Reddit mentions: The best horizontal window blinds

Hang your Fleur on the brick. Either drill and put in a screw or get some brick clips.

I'd borrow a hammer drill and get a permanent screw mounted dead center above the mantle. Even if you move, someone will always use it to hang something.

Other than that, lets start with the basics.

1. the curtain rod needs to be replaced. You want something strong and sturdy over wide windows. Check out the Amazon basics 1" rod. Im also a fan of the pipe style curtain rods. I have these in my house
   
   
2. Remove the mini blinds from the door and go with 2" faux wood to match the other window. French door blinds like these come with mounts so the very bottom rung attached to the door, making it so they don't flap around when you use the door. Since you have a pupper, You might want to consider using those mounts up higher and leaving some open window space at the bottom for little eyeballs to see outside. It will keep them from tearing up the blinds.
   
   As for the curtain panels for the other window, maybe something like this that matches the carpet style. Since you have window blinds already, you don't really need full on blackout curtains..so some nice semi sheer curtains would look nice. Just push them off to the sides of the window to create the look of curtains...or open the blinds and close them to have privacy but let in light
   
   
3. Get some table lamps for your end tables. And do yourself a favor and get plug in slide dimmers and use dimming LED bulbs or incandescent. I prefer incandescent in my den lamps because they dim really softly and its really homey feeling. Simple table lamps
   
   
   
4. Paint. I feel like something in a sage green would go nicely in this space.
   
   And if you white wash the brick and stain the mantle a nice dark walnut color...I think the sage green would go nicely.
   
   
5. Lastly, at some point, change out the ceiling fan to something in bronze. [Maybe something like this]
   (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Copley-52-in-Indoor-Outdoor-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Ceiling-Fan-51504/206648583) Brass dates a house so any time you can get rid of it, you should.

I have one of [these] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZVA3FRO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Un36Bb9FXSHQB) it's pretty nice. They have cheaper ones that aren't real wood, while I wouldn't trust the mechanism to not shit it out they still look pretty nice.

I don't suppose the doors themselves are just in a simple track floor and ceiling, so you could reverse them, assuming the other side isn't reflective? I set my apartment up with my desk and pc in the closet, and to do so I just pulled the doors down completely and set them aside until I moved out and put them back up. I've never given a damn about the aesthetics of these kinds of solutions, so I can think of a number of potential fixes that could suit me and might not work for you.

You'd have to try these and make sure they work. Amazon has a pretty solid return policy in my experience if they didn't. https://www.amazon.com/Achim-Home-Furnishings-Ashland-60-Inch/dp/B00CSLQH4W/ref=sr_1_2?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1479746480&sr=1-2&keywords=60%22+by+72%22 just over 20 bucks for 60"x72" roller shade.

Budget blinds are NOT around $100. I can go to Amazon or WalMart right now and get some blinds for around $25.

Just what you need

If that is from window blinds, it is a valance clip.
https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Blinds-Supply-Valance-Window/dp/B00H9FQB0W/ref=asc_df_B00H9FQB0W

https://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Replacement-Royal-Window-Coverings/dp/B0118EE4L2

2 pack for $10.

a gray or an offwhite color of curtain would do or a white blind like here

PVC Vertical Blind Replacement Slat (White) 2 Pk 82 1/2 X 3 1/2 by Royal Window Coverings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0118EE4L2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_at8EDbYXF8PDC

Ooh, I have a solution that doesn't involve cutting cords. Getting those boat tie looking things and attaching them out of the reach of kids. Same thing with guns, don't want Billy to accidentally shoot himself? Put that shit where he can't get it (safe, locked cabinet, etc.)

My main issue is that when an attack that leaves 30 dead happens with a gun, everyone starts yelling "ban guns". But when an attack leaves 30 dead from a truck, nobody decides to ban trucks.

Here's a terrible analogy, explain to a 60 year old that someone is making money playing chess. Then tell them someone is making money playing video games. What different? One is moving wooden figurines on a board, the other is moving figurines on a screen. The issue is that both require certain skills. Chess requires very good pattern recognition and ability to think ahead strategically. Video games require the same strategic thinking in addition to having excellent hand eye coordination (which many of us take for granted).

EDIT: They're called cord cleats, here's one on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Window-Blind-Cleats-Screws-Blinds/dp/B01BPEXMO0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=blinds+tie&qid=1564975314&s=gateway&sr=8-3