i think roman shades would work well with all of your windows, but if you must cover the moldings, then i would place the rod between the crown and the window molding.

Are you asking about the window to the right? (the large window?) or the windows above the built ins? Your picture shows the built-ins . . but your question states the 'large window'.

If it's the large . . . I'd suggest either attaching the rod to the actual window framing . . so you can still see the detailing above the curtain rod. OR . . you can hang it well above the window . .. so the trim detail is a nice surprise when you open the curtains, and that will also give you a nice feeling of height.

If you're talking about the built ins, I'd definitely do cafe curtains (if you can't find the right size, it's very easy to hem regular curtains to any height you need) . . . and again, you can hang the rod directly on the trim . . . or well above it (whatever you do to the larger window, I'd also mirror here).

I also must say . . . that fireplace is to DIE for it's lovely!

I just had to comment on the fireplace. swooon!

Agree with Limeliteshines. Screw the brackets directly into the window casing, centered between the top and bottom of that cute top molding piece. I used to live in an old house with window casings like that and being able to see that architectural element makes it look really sharp. I had long sheers that went to the floor.

(I know some people say it is a big "don't" to drill holes in the casing because it messes with the integrity, but I always do. If I owned, I might feel differently; alas, I am but a lowly renter.)

Whatever you do, don't cover up those top molding pieces! Too cute. It's gonna look nice in there.

Really pretty room! I second the Roman shades suggestion. Its such an airy space, seems a shame to bog it down with elaborate window treatments. That's just me.

totally agree with HugAVeggie...roman shades.

if you do cafe style curtains - you could easily find tension rods that go in the casing of the window. So no need to drill. I personally would not cover the smaller windows with curtains. I would just put one of those self adhesive skins that make the glass look opaque, or some make it look like it is stained glass.

I would go with a matchstick blind hung just inside the small windows and a large blind inside the large window with full length drapes hung ceiling height over the large window. I think the contrast of the wood blind would be nice with all the white and the wood floor.

yep, roman shades all the way. that was my first thought too.

Roman shades. Nice room!

Another vote for Roman shades.

My vote is for the tension rod with sheers or the opaque applique. The applique will still let the light ing (which looks beautiful with the soft fireplace and all those shiny wood floors), while affording you some privacy.

Wish I had such a gorgeous room to work with!

second Anusha73.

Roman blinds in linen!

What a great space, really special!

Personally I'd do my best to keep it simple. You've got lots of light, which is a huge plus.

I'd go with a white or off white sail cloth roman blind on the two fireplace windows. Inside mount.

For the other window, simple panels in the same fabric, floor to ceiling.

Send follow up pics, congrats on your great new space!

I'd love some brightly colored Roman shades on the two smaller windows, like a bright teal, and cream/vanilla-colored semi-sheer soft, drapey panels on the larger window. I'd leave the latter longer, I kind of like when it slouches a little on wooden floors. Colorful Roman Shades would frame the fireplace beautifully.

What a beautiful, light filled room! For the large window, I personally would hang a light colored (white or silver) curtain rod just above the window molding, and about a foot wider than the window on either side, so the curtains don't actually cover the glass when open. Get curtains that just graze the floor.

Totally agree with Roman blinds for the smaller windows.

I vote Roman shades. I think West Elm has some that would look nice.

Absolutely fantastic room, congrats! I agree with the suggestion of linen shades--very pretty. If the window trim was stained, I'd say don't drill but since it's painted you can always fill in the holes and retouch later without worrying you destroyed architecture. I'd like to see coordinating panels on the larger window.

Hang the rod right beneath the molding along the top and get them long enough to create a slight puddle at the bottom if you want an elegant look (to be avoided if you have a pet however). Hanging them high draws the eye upward. Also, if privacy is not an issue, just use panels and have them frame the window, allowing maximum light into the room.

Roman shades!!

I'm with the roman shades crowd. Maybe patterned, like the pretty ones Mary made for her apartment.

So much depends on the rest of furnishings, but the woodwork is such a nice feature---it would be a shame to cover it up. I vote for Roman shades too, mounted to the inside---but in a sheer fabric that diffuses the light. But Roman shades can be pricey---in which case I suggest using spring rods inside the window proper, once again in a sheer fabric (flat panels gathered full on the rods) that compliments your furnishings and filters the light.

For some reason, I imagine a color very like the blue/green of an old Coke bottle which is a nice color to bring the outside---in. And do come back and show us the finished room :)

I'm with clintclint. Matchstick blinds mounted inside the casements. Smith and noble has great selection.

i can't think about window treatments when all i want to know is . . . what's in those paint cans?!?!

Beautiful living room! Looks just like me old one in my victorian-era home. We had white wooden blinds hanging in the windows and had curtain rods hung across the top of the window (not the molding) with curtains. It makes me miss that old house.

if you want to go with a cheap roman shade and make them custom yourself, here's a great tip on how to make them from regular old mini-blinds!! (oh yeah, and they're no sew! genius.)

http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/02/make-shades-out-of-mini-blinds.html

Roman Shades - Inside mount.

I second the vote for cafe curtains, that start halfway down the window and go to the bottom of the sill. Full curtains would distract from that fabulous focal-point fireplace, plus, it would let natural light in but keep privacy.

Ooof! If you can help it, please don't do curtains!! The architecture of the space, I think, begs for shutters.

Me, I'd put curtain rods up by the picture molding, extending about a foot from either side of the window, and then I'd buy many yards of washable white silk. It looks simple and crisp and clean, but gives off an amazing quality of light.

The small windows would be better off with either nothing or a simple roller shade.

I'm not sure how I would do the large window, but the little ones look perfect for some roman shades.

Here's yet another vote for roman shades. You could also do curtains on the long window, but the same roman shades in all would look nice.

Either inside mount roman type shades, or if you go with a curtain do floor to ceiling. There are tracks you can mount directly on the ceiling, which is what I'd like to do in our bedroom. Ikea has a track that you can mount to wall or ceiling, you just pick which type of hardware to buy.

By the way I live in your typical bungalo in Berkeley, CA and your living room looks exactly like mine, right down to the glass doors on the left and cabinets and desk top thing on the right. : )

Inside-mounted Roman shades. I just moved into a house w/ similar architectural elements and have decided this would be the best coverage, and highlight the best bits of the home :)

Your place is AMAZING!

Do you really need curtains? It´s lovely as is. But if you must - Roman shades.

If you must put anything over the windows, I would just put a simple tension rod (at the top for the small windows and where the sashes meet for the large window) and do a simple sheer white linen curtain that just fits within the window opening. Rejuvenation has simple brass cafe curtain rods with tiny rings that could work great here. The room has a lot of character and I wouldn't want to overwhelm it with curtains. Roman shade are okay, I guess, but when they are pulled up then tend to seem heavy and clunky at the top of the window unless the are of a very light (color and weight) fabric.

Go to your local library and look at the Bungalow Style books for ideas. Also, see http://www.thehandwerkshop.com/ for bungalow shades.

Gorgeous! For the large window, curtains in a color that match your decor - that hang to the floor. For the small windows flanking the fireplace, I agree with what others have said - simple, neutral, roll-up shades, either roman or matchstick.

What a wonderful space!