out to your home with samples to look at. Best options will probably be a double-cell honeycomb shade or a roller shade.

This might sound a bit like being on the fence given the advice you've had already... How about a mid to dark grey ( less contrast than black), RAL 7022 is a favourite of mine (warmer grey), or look at a green grey, as something that will have the colour of the olive, with a good amount of contrast against the white render, (you won't have the warm rich colours of the brickwork as in the photos above (which the olive looks good against)). If you are painting the timber windows you would do well to look at microporous opaque stains to reduce your on-going maintenance. A benefit of aluclad composite windows is colour outside can be factory supplied different to the interior finish. Hope this might help. Regards, Nick

How about painting out all your wood and windows a charcoal grey, not gloss. Then maybe a light blueish grey paint for over the render. I think it will look v smart

Hi, It looks like you have two tilt and turn windows on either side. This restricts a lot of treatments if you want to keep the space open for furniture or window seat..etc. You could put pre-tensioned pleated blinds on each glazed section. These can be operated top down or bottom up. The problem with pleated blinds is that they are very functional but they will not dress the window very well, but perfect for privacy and heat and light control. Kind Regards Anita