I changed my mind about the dark gray color and the acrylic ball finials. It looked like the 96" panel length was just long enough. I will definitely need more than 4 panels, unless I want to barely cover the windows, otherwise they look a little skimpy to me. I guess I really need 5 panels. I have decided that what I really want is lined, linen drapes. I am sure of that one thing. I'm still not sure of the color, have been trying to decide between ivory, sage and tan. I want something neutral, that I can possibly use with warm or cool colors. My brother told me to use sage. He's an artist with got a great eye, what do you guys think? I think you're both saying to use panels on all the windows, right? I have considered that, but...I don't know about panels on the short windows. Since the molding goes across the entire built-in, I think that would obscure the great architecture of that wall. Maybe a Roman shade in the same fabric as the panels would be the way to go. Or using a patterned shade (my heart is still leaning that way) with the pattern sewn on the leading edge of the panels as well? And making a cornice to top the wide windows? Since a rod that is long enough to support the drapes might make way too much of a statement, and there wouldn't be a rod on the short windows. I think, how DO you mount a Roman shade? I got this idea from BHG, October 2007 issue, so I can't take full credit for it. But they never addressed the short windows in that room, the ones over the built in bookcases that flank the fireplace. I just realized that it's a similar problem, if anyone has ideas I can use. Thanks!

I bought a couple nice substantial decorative rods from Ross for about $20 or $30 a piece and was able to put them together to make about a 180" rod. They each had a smaller pole that slipped into a larger pole and I used the two larger ones with the smaller one connecting the larger two in the middle. I could have made it even longer by using that fourth pole. I could easily adjust the length by sliding them together as much as I wanted. Used the support brackets provided and had an extra set of finials and one of the smaller poles left over that I could use for a rod for a small window now. It was the least expensive way I found to do it and worked out well. But then, I needed a decorative rod because it would show in places, so maybe you could find an even less expensive way by using wooden dowls or pvc or something. But then you'd still need to buy finials and support brackets which could add up.

Hi, Dana! Like I said before, I'm glad we're working on our projects together, however long it takes to get to completion! What you saw in the picture is just part of one rod. We still haven't completely installed either rod. Both rods still need the end brackets, but I was waiting to get the rings. I want one ring on the 'outside' of the bracket and the rest of the rings on the 'inside'. I think I have it figured out. Now it's just finding the time for DH and I to get to it. So, to answer your questions. So far, I'm very satisfied with the rods. Since I need to alter my panels (they are 96"), we went ahead and placed the rods at the height we want (8" above the window) and I will alter the panels to work with that height. I plan to hang the rings on the rod and then measure from the bottom of the ring to the floor to get my overall length of each panel. Yesterday, I test hung one panel just to get an idea of the look. I used the clips and the look was OK, but I think I'll like it better to eliminate the clips, if I can. I also had the entire length of the panel, so there was a lot of puddling of the drapes on the floor and again, I was kinda surprised to NOT hate the look. I think, tho, that I will have them just barely touching the floor. Hey, if I just use the clips and have the drapes puddle on the floor, I could be done! HA! I understand your frustration in determining the placement of the rod and the length of the panels. I recently made some panels for our bedroom and did just what you described. I held the rod with the panel on it to determine the right height and it kinda worked. They ended up about an inch too long and some day I hope to change that, but for now, at least they're up. So, to make a long answer even longer, I think if you measure the entire panel and then hang the rod and rings so that the height from the bottom of the ring to the floor is the same as your panel, you should be at the right height. You may want to add about a 1/2" to the rod height, so that the panels are just a little above the floor. Does any of this make sense? Good luck with your project. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures when it's completed. I'm also anxious to share pictures of my project, too, but at the rate we're working, who knows when that will be! Are you planning to use the Universal Tempo Tape?

You are getting so much good advice here--wish I'd known of all these options when I was out searching. Just buy everything you think you'll need and a little bit more. There are different finishes and you want the rod and rings to all be the same style and finish. The purpose of the fling rod is just to open and close your drapes without touching the drapes with your hand--like they have in hotels. It does nothing to the rod itself which would not happen from the rings going back and forth over time on the rod. Rubbing off the finish could happen with any rod, though I would not worry about it. If it did, I'd just touch up with a rust-o-leum product. You may be over thinking it--saying from someone who over thinks everything. The rod I liked was not in stock and so I had to wait about a week for it to come in and then they only had limited qualtities of the rings. The quantity of rings you need is dependent on your drapes. As mine are pinch pleats I needed one per pleat plus 2 more for each end. Drapery hooks I bought at JC Pennies, though could probably get at Lowes as well. End treatment was the most difficult but chelone, a poster here who I believe makes drapery for a living, told me what to do at that time.