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Well, for one thing, quality window coverings are freakin expensive. Mine cost ~ $6k (3 small rooms).

The CC&Rs do regulate window coverings to an extent. And especially with the tinted windows in buildings these days the window coverings are far less noticable. I've never heard of someone looking walking by The Brannan or Watermark and saying "My god, look at the mistmatched window coverings" since the window tint is dark and the coverings are a similar color.

My CC&Rs only allow us to put window coverings that have white on the side facing out. It can be any color you want inside but the white on the outside keeps the building looking uniform.

There is nothing worse that seeing a luxury building where some pig pins a torn leapord sheet or faded pink sheet up to block the sun.

I've never heard of someone looking walking by The Brannan or Watermark and saying "My god, look at the mistmatched window coverings" since the window tint is dark and the coverings are a similar color.

I do all the time. Check out 199 New Montgomery. Looks like crap.

The CC&Rs regulate the Brannan buildings and Watermark.
At Infinity, they will only allow white facing out, no weird patterns either. I would imagine most highrises condos have the same regulations...

A few other things that should not be allowed:

1) Cheap white lawn furniture on the balconies.
2) Hanging wet laundry over the railing or clotheslines.
3) Storing crap including bicycles on the balcony.

I would have to agree with the JustQuotes comment above. My parents have been heavy investors in downtown Vancouver over the last seven years, and all the condos that they own/invest in come with standard window coverings...vertical blinds, if I remember correctly. The consistent look throughout the building makes a huge difference in its exterior appearance.

I own and live at The Palms, and sometimes it's hard to see from the outside how some owners use drapes, other use wooden shutters, and many others use honeycomb shades. (I know, I know...it sounds superficial, but Adam brought it up). Albeit, they're all white from the outside (a rule that all Palms residents have to abide by), but the look just isn't consistent from the outside. I'll bet The Infinity will have the same inconsistent look as well. The mismatched window coverings, however, won't be an issue with The Millennium because of its mirror reflecting windows.

"2) Hanging wet laundry over the railing or clotheslines"

Um, yes, let's discourage people from using a natural means for drying clothes and instead expend loads of energy in doing it instead.

visually this discussion is a interesting contrast to places like Italy where clotheslines and other incongruous elements are simply part of the character

"visually this discussion is a interesting contrast to places like Italy where clotheslines and other incongruous elements are simply part of the character" -- not to mention all of their window coverings are all the same: exterior shutters (usually green)

We should also make all buildings within a given area the same three colors.

And make the neighborhoods gated.

And change the name of our city to Walnut Creek.

"At Infinity, they will only allow white facing out, no weird patterns either. I would imagine most highrises condos have the same regulations..."

I don't think that is actuallyt he rule for the infinity. If I remember correctly, it is some "neutral color" rule. So you could have ranges from white to tan to who knows what is a neutral color. That was one of my big concerns. It's too bad the windoes were not just a bit more reflective as it will have an eclectic look.

"Um, yes, let's discourage people from using a natural means for drying clothes and instead expend loads of energy in doing it instead."

My point proved. There is always someone that will move into a luxury condo and then hang their jockeys on the railing.

"My point proved. There is always someone that will move into a luxury condo and then hang their jockeys on the railing."

There are classier ways. Check out any Hong Kong or Singapore hi-rise and you'll see that each balcony is fitted with a rod that pivots out from the balcony for drying clothes. There's no stigma to airing your laundry. It doesn't look tacky when everyone does it with similar equipment.

I've traveled to many places and so far the only other country that I've encountered that consistently machine dries their laundry is Canada. Everyone else air dries, even in cold and wet northern Europe.

I'm starting to think that this air dry stigma in the USA is some sort of conspiracy on the part of the natural gas industry.

The air dry stigma in the USA is probably a reaction to the fact that a lot Americans lack class and manners.

We couldn't agree more. As a Vancouver based builder, Bosa Development typically does include "Solar Shades" in their condos, and will include them in every unit of Radiance at Mission Bay. They appear white from the outside, but one can see through them to the view from the inside. Yes,it is expensive for the builder to provide them for an entire building, but so worth it! Radiance is also including parking, a storage area outside of each unit (so necessary), wiring for surround sound/home theatre, Ceasarstone with full backsplash, Kahrs wood flooring, Kitchenaid Architectural II Stainless Appliances, including Refrigerator, as well as Washer/Dryers.