Right underneath the bottom edge of the ceiling moulding.

That was what I was thinking. I usually take drapes all the way to the ceiling, so I was fighting that impulse. Any advice how to hang with out visible hardware or is that just a strange idea?

I would be concerned about invisible hardware because it *might* look off to the eye that there isn't anything visually holding the drape up. You could always buy a white rod and see how it looks.

Your moldings are just beautiful. I am attaching a picture of our stationary drapes that are are temporarily hung on something that resembles a partial rod with just holes for hooks that I think would work.

When I look at your windows there is a part of me that feels Pal is correct with where to hang them and the other part says from the ceiling. I'm sure others will chime in.

We're in the process of finishing up our LR and DR and are going to replace the partial rods with a full drapery rod.

This is not a great picture but you can get the idea.

Thirding what Pal stated!

They used to sell acrylic curtain rods....they were clear. I don't even know if they make them any more.

Definitely just below molding, like Pal said.

I think it would look off if you don't use a curtain rod. If it were me, I would use a black/dark brown rod all the way across (even though panels won't move), especially since you are using a fabric with darker colors. Plus I think it will tie in nicely with your furniture and fan.

Does anyone still do ceiling-mounted traverse rods? I think that is what I would choose there. Beautiful moldings, btw.

Thanks for all the input. I think the no hardware idea will be difficult to pull off. Ceiling mounted won't work. The crown molding projects 8" at the ceiling. Wouldn't that be too far from the actual window?
A single thin rod spanning the entire wall could work. I just need to find one that is 18ft long! Definitely a custom order.
The partial rod feels too choppy for an already choppy wall. BTW, I asked about traverse rods at the sewing shop and the young ladies working didn't know what I was talking about. I guess it's dated.
I should have a pair of the drapes ready to temporarily hang this weekend. I am doing research on the rod tonight.
Thanks again

For stationary draperies you could use curtain cranes. Think the Country Curtain catalog still sells them. I have used the antique ones thru out our home for my side panels cause I don't like seeing a bare rod.

This rod at Country curtains comes in your width:

{{!gwi}}

Ange, we had a similar situation with 12" molding that extends along the ceiling plane about 8" in towards the center of the room. We ended up finding a thin rod from Renovation hardware, but it was only 12 feet long. Your 18' length will def be a custom item. If it is fabricated in sections make sure you can put a support at the join. Initially, we ordered a custom wrought iron rod from a blacksmith in California (we are in GA) and the join fell right where there was a wood keystone for the arched top of the center window. There was no place to attach the support bracket
and we were relieved that that rod would go in DS's room, which we were also redoing. Felt lucky to find the RH rod that was reasonable after spending so much on the custom item that could not be installed.

I'm afraid that experience convinced me that I should stick with the designer for window treatments. Of course, I can't sew and don't have the talent to devise my own treatments....you probably would have spotted the problem and not ordered the rod I chose in the first place!

Those chairs are knockouts, and I look forward to seeing the curtain material.

I have a mock-up of the curtain panels. Cruddy Iphone pics don't do them justice. One concern I didn't have until I saw the pic was that the stripes of the curtains with the stripes of the blinds are a bit dizzying. Would it bother you? I thought the wall was too vertical before. Now, maybe it's a problem in another direction! You can also see why I need a bracket that extends past the blind's valance.

that's the right ht to hang them, but from that pic, i'm not liking the panels too much-but can't even tell what the colors are too well... don't particularly like the horizontal stripes.

I know the picture quality is horrible. Sorry about that. I'll try again with DH's new Iphone this evening. It has a flash.
You don't like the stripes in general or is it the blinds combined with the stripes? I have had a difficult time finding something to balance the Ikat. I hoped the horizontal would elongate the window wall. Here a pic of the fabric on the bolt by the chairs.