I'd keep looking at pictures until some element inspires you.
I usually design around something I love and then it flows so much more naturally.

Is this what you have in mind? It is very pretty and looks neutral enough to go with most furniture.

Here is a link that might be useful: Levolor

Thank you for the feedback.

Yes Graywings that is the one I was considering. DH wants to move quickly because of a sale ending Wednesday but I don't want to rush things and kick myself later.

Just finished watching Candice Olson's show. She did a bedroom and installed a rich dark brown floor with gray walls (just like me). I was surprised that she chose golden woven natural grass shades and golden fabric curtains.

I guess it comes down to what I want to look at for the next 15 to 20 years. There are no rules!

Dianalo you are right, I need to keep looking for inspiration. Time to get out all my Coastal living mags!

There are lots of things to consider with window coverings.

First would be function: does the room need privacy? Darkening treatments for sleeping? Are they going to be opened and closed every day or remain mostly stationary? It doesn't matter how great they look if they do not meet the needs of the room.

In terms of aesthetics, it could be important for you to consider how things look on the outside of the house, depending upon how formal the house is, how it is situated to the street, etc. The house I grew up in had white sheers on all first floor windows, including the garage, for a uniform look. Having sheers in the garage is actually really practical since they can be thrown in the wash and hung up damp. The upstairs front windows also presented a white face to the street but windows that couldn't be seen as much varied with their treatments more.

If the treatment is going to be closed a lot, color is a consideration as is translucency. If you need privacy during the day, you may not want to have to turn the lights on if you close the window treatment, and if it Does let light in, a colored treatment could create a cast you don't care for too much. (You may not want a blue or maroon sheer if it casts too much blue or maroon tint into the room for example).

Other aspects as formality of the room, function of the room and practicality of care are also important.

Those sales come around a lot. Don't rush into this.

1. Color scheme of entire house comes first. 2. Would be nice if you could then decide which colors you'd like to emphasize in that room, but that is unnecessary, if you run across fantastic furniture that speaks to you and that fits into your color scheme. 3. Furniture in a room comes before window coverings, IMO. That's because the furniture has multiple, and more important, purposes. It has to look good, be durable, be comfortable, be of certain pieces that are certain sizes. If you ALSO add a color restriction because of your drapes, well, it could get might difficult to find the right furniture. Whereas, once you get your furniture, it's a lot easier to find shades or drapes to fit your color scheme or texture.

Just my opinion, but I'm not a decorator or anything.