Exactly what medusa said. Read this http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/category/design-tips

It depends on the look you're after (sheer, solid, patterned etc) but when I wanted maximum light, maximum privacy and minimum cost, I ended up buying two white, flat single sheets from IKEA and using curtain clips with them. They're cheap but effective and look quite good - soft and floaty!
Ikea here in Australia have a nice curtain that is white with a faint grey pattern - that could work?

Go to the link below these would be perfect I think!

http://zoom.jcpenney.com/is/image/0900631b81b4d1a2M.tif?wid=180&hei=180&op_usm=1.5,.8,0,0&resmode=sharp

Ikea has about 15 different options for TALL white flowy curtains - hang 'em high and wide and you're good to go!

West Elm has a bunch of choices that would work, and they seem to be having a sale right now.

http://www.westelm.com/products/cotton-canvas-printed-crosshatch-window-panel-t090/?pkey=cwindow-panels-curtains-shades

http://www.westelm.com/products/ikat-ogee-linen-window-panel-r917/?pkey=cwindow-panels-curtains-shades

But I would recommend getting a wider curtain rod so the curtains can bunch up primarily over the wall, not the windows.

how about some linen?

Full length white sheers. I disagree about covering the whole frame if the frame has character. From the photo, it is hard to tell if the molding is worth exposing.

Like everyone else is getting at, it's not so much WHAT you hang as HOW you hang it. High and wide, and you'll get the perfect balance. You've already done well so far. I think a bold, modern print of some sort would look great in that spot.

ok, rehanging my curtains higher and wider today. (now where is my spackle & extra paint...)

Mull curtains from fabindia.
Delightfully light.

I vote for NONE :) Hang some art on that wall, remove the rod and just enjoy the view & the light coming through.

^ What all these people said. I think you could get away with some color on the panels as well. Maybe mostly white/off white with small pale yellow pattern of some sort?

Great job on the room so far - stop being so modest! :)

I would run a rod or cable the length of the entire wall, just below the ceiling, use semi-sheer panels and drape the entire wall.

Go for a sheer curtain in a soft green to pick up the color in the sofa. You can also purchase sheers with pattern and that might really look nice because the pattern/colors won't be so in your face.
Good luck and great space!

i can't commit to curtains either so i'm no help. just wanted to say, nice couch.

I would go with sliding panels in a very sheer fabric, something like this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40078148/.

It would allow for privacy, let in the light, but also keep it within the design lines of the room.

Darn it! Medusa12120 took my answer! :) Exactly - long white or even ivory gauzy drapes that hang down to the floor. I have panels I grabbed at Target for $10 and they allow light it, gives my living room a more airy and open feel yet provide some privacy amazingly well.

By the way... LOVE with what you've done with your living room so far and that couch is to die for!

Ikea has gauzy curtains for like $5 a 2-pack that are long, white and ultra sheer. If you are looking for some privacy but lots of light, just buy several and put a bunch of them on the rod or clip them in layers maybe to make them less translucent? They are so handy and affordable, so they are all over my house!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90111980/

I think you should do a loose weave beige or creamy white cotton sheer. Maybe beige and white wide horizontal stripes.

I'll echo the IKEA white gauzy curtains, as well as using a sheet. I am using a king size sheer tan sheet from Target with clips: billows nicely and let sin the right amount of light ... all for $9.

Nice room, really needs textiles. I think you should do a creamy curtain on the heavier (more tailored) side with a wide dark strip at the bottom to reflect the beams and the heavier feel of the couch. Move the curtain rod up near the cieling. Wish I had an actual pair to recommend, best of luck.

I had a living room that was almost identical to yours -- same beams, different paint color -- and we used the AINA bleached white linen curtains from IKEA. Sheer, but not too sheer, so they let still let some light in when they were closed but no one could see in. I know the AINA comes in a couple of colors, or you could easily die the bleached ones to match the rest of your room.

I'd be tempted to not only hang them as stated before - above the window - but also extend it out further than 10" on either side. I'd aim for the distance half way between the window and the wall (on the right). A sturdy iron bar with impressive ends will compliment your exposed beams nicely. Make sure to get more drapes than you need to cover the space. Lots of white fabric (easy guideline: 1.5-2x the width of the length covered) will keep everything airy, regardless of the actual volume of fabric. Having more fabric than you need will make it look rich. For a custom look, you could sew a colorful 6" band of fabric to the bottom of the white curtains to give it a little bit of an anchor.
(similar to: http://www.babybedding.com/lime-and-white-dots-and-stripes-drapes-with-trim )
And although you didn't ask, I would consider bringing your art closer together over the couch. You have it evenly spaced across the wall. I prefer having a little more space on either end of the set than the spacing between each picture. (It could just be an optical illusion from the photo)

To be honest, I wouldn't hang a sheet - it will look like you hung a sheet. My very favorite curtains of all time are the ones I made with tab tops. What makes them great is that the fabric has great drape.

