Well, there's your answer! Replace the fireplace with "one of those storybook/tudor ones that go up the ceiling... like cottages in fairy tales" and if that's what you like, then I'd decorate the rest of the room in a similar style. Do you watch 'Once Upon A Time' on Sunday nights? One of my favorites :)

I'd nix curtains for that room entirely, including accent curtains. Let the big window stand alone.

UNLESS, people can see in it. In keeping with the style of the house I'd put in those old-fashioned "folding type" brown wood shutters that opens in the middle, where you can expose the whole window. I wish I knew the type of shutters I'm talking about, each door of the shutter folds where it won't take up wall space when opened.

I'd definitely do that with the side windows, and the big one for privacy.

You can soften the rest of the room with pillows, rugs, etc.

lavendar, yes I do watch it:) I think I am going to do the fireplace way later on because I want to demolish the ceiling. The neighbor's house is the same builder and the same floor plan, but he has changed it so much. He raised the ceiling and added a 2nd floor. Looks AMAZING.

oakleyok, do you have a picture of these shutters? I only want to cover the window at night.

Storybook, here you go. I have neighbors that have these in their homes. In fact one of the houses is an open house this weekend as it is for sale ! if I hadn't found this link below I would have gone and gotten you pics. I believe that there are pics in the real estate ad though so I can link that too. When was your home built ? Do you have pics of the outside ? Other rooms ? c

Here is a link that might be useful: Victorian narrow louver shutters

If you go to "more pictures" in the real estate ad and scroll down to the DR you will see close up and detailed shots of the shutters oakley was referring to. Hope this helps. These are original to the house. c

Here is a link that might be useful: Victorian Home

Trail has the right idea. I'm not sure how 3 shutters open though.

Also, you can put the shutters on the bottom half of the windows and not put them on the top. The big window would look great with only the lower half hung.

I think a good carpenter could hang them from inside the trim...but I'm not sure. In fact, I think this style of shutters cost less than the other kind.

Here's a picture I found on the web. Imagine if they were the same stain as your woodwork and a bit bigger? Smart looking!

I believe they're called "traditional shutters."

{{!gwi}}

Go for the storybook fireplace. What they did was awful!

Here's a photo, but not a good one, showing the fireplace in a little cottage I used to own:

Personally, I'm not a fan of shutters. The other alternative I've seen which is quite dramatic is to take two separate large diameter wooden rods with finials that are short so you can hang one drape from each on either side of the big window. I've seen it done effectively. When I think tudor, I think lots of wood and drapes and tapestries and velvets and such. Scale is going to be critical.

You might look at Edwardian design as well...

Here is a link that might be useful:

The Edwardian design is very interesting, never saw that before. I like it.

That is a beautiful window! It would be lovely to leave it uncovered, but I don't think I could be comfortable in the room at night, knowing everyone could see in.

The Edwardian approach is interesting, but seems it would defeat the purpose, which is to close the drapes when necessary.

Please excuse my terribly crude photo-shopping skills, but I was intrigued. Several other posters suggested this solution:

{{!gwi}}

I like this version (my first attempt), using a very thin rod, on the same sight line as the bottom of the top window pane, which seems about the same height as the top of the trim on the other window:

{{!gwi}}

Disclaimer: I have no idea if this is period correct, or architecturally correct, so if it's terrible, and anyone wants to explain why, no hurt feelings. :]

Oh, I wasn't sure if the OP was concerned about privacy, if so I really like mama goose's solution in the first photo.

I think curtains of any sort will take the eye away from the window and directly to the curtains. Your window is just too cool to put material next to it.

Any curtain will look modern. Tudor curtains were at least 20 ft. high, and they needed the heavy one's to keep warm in the winter.

Having lived with shutters like those once, I would never do it again - they are a PITA to dust although that my be my issue, not yours ;-)

I'm not certain those shutters are the right look for the style of your house anyway. I think curtain panels on the side windows look nice - not sure which hanging height I prefer, both have some appeal to me. Panels hung to the side of the large window will each have to be extremely wide in order to be functional and close in the center and that could look rather odd with all that fabric on the wall during daytime hours.

If you just want coverage for privacy at night I'd look to a modern solution that can all but disappear in the day, not try to make it decorative but make it visually go away. Possibly a pleated shade, or cellular or other solution a good treatment fabricator could suggest - not sure. Sometimes the best solution isn't period correct and you are living in current day with current day needs. I would want to keep the integrity of the window by doing a treatment that's as unobtrusive as possible.

I mocked up your space to see it furnished and letting the windows show. I have no idea if this is even furniture you would like. Just wanted to show the room not bare.

