If you want some softness, mount the rod on the ceiling and keep the inside mount blinds for the actual light control.

I would go on the drywall just below the molding. What type of rod do you plan on using, standard white or decorative? What type of drapes, stationary panels or draw drapes?

Since these are to be stationary, I would put short rods on each side of the window, just under the crown molding provided the rods are even with the "box" at the top of your windows.

The drapes will be stationary not opened or closed. I have not purchased the rod yet but usually use a thin black one. Should I use a white one or painted to match molding?

Bob- just below the lowest molding piece on the wall puts the rod running directly across the molding boxes above the windows. Do you think this will look ok?

Thank you all for the ideas. When I look at pics of the short curtain rods they just look funny to me. I still don't know what to do but will keep looking. One rod to span the entire wall-I just don't know.

Any other ideas?

Why do you want the drapes? Is it to add softness to the room, or color, or pattern?

One alternative I can think of is to switch out the bamboo shades you have now, and use fabric roman shades. You would get color, and softness, but not have to worry about where to put the curtain rod.

This is the best pic I could find of how I'd do it, with the draperies out to the side, just barely covering the sides of the windows so you don't lose any view or light, with the rod (the dark one here looks great) at the bottom of the uppermost piece of moulding:

[Traditional Bedroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2107) by Portland Architect Alan Mascord Design Associates Inc

I think two small rods is the way to go. I f you use a thin decorative rod to coordinate with your furniture, the I would try to get the rod about at the top of the center box molding.

You could also use a standard white and and a pinch pleat and pin it on the rod. So the rod won't show. Then I would mount it so the top of the panel is about even with where the drywall meets the crown molding.

Here's a helpful aticle with pictures of somewhat similiar molding.

Here is a link that might be useful: Secrets Of Successful Draperies

+1 for olychcik's idea. I generally follow the younghouselove method:

Here is a link that might be useful: Yhl curtain hanging method

I wouldn't do two short rods. I think those always look a little odd, but that's just my thoughts.

If it were my room, I'd find a rod with a very small bracket. I'd install the bracket so when hung, the top edge of the drapes was even with the bottom of the crown. You will need to put your bracket on the crown unfortunately. I'd do 1 rod that extended 18-24 inches beyond the window so only the side window trim is covered by the drape.

Unfortunately, your crown is getting in the way of hanging a rod! But, if you get the right bracket/rod I think it will work out nice.

My only other suggestion is to do a roman or balloon shade in a fabric pattern and let the crown be the picture frame around your window. It is very lovely on it own.

You can go with the single rod and hang them about where the drape is in your pic right now. So it would go across at the same height as the bottom piece of molding....just above where the fluted column ends. Hang the rod so it extends past the window by about 12" on either side and hang the drape so that it skims the glass.

A rod that long will need support in the middle...I suggest using 2...one mounted between each window.
While this pic is of a transom window, it gives you the idea to hang it at the lower part of the molding and let what ever is going on up above show.

Here is a link that might be useful:

This post was edited by AnnieDeighnaugh on Thu, Mar 14, 13 at 13:43

I like olychick's idea too. Alternatively, you could try something like this (although I think the walls to each side of your window may be too wide for this look)

Here is a link that might be useful: Source page

I don't like short rods either. They always feel undone and haphazard to me. Your windows are similar to mine. The stacked moulding, painted section, and pediment. I would mount a thin rod right below the crown molding. The only possible issue is the rectangular overlay on the pediment. The rod needs to not overlap that section. You will also need bracket extensions unless you drill into the pediment.
I didn't have panels long enough to hang as high as I like so the rods are mounted at the base of the pediment. It bugs me, a lot, to have the drywall showing beneath the crown.

Just thought of you...I was watching a Candice where she was redoing a basement family room with a large window with drapery panels on either side. What she did was to hang 2 shorter curtain rods from the ceiling...that way you wouldn't have to worry about how to mount them to the woodwork....you could do that with a long rod as well as 2 shorter rods.

Thanks so much for all the ideas and pictures. I have been looking for weeks and didn't see any of those! I think I like the long rod the best although I know things would be so much easier with the short rods. I am thinking white since it won't stand out as much against the pediment/moulding and I really want that to still be the star kind of like tracie's picture. I know black or dark rods are more in vogue-which would you use?

Now off to google bracket extensions?

Thanks again. Any more ideas please let me know.

The extensions would be only if you put the brackets into the drywall rather than the molding. Most brackets are only a few inches deep so the rod may not project past the molding. Does that make sense?

Ah yes angc it does. I learn every time I visit this forum. I don't think I can hang a rod 11 feet (width across window set) and not use brackets can I? So I would need brackets in the drywall and the moulding above the windows.

I have new respect for professional treatment installers.