Add some more blinds like you already have or wood shutters. And soften the windows with some drapes. Full height over all or just the main lower windows.

Wooden shutters...perhaps DIYed from leftover cabinet doors (IKEA's as-is section has a bunch for $1-2) on hinges. You would have to rig a little pulley system to open and close, but they could be really cool! You could also get push blinds cusgtom made for the size and shape of your transoms.

Given the style of your furniture (traditional), consider sheers stretched between 2 tension rods inset in each transom window. Make them very heavily gathered, not sparse, so it mutes the light more than you expect. This would keep the transoms visible and part of the window design.

Why not think of leaded glass...beautiful and functional...while maintaining all of that natural light....simple with a little bling!

I think that your best bet would be solar shades on a remote control. If you have them inset into the windows and use white to match your wall, then it will fit your original idea of leaving them minimal and unadorned. When they are open you'll hardly know they are there. But when you need the sun control they will do the job.

I added antique ironwork. It was added when I designed the house and looks fabulous.

How about putting up exterior awnings. You could kill two birds with one stone by improving your cub appeal and cutting down on the sun coming in your bedroom. The look of the awning would depend on the style of your house.

Why not just put the same wood blinds above?

electronic blackout shades. These windows look too high up to be messing with every day and you can fit them with electronic shades that rest on the sill and rise up with the touch of a button. I thought drapes but unless you go hog wild with really expensive one you will kill the look of the windows which are cool.

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I vote for the faux iron as well, it would create much more interest.

What my dad did to their similar windows (in their den) was to pick up the pattern from the flooring in the Entry Hall (an Italian Terrazzo) and made stained glass windows using that pattern to fit the windows. Sorry I don't have a picture, because they are beautiful!

In looking at the photo it looks like you could add some color to the room, the trim on all windows has two options 1 bright whit 2 a shade lighter than the wall.
2 It looks like the bed would fit great with a beautiful fabric headboard to meet
the underside of the window in the center I cannot tell the width and it could always have a ccutved top. Than I would change the glass in all the windows to a bubble or striation there are a number of choices and not expensive, but you get light and no one can clearly see you.
3 Finally a long beautiful rod to the very top with very long sexy silk drapes across the entire wall. I would keep them tight to the edge of the window and no they will never go over the bed, it is decorative,
4 A beautiful pale green wall and a ceiling the same shade cut with white a bit to be a bit lighter. Horchow has some great 12 foot drapes that work perfect,
If you wanted you could go above the transom and build a canopy over the bed.
I hope this is clear it is easier to draw, thank you

Well, here's some stained glass windows in the transom of your space.

Thanks to everyone for all of the great ideas!!

I did the wrought iron in one window I have in a guest bedroom and disaster. The sun still kinda blazed in in the afternoon. The only saving grace was that by time the sun hit mosts of my overnight guests were up and about.

it's wonderful you have so much light coming in, but i can understand you want it dark enough to sleep..i used window film in the bath because i couldn't put blinds or curtains there. we love it. it does let in light, but there are so many to chose from you might find something you like..then later you can peel it off and put up treatments that you find.

Love the wrought iron idea. I did that same thing in a basement with small high windows. I would also get rid of the wood blinds and use pretty white fabric roller shades with a nice scalloped bottom edge to pull your bedspread into the design. I would then do a full-length lined operable drapery that you can draw open during the day and close at night that is hung above the transoms for light control.

You can have solar screens made for the windows that mount to the outside of the windows. They block out heat and light but keep the view...essentially they make the windows as dark as if you had a big tree outside shading that side of the house. I had this identical issue with west facing large windows in a 2 story livingroom. It was so bright in the room in the afternoon that you couldn't see the tv screen while it was on and you had to wear sunglasses inside. But I did not want to disturb the skyviews I had. It was an excellent solution. Phifer makes the solar screening. Not sure what part of country you live in but in the south it is available from Home Depot and Lowe's. I am sure you can find it on line or contact a screen company to make the screens for you if you are not handy to make and install them yourself. If you want black out...I suggest room darkening roller shades or pleated shades that you can control with cords from down below, they will close and cover the windows completely, and when raised completely during the day, almost completely disappear to return your view back to normal.

Check JCPenney.com for options for pleated shades and room darkening roller shades...they have a wide selection and you might find something to coordinate in color to the wood blinds you have on the lower windows if you don't want to change them.

Tableaux or the faux iron is a nice choice but doesn't provide you the light blocking. Seeing the wood blinds you have I'd just put the same exact ones (custom sized of course) in the upper windows. I'd also put a rod across the top of the transoms all the way across and install drapes. bedrooms do need some softness and this will give you the option to black out. Even wood blinds let some light in via the holes and the sides and the option to make your room totally dark is always a nice one when trying to sleep in.

Stained Glass! There are so many options with stained glass. You can even do a variety of textures with out color. Stained glass allows the natural light in (the purpose of transoms) but adds character to the room. Check out Scottish Stained Glass http://www.scottishstainedglass.com They have designers that will work with you to create the custom look that suites your style and needs. - Nicole

I vote for stained glass, also. We have this in both bathrooms, for privacy issues, and the color that comes in in the afternoon is absolutely lovely. Sometimes I just stand there and bask in it. The light spills over into the hall and bedroom areas, just beautiful.

stained glass is beautiful..but if you are on a budget? the window film really looks nice and it comes in many styles. the sun comes through just the same :)

Tableaux faux iron solar screens are now available! These solar screens shield living, dining and bedroom spaces from sunlight, improve privacy, and reduce the amount of light and glare filtered through windows.

Thanks - we're playing a little catch up, and wanted to update those interested in the faux iron products and latest applications we have. To stay in touch, follow us here on Houzz!