I would add a rug for sure, for some color and light. It is a little hard to tell for sure the shape of the nook from the small pix. Do you have to use an oval?

As for drapery, I would hate to see a lot of fabric in that wonderful, light-filled window area. Have you considered doing a lambrequin around the windows? It would give you the opportunity to add some fabric without the bulk of drapery.

I would be hesitant to do very dark fabric there, tho. I would rather see something in a lighter ground, with an interesting print that pulls the colors from the surrounding rooms.

Sorry I must have resized the nook picture. I'll try to load a larger one. Is this better?

I have to admit, I don't know what a lambrequin is! Google- here I come. I do love the light in that area. Most of the house is pretty dark.

Gotta love Google Images. I have seen that window treatment before, but I would have called it a modified cornice. Lambrequin sounds much better. I don't think I have space for it though. Also, the styles I found all looked stiff and structured, rather than soft. The good news- It may be a solution to a problem window in our guest room.

Curtains would bring some nice color and needed softness to that space. I am wondering about one long curved rod or maybe roman shade instead of the blinds. Your botanicals are hung in such and unusual and interesting way you don't want to mess that look up. A rug would do it too. Frankly I love your space up to the blinds. I spent too many hours as a kid trying to dust blinds!!!

The windows are perfect as is. I actually like the table sans rug. It looks cozy and spacious.

The space looks narrow and a rug might stick out too far? Hard to tell on the monitor.
I can see rman shades on those windows. A soft curved roman, not the usual straight hemmed.

My vote is no to curtains. The shape of the area presents problems for laying down a rug, even if you had it cut to fit. There is no natural stopping place.

I love window treatments, but in this case, I wouldn't. It is very narrow and I don't think side panels will add enough to the space and would just block the light.

What I would investigate is an area rug though. Head to a rug store and talk to them about cutting and finishing carpeting to fit the space.

Found these guys on line, but have not done business with them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Custom rugs

I also had to turn to Google Images to look for 'lambrequin.' Found a site with 23 photos of amazing window treatments. Most of them have a middle eastern influence far too ornate for my taste. Some interesting ideas there, though, especially in the latter half of the gallery.

Here is a link that might be useful: Upholstered Cornices and Lambrequins

I meant to add a thought about rug shape. I prefer no rug at all, but sometimes it's difficult to tell what will look best until you test the possibilities. If an oval rug doesn't look right, perhaps an octagonal one would. The Big O is a good place to browse for ideas on colors and shapes you might like.

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of modern oval rug

Can't really offer a solution but if you head to the hardware store and pick up a cheap paint canvas, you could lay it several ways (just fold edges under) to see how a rug would look and what size/shape might work for you. Wow, that sure is a long sentence! LOL I just love, love, love your family room. What a great conversation area.

No to window treatments, it's fresh and lovely the way it is and yes to an organic look rug in a light shade.

Ohhh. I love your space. The rooms are pretty and what you have done with them is very tasteful.

I don't think window treatments or a rug necessarily make sense in that space. It's very lovely as is.

However, can you grab some sheets/fabric and pin them up to see how it makes the space look? One advantage to the treatments is they would cover the sides of your blinds (which appear to be mounted outside the window.) That's not a big deal, of course, but it's worth doing a faux-treatment just to see how the fabric feels to you there.

If that space was mine and I wanted to add fabric or warmth to the room, I would consider focusing on the chairs. If they had a slipcover, were fabric on the backs or perhaps just a different color, I think that could help. It's just an idea.... There is nothing wrong with those chairs, and I see how the black in them ties into the living room black elements...

...I'm curious what you'll end up doing. :) Good luck.

Thanks everyone for replying. It seems like it's about 50/50 for drapes/sans drapes. The idea of mock-ups of the rug and curtains is genius. I have tall rolls of brown craft paper n the garage (former Girl Scouts leader) in the garage and plenty of sheets. I'll do that and post pics for everyone's opinion tonight.
As far as the rug, the space between the table and kitchen island in the only walkway in the downstairs. It's about 8 feet wide from back of dining chair to the back of the barstools. Like i said, the house is narrow. Maybe a runner in that space rather than a rug under the table?
I'm trying to walk a fine line between light and crisp and warm and welcoming. The family room is dark and cozy, which is wonderful 80% of the time, but sometimes almost oppressive. I'm trying to avoid that here. That being said, I adore fabrics. I'm ashamed to admit how many folds and bolts I have waiting for the next project. Romans would be nice, but I don't think I can do that with the blinds, which are custom and have to stay. The outside mount with valance wasn't my first or second choice, but the sill wasn't deep enough for an inside mount. Dealing with those valances is frustrating.
I actually have a pair of monogramed slipcovered host chairs for the table, but there are just a little too large for everyday. Honestly, a round table would have fit the bump out better, but DH and I lusted after this table for years. I can easily recover the seats of these, I have just been waiting until I figure out the windows. Here's an old pic of the table and all 6 chairs

Looking at this picture, the fabric chairs really do soften the space. (I keep using the words "soft" and "soften", but that's the feeling I'm trying to convey here- does that make sense?). Maybe just using those a pair of the wood and the pair of upholstered and changing the seat fabric will have the same effect as drapes and/or rug?

