Silk draperies can provide a touch of class to a bay window in an older home. Another option would be to use valances to underscore the antique value of an older home.
Colonial homes can have any number of window treatments, but one that matches your exterior painting would be best.
I would use customized window treatments for a picture window.
Get window wallpaper with UV protection.
You can get custom window treatments at affordable prices at your local Lowe's or Home Depot. They have great selection.
A great place for information on window treatments is Calico Corners. Check out their website at www.calicocorners.com/category/custom+window+treatments.do for information on draperies, shades and more.
Cotton is cool and cheap, and can have colorful designs.
There are numerous places one can shop for curtains to be used as window treatments. Macy's sell a variety of stylish window treatment curtains. In the UK Laura Ashely offer a high quality selection of such curtains.
Window treatments for bay windows can be found online at HGTV. At HGTV they have put together what they think are the best 6 window treatments available. Also one could check Wikipedia for information.
There are many sites for DIY window treatments as well as many books and magazines that can be found in the local library or thrift stores. You can even watch TV and they have DIY projects on certain channels. The DIY network has some great ideas.http://www.diynetwork.com/topics/window-treatments/index.html
Treatments such as blinds or curtains without strings are recommended for children.
"There are many different types of window treatments and selecting product can be difficult. Fortunately many home improvement stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, carry product. There are a wealth of online stores such as Overstock that also sell treatments at competitive prices."
Opaque privacy glass is the best glass for bathroom windows. Block glass also works great depending on the window. If none of those work, a regular double paned window will suffice and then you can put window treatments in the window for privacy.