@Melndo The walls are Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray: https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/HC-105/rockport-gray?color=HC-105 Our window is north facing as well. There is a large Japanese maple near the window so we don't get a ton of light there. I have the floor lamps, two table lamps and a light on the ceiling that isn't in the picture to make sure the room gets enough light. We actually use this room as a music room. There is a piano on the wall that isn't in the picture. Hope this helps! Glad you like it. :)

I would do something simple like Hunter Douglas Duette shades in their opaque fabric with the top-down/bottom-up option. They can be easily inside or outside mounted, depending on space available. Here are mine in my master bathroom. See how I have the top rail lowered to be able to see outside, but rest of the window is covered, but still allows light through. You can have them all open, all closed or partially open like my photo. This is the third house that I have used this type of blinds throughout the house and been very happy with them.

I would extend the fabric/rod beyond the window to open up the space as much as possible. a Textured Linen panel (matching the wall color) on rings for easy open/close. Limit the decor, a small room would benefit from trim paint the same color as wall color. a simple top down/bottom blind for privacy and light control Blinds.com offers great options.

I still stand with Jilly’s first example of cafe curtains that are placed about 3/4 of the way up the window. If they would be on rings you could very easily open them during the day and close them at night. I would want light whenever possible. Hopefully the neighbor cannot see in during the daytime.