{{!gwi}}

Mama goose, your second idea is one that I had visualized. I am glad you mocked it up. I agree, drapes need to be closable or I'd just leave the window open. It is beautiful.

with curtains

{{!gwi}}

If you like these they sell them in different colors at JCPenney for 35 a 96inch panel. They have all shorter sizes too. I have them and they are fabulous!

Wow atkillery, what a great job. The room looks so inviting. I think that I prefer it with the drapes. And the white furntiture and accents really work in that space.

Thanks terriks! I think the drapes look great too. I snagged the decor drom one of my saved favorite rooms.

Those drapes really are great from jcp too. I cannot say enough about them. No...I dont work there or anything ;-)

Amy

Thanks schoolhouse and enduring.

Oh, there's always the wall o' fabric:

With clothespin (?) clips to open it during the day. ;)

Mama goose....love those curtains!!!

wow...ak...that is some mock up ! Now I bet she will ask you to have the furniture shipped..I know I would. :) Beautiful without the drapes. I wouldn't use anything after seeing what you did ...both ways.

Or I would go ALL the way and have the wall of fabric. But given how much fabric and then the construction of the drapes would cost I would go for "less is more".

That is one lovely setting. c

What is with the no-curtains obsession? This is an extremely true period room, not a 2012 new build. Side panels are fine, curtains are fine. Definitely go up to the chair rail if you're doing floor length.

If you want to be extremely period, you could even think of doing some of the windows in your house with sill-length curtains. These are considered extremely out by the mall set, but are making a comeback in edgier designs and are also period-appropriate. I'm not sure I see sill length in this room, but it could look cute in a different room of the house.

Fabric valances are also period-appropriate, especially simple gathered ones. However, I've also seen houses like yours with rigid upholstered pelmets with Tudor arch cut-outs on the bottom. That might look cool on the window next to the fireplace.

When you get around to buying sofas, consider the English rolled arm above, or what would be super cool in that space is a Knole sofa.

I personally love the second version of what Mamagoose did. Think that would look lovely, and let the beautiful window style and trim show the best, and still have the softness that drapes add. Lovely room to work with!

Here's an image from a similar style house--it's a 1920s linoleum ad, but it shows the "vibe" people were going for. Very English, a lot of the furniture is 18th century revival stuff like ladder back chairs.

Looking at the pix again, I think panels on each side of the Tudor window would be great, hanging from the picture rail. Then hang drapes from the same height over the smaller window, but include a valance to visually raise the height of that window up. You could either do the Tudor pelmet or--very '20s--a shirred fabric valance on the same rod as the panels (if you don't need to close the drapes).

Why not combine mama gooses pics...run a narrow metal rod at the height of the top muntin across the window for sheers on rings which can be shut at night or pushed to the side, clearing the window. Then hang the 2 large diameter wood rods with finials on either side of the window with velvet or brocade stationary panels that will skim the edge of the window and hide the sheers during the day.

Just looked back to see if I was mistaken...the op is going to "demolish " the ceiling. I would sure wait until all construction is completed before I did the drapes. Depending on if she opens it , as the neighbor did, it will sure make a huge difference. No reason to spend even a dime until the changes are completed.

I have never heard of anyone purchasing WT until they have made decisions on all the other things...it is a package deal in most homes.

I am still wondering what this home is ? Date of build ? How is it that the next house over has the same builder...interesting. I would love to see more of the house too before making a decision on the WT.

I have all of my WT at the the window sill. I have Irish lace curtains in my 1890 home. I did because I like them , they also happen to be appropriate to the age of the house. But so would have velvet drapes, as my neighbors have . You have to do what suits you personally.

If the op is going to do major structural changes , then I would do what you like when that is completed. c

"Demolish" a 1920s cove ceiling?

I think I'm out of this thread. Good luck. You'll need it, come resale time.

This pic from houzz is of similar windows in a Mediterranean style home. It even has a cove ceiling. Although the decor is not as restrained as bronwynsmom's vision, I think it illustrates her point:

[mediterranean living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2109) by other metros interior designer Debra Campbell Design

I missed the ceiling demo plans, too--count mine as a vote to save it.

Here is a link that might be useful: [houzz page with more pics[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/debra-campbell-design-mediterranean-living-room-seattle-phvw-vp~93961)

I found a wider shot in the same set, with a storybook fireplace:

[mediterranean living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2109) by other metros interior designer Debra Campbell Design

I never caught that "demolish the ceiling" bit either. Ugh. Why?

Thanks mama goose and aktillery! those are great!

This is what I'm talking about when opening up the ceiling. The whole top of the house is hallow with absolutely nothing up there. And I love the fireplace in this too.