I have nothing to add about curtains, but I'd really like to know where you got that lamp.

My favorite curtains are drop clothes I cut in half and hung with curtain clips. They're light, neutral, softening, and surprisingly effective at blocking light. Also- CHEAP!

The reason you don't know what to do is that you have to start with function, and build design around that. What I would want for function would be something that operates like blinds...where I could open and close to varying degress to control light and privacy, without opening the curtains. (I hate drawing curtains multiple times a day.) Luckily, such a product exists, and looks lght and airy, like curtains. NOT vertical blinds...hate them. But there was this sort of blind developed years back that is two sheer fabric panels with vanes of fabric in between that you open and close just like you do blinds of wood or some other material. They then made this in a vertical form for windows (doors, really) like yours. They don't look like vertical blinds, but like sheer urtains you can draw to open and close like any other curtains. With the added advantage that you can tilt the vanes of fabric in between the two sheer panels to vary the amount of light while they are closed. I think I saw them first by Hunter Douglas years ago, but believe others make them as well now, too. I have some in the horizontal form on some windows...and like them. I like to be able to go from sheer covering on window with natural light streaming in to blocking as much light as I want WITHOUT having to fully open or close the curtains. Yet I can uncover the window fully when I want to. I would put these on your doors.

Then, if I want to block all light (like for sleeping), or just wanted a more colorful textile look, I would place long curtains over these, that I could close when I wanted. I have lined cotton/linen long curtains to draw over the sheer blinds like this in my guest room, when I need to completely block out the very bright eastern morning light. Whether you need or want this second layer, I can't say. Yes, these need to be put on that higher, longer metal bar suggested above. I suspect you will want something high and wide like this for the sheer vertical blinds I'm describing as well, especially if that is the only window teatment you go with. Talk with a company that sells them to figure out how they work best in the vertical form on your doors (I only have the horizontal style, which is installed in deep old wood window moldings. You need to figure out how they hang best with your doors.) If you don't like the top rail of the blinds showing, hang them high and cover with a valance, in a flat panel or fabric. You'll want them high, and possibly wide, to be able to let in maximum light when you draw them open completely, and so as to not have them in the way when you open the doors.

Light, airy curtain look, with much better functionality.

I think this place looks great, love the light. Agree with the other posters re high, sheer curtains, and maybe some light colored throw pillows or blankets on the couch to pull it together.

The Hunter Douglas version are called Luminette privacy sheers...look at them to get the idea, and then look for other companies' offerings. They come with vanes that block most light when closed, and ones that just block some when closed...which would determine whether you need a second curtain layer to block all light for functionality. If you like the idea of a second curtain just for design, then you can get the more translucent blinds, which have a more airy look than the ones with light-blocking vanes.

I'm in love with that couch.

It does depend on the look you're going for, but for me I'd want to make the door seem bigger so I would extend the rod on either side. White rod, so it disappears. Neutral solid curtains, depending on your color scheme. Maybe a soft gray or taupe. If this doesn't work for you, than shear curtains for the rod and mirrors on either side for light and the illusion of depth.

First off - love your room!

As everyone else has said: high and wide. It would definitely add some oomph here. I would use oiled bronze finish hardware to echo the dark brown of your beams (which are lovely btw) and use white or cream colored fabric to match your rug/ceiling tone. As far as what type of curtains to use, that depends on the level of privacy you need. Maybe you could get away with just shears? If so I think picking some with a fun embroidered pattern in green or blue, or even tone on tone would look great. If you require more privacy I would stick to white panels, personally I love the look and feel of the microfiber/ faux suede textures. Since your room is so clean and sharp I would go tab top for the panels if you use them.

Agree with everyone above who says white sheers hung high and wide.

I also think you could use some pattern or texture in the room. White gauzy curtains with a fairly coarse linen-y to burlapy texture would be nice. Or maybe you could find some sheers with a white background and a pattern in some color that complements the other colors in the room. The picture I have in my head is gauzy white background with blue (wall color) and or green (sofa color) outlines of circles or squares or some other mid-century geometric print.

I agree about hanging the curtains all the way to the ceiling to give it a dramatic and romantic look. I think that burnout curtains would look great and give you enough privacy or maybe a cream vintage suzani-esque fabric with some bright colors thrown in.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60221579/

These could be perfect. They bring in the blue and green and have the mid-century vibe that you seem to be rocking with your furniture. I agree with the high and wide camp for hanging, these might be too narrow, so you could do a double bar and hang sheers behind these that reach all the way across and use these as purely decorative side panels.

