Given that it will be eye level when you are upstairs, I would look for something that puts light and interest at many levels, similar to this:

There is a pro here on houzz who often suggest lighting solutions like this from their company, unfortunately I don't know what the name of the firm is!

How do you feel about those curtains?

Bocci lighting is one company that makes tiered lighting pendants...like the one I've attached. There are others but the concept would be nice.

My only idea regarding the curtain is that it doesn't belong there lol.