" I’ve seen lots of pictures of them in houses on Houzz and love how they add to a space. "

A picture, that took an instant to take, doesn't tell you the history of that tree. It was most likely was developed by the owner by moving it outside to inside during the seasons, so it gets enough sun to accomplish a required amount of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is how plants make food for the roots. The more food that can be made for the roots, the more robust the growth of the tree can be. This also includes water, nutrients and type of media. These are referred to as 'plant culture variables' which together are necessary to grow nice plants.

Cutting off branches where the leaves reside only reduces the photosynthesis the tree can accomplish, thus making less food for the roots and putting the tree under more stress than it already is.

7 months is probably not too long in a pots life, so you can probably go a year or two, if the media is correct. Bark based media, is excellent for growing trees in pots. (more information and be found in the ['Container Gardening'[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/container-gardening-dsbr0-bd~t_29858) section of this forum).

So,once the 'plant culture variables' are all met, your tree can grow into the type of tree you see others, who know what to do, have in their houses. :^)