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Do you think that the top of my window is screaming something needs to go up here!!!

I was thinking some kind of modern decal...tree branch? Something??? Anything? I know i don't want a valance.

Thoughts?


PS. Yes I know that my panels aren't to the floor, but I have vents there and didn't want to block them.

Christine,

The challenge here is that you've left sheers that start below the top and stop below the bottom so the eye is mondo confused. The vent adjustment you made only adds to this, although when you place chairs and side tables / furniture in front some of that will fall away.

If you take the sheers down and replace with blinds, ideally hung at the same height as the drapery rods, then I think the eye can handle something that stops at the sill. Given your drapery fabric and your wall color, I do think white is about your only option. It seems like you ought to be able to have layered drapery - sheers between panels, but the only way that works is if the top treatment (pleats vs gathers) is the same and if the top elevation is the same. I'm thinking your only solution here is to lose the white sheers and hang something newe at the same height as the drapery / even inexpensive top gathered white sheers that are the same length as your drapery (or conversely, hem the drapery, and place them at the top of the window so the tops line up with the sheers).

This is not ideal news, and I hate to deliver it, but I don't think a branch or a decal will solve this.

Any chance you have a picture you can send to help me visualize??

If you are looking for opinions, here is mine. I would totally remove the panels and have just the white curtains. I like that look.

I prefer panels only at tall narrow windows. Otherwise they seem to detract from the window.

Your room looks beautiful.

I just had the panels made so removing them is not an option...

Should I lose the shears altogether?????

I agree that the panel tops and sheer tops should be aligned. I am not a fan of blinds however as they are a bear to dust. If you are open to replacing the sheers, look into shades of some sort factoring in their purpose such as sun filtration, a degree of privacy, aesthetics, etc. Also, I understand why you do not wish to block the vents, but I do not like the length they are at. I would either stop them at the bottom of the sill or run them to the floor and use air diversion covers to direct heat and air outward. I do agree that creative furniture placement could conceal them without blocking air flow. Btw, the air vent covers are clear plastic and inexpensive. Most home centers and hardware stores carry them.

In my opinion the sheers should be the same size as the drapes...up to the ceiling and down to the floor. Otherwise....do away with the sheers altogether. Do you need them for privacy? If yes, then I would get some sort of roll-up shade and put it inside the window frame. White, of course.

So if I just replace the current shears with the same size as the panels, I should be OK??

In which case do I need a different type of rod??

If you don't want to cover the vents, then would you consider shortening the panels? As they are now, it appears that they were hung too high on the wall. If they were a few inches shorter (a little below the windowsill, they would look as though that is what was intended.

When I look at them what stops my eye are the short rods. Even though the panels are meant to be stationary, I think it would look more finished if you hung them on a full length rod. I also agree they are hung too high.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that the problem is no furniture, and we're just focusing on the window. When there are other things in the room, and accessories, it might be fine.

If you replace the sheers with blinds, I suggest using an interior mount.

If you decide to continue using sheers, they do need to be roughly the same height (and hung with) the panels. A double rod can be used -

Because you want to retain the panels, I would definitely hang them a few inches lower and probably use the vent covers to direct the air flow. Another possibility might be to tie the panels back to free up your vents. You can easily test that one out with string before purchasing anything.

Agree that dummy panels don't really work for a wider window. If/when you hang the double rods, you might consider adding 2 panels - one on either side.

Can't see the rest but it appears to be a really nice, pleasant room! Best of luck - it's all JMHO.

P.S. You didn't ask but do you have another spot for the photo array? It appears out of scale -

I can't do an inside mount, as my window won't allow for it.

What kind of rod should I get to get the sheers up there? I really didn't want to take down the two "short" rods... Would it look weird if I didn't?

I hate to be critical of others attempts, but since you are soliciting advise, it seems as if you could use some specific guidance.

First of all sheers are intended to go to the floor, sill length treatments are curtains, not drapes, and are better suited to kitchens,baths or a Rustic style interior.

Your sheers will not impede your vents, but heavier drapes might. The trick is to mount your heavier drapes beyond the window frame so they line up with the outside of your heating.

The short rods are better suited to a different type of window treatment. In your case you should have a double rod system completely across the entire window as high up as possible.

Other's said it was too high already?? I know people come here for advice...but it turns into a situation of "too many cooks in the kitchen" type thing...

Is my window too wide for "higher" curtains?

I wish someone could send me a picture of what is the norm for my window size. Any takers?

quote:

I know people come here for advice...but it turns into a situation of "too many cooks in the kitchen" type thing

That is exactly what you get when you pose a question on a discussion board, lots of discussion.