Changing the seat cushions from a stripe to something with curves will give you more softness in the space. Have you considered upholstering the ovals in the chair backs?

There is another solution and this to paint the window area wall only the exact shade of your drapes in the adjoining room. You would get the color you need and the two rooms would have more cohesion. Just a thought.

I keep thinking that curtains would 'close in" the space and so would a rug ... BUT you might try a simple sisal rug from Overstock for a bit more texture ...

Perhaps if you switched to a more bold fabric for the chairs -- maybe get some tie-on slipcovers? -- and perhaps fresh patterned slipcovers for the host chairs?

Just some thoughts -- hope you don't mind!

Gorgeous home!!! :) Love the spicy deep cinnamon color!

I think what bothers me the most is the skimpy valance on the blinds. Have you considered building a wood cornice with moulding details similar to those around the bookcase at the end of the nook? Maybe three times the height of the blind valance, and hung so that the wood cornice covers the blind valance. Maybe make it tall enough that the top of the cornice is at the same wall height as the top of the moulding on the bookcase there.

It would mean moving the framed art up there, or making the cornice tall enough that the art could hang on the face of the cornice. It looks like the house has substantial moulding details everywhere, such as the coffered ceiling in the living room, so it would not look out of place.

Maybe some day replace the chandy with something that could take fabric shades, to bring in some color and interest. Maybe hang it a bit lower, too - it seems a bit high.

I like the idea of the fabric chairs, and the idea of a simple sisal rug that Teacats suggested. What about some slipcovers for all the chairs? Change the seat fabric, and then make simple tie-on slips for the backs.

Here is one example (not this fabric, just the concept):

Gosh, your home is lovely!!!
Yes, to what Les and Jan said...or, would it look funny to add tiny rods (forget what they are called) and just 2 panels, one on either end? I can't tell from your pix or not if there's enough room. This would add softness...

I would not add any curtains to that nook! The framed prints above the windows almost function as a cornice. I also would not put a rug there, I think the architecture speaks for itself....there is as much lovely detail as any space can take without looking overdone, IMO.

I would like to say that I think your large mirror in the family room is just lovely!

To answer your question, I think that if you want the look of more pattern and fabric in the table area, I would consider using all drapery dummy panels. Use wide on the 2 ends, and narrower in the corners. I think the vertical of a drape would look better than adding a horizontal line across the top.

If you added a rug, I would add one that had the colors of your beautiful fireplace stone/marble, and the mirror frame in the other room, mixed with lighter tones like you have on the wall.

I don't care for the chair slipcovers, because I think it takes the space too shabby chic; whereas it was more sophisticated as you have it. I like the crispness that the black chairs bring to the space.

I agree with Sureo that upholstering the oval in the chair backs could take it up a notch.

Here is a link that might be useful: rug on O

No pics, but I did a mock up and the drapes definitely do not work. Not nearly enough space. The panels looked like scarves. Any pattern would be completely lost. The only possibility would be a billowy sheer, but I don't think so.
Les' idea about the wood valance/cornice is really interesting. I love, love moldings and trim, so the possibility of adding more is tempting. I would have to move the prints. There is only about 2.5 ft from the window to the bottom of the crown. I am trying to not go completely overboard on trim work. We're a casual family and I want the house to feel somewhat casual as well. OK, probably no to the valance for this space. So tempting, but too dressy.
I also really appreciate the comments of those who said to leave it as is. I do love the prints, table, even the chairs (except the fabric). I live the windows, the crown, and the neat bookcase. I love the floors and the light that pours through the old fashioned tape blinds. I don't always know to leave well enough alone. I have to remind myself I am lucky to have such a great spot to enjoy!
The chairs are due an update for sure. That's a quick, easy, and inexpensive fix. Upholstering the oval is something I hadn't considered at all. That way, I could do at least two fabrics. One for the seat and maybe the PB dupioni silk for the oval.
You guys have been fantastic! I am checking out all the links posted too.

Forgot to mention, the chandelier is definitely going as soon as I find a replacement. I was thinking a lantern. Something substantial and maybe colorful.

What a pretty room you've created. I'd leave it as is, aside from new upholstery on the seats. The idea of upholstering the ovals is intriguing but the open backs have an airiness that I really like.