Do you have drapes on the windows now? IF yes, please let them hang straight down instead of pulled/draped to the side. My suggestion is to have NOTHING on the top of that center piece and no curtains there, either. Boring, I know, but I think it might work the best.

Did you see the 4th and 5th pictures?

Yes! What I meant with no curtains is for the window on the top. I liked that one open....just the blinds and no decorations up there.

I just had these installed, but am not happy with the final product and am looking for ideas on how to redo the windows using at least some of the drapes.

If I take the middle drape off , do I need to put something else in its place?

Could we see it again with the drapes on the side windows and nothing on that middle one? AND also wondering what it would look like with out the plaid on the side windows, too, and the panels just hanging straight down the sides.

Does it look awkward with the panels touching the entertainment center, or is there a little room between them that I do not notice.

Are you planning on re-hanging any of the fabric window treatments on the side windows, or just something for the center window (referred to as a transom or clerestory).

A few more photos. There is about an inch between the edge of the drape and the entertainment center.

All of the drapes are now up.....just don't know what to leave up.

How about that circular table between those two chairs? They could use one for a cup/glass/book and you have one handy that could just slide in there.

I actually have a large lamp between the chairs that I moved while taking photos.

What I don't like is how the valance tops don't all line up across the top. In the picture where the middle valance is completely off, I like it better. What if you pulled the side drapes open all to each side--the right one to the right and the left one to the left? I am wondering why you would cover up such nice windows with so much drapery...After all, you have blinds you could just close at night.

The additional photos are different stages of installation. I could pull the drapes away from the entertainment center...left side to left and right side to right.

Perfect place for stained glass, but if it faces East or West, the light will come in...which is the point. But windows like that give you a perfect place to really customize. What is the style of the house? What does that window look like on the outside? Is there a window behind the console?

Can you try that trish, pulling them over?

There is no view from those windows. The right side of the room is open to a sunroom that faces a lake.

I agree with patty526, and would offer the same suggestion. Take a look at this Ideabook; hopefully it will help you decide your course of action. Good luck and keep us posted on your decision!

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17060103/thumbs/Clerestory-and-transom-windows

There is no window behind the entertainment center, just the transom at the top.

There may not be a view, but there is light.

The blinds work for privacy and light control and the side panels work for color and coziness, which is important. Too much white without them.

Yes, I am not suggesting trish take anything down. Just pull the curtains over to each side. When closed completely, they make the room look like a solid wall.

I do like the idea of pulling to the sides.....with them pulled to the sides, what should I do with the middle window. I see my options of 1 leaving it... 2 taking it down with nothing on that window 3 maybe stained glass 4 just one panel on each side hanging straight

I vote for taking down the middle valance and leaving it off. (like your second pic, but with the curtains pulled to the sides.) :)

If you can live without the valances I have a suggestion that might help. Pull the drapes back as shown in one of the photos, so that you have one straight panel on the outside edge of each window. On top of the TV cabinet, find a single interesting object that will run nearly the entire length of the window and stand high enough to reach a few inches below the trim at the top of the window. A terra cotta or stone animal like you might see in a garden. A deer, dog, or horse maybe. Remove the items above the other windows and instead just place a single group in the same material as on top of the TV (terra cotta vases, pots, etc.
The pinch pleated valances might work for you in the other room............? One last note, Your walls would do well with paint in a color that kicks the room up a little. Medium to light Citrus Green, Blue-Gray, or Taupe.

I have one more option...I could take all of the panels down and use them in another room that is next on my list and then find more fabric for these windows.

My fireplace is like your built in. We just have a single panel on the outermost windows. They are stationary and we use wood blinds when the sun is up. Our ceiling is a little higher so we have one more row of windows. I also had draperies like yours when we moved in and after replacing them with just the outer panel, it looks "right". Lovely room.

I like the idea of stained glass in the center. You can always purchase one that hangs inside the window and you could take it down if you change your mind later on.

If you are trying to use some of the new window treatments...have you tried pulling both panels on the left side window to the left and pulling both panels on the right side windows to the right? It might make the windows look bigger. Just a thought.

If you decide to rehang the drapes in another room consider simple side panels in a textured opaque fabric. These might have a great woven pattern like striped or plaid. Choose an great looking edge banding with some color and have it sewn down the leading edge of the drapes. Paint the inside back of the TV unit in a color. It could be a Sandy Beige if you prefer to be conservative, or, Terra Cotta or Red. Then add books.

Ok, I am not at home right now, but I will get the drapes pulled to the side and take more photos. I think that will help. I will get the center valence taken down and redo what is on top of the entertainment center.

Try using the darker rods and clips to hang the drapes

I think you should remove the center drape and paint your walls about 2 shades lighter than the drapes. That will help blend the walls and drapes into one cohesive unit and the drapes will not stand out so much. It will also give the room a warm and inviting feel.

I think the drapes would be less of an issue if the huge entertainment center were eliminated and the TV was hung on the wall under the single transom. Soften by hanging a single stationary panel at each corner on a short rod, floor to ceiling. Replace all the blinds with fiber roman shades to warm it all up.

I do like these drapes in this room with your floor and the rug in there. I think it will all work perfectly once you get home and make those little changes.

You have a bunch of advise, likely way more experienced than me, but I immediately thought of how pretty it would be to have a stained glass leaning on the window - providing some nice colors in the room. You could get an old church window at antique stores or have it made the way you want it. That's all I got! :) Good luck!

Your entertainment center is very large and the drapes in the same color make it feel even larger and more overbearing. I like Keitha's suggestion to paint your room in a warmer color which I think would make the entertainment center look less conspicuous. Since your room has so much architectural interest with the lovely ceiling, I think the drapes can be eliminated, and if kept, should be close to the wall color.

Hello Trish. If you were my client I would suggest to get one rod and treat the window as one. The middle window is covered now so I assume you don't mind that. Use your valance as one. Take the panels and place across entire wall. I think you may have enough. When you want light from the windows pull panels to middle. It will appear as one large widow and when you pull them to center it will appear as though you want to open window on ends only for light. Not trying to hide mistake. You may have to purchase new rod only. Look to see if you rods will attach to each other and you want have to purchase anything. Hope this helps.

You crazy peeps with all the drapery. I agree with handywoman and don't put up drapes the full height on the side. I would put up drapes on the two bottom larger windows and leave all three clerestory windows clear except for the blinds. This will allow for beautiful daylighting of the space naturally, rather than closing it off.
Here is an idea from houzz