Drapery Rods...Please help!

12 years ago

Hi there! We'll, it's been about a year since my last (torturous) experience with custom curtains/drapery rods. I was very fortunate before to work with a wonderful woman from Etsy who ended up holding my hand throughout the process. I'm sure I drove her crazy, and I didn't want to start off this round doing the same. I'm about to embark on our living room and dining room windows. I'm planning on having a set of French pleated drapes made for each of the windows, which will remain open. My questions lie with the window hardware. I'm not sure what to purchase. I really would like to achieve the look of not seeing any rings, where the top of the curtains come up to or above the rod. I also like the look of the rods that return to the wall, although that's still up in the air and I'm not even sure if I can use that with a French pleated drape. I also wanted to find out if the norm was to use adjustable rods, or can it be disguised? Having custom drapes made, will it look like I cheaped out with adjustable rods? Finally, we have pretty heavy molding in these two rooms and a very small amount of wall space between the window trim and crown molding, so I think my only option is a very narrow rid? I've attached a couple pics. Thank you so much in advance!

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Comments (5)

joaniepoanie
12 years ago
If you don't want rings to show, just clip the ring below the top of the curtain...of course, you have to allow for that when you measure so the length is correct.

You might look here for rods...

Here is a link that might be useful: Curtain Rod Shop
ratherbesewing
12 years ago
Speak to your drapery maker about your concerns regarding the rings. As you probably know, a drapery pin is inserted behind the pleat and the pin hangs onto the ring. If the pin is "lowered", the drapery pleat will hang higher and less will show. On the other subject, telescoping rods don't really bother me. Who is really looking that closely at your rods? Just remember to purchase a wide enough rod so the rod doesn't sag in the middle. I personally prefer a thinner ring-- I think they are a bit more delicate and more formal. Hope this helps.
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patty_cakes
12 years ago
Have you considered shutters with a beautiful valance? It's just my opinion, but there is nothing more beautiful than long windows with thick mouldings left 'a la nude'. In the evening the louvers could be shut for privacy, but left open during the daytime. I sometimes only open the top portion of the louvers, but on a very sunny day, the complete shutter to allow the cats to sun themselves. ;)
Gooster
12 years ago
You can also use a decorative traversing rod or track. These don't use rings at all but maintain the look of a solid rod without looking like your typical metal traversing rod. I don't know if someone has used these to completely hide the rod but it seems viable, especially since you don't have the bulk of a ring to cover.

BTW, beautiful wainscot, trim and moldings. .

Here is a link that might be useful: Smith and Noble Examples, also available from others
Bunny
12 years ago
It's really easy to clip your rings so that they don't show (or use drapery hooks). I'm okay with seeing all or part of the rings, but I don't care for seeing the clips and never understood why so many were sold. I finally learned about their versatility through many online sources.

I don't see how you can have a non-telescoping rod without finding something exactly the size you need or having it custom made. I have a couple of telescoping rods over sliders and I just don't notice the overlap as it's way above eye-level.