Let It Shine: 7 Elegant Clerestory Windows

Clerestory windows have been around since the time of the ancient Egyptians, and there's a reason for their staying power. By drawing sunlight from high spaces, clerestory windows help bathe a room in natural light, even when angles aren't optimal. Here are some creative uses of this enduring feature. Slideshow

A lofted sleeping space furnished with a king-size bed was made possible when Gray Organschi Architects raised the ceiling in the guest cottage they designed for a couple in Guilford, Connecticut, to create a triangular clerestory window. The move carved out enough headroom to make the second-floor space usable, while still keeping the cottage in compliance with strict local zoning rules for “accessory” buildings. Photo by Mark Mahaney.