I think the trick to customizing a Finder window in OS X is this:Open a Finder window.
Customize it in every way you want.
Close immediately. Don't go into any other folders, just close the window. When it reopens, it should be exactly the way you want it.
However, this method is not completely foolproof, as it only works when I click the Finder icon on the dock. When the Macintosh HD icon is double-clicked, it still reverts to the default look. So I've just gotten into the habit of clicking on the dock icon to open my Finder windows.
John A
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