apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I recommend floor-to-ceiling drapes that cover the walls at the edge of the windows. A patterned fabric that combines your existing blue-and-brown scheme would work well. You've already picked nice soothing colors.

In addition, maybe you could fit a narrow bench under the window itself (to create a window seat), or put a small vanity there. That always seems to make a room look polished.

I like the greek key rug! So it looks like your colors are ice blue, white, and cocoa brown? And that maybe your room doesn't get a lot of light? I immediately thought of the bordered drapes at west elm, in flax and mineral blue:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODr377&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1RUGWIN&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1RUGWIN

Or what about the scroll edged panel as a kind of reversed nod to the greek key motif?
http://www.westelm.com/online/store/SupportInfoViewInRoom?storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&partNumber=WE-PRODr459

Paint is cheap and easy: with your floors and furniture, I'd paint the walls a light blue, then put up Chocolate Brown velvet draperies hung from a rod at the ceiling (to make the room appear taller) If your ceiling is in good condition (no cracks & no popcorn) I'd consider painting it a white or pale grey semi-gloss.

If you want a really dramatic look, get a rod the length of the window wall and run the draperies from wall-to-wall leaving them open at the window - it will take you 4 panels (or 2 two double-wide panels) instead of two standard panels, but it will be worth it. (don't forget to take down the vertical blinds)

get one of those curtain rods that is practically at the ceiling and spans the entire wall with the window. get curtains in light blue matching your duvet cover with about a foor of brown at the bottom ala restoration harware (see the link below). hang them so that the curtains create the illusion of that whole wall being a giant window.

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1253022&navAction=jump&link=link=mi_thai_silk_coffee_banded_all_drapery_collections&cm_re=MI-_-MainImage-_-ThaiSilkCoffeeBandedLinenCotton

Hey, it's unanimous. How easy is that?

Congrats on the new place. I hope you're happy there.

I'm not usually a wallpaper advocate but if you really like your color scheme and are not a commitment-phobe, you may want to consider doing the room or an accent wall in a great pattern, especially if you have nice, smooth walls.

How big is the room? If not huge, keep drapes a close color to the walls.

And do you need privacy or light control? If so, the window solution should combine shades and stationary side panels. Hang the rod near the ceiling.