Maybe even look into options to reduce the radiator size?

I love ritasj's idea of the bottom-up shades. The windows are just too lovely to hide.

Perhaps a radiator cover? I doubt there's room to build it as a window seat, running the full length. It would likely interfere with the closet door swing.

The owners love the look of the radiators. They see charm in that aspect of the home. So no changes are desired there. They have two rad covers that are seats downstairs in two sitting rooms. Yes, top down blinds have been discussed prior. The room is very large and needs some warmth. That's why they chose decorative fabric side panels and want some sort of blind.

The owners love the look of the radiators. They see charm in that aspect of the home. So no changes are desired there. They have two rad covers that are seats downstairs in two sitting rooms. Yes, top down blinds have been discussed prior. The room is very large and needs some warmth. That's why they chose decorative fabric side panels and want some sort of blind.

Now I am confused ..what is your roll in all this?

See above...."I am making floor length drapery panels...."

Check out 'Schottis' pleated shade at Ikea for $2.99 apiece. They are white & are 74 3/4 " long & 35 1/2 " wide. They can be installed sideways & can be cut to size. I'm thinking of using them for the bottom panes only. The windows & bullseye casing are really too special to hide.

If used sideways they can be installed by the pressure of the pleats. Also for night time or privacy they would be great with installing roman shades installed inside the casings to be pulled down to the pleated shades or clear down over the pleated shades to the window sill. the roman shades can also be a sewn by you as well as they are an easy DIY project & one which you can select that special print or plain fabric to match the bedding.

Another idea for a farmhouse feel would be to use galvanised pipe & fittings to be installed only at the outside span of the wall next to the windows. They could be painted a flat white or a flat black as desired. Cheapest curtain rods available.

I'm not exactly sure what your dilemma is, but I would hang them like this, just covering the window casing on left and right and stacked mostly on the wall. Don't make them skimpy. It shouldn't be obvious that they cannot close.

Thank you! Your picture helps me with the visualization. My dilemma was mostly determining exact placement of the rod and I like how you have shown it extending slightly over the window. I'm a little unsure about how it would look if I used finials on both ends. Wondering if I should "dead-end" into the side next to the wall. Then use a finial only on the end over the window.

Whether to use a finial on the end by the wall will depend on how far the rod must extend. Here's a Houzz article that might be of some use: [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/extend-window-design-solutions-with-short-curtain-rods-stsetivw-vs~7353763[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/extend-window-design-solutions-with-short-curtain-rods-stsetivw-vs~7353763)

I have panels in my living room, but have a rod across the entire window. Those little rods look unfinished in my opinion.

I agree with Sandy. I totally understand why people use those short rods, but they are glaring admissions that your drapes aren't functional. Sort of like exterior shutters that are clearly way too narrow to cover the actual windows. I think if you're going to do this, you need full length rod across the whole set of windows, and like a previous poster mentioned, cram as much fabric as you can onto the sides to make it look like the drapes could theoretically close.

I realize that's an extremely long rod...may have to go to a custom source to get it. And if possible, I see no problem with terminating in the wall on each side rather than using finials.

I think buying and installing a rod that is 180+ inches for this particular situation (where draperies will never be drawn) is just not practical.

It is a lovely look. I had a custom rod fabricated out of iron, but you could do a wooden one and faux paint it. Agree to take the panels all the way to the wall, no need for finials.

I would not extend a rod the full length of this window! You have beautiful millworker; why in heavens name would you want to detract from that with a rod running across the top of it. Use a very simple rod to hang your drapes so the emphasis is on the fabric.

If you want a bit of privacy hang semi- sheer cafe curtains on the bottom half of the windows and leave the beautiful top half bare!

So to be clear, the way Grover pictured it; short rod that dies into the wall; overlaps window casing a bit . Nice and full. Looks lovely.. Beautiful room!

Take a look at Paseo Robles Ironworks to get a rod that will fit across the expanse of the windows. You want the panels to look as if they can be drawn and you must have the appropriate rod. I had them make a 160+" rod (shipped in pieces that easily attached). The cost was not outrageous.

@beseaside: I have rods from this company in my home! yes, they are beautiful.

Please don't run a rod across the top of this window! It's not that I haven't done that myself a hundred times but rules are made to be broken guys and this is one of those times! Nobody is going to believe the side panels are operational; they are there to soften and warm the space. This very decorative window does not need the distraction of a useless rod running across the top off it!

I could also visualize drapes hung from decorative knows..maybe one know every 6" or so at each side

Like this Rubyroses? Obviously meant to be decorative!

some samples from houzz

Pretty but a simple rod is all that's needed :)

just a different option and different look. either works

Zombie thread ... 10 years old.