Custom Interior Shutter are very versatile. You will be able to tilt the louvers at an angle that will provide you with light and privacy control while not losing the decorative qualities of the product...
With a roman or typical shade, if you want to see our you must raise the product and "un"decorate the window if you want to see out.
Photos compliments of ShutterShack.com

...or in a stain finish to match the floor..

This window is on the side of the house, but because we live beside a park, it is visible from the street if you are driving towards the house. There is only one other window directly below it, same width, just a bit shorter. It's in the landing on the way to the basement. I currently have a honeycomb blind on it. I am not too worried about the two windows matching as they are the only 2 windows on that side of the house.

More questions - sorry! Would the faux roman blind be up, not covering the window? Is the rest of your house a similar vibe with the stairwell, or is it filled with upholstered pieces and drapes and accessories?

If i did the roman, it would just cover the top third or so of the window...just decorative. Our house backs onto nothing so i have nothing on any of the windows because i don't need the privacy. The windows on either side of the fireplace don't really have room for drapes, so if was ever to get around to it i wouldn't be able to do drapes.

I do have drapes on the dining room window, and its all open concept so they can be seen.

I've added some pics of the windows along the back to the house

Flat roman shade with decorative border. Adding fabric to your space will bring softness.

I vote roman shade too, as suggested, or have fun finding a pattern.
http://houzz.com/photos/20772918

I like the shutters. I have the same sized window on the landing between my first and second floor, and we had a stained glass window made and installed inside the glass window, Looks fabulous.

I also have lots of windows at the back of my house, but it creeps me out to have people able to see in after dark, so we have rolling shutters on the OUTSIDE of the house that we can close at night.