I usually don't do both shades and curtains, one or the other.

skip 'em. The simplistic look you've got now really works for your space and allows in light while maintaining privacy.

The shades look nice by themselves but I really like the look of curtains. My apartment doesn't get a lot of light and we have curtains on most of the windows. I love white shears, because you can keep them closed, but open the shades behind them and they let a lot of light in while giving you a little privacy. We have our curtains over blinds in the bedroom and it works fine, so I don't think doing curtains over shades would be any different.

Nice chairs!

This looks like our LR - but we did decide to add curtains and it made a very positive difference. Softened up the room. Particularly in winter, it feels more finished looking. Restoration Hardware has a nice selection

Seeing how close the windows are to the fireplace on that wall, I would say no to curtains. Even if the fireplace doesn't work, it makes people *think* of fire danger. But then again in the dining area, you could just add some curtains to those windows (I've done this before in adjoining spaces and it worked out fine). Kind of defines two separate spaces. But I wouldn't go plain white - it could use something with a little more interest. A simple herringbone or similar graphic pattern in two tones maybe? Like West Elm's Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel maybe...

I'd probably consider something else to add more "softness" to the living room area as it's pretty but a little stark right now. A bold flower arrangement would be one good thing that's easy to add.

You could consider hanging your shades halfway down your windows to let in light but give you the privacy you need. We're doing this in most of our apartment because we're sunlight junkies but live on a busy street on the 2nd - 3rd floors. Beautiful room!

I would put one panel in each corner of the room on the fireplace wall (so they flank the outside of the room but there are no curtains next to the fireplace) and then just one panel on each side of the larger window on the right hand wall. I think curtains really finish it up and make it look more lived in, but in your case as I would never close them (I definitely like light!) I would just use them as decoration.

I agree with the posters saying to hang some curtains. They can be dummy panels- ones that aren't meant to cover the windows. While sheerish white ones would be nice, if you went with something more graphic, they would make the room look fabulous!

BTW, I love, love LOVE your wood side table.

I like it a lot the way it is. I think curtains would would be too much. Have you considered adding something larger over the fireplace, possibly the painting you currently have above the sofa, if it fits? That might make you feel satisfied with only blinds at the windows.

Curtains add another dimension to a room. Light-colored sheers would not encumber the space, would allow light to pass through, and the tone of the light would change slightly throughout the day enhancing the nice quality and warmth of the spaces.

If it were me, I'd put some curtains in the dining room but not the living room. The dining room has less color interest and more wall space showing (since the furniture is in the center) so it could stand some softening. But I like your living room with just the shades. (In fact, it's the look I have, too.)

I'm with ktex -- the living room is fine without, especially given the lack of space around the fireplace, but you should definitely use the opportunity to bring some pattern and interest into the dining room. You can have a curtain rod that is so wide that the open curtains don't actually cover your windows at all, they just hand next to the windows to provide drama. They will make the windows look bigger, too.

I agree with realknitfreak - flank your windows by hanging one panel in each corner on the fireplace wall and one panel on each side of the longer window in the living room and dining room. hang the curtain rod higher than the window frame and wider than the window frame. Use a soft light color or white. It will look awesome!

I vote for curtains in both rooms - you have nice furniture pieces, a good neutral wall color, and a great focal point in that fireplace! They could just be dummy curtains like some of the other posters have suggested.

Curtains in in the living room would add another layer and soften the corners of the room that look a bit empty. I'd go for a solid color that compliments the sofa; pull the color from the patterned chairs and/or art.

In the dining room curtains could give you some more pattern and a fun color accent!

