It's really easy to get it wrong. Most get it wrong and it screams fake. Proportion, continuity, and restraint, are the guidelines to getting it right. You can't just do beams in one portion of an open concept plan. You will need to do it in the entire space. And not as many as you think either. A little goes a long way. The ceiling has to be both tall enough, and lack any other type of molding. This isn't a look that goes with 6" crown. Real actual support beams are going to be taller than wide, as virgilcarter mentioned. Most people make them too fat and wide and then use too many in wrong spots and then don't carry it over into the rest of the public space.

That is a stunning room. I would absolutely not paint the walls. The white with the wood is utter perfection. Jan's suggestion for the windows will work out beautifully. Jhmarie's ideas are great too, but please, the contrast of the white walls with those beams and the gorgeous proportions should be allowed to stand alone. You have true architectural interest. Use color like that when you need to create interest (and I love color- not opposed to it at all.)

Hi Katrinagm, 1912 in dirty green & pink? I'd love to see this house! I just suggested navy blue in my last houzz response also... weird. Anyway - painting pocket doors, they could end up with streaks from sliding in & out of the wall, might have to think on those. As for the rest - matching the trim or white is the safe bet. You're place is sounding pretty eclectic, one might not be scared to use another color from inside the house & let it ride. Have fun, -f

It looks like these sit flat against the wall, right? If you could turn them into a box valance by adding a strip of wood a few inches to each end, you could install a curtain rod behind the valance like this: Of course for your smaller window a single fabric is preferable. Another option could be to install a curtain rod above the lintel and tie the curtain off to one side or even just push it to one side of the rod during the day, again using a simpler fabric that is maybe slightly sheer: If you went with the first option I would do a short curtain to create a cute cabin-y look. If you went with the second I would go floor-length.