The reality is, your rods and therefore your panels are too high. My grandma used to use the term "high water" to describe it. Charles is correct, if you extend the rod past the vents the panels won't get in the way. A double rod with sheers to the floor is really the proper way to treat this window. Right now everything looks disjointed.

I can see why you are confused with all the advice. I do like your drapes but they just look too short to me. I know you wanted to clear the vents. Do they have a hem in them that you can take out to make them longer? When the heat is on, maybe you could tie the drapes back a little. As for the sheers....yes, they should be the same height and length as your drapes. If you want to use the short rod for your drapes, use a single rod for your sheers..make sure the ends don't show. For now, unless you need the privacy...take the sheers away (along with the rod) and see what it looks like. If you need privacy....then get sheers the same height and length as your drapes. Just try different things before you commit to a permanent solution. When you get furniture in the room, I am sure your room will be pretty.

quote:

The reality is, your rods and therefore your panels are too high

But Cavin, shouldn't the draperies just be longer and rods such as Charles described be used?

Christine I think that you should photograph all of your room so we can see the curtains, draperies, window etc in context of the whole room.

You ask for a picture of a window treatment such as Libra describes but really a window treatment like that would be in an entirely different room.

The truth is, any individual one of us, asked to decorate your WHole room, not just the window, to our own taste, would probably come up with as many different versions as we are individuals.

Hi Christine,

Do you have more of the panel fabric? How wide is the total window? An option is to add one more panel in center of window. It would break the wide expanse of window. Then add bamboo type/style blinds between the panels to create the impression of two windows. I would use one continuous rod all the way across the window instead of 3 short rods.

Or you could add full length shears as mentioned using two traditional style rods across the window.

Also agree that the panels need to be lengthened to the floor.

A blog with pics of many different styles of window treatments.

http://jackiebluehome.blogspot.com/

Good Luck!

Here is a updated picture of my space with furniture...

I did lower the panels, but still am considering sheers to be floor length. I don't know how to do the rod? I really don't want to ask my husband yet again to move those rods...Is there a different rod I can get for the sheers?

Another...

Sorry about the darkness...

I will try to post lighter pics at lunch.

Admitting upfront that I am not much of a window dressing person, I do tend to agree with SMS (I often do it seems), and wonder if you started the drapes at the same top point as the sheers instead of all the way up, and stopped them at the sill at the same point as the sheers, perhaps you wouldn't have to be having this discussion at all.
But really, what do I know?

There was a classic old school rule that drapes should not exceed the window frame more than 6 inches on either side, with the rod mounted the same distance from the frame top. Those hard fast rules no longer apply as many designers these days are mounting their rods right under the crown molding to create as much vertical lift as possible.

Good design takes into consideration the proportions and direction of all decorative conponents. Balancing out a broad horizontal line one gets from a "picture" window, bow, bay, etc. needs a strong vertical line to balance it out.

So, in this case mounting your rod close to the ceiling is the preference. Let me clarify that I am not suggesting you raise your current panels even higher. The panels you have really aren't working.

If you like the fabric panels you have, and don't want to spend money on new drapes perhaps you or someone you know can fashion them into Roman Shades. Then you will have a chic window dressing that doesn't have to go below the sill.

Bottom line: drapes go to the floor, likewise sheer drapes.The drapery rod completely across the window helps to cover the rod the sheers are mounted on, so the final look is not busy and confusing.

Basically, I think everyone is trying to tell you that the curtains and the drapes should be 1) the same size; and 2) hung to the floor.

I think the easiest solution is to buy a new double rod that goes across the entire window (outside of the window frame). Add the new longer sheers and keep the panels on the ends.

kinda like this

I think your room looks very nice.

http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/06/curtain-call-2/

Same idea here...does this look weird?

By "same idea here", were you thinking about the rods, Christine? Or, checking out the texture?

WRT using the textured shade, I'd suggest thinking about the purpose of the window coverings. The sheers provide some privacy but also enhance light. If you don't need the privacy and can keep the shade up during the day, the textured shade might be a good alternative. Does your rug provide some texture? (Can't tell from the photo.)

BTW, sorry if my previous post was confusing WRT lowering the panels a few inches and using a double rod. Although I agree that both the panels and sheers s/b floor to ceiling (or hung as high as possible), I believed you wanted to retain the panels. They definitely need to skim the floor, IMHO, so lowering them would be the first alternative.

Another alternative would be to add a few inches, say in your accent color, to the bottom of the panels. And yet another alternative: have you ever considered adding crown to this room?

WRT the rods, I would definitely purchase a double rod system. They come in all price points and are made to work together. Sorry about the need to redo it -

Nice room! Best of luck with it. All JMHO, above.