That is a gorgeous room !! I know you didn't ask me, and I am sure no expert, but it depends on what else you are going to use in the room. My only reservation with the print drapes would be that they will limit what else you can do now and later. I like the most expensive and least likely to be changed items to be plainer and then do lots of other interesting things around those items.

Since you are new to the home and also because it is such an amazing space you are going to want to do lots of things over time. Why not do plain red drapes and let your imagination work on the rest over time ? Just my thoughts. c ( sweet children :) )

trailrunner- I totally agree with you. That was my initial thought, but then I get myself all confused. lol

I think I am going to do red panels on each side of the windows, ceiling to floor.

Here's some ideas:

Solid red drapes:

Print drapes:

Print drapes on both sides of windows:

I got all of the drapery pictures from JCPenney.com

hey terikks can you do the plain ones on both sides of the window ? It looks so empty with only the outer sides covered. You are amazing at the photoshop !! c

I am interested to hear what others think of the slanted ceiling. That is a new twist, it seems to me. Mounting the drapes next to the ceiling accentuates this lower side of the ceiling.

These are slightly different drapes:

Thanks for the compliment on my "photoshop" skills, but there are others here who are much better than me. I don't even use the real Photoshop! But it does get the idea across.

I'm thinking I am liking the 4 solid red panels on each side of the window. How about you and Trailrunner?

I'm thinking I am liking that last style curtains you have too. THose are grommet right? I never thought those would look good there. Now question... Does the rod go the length of each window? I don't see the rod on the top of the window and I actually like how it looks, but how do I make it look like that?

BTW- is there a way I can get notified when someone replies to my thread. I thought I selected to be notified, but I don't get any emails..

I LOVE IT>..Definitely the rich red solid. I agree the grommet looks great. I am not able to tell you how to hang them but having the rod NOT show looks best. They would be hidden , I think, if you used a dark wood and short ones over each window. terriks probably knows. You are going to have a beautiful room !!! c

I love it too!! I figured out how to do the rods. Just use 1/2 rods. We did it in our DR and LR. I just didn't realize it. DH pointed it out to me. I'm so excited. I will post pics when I have them up. Thank you both for your help. You have been so helpful you have no idea. I'll be needing help with my morning room valances when I have these done, so be on the look out! ;) THANK U, THANK U again terriks!

I wonder if you would consider painting the space between the top and bottom windows in the trim color - better yet, to add some moulding, either flat or fluted like the columns in the room, to make those windows one unit. I think you will get a nicer feel, less choppy. You are treating them as one window, so make it look like they are meant to be one window.

I am concerned that you are going to either lose a lot of window or crowd the fireplace so much that it becomes insignificant. How much space is there between the outer edge of the mantel and the edge of the window frame? You wouldn't want the curtains up against the mantel, so that means you have to hang them a couple of inches toward the windows on each side of the fireplace.

If it were me, I think I would paint the whole fireplace wall the red color you love (except for between the bottom and top windows, that would be trim color). Then I would hang a rod across the top above of each of the upper windows, and have panels that are pulled back to sweep from the fireplace side of the window over to the wall side. Those curtains would be a color similar to the other walls, or a subtle print.

hmmm....I can't even visualize what les is saying but she has always got such great ideas....terricks is that WAY too hard to pull off in a photo attempt with your skills ? It is worth thinking about klavr.

at least the idea of making the area between upper and lower the same color as the current trim and then do the red curtains the way she is suggesting and leave the wall the current color ...not sure I would want a whole red wall. Something to think about.

I think if you try to make the tall windows all one unit it will change the dynamic of the middle window. I like the way the three relate to each other. It's architectural detail in the room.

In your profile page is where you'll be asked if you'll accept mail from the forum or something to that affect. That's where you need to make the change in order to get e-mail notifications.

Thanks greatgollymolly!!

@les917- I'm having a hard time visualizing your idea as well. My only issue is that I really don't want to make this a big project. My original plan was to just hang panels and even that is more complicated than I originally planned, since I can't purchase ready made ones.
The distance between the fire place and window is about 2 ft as well as the distance between the wall and window on the opposite side.

Kathy

I think that you should put a picture above the fireplace with a lot of red in it, like this:

Love that picture terriks. It's as if you know exactly what I like!! :) Where did you find that pic?

It came from art.com
I just searched in the "decorative" category, and chose red in colors.

