I think we need pictures to get a better idea of what it looks like. Even if it's just what they currently look like.

I think that even if the rooms are visible to each other, each room is an entity in and of itself that you can decorate to suit itself. I think it would be lovely to have a little variety as long as it suits the room and isn't purple and orange plaid in an otherwise prim victorian-style home. I would surely do it.

Roseabbey,
I had shutters on almost all windows in a previous house & loved them....but I felt they were too angular (is that even a word??) in the DR. I was craving some softness that only drapes could add. I had double width cream/gold buffalo check drapes made & they were so gorgeous. The lady that bought that house also bought alot of my draperies & furniture so I don't have them anymore but so miss them!!

So after my long story.....yes, I think drapes look great over shutters & DR call for drapery to soften all the hard lines of the furniture.

Smiles:)

Thank you all for the replies. Scooby, I know what you mean, I am craving some softness around the windows in this room for some reason. Here is a picture of the space. I had a hard time taking the picture of the whole room, to show the 3 windows together, so I took one of each side. Would there be enough space between the wall and the frame for a decent amount of fabric, so it wouldnt look too skimpy. I dont want to hide any of the trim. Would you hang them to the bottom of the tray ceiling? Any suggestions as to what color, fabric. Thanks

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right side
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left side

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I wouldn't put panels on thsoe windows. the windows and trim are lovely, you don't want to cover any of it and IMHO there isn't enough space between the window and the wall to put any panels.
My cure all for softening an element is add a plant....either on a stand or a tall tree. You don't to have to spend a fortune to see if that fixes your perceived problem, and if it does you can upgrade with a lovely fern stand or an expensive artificial plant.
Put a boston fern on that stand in the corner and see what you think.

Thanks Lindac, that was part of my hesitation, I dont think there is enough space for panels. I actually had a large plant in the corner without the stand, it did soften the corner, I may have to do back to that. Here is a picture of the other side of the room incase someone has any ideas or suggestions about color, if I go the panel route.

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maybe you could do four thinner panels between the windows if you think there is not enough space at the ends? I am struggling with picking curtain colors as well, my walls are a similar color. I have some rusty red panels I really like but am thinking maybe it would be better to go lighter. I think the color of your chandelier shades might look good!

You could treat the three as one window and put panels only on the outside. If you hang them wide of the window on each side (more covering the wall) you'll get the softness you want without covering the window trim. They would just be for decoration then and not to close so they would not have to be very wide. Just wide enough to show some fullness.

That is a gorgeous dining room. I like it the way it is, but you could certainly add the panels on both sides. I think a burgundy color would complement your walls and I agree about moving out to the edge and covering the wall and not the window trim.

karen, I was actually thinking of only putting panels on the sides. I do like the color of the shades but against the white shutters, it might look dingy I think.

donald, yes that was my thinking as treating the three windows as one. The panels would be only decoration as I have the shutters for light and privacy control.

vampire, thanks. That is a gorgeous picture you posted. Is that your dining room? Love the chairs.
I have 18" of wall space between the trim and the corner. Is that enough for panels?

roseabby, What a beautiful home. I think you could put panels on each side. Here is a picture of a dining room done by RXSL on the hgtv message board (hope she doesn't mind me sharing). I have always thought that room is so pretty. I am pretty sure she made the drapes. Red would be beautiful with your rug.
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Absolutely put drapes on both sides, the room is crying for them.

caminnc, what a beautiful room you posted. That is the look I am craving. The panels add so much warmth to the room. She has a lot more space than I do though, I am concerned about the 18" of space I have, would that be enough? I dont know what the standard width of panels even are.

vayagal, thanks, I know the room is crying for them but do you think I have enough space, that is my main concern right now.

Yes, yes, yes...caminnc posted the perfect picture. I love that look too. That would look great in your dining room.

What are those short little side rods called? I have plantation shutters throughout my home and would like to do that in my guest room.

(That was not my dining room that I posted.)

Bumping this thread to the top to answer Rose's question about 18" of space on the side....

Yes, if it were my home, I would treat the windows as one, put in a very nice rod across the tops and use stationary panels on the two sides. Even with a nice 54" wide panel, the folds compress to show only 15" or so of drape on the side, that's how mine are hung in the LR and in my bedroom. That's what creates the lush look with fabric, the wide width pleated or gathered together to hang in the smaller space...

If it were me, because I must have a mockup in anything I do before I spend time & money, I would get some masking tape or push pins and create a drape on each side of my window using an old sheet. You can hang it gathered a bit so that the side goes to the edge of the wall and the other side gently overhanging the edge of your trim. Step back and evaluate. If you like the general look, you will love it when you get your choice of color and pattern there, perhaps with some fringe trim on the leading edge as shown in the the photo above.

Red

Red, thanks so much for your response. I am very pleased to know that 54" compresses into 15", yahoo, that means I have enough space. Now just need to figure out what color, fabric, pattern or solid fabric I need, I guess I should start another post on that. Thanks again.

My entire house has plantation shutters and the only room that has drapery panels is the dining room for the very same reasons expressed, I wanted softness. Only difference is that I have french doors with shutters instead of windows in the dining room.

thanks Shannon, may I see a picture of your dining room?