I might think about these, in the amber gold. I like that the embroidery would provide some interest and visual weight to balance the strong pattern in the upholstery, especially since part of the drape may be hidden by the furniture.

la scala embroidered

I also like these, in the red/gold combo, but they might be a bit much with the couch in front of them, making the room feel off-balance.

capitol embroidered

I have to say that it is a shame that you have to cover up the window so much with the couch. I know that you have been struggling with the room arrangement, but I really think you could put the couch on the end wall and the tv on the wall to the left of the entry from the foyer, so that your pretty window and view could be enjoyed.

les - i do like the first ones. I was going back and forth (from the beginning) between a green or gold color. Think gold would go better than green? I agree the red/gold may be too much.

My LR is a rather frustrating thing right now. DH and i can't seem to agree on an arrangement. The only thing we agree on is that it doesn't look right how it's currently set up. If it were up to him i think EVERYTHING in the room would be at a diagonal. Grrr. The other problem is i'm having a hard time finding help to move the huge e.stand since he's been in a sling from his surgery. And i don't think the sofa looks nice off center on the wall with the window. (another one of his ideas) I'm off track now but yeeah i agree the set up needs work.

Bought some curtains last night at bed bath and beyond. Actually found the same croscill mercury ones for the living room and they were on clearance. *yay* They had to order the panels from another store but i should have them soon. Figured it may look a little different once i have the correct amt. up. If not, i'll be taking them back.

Bedroom- i bought some heavy lined,silk taffeta ones in a rich bronzey/linen color. Hopefully they'll work for whatever beddings i chose.

The bedroom ones are "pole top panels" can i hang those with rings? The rod we wanted to buy is one of those big carved wood things that aren't adjustable. I would also need to buy it in a 8' width. Window is 78.5". 8' is 96". so it would hang over the sides 8.75". Is this alright?? I know it will give the illusion of a wider window but if i tie back the curtains will it look funny?

The bedroom ones are "pole top panels" can i hang those with rings?

JCPenny shows pole top panels hanging from rings and clips. However, I wouldn't do it, because I fear that there isn't enough structure at the top of the fabric to prevent it from sagging between the rings over time. I find that what you see in photos often doesn't work in real life. Tab top drapes look beautiful in catalog photos, curving in and out, but in real life they tend to droop.

The rod we wanted to buy is one of those big carved wood things that aren't adjustable. I would also need to buy it in a 8' width. Window is 78.5". 8' is 96". so it would hang over the sides 8.75". Is this alright?? I know it will give the illusion of a wider window but if i tie back the curtains will it look funny?

That actually isn't much of an overhang. I have an 84 inch wide window and the rod extends 1.5 feet beyond each side. As for the tie-back, it depends on how much fabric there is to pull back.

graywings - now i'm considering taking them back! they are heavy and i don't want them looking all saggy overtime.

that really isn't a lot of overhang?? Cool. I had to buy 4 panels. Each is 54" so there's a total of 216" I was also wondering how much you're going to be able to tell i have four panels instead of just two. which is why i wanted pinch pleat but was totally unsuccessful last night. The ones they had in pinch weren't the colors i needed.

can i only use pinch pleat with rings in order to not have the sagging problem?

thanks everyone.

here's the bedroom panels i bought in the linen color

Here is a link that might be useful: Argentina Room Darkening Window Panels and Valance

sheesharee: That is about the conclusion that I came up with when purchasing drapes for my windows where I needed privacy and planned to open/close everyday. In my LR/DR which have wide street facing windows I went with custom drapes by Calico Corners on decorative traverse rods with a ring style. It's hard to explain, but the rod (Kirsh) is actually a traverse rod, but has a ring look to it. It was very expensive, though works very well.

{{!gwi}}
In my master bedroom where I have a sliding door, for drapes I went with stock sizes through JC Penny and looped the hooks from the back of the pleats onto the rings and open/close using fling rods attached to each center ring. The rod is from Lowes. It also works well, though drapes are definitely of lessor quality (and much cheaper as well) than my LR/DR ones.