Wow, that is stunning! Is the overall style of your house more of a 'manor house' or 'carriage house'? I'd think that might help decide the fate of the cove ceiling.

You can find more pics of Tudor arch windows, and soaring, beamed ceilings at houzz. (I've been drooling over them today!)

What part of the country are you in, storybookgirl? Do you need to give some thought to how you would heat a lofted space like that one efficiently, where you are?
Does anyone remember the Wickwires' barn on This Old House years ago? It wasn't far from where we lived when we were in New England, and it had a German hot water boiler system that included radiant heating in the floor...I yearned for that level of sophistication myself!
But I digress...

Thanks mama goose...I hadn't been to houzz before...it's fabulous!!!

Beautiful room. I love the ceiling as is and the stone fireplace photoshopped above. Agree with teacats re painting the whole room a soft white. It would complement the dark trim on your gorgeous window.

Here is the update on what has been done so far. Frame is temporary until I can get Landscape With the Fall of Icarus painting by Pieter Brueghel the Elder. We are eventually gonna change the marble when I get around to finishing the rest of the house decor.

and of course the window. no curtain!

Your room is so lovely. If I did not love It I'd never bother to dare being rude, but here I go: that dinky sized chest against that glorious, large window is very wrong. Something off with the lamps and small tables against the wall, too. Beautiful white chairs. Hope the pros here chime in.

I missed this thread the first time around. What an awesome house!! I'm so jealous. I love what you've done with it, so far, too. Reading along, I thought curtains for privacy, like Mama Goose's first mock-up, would have worked just fine; have you felt like you're in a fishbowl, or is it working for you as-is?

Also, please tell me you're reconsidering the ceiling? That cove ceiling is beautiful, house-appropriate and energy-efficient. The exposed raised ceilings look cold and drafty, and sucked the soul right out of the room, IMO; wrong scale and lines. Right now it's a nice mix of English cottage and contemporary!

@martinca You're right. The tables and lamps look weird in the picture. It is probably the angle or lens I took it with because it doesn't seem that way in person. Those tables are actually shorter looking in person. As for the chest, it's temporary... I don't know where to put it lol. The xmas tree is going there in Dec.

@jessicaml I decided not to put curtains because as some people here say it would ruin the window and I totally saw it once we put the side ones up. I don't really mind people seeing anymore because I know all my neighbors. The ceiling is staying as is since we are just going to build a whole second floor on top.

''The ceiling is staying as is since we are just going to build a whole second floor on top.''

I know it's your house and you can do what you please...but YAY! :) Glad to hear the ceiling will stay.

I would def move the trunk as it detracts from the window in a big way. I would even put it in the basement if I had no other place.

Also, since you posted the picture, the tab curtains at the other windows look very insubstantial and wrong for the style of your lovely house. Heavier fabric that hangs better and is gathered on the pole in a rod pocket would not have that temporary look. Your home is beautiful!!

You're going to "build a whole second floor on top"?

You will be changing this roofline?

I love what you did with the decor, and I agree on moving the trunk.

If that is really your home, I hope you consult with someone good with historical renovations if you want to change it. It's absolutely charming the way it is.

If I *had* to have something in front of the window it would be a folding screen(old shutters), but NO curtains~the window is just too pretty to cover up. For the side windows a panel on the each side closest to the corner, and pulled back, would do justice to such a beautiful room~velvet would be my choice of fabric~ look on the Restoration Hardware site. The room has such presence. Please try to keep that in mind when doing window treatments~less is sometimes best. ;o)

Your chairs are so pretty. Do you mind if I ask where you got them?

Thanks everyone for the advice!

@mclarke No we will not be changing the roof. We will however need to add windows, but nothing that would be visible from the front view of the house. We are not going to do this till our whole landscaping is done... it's going to take forever!

@fripper The chairs are from costco online. It comes in a 2 pack and came out to $755 with ca sales tax. Such a good deal. It says delivery is 10-15 days... it came in a day and a half! Sometimes it's on their website and sometimes it goes away. I guess it depends on inventory cuz I eyed these chairs for a month until I got it.

Yeaaaaaa! Glad to read you won't be hanging draperies. The window is such a beautiful architectural element it would be a shame to hide it.

I don't understand how a 2nd story will be added w/your roofline, but guess anything is possible if you're willing to spend the $$$. ;o)

The room is coming along nicely. I think that I would extend the rods on the 2 windows with drapes and let them frame the windows, rather than meeting in the middle.

@patty_cakes the whole top of the house (attic) is huge. you can walk perfectly fine still with a lot of space on top. It will just be angular on the walls framing it. The fireplace from the living room actually goes all the way into the attic and it is red brick.