I was thinking that you are still going to have the issue of finding drapes long enough if you try to go the ready made route. You may be able to find ready made drapes that are 144 inches long that you could hem up, but that is not very common. If you can sew at all it should be pretty easy to find a solid red fabric to make the panels, and you can buy those large grommets at Joann Fabrics. I would make the panels a bit long, hang them, then mark the hems and hem them up.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ehow article on making grommet drapes

terriks- Do you think it would work if I purchased 120 inch panels and then just have someone hem the bottom with the same fabric? I would just buy an extra panel and use the fabric from that. Unfortunately, I don't sew at all. DOn't even have a sewing machine. Maybe this is the time I should learn?? lol

The distance from the ceiling to the floor is about 140 inches. That sure would be great if I could find those ready made, but haven't had any luck.. :(

If you did add the same fabric at the bottom you might want to also add a bit of trim at the seam so that it looks purposeful. Or the entire bottom addition could be pleated horizontally with the additional fabric to hide the seam.I would make the band at least 12 inches long so that it is in proportion to the entire look. If you bought fabric that is heavy enough maybe you could do unlined panels and use iron on seam tape to do the hemming. Then all you need to know how to do is cut and iron. Again, if you DIY like that make the panels a bit long and mark the hems after you hang them. You want to have enough fabric to make a nice deep hem. You could always buy some really inexpensive fabric to try it out on one panel.

Thanks Terriks! You have been so much help. I will let you know what I decided to do. I am waiting to recieve the panels that I ordered. Can't wait to begin. I will post pics asap.

Kathy

The pic above the fireplace is inspired . Looks perfect. It is just the right touch . I don't even sew on buttons so would be impossible for me to do this too. Good Luck ! c

Nice work, terriks! :) I skimmed responses (lack of sleep) so pardon if this is a repeat. The upper windows are all the same, and appear quite high, do they have to be covered at all? Would it look funky to only put drapes on the lower two windows and leave upper row alone?

Here are some nice panels from Bed, Bath and Beyond that you can order in the 144" length. I am planning on using them in my family room. I am using the 95" length and will be shortening them to achieve the 'custom' length I need. They are unlined and the hem is done on a sewing machine, so even if you need to hire someone to do the work for you, it should be relatively inexpensive. They are available in a merlot, which might be perfect in your setting. I think the texture will work great with what I see in your room. If you have a BBB nearby, you could always stop in there to see the color and weight of the fabric to judge whether or not it will work for you. Oh, almost forgot to mention that they are grommet top panels, which I like for the way they hang with nice even folds. Good luck with your project. You have a lovely space to work with!

Barb

Here is a link that might be useful: Reina window panels from BBB

Nice find bac717. Perhaps the spice might work too. It would depend on how they look in real life.

Here's a picture of the types of pleats or tucks I was talking about:

The upper windows are all the same, and appear quite high, do they have to be covered at all? Would it look funky to only put drapes on the lower two windows and leave upper row alone?

One of my mock ups does show the drapes under the lower windows, and it does look kind of funky. The way I placed the drapes in the pictures they really don't cover the windows at all - they are on the sides and cover the trim just a bit.

klavr - Can you please tell me what your paint color is? Thanks!

Terriks,could you do your magic and just paint the area between the upper and lower windows on each side the same as the trim (or as close as you can come)? I really do think it will make a real difference with the long drapery.

Thank you so much bac717 and terriks. If those bbb curtains are the right color, that would be perfect and you would have saved me a huge headache. And terriks I absolutely thi the pleat is the way to go if I can't find them in the store. I can't even express to all of you how much help you have given me. Off to Bbb. Let you know what I find.

I'm still not getting my notifications. Have any suggestions for what I need to do. I checked receive emails.

Kathy

Msrose the paint color is Basketry Behr.

Here's a picture with the area between the windows "painted":

Thanks so much, Terriks. I think it does make the whole area feel less choppy.

Yep les is spot on...that just looks perfect. c

I can't wait until you get the real drapes up and post pictures!

I think the last picture is perfect. Going to be so pretty.

I went to bbb and the ones they had aren't the right color. :( I ordered some from Penny's, hoping they will work. I will have to add the hem with the tuck or pleats . I am becoming so impatient!! I want them up NOW! Lol I promise to post pics as soon as they are up! ;)

OK- So, you all are going to kill me! After all of this going back and forth, DH and I decided to go ahead and try it under the top windows and see how we liked it, since we could do it with in-stock 108 inch curtains. DH, being the awesome guy that he is, said he would change it if you all hated it... ;) I still want a brighter red panel, but this was the closest I could find for the time being. What do you guys think? I actually think it looks good after all, but I am just wondering if you still think it would look even better above the windows. The big pro for being below the windows, is I'm DONE!! Well.. at least with the widows...BTW- IGNORE THAT BIG RED PAINTING ON THE LEFT. IT IS GOING!! ;)

It's looking pretty good, but can you take a picture from a different angle, like your original pictures?

Sorry about that. I didn't like the way it looked earlier with how the sun was hitting it in the picture. Here is another one.

We kind of like how the windows on the top look with the panels underneath them, opposed to how they look with the panels above them. I feel like when we tried putting them above the top windows, more attention was brought to the fact that they are seperate windows, and made it look a little choppy.