You need some pattern in that room. Have fun with it! Urban Outfitters has bright patterned curtains that tend to be on the thinner side too, which will keep it light. Here are a few I like for your room. If they are too short, adding solid panels at the top or bottom is easy.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21002795

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20996302

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20996302&navAction=jump&isProduct=true&parentid=MORE%20IDEAS&isProduct=true&cross-sell=true&guide-bn=true

I have IKEA's Matilda in every room of my house. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10111984/. They are light and airy, but have nice subtle embroidery for added texture/interest. And at $14.99/pair, you can't even make curtains yourself for that cheap.

when in doubt - IKEA. They always have a sensibly priced solution, if you change your mind in the future you haven't lost any money.

As everything in your room is neutral, I would probably go for a pattern. This one is just perfect for your color scheme (although I don't know how easily you can get it in the US:

http://www.johnlewis.com/102059/Product.aspx

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theproletariatdesigner/4078860616/

I visualize a patterned or striped curtain as well. My favorite cheap sites, IKEA and Target. Then I always like West Elm, CB2, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. I saw plenty that would work according to your taste.

Good luck.

I'd say some sort of folding screen, maybe rice paper or something somewhat transparent, in front of the window for privacy. No curtains at all!

You don't mention a budget, and window coverings can run the gamut on price. It matters as well whether you need privacy at night, and how much light control you need.

However if this room were mine, I would do lined linen in white, with a gathered (rather than pleated) top, hung from at least a foot above the door frame and extending past the sides. They should almost puddle on the floor, and be tied back with a thick rope tieback. I did this on similar doors in my home. I've been pleased with the Restoration Hardware Belgian linen curtains.

Love your room!
I agree with most posters - high, wide and white.
The white will tie in nicely with your rug. Since you are not very comfortable being "interior decorators", the white is a great neutral that will allow you to experiment with colour and pattern in other areas. It's easy to add pillows, throws and accessories that add texture and a lower cost.
If you allow, I would suggest hanging your art lower and closer together or centered in a 2x2 pattern to accentuate you great ceilings.

We went to Restoration Hardware for our living room curtains. We chose the basket weave linen in sand color, and looove them. They're a little heavier, but that adds a sense of formality to the room while at the same time being light and airy (there are lots of windows). They don't compete with the colors/architectural elements but add texture, if that makes sense. The other reason we went to RH was because they have 100" wide panels, and we have an 8' sliding door. Standard 50" panels wouldn't have cut it, and custom drapery is $$$$. We used credit card points for gift cards and it was practically dirt cheap for us!

I absolutely agree with linen curtains- white linen curtains would be gorgeous. I used them in most of the windows in my new house and I LOVE them. They were from bed bath and beyond, and they are a thin, loose weave, with large silver grommets for hanging. They barely obstruct the view at all and yet you can't see in from outside unless you get within inches. One of my rooms is done in mid-century as well, and they look great in there..

To the poster PI, the lamp looks like mine from CB2. I assure you it is even more fabulous in person and super affordable given its such a big statement piece.

the furniture is channelling 1950's/1960's (except the tv s/b flat against a wall), but the architecture is not. hang a rod the length of the window wall almost at the ceiling, not a statement rod, and hang lots of curtains to 1/2 inch off floor. could be white/cream or alternating panels (like white/olive/white/olive/etc. or other colour of the era, like chocolate, gold, rusty orange) to look striped. think early johnny carson monologue background, before the candy floodlights.

Hey everyone! Scott here. We kept checking back to see if AT had posted our question, but gave up after a few days. Figured maybe it wasn't good enough. So, naturally, we were ecstatic when, on a whim, we decided to check back a few days ago and saw the overwhelming number of responses to our request! We wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for your generosity and great advice. We're so excited to get to work!

A few things we forgot to add or wanted to respond with:
1) After all that, I forgot to mention the dimensions of the window frame (69"W x 89"H) and the height from the floor to the beam (104").

2) PI, Julie is correct. The lamp is from CB2.

3) The couch is from Crate & Barrel. Many guests have commented on it. We love it, too! :)

4) As for the TV, don't even get me started on that side of the room. We can't put it against the wall opposite the couch because there's a heater built into the wall there (that, and my lady and her friends got together and started drinking wine and decided it would be better in the corner--hey, at least it obscures the ugly AC unit built into the same wall we're hanging curtains on).

5) Also, if you guys have any ideas for two additional chairs (or a nice big chair with an ottoman), we're all ears. Seen some I liked, but still not sure and also not sure what color would work with the rest of the room. We tried one of those danish lounge chairs, but it wasn't tall enough for someone of my size (see below)...they look like children's furniture.

6) As for the pictures, I can't hang them any lower as I am 6' 5" and would hit my head on them. I've already been in several drunken slap fights with the floor lamp. ;) LOVE the 2x2 idea, though--will definitely give that some thought.

Again, thank you all so much. We really appreciate all your help and can't wait to show you the final result. Cheers!