Regarding your curtain pole extending when you open the drapes, look at the back of the bracket the pole rests in. There should be a little screw there that you tighten to keep the pole where it should be. Ask me how long it took me to figure that out!

I would use off white or ivory panels; for the rod, I would try gluing the inside extendable part where the 2 ends meet, so it does not slide anymore.
That type of rod and curtain is not easy to close and open, rings or hooks are easier to slide, you would need pleated drapes then.

Thanks, I actually returned the panels in the picture and bought lighter ones. They have tabs on the back of the pinch pleats. Same problem. My husband tried scotch-taping the poles together and that didn't work.

Every time I open them, the rod goes flying.

What the heck?

Jane

On the rods I've used lately, there is a screw in the bracket where the rod sits. You tighten this screw after the rod is placed in it so the won't move. If there is no screw, maybe you can get new brackets?

If they are coming apart in the middle, your rod might be too short. I would suggest you buy a longer rod so that the middle can be adjusted to prevent it from pulling apart.

As far as the curtain color is concerned, I think the green one looks really pretty with the wall color. If you put a few green accents around the room I think it will work very well. The other two colors really don't seem to be a good match.

I really like the green drape. I think the ivory one is too light and the rose looking one doesn't look right to me.

I agree your rod sounds too short if they're coming apart in the middle or maybe it's that they're too skinny? I had a thin rod in my LR for awhile before I changed it out and it seemed to come apart VERY easily. I bought a 1 3/4" rod and it just seems to hold better.

Mona, you are incredible. Now I'm totally confused. I keep buying panels and returning them because I don't like the color. The room is a mess because I'm having work going on in my tiny master bath.

I was trying for a spa-type look. I ran to the Restoration Hardware at the mall to ask for advice. I told the salesgirl I couldn't find a color for the windows or bed I liked with the Silver Sage walls. She acted suprised and said almost everything goes with SS.

They had a bed made up with a white duvet, a deep blue/green blanket folded and white shams with some deep blue quilted shams. Bed looked lovely but I can't do white on my bed. She suggested SS panels or white panels.

The pole is too big, I think 84" and the window is 54". They are cheap as I'm using them to try various panels. There is no screw.

Funny, I had no idea curtain rods were made this way. How absolutely ridiculous!

I'd be curious to see how white panels would look. Furniture is very dark rosewood with stainless trim and ebony black tops. Floor is wood.

Thanks again,
Jane

I suggest you get a different rod. Sash rods are not really designed to be used the way you want to.

I drilled a hole in the curtain rod where it meets the screw in the bracket. Then instead of just pinching the rod, the screw now goes into the rod and doesn’t allow it to move. It’s easily removable if needed. Just make sure you get the right size bit. Start small, you can always go up a size.