I think that it looks fine and it puts an accent on your transom windows. It is a slightly less dramatic look than the floor to ceiling drapes.

I hate to have to say this, but I prefer the mock up that terrik's did for you. The upper windows look off to me, both in terms of how they line up visually with the leading edges of the WTs and the horizontal empty space between the transoms. I also think the WTs should go all the way to the outer walls so that you don't see the little bit of wall on each side. You would need to use a different type of rod with no finials on the outer edges.

as your room is, i think i like your windows best unadorned...they're dramatic with nothing on and the curtains both up to the ceiling and between the windows seem to make them less so.

but, i like the curtains hung as you hung them better than the photoshops of them hung to the ceiling---looks like you're trying to make the windows something they're not hung all the way to the ceiling. however, hung as they are makes the space between the ceiling and the transom scream for a nice wide crown molding imo...i know the ceiling vaults upward to upstairs hall, but imo crown molding would really finish the room/area beautifully!

Terricks- I do think it looks good when I look at in person, my ONLY hesitation about this, is if it would look absolutely AMAZING if I took them to the ceiling. I just wasn't convinced when we tested it out. I felt like it really made the top widows look wierd. Not to mention, if we put them at the top, it does prevent some of the light from coming in, and we DEFINITLEY need as much light as we can get.
Valinsv- I appreciate your opinion. I really don't think the pic gives a good represenation of what it looks like in person. The glare from the lighting makes it look really off, but honestly, in person I think everything flows together nicely. I actually do like the rods and the placement. There is very little space showing on each side of the walls and in between the top and bottom windows. To be honestm, you barely notice the rod. I really think the angle of the pic and the glare really emphasizes the rod in the pic.

Terricks- The fact that we don't have to customize the curtains is a huge plus for me, HOWEVER- if you think that it would really make that DRAMATIC effect, I'm willing to try. Whatcha think??

Just joining the comments here, but I think the longer drapes, hung from just below the ceiling, with the portion between the trims also painted white as Les suggested, looked FANTASTIC!! The other version, with drapes on the lower portion only, looks okay, but not dramatic at all.

I think if you put the drapes all the way to the ceiling and then pulled them as far back as you can on both sides, you shouldn't have trouble with light coming in. I don't think it's necesary to paint the space between the window and transom either. Just leave that as it is.

klavr: What's most important is how it looks in person and how you and your DH like it. While I still prefer the latter, there is nothing wrong with the way you did it either and realistically, no one who comes to your house is going to see the other version anyway. There is definitely something to be said about having a project done--esp. when you move into a new house, have small kids and plenty of other things to focus on.

Another country heard from:

I think they should also go to the ceiling. Your eye stops right at the top of the curtains and it shortens the room. You have fabulous ceilings!

Don't forget that you don't necessarily need extra long curtains if you're sewing. You can buy another panel & cut it into pieces. I would add those fantastic pleats, even if you're using the same color.

I love your colors, the shape of your room, and you're wonderful choices. I am also a red addict.

Good luck! It's coming along so beautifully.
Christine

I have been lurking on this site so long I feel I know you all so well, but here goes... it's the ceiling. It bugs me. I'm a CPA but I have three A+ designers as clients and as one would say, "Oh honey, it's so 80's." More than that, it's a distraction. Take your photo, turn it into a B&W, then turn it upsaide down, or do one or the other, then you'll see. The ceiling s/b 10% lighter than the walls, maybe 20%. And add some nice 3-4" crown molding, maybe 5". Go on Facebook or Google Mrs. Phoebe Howard; if I ever won the Lottery, man, she is one heck of a designer. Maybe she is too calm, I mean not enough jazz, for you, but her son's company, Max & Co. is more cutting edge.

I too am having drapery problems, that's why I am looking to you all for help, even with the three clients who all of a sudden don't have time for me. So I went to IKEA for the bedroom, not bad. $14 for two panels including the Stitch-Witchery. and I don't ever plan to wash them, cheaper to replace.

I remodeled for 15 months just moved back in, hubby says it's like living in a fishbowl w/o any windowcoverings at all on all new Marvin windows and French doors. (Contractor said it would take 4-6 months, we've all heard those 'stories', like I'm 6' tall, etc.) Wish I had my old beautiful custom shutters back but they wouldn't fit.

Thanks for letting me contribute my 2cents, I didn't mean to offend if I did. This is what my clients told me. grin. And thank you for letting grump a little,

Sandy

Smitty, are you saying that the ceiling is too light? I would tend to agree, because I don't like white ceilings, but I don't imagine that the OP wants to take on the project of painting the ceiling right now. And on the subject of crown molding, this house has vaulted ceilings, which I don't really think are appropriate with crown molding - so the OP can save some stress and expense there. ;)