what is on the wall on each side of the window?

Oh, they are old windows that I hung there??? Not so sure about them. They don't need to stay there.

have you considered shutters and a narrow banquette if you have enough room.

I would love that look. Unfortunately my husband does not care for that look. I'm trying not to look to old yet make him happy too. Love the pic. Thanks!

So what does the husband like ? :)

mount top down bottom up shades inside the frame for a clean look - something in a textural neutral linen would be great.

My husband tends to be too traditional. He really goes with whatever I do to the house but I like to make him happy too. I just feel sometimes traditional can look a little old fashion. What do you think?

It is very uncommon to put a drapery rod on a window like this. You don't want fabric hanging down where it would be in the way of someone walking down the steps.

Plantation shutters would be perfect for this window or if you need a "splash of color" and want to soften it, maybe just a top treatment like a fabric cornice or a box-pleat valance mounted on a board right above the window.

You can't see it in the picture but this window is in front of a staircase that goes down to the finished basement.

What if you leave the window bare, to let light in, and just change the wall color of that one single wall ( like an accent wall?)

Do you see how the shadows naturally make that wall (where window is ) darker than the others? You can lighten it up several shades for contrast.