Phooey, that picture is the inspirational photo. This is my living room:

just a thought, but what about buying a metal pipe, spray paint it bronze or whatever color you'd like and purchase finials to place at the end of the 'pipe' rod.

That's a good idea. I love the idea of using a copper pipe as a curtain rod but that might be cost prohibitive given the price of copper. Doing that would also allow us to close the drapes if we wanted to. Since we moved in two weeks ago, we don't know what the afternoon sun will be like in the summertime. Thanks!

Rustoleum makes a copper spray paint- you might check that out

I agree with Hillbillee ... We had a room length glass block window when we moved into our house and the curtains there were hung on a plain length of plumbing pipe to accommodate the extraordinary length. But any rigid "pole" of the right length (pipe or bamboo or dowling?) with brackets should work. That way you can have the panels nestle in the spaces between windows. And you can buy finials for the end separately to finish it off

I noticed that you have hardwood floors. It made me think of another consideration, if you have mostly hard surfaces- leather furniture, wood floors, wood tables, glass windows, etc. you might think about the acoustics as well- adding a large rug and curtains may help sounds from bouncing or echoing. I love your windows by the way, and think they'll look beautiful with or without the curtains.

Thanks hillbillee, we have a rug down now that fit in our old house but is too small for this living room. We have another rug in storage (was husband's grandmother's) that I hope to use in the space. Our sofas are velvet microfiber in Mocha and I plan to pull colors from the rug for accent pillows. The drapes I'd like to use are red/rust-ish. I think I'll get my son to hold them up to get a visual.

@bluenan - I like the shades that don't cover the trim, I may try that out too. I want to bring some softness and warmth to the windows, particularly since the walls are bue, trim and ceiling are white, and our furniture is warmer colors, with a hardwood floor and brick fireplace with painted black mantle (still not sure if it's staying black). I want the room to feel cohesive, and not one season on top and another on the lower half.

You can use two smaller ones put them next to each other in away to look like one long rod don't worry it's gonna work I've done it and its cheaper just remove the end ornaments

@latifeh, that's what I'd really like to try since I have all my drapery hardware from our old house and already spent that money. I won't even tell you what I've spent on paint in the past 6 weeks and I've only painted four rooms! Benjamin Moore owes me dividends.

If the bamboo reads too summery to you there are loads of other woven materials available that can add color, texture and warmth. Your windows are so nice; not everyone is lucky enough to have beautiful wood mouldings and window sills. Just a thought...

I think your inspiration room is lovely and the drapes did not take away from the white window trim.
While I enjoy the look of the dinning room w matchstick blinds it doesn't have the same elegance of the draped windows in your inspiration room.

Thanks @bluenan! I have a few bamboo shades from the old house that I can try on to get a feel for it. They would incorporate brown into the upper half of the room...

@Dove - I tend to agree, I love the softness of drapes. I plan to use them in our dining room too even though we have plantation shutters, because the windows look cold and unfinished. My husband is anti-drape in all the rooms but I think he just has to see it and then he'll agree. That's usually how it works! ;o)

To make your drapes function properly and look right when closed you'll need a pair at each window. That will require two panels between each window, each closing in opposite directions. I'm afraid with the narrow space between each window, the drapery panels will just about cover the window, even when open. Your inspiration photo has stationary panels and can get by with just one between each window.

Saw this adjustable Patio Rod Set on Overstock.com. It adjusts from !44" to 240" Not sure who the manufacturer is, but check it out. I also do love your inspirational photo with the short rods!

@bluenan, that was my fear too, that it would look silly to have only one panel in between the windows. And it is a very small space, I could barely paint it with the 4" mini roller. I think I'll cut some dowels to fit like in my inspiration photo, and use the finials I already have and see what that looks like. I definitely want the view to show, the backyard drops down to a creek and there's nothing but trees to see (bare now but budding out!), which I love.

@Jo Cook - where google fails, Houzz comes through! I knew there had to be larger rods out there!

Have you considered putting panels on either far side of the windows, rather than inbetween? I think it would add considerable warmth to the room.

@princess - I haven't, but that could work as well! So many options! Unfortunately, I can't try any of these out right now because my living room is packed with furniture that will go in the kitchen when my cabinets are replaced...two weeks late now...I feel like my life is on hold!

Just a thought, if you decide to go with drapery panels (whether long or short poles) I would mount them just below your crown molding. It will bring the eye up and give a feeling of a higher ceiling. Good luck!

I'm planning on it Jo! May have to sew panels to the tops of the drapes I currently have, but that's better than replacing them entirely. :o)

Also consider Roman Shades: they can be made out of roughly any fabric which would allow you to bring color and pattern into the space. But they mount in between the windows which would eliminate the mounting problem.

I am trying to hang stationery panels, on each side of my window....I bought the panels, but confused. I just wanted to add two small rods on each side of the window...Very confused on what diameter of rod should I get...Please help, I have not hung drapes in a very long time,