Hi - it's just happenstance I see your post. I would suggest one key to getting a more settled & finished look....take the wood (or same color at least) that your fireplace mantel is made of & bring it all the way to the opening. It's framing leaves one 'hanging' I think. Yes, you may need a steel insert that frames out the actual top opening - check your code. It wouldn't need to come out more than 1/2" past the wood "veneer" you'd be putting in. Julie-ModernForm Design in Texas Hill Country

Agree with erinseam. I still love my fabric vertical blinds! They were custom made many years ago, when we got the west sun so they were the perfect choice before our trees were large enough to provide shade, so they could be titled to keep the hot summer sun out and still allow light in, or closed at night. They make so much sense on a slider. But grommet topped drapes are a good choice too. You have many options.

Hey Tracey! I think you could definitely use some window treatments because not only would they warm up the space, but would also soften the room where harder materials like wood and brick are present. I don't think you need to get overly fussy with the style or pattern but it could be fun to introduce another pattern or even some color into the window treatments. I would do either an inverted pleat or single pleat on rings or a hidden tab style on a dark rod to give it a simplified and casual look. I would also hang them closer to your crown molding to have that space look elongated. Check out some of the photos below for inspiration! Good Luck!

Pottery Barn Bordered Linen Window Treatments

Please GOD. No vertical blinds. Unless you need light control o privacy..... double width panels on both sides are fine. Often one just needs the "sense" of privacy, no real glass coverage. If you want to draw them closed? Have them custom made. Nothing is worse than ready made drawn closed........may as well use a darn sheet.

It is doubtful God will answer a 'no vertical blinds prayer.' They are great for light control, come in a wide range of fabrics, hang neatly & are very easy to maintain & don't collect dust like horizontal blinds do. And there are some ready made high quality drapes/curtains that are pretty decent as opposed to the expense of custom made if someone's budget is limited. Sliding door sizes are readily available. Most people are more comfortable when they can close a drape/curtain/blind at night and it will soften the room as Kelsey commented.

The industries have come a long way with vertical blinds , you can now line them with fabric so that they look like curtains ,for a patio door I like them .

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/la-jolla-residence-asian-bedroom-san-diego-phvw-vp~509701]

Do nice LINEN lined curtaun panels you can draw closed.Best would be custom.....if ready made, get multiples and get them stitched together. Pull them at night, you need at least three PAIR for them to look good, and for enough fullness to not look like sheets : )

Patio sized lined drapery panels are available - they are one single, wide, pinch pleated panel that can be hung with ring clips on a decorative rod and are easy to slide open & close. J. C. Penney's has them. Easy to order & easy to return.

Light natural color blinds

Ivory would be my preference no white it would be too stark . Is there an issue with your ceiling ? I don't know if I'm the only one who sees it but it looks like a not very good paint job ,roller marks are showing ,if you can use flat ceiling paint it wont send down that shiny glare.