Full height double-hung vs. transom for parlor windows

I’m replacing the windows in our brownstone and doing all double-hung Marvins. I’m on the fence about our full-height parlor level windows. Our current old windows have about a 2-3ft high transom at top with a double hung underneath it. This isn’t as attractive as a full height double-hung would be, however it allows me to open the windows from the transom down, or from the floor up. I have window ledges with window boxes under the windows so I almost always choose to open these windows from the middle down which gives me a nice head-level airflow even if I just crack it.
A full height double-hung would definitely be more elegant but I’m worried about the fact that I’ll only be able to open from the bottom. and to get a nice amount of air flow I’ll have to open them a lot to clear my window boxes.

Anyone with this type of window have opinions about how it opens. Or does anyone have a solution other than these 2 options for tall parlor floor windows?

And my othe r quandary – what does everyone think about black vs white for the interior of the window frames. Doing all black exterior.

thanks in advance.