Need a wizard in lighting...

One trick I've heard though haven't tried is mirroring the windowsill & around the window so that the mirror is parallel to the window glass. I actually saw that on some windows overlooking the East River, so they were due east. Another trick the English use is hanging mirrors between the windows to maximize light.

Interesting, regarding placing mirrors on the windowsill, etc. Thanks!
However, I'm thinking about having Duette shades that can be moved bottom-up or top down...without the cords. So, the sides would be needed for the "magic."
And the mirror may protect the windowsill from an inadvertent thunderstorm.

Those Duette shades sound great because often it is the bottom of the window that you need to cover, not the top & no strings - MAGIC!