You can find ready-made panels in so many places, but here is a quick look at overstock.com. The thing to remember if you want the drapes to close the panels need to be 1 1/2 to 2 times the width of the window. Another alternative is to have someone sew panels for you . Seamstresses can be found on etsy who make drapes. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Curtains/6420/subcat.html#qvclosed

I'm having fun in PS with all your samples/pictures but what a conundrum :o Do you like blue? On my screen I see blue in that beautiful leopard rug and of course the dusty French blue goes great with the wood you chose. Do you have blue elsewhere in the house? Looking at the sample laying on the rug, it's the bottom row, third from the left. Personally, I stay away from colors that tend to look dingy or dull so I would want to go bright or darker...darker stair cases are usually more dramatic (around here). I see a lot of these stair runners or carpeted stairs. My husband cuts (has them bound) and installs countless stair runners. Yesterday's job was supposed to a runner but the customer changed her mind and did a full coverage of her staircase. This is what he installed 130 yds of so it wasn't just the stairs (not the actual house). Good luck. Can't wait to see which color you choose.

Is it overkill? Depends on the pattern in the rest of your space. I love bold pattern, staircases included.

I like this rug/color with the fabric and love it with the floor as it adds a texture into the mix. annieselke for Dash and Albert