curtain novice needs advice

15 years ago

For the past 30 years I've only had shades or blinds on my windows. Now I've decided to take the plunge on curtains and I know nothing about the subject and would love advice. The curtains that appeal to me in magazines and catalogs are the ones on a 3/4" rod with rings that have clips. Our new house will have a great room with French doors (a pair of 3' doors) in the center. The door has an eight foot wide window on each side and I would like to do the same curtains on the windows and the doors. Here are my questions:

1. How high above the window should the curtain rod be mounted?

2. How far beyond the window edge should the brackets be mounted? If possible I would like to have the door curtains open in the middle and stack to each side. For the flanking windows I'd like the left hand window curtains to stack to the left and the right hand window curtains stack to the right. This is because we have a good view from this room so I want to open the curtains as much as possible. Also the way the windows and door are spaced I have more room at the left and right to stack back the window curtains than I do between the door and the windows. Hope this makes sense. In any event will it look strange to not have the window curtains stacked symmetrically on each window but symmetrically for the entire room?

3. What is the rule of thumb for fullness? I want the curtains to be able to close for privacy at night. Should I figure on fabric double the width of the windows or more?

4. Is it possible to have a "wand" attached to curtains to pull them open and closed? Would this be tacky? I've only seen wands like this in hotel rooms but I think it is a practical system and I can't think of another way to open and close the curtains without pulling on the fabric and I don't want to use a cumbersome traverse rod system. The last time I used traverse rods was more than 30 years ago so maybe they aren't so cumbersome anymore. If so could someone enlighten me on this.

5. Finally, how far apart should the ring clips be spaced? Does this depend on the weight of the fabric or some other factor.

Sorry to be so long but I really am clueless on this subject. I don't sew and I don't even know enough about curtains to be able to decipher the websites to order online. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (5)

bonnieann925
15 years ago
I'll take a stab at answering some of your questions, and I'm sure others with more expertise will chime in.
__________________________

1. How high above the window should the curtain rod be mounted?
I like to mount mine almost to the crown molding (or to the ceiling) for a long/lean look.

2. How far beyond the window edge should the brackets be mounted? If possible I would like to have the door curtains open in the middle and stack to each side. For the flanking windows I'd like the left hand window curtains to stack to the left and the right hand window curtains stack to the right. This is because we have a good view from this room so I want to open the curtains as much as possible. Also the way the windows and door are spaced I have more room at the left and right to stack back the window curtains than I do between the door and the windows. Hope this makes sense. In any event will it look strange to not have the window curtains stacked symmetrically on each window but symmetrically for the entire room?

I have a similar situation and chose to stack the curtains symmetrically on each window.

3. What is the rule of thumb for fullness? I want the curtains to be able to close for privacy at night. Should I figure on fabric double the width of the windows or more?

Hmmm....not sure on this. We have stationary panels, as privacy is not an issue here. If you're going to close the panels, do you intend to use traverse rods, or do you intend to use clip rings and slide the panels closed?

4. Is it possible to have a "wand" attached to curtains to pull them open and closed? Would this be tacky? I've only seen wands like this in hotel rooms but I think it is a practical system and I can't think of another way to open and close the curtains without pulling on the fabric and I don't want to use a cumbersome traverse rod system. The last time I used traverse rods was more than 30 years ago so maybe they aren't so cumbersome anymore. If so could someone enlighten me on this.

www.countrycurtains.com has a "grabber" to pull your curtain panels closed. See my question above.

5. Finally, how far apart should the ring clips be spaced? Does this depend on the weight of the fabric or some other factor.
Yes, it does depend on the weight. Typically on a 54" panel I use 7-8 clips.

Have fun with your projects. Once you get used to fabric and panels, you'll never go bare again!
flseadog
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, Bonnieann. One thing that has me worried about stacking the curtains symmetrically on each side of the windows is that I only have 30" between the door and the windows that flank it. Also, a small sconce about 8" wide is mounted on each side of the door in the middle of that 30" space. Is there a fabric that is lightweight enough to stack in a small space but still capable of providing privacy when closed? In general I'm going for a light and airy look since we are in Florida. We have impact windows because of the hurricane code and they are also tinted for energy efficiency so I don't have to worry about keeping out the strong sunlight or heat transfers. Most fabrics that seem capable of providing privacy also seem too heavy for what I envision. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
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bonnieann925
15 years ago
Can you snap a picture? It would really help. I use crinkled voile panels in white for the summer. That should work for you.
flseadog
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks again, Bonnieann. I'm so clueless on curtains that I have no idea what crinkled voile may be but it certainly sounds inviting---sort of crispy and light at the same time. Unfortunately we are 150 miles away from the house under construction and even if we were there all of the mess in the house would prevent me from getting a good photo. The painter has sort of a plastic sheeted paint room set up in the middle of the great room area that I'm talking about. He's painting stair spindles and shelving in there so it's impossible to even see in person what the room looks like. But, I certainly appreciate your suggestions. When I have a chance I'm going to try to go to a fabric store to see and talk about crinkled voile and other possibilities. I still welcome more suggestions but this has been very helpful.
bbstx
15 years ago
another source for wands. I've used this company for other things but not for wands.

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique Drapery Rod Company wands

curtain novice needs advice

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