Putting curtains on the fireplace wall is unnecessary and would be difficult to hang without covering part of the windows blocking out more light. To make that wall look finished I would suggest moving the paint above the sofa and hang it above the fireplace. This will both add color to that wall and the larger scale will draw the eye to the painting and not to the windows. This will leave a hole above your sofa but I would suggest replacing the large piece with a gallery wall of smaller pieces.
I do think the dining room is another story though and is begging for drapes to be hung. Don't do white, it will look too plain. I would pull one of those great colors out of the painting and do the curtains in that colorway. Go for a patterned fabric to break up the room and add interest since the furniture and walls are solid.
Great job with your color choices!
www.ChristinaMarieInteriors.com

No to the curtains. The clean lines of shades is much more appealing and modern. I could only agree with a minimal type of curtain but nothing "thick"

Also consider the other factors that curtains help:

-Any drafts they would help insulate?
-Is the room echo-y at all?
-Even if the room is low-light for a living area, would you ever have guests stay over on the couch who might appreciate a little more darkness?

Personally, I'd put some kind of plant in front of the windows on either side of the fireplace--either a tallish tree or a hanging one, something easy maintenance, but that would add some color, which would pull out the light accents of green in the chairs and pillow.
Curtains on the large window and in the dining room, but tie it with a ribbon or something in the middle when you want the light.

Your rooms look great, but it's just amazing the difference curtains make in a room. Like many have said, I'd do single panels on each side of the fireplace, a pair for the larger window. Your style appears to be contemporary/modern, I'd go with either a gromet top or tab back style panels on 1" or larger diameter rods. I suggest either patterned sheers (something like the Moscow or Metropolis sheers at Bed, Bath & Beyond) for the living room, but maybe something with some color for the dining room (Silk Soiree in green at bb&b). Whatever you choose I'm sure will be great.

The image of the dining room is really hard to read but it seems like simple white linen curtains would be nice there..it would make that room more intimate and I am not loving the shades only it seems cold..as far as the living room I don't mind just the shades as they are the room looks nice as is.

BREEZY! Soft shimmery sheers will look lovely catching a breeze when the windows are open.

Even slim panels in both corners will catch a whisper. It will breathe life into the room, and will bring the outside, in.

The curtains really doesnt have to be in front of the windows at all. Hang them by the side to avoid losing any light.

Curtains could soften the room and make it more cozy, but it all depends on the style you want.

Have you considered plantation shutters? They do cost a little more, but they are perfect for letting in light and shutting all light (hence the name shutters)

I think curtains are a must in the classic home that you have!!! I think some fabric with a touch of green or a leaves pattern, since you have cream walls, would be nice. Or even more daring, what about some floral wall paper on the wall of the fire place matching your sofa -there is an amazing one of roses by Designers Guild- and continuing with the same fabric or matching curtains on the big window?

absolutely add curtains. It's for the look. It would add a lot of depth and softness to your room. Plus in my opinion your room is a little bit blah with a HUGE pop of red in the couch on only one side of hte room. A darker curtain color would help balance the room out.

I lived without living room curtains for quite some time, because we don't get a ton of light and the area around our sliding glass doors was really skinny and narrow. But I recently ended up hanging sheer white panels folded in half (to make them skinnier) high and wide. They aren't functional curtains, but they add softness to the room and really make it look more "done." Here are some pics:
http://underwatercondo.blogspot.com/2011/03/living-room-curtains.html

Skip!!! I thought the same thing in my baby's room - simple white curtains with blackout lining - they have made a nice bright room look fussy and they never hang right. Lovely place!

Kate (homeowner) here. Just wanted to say thank you for these thoughtful comments; we've found them tremendously helpful (despite the lack of a clear consensus, which would have been too easy, I suppose). Thanks to the AT editors, too, for posting my question so quickly.

We have much to digest and consider. I will update when we make a decision. In the meantime, we'd love to hear more if anyone has additional wisdom (about the window treatments or the room in general).

Thanks again!

Hi Kate. I think, instead of curtains, you should paint the fireplace wall an accent color that would pop, and add a large piece of art over the mantel (or use the one over the sofa). Though your space is traditional, your furniture and art are modern and retro, and curtains would date the look. I would even move the furniture around - have the couch face the fireplace, add a sofa table behind it, and locate the chairs on either side of the fireplace. A big mirror where your large piece of art now hangs would reflect light from the windows and make the space look bigger, too. Just some thoughts. :) Love your style!

...PS, the dining room is different...I would definitely hang some drapes in there on a wide rod so you don't block the light. Pull that great color from your sofa in there!