I think they look nice. I have a similar setup in my dining room although my window is not as wide- only about 72 inches wide. I went and counted- my curtains have only 4 pleats on each side- but they are thick- lined and interlined. I can post a pic if you are interested- I'd have to take one first:)
Anyway, I like yours- can you tell me the name/color of the drape?

I don't think they look skimpy. Perhaps if you got those little rods for each side of your window and didnt have the long rod you would like it better. just a thought. I like the color with the wall color.

I would add a valance at the very least or use a short rod - the long drapery rod just makes the drapery skimpiness more apparent.

Jim

Here's a thought...I did this in my neighbor's bedroom. He has a king bed with 2 small windows on either side. I did what you have done, but added a valance inbetween on the same type of drapery rings. I bought one extra panel & cut it lengthways into equal strips..hemmed the 2 long sides and sewed them together to make one very long strip and placed it on the same drapery rod as the panels!

Extra panels

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I love that chair - may I have it when you're done with it?
I don't think the drapes look skimpy at all. If I were going to do anything, it would be to add a neutral panel (white or ivory) to the inside of either side. I did that in my bedroom and really like the look.

I guess I have a "thang" about this....I think even if panels are stationary, they should have the width to be able to cover the windows. Since they are on sale, I would go ahead and try it with 2 more panels.
I also feel the same way about shutters on the exterior of the house - which mine are not done correctly & it bugs me. It is on the Loooong list, thou!!

I love the EA? chair!! I would also consider painting the rods & brackets dark brown for more of a British Colonial look like the chair.

Smiles:)

I like the extra panels. Even if when closed it doesn't cover the entire window, it should give the appearance that it does -- otherwise it looks chincy.

Another vote for extra panels and paint the rod and brackets dark as well.

Beautiful chair, I will galdly take it off of your hands should you tire of it =o)

I think you should add a panel on each side. I had the same dilemma when "dressing" my foyer and l/r windows. I didn't need to close the window treatment as privacy is not an issue and has to keep DH happy. DH hates any kind of window treatment that would block our view as we live on a wooded property with many great views of animals, leaves changing, snow in the winter, etc. However, if I close them, they look fine as there is enough material do so.

My foyer and l/r windows are 80" wide (2-40" windows together). I treat them as one window. I used a 48" panel on either side on a decorative rod to frame the window. Using the panels with a oversized decorative rod gives the me the ability to use the curtains in such a way that they frame the window but do not interfere with the view. They don't cover but a couple of inches on either side so everyone (DH) is happy:). I have attached a pic.

I don't really like the look of a valance in the length you would need. I think as photoshopped, draws the eye directly up to the valance.

FWIW, here's a pic of my foyer window. The same is repeated in our l/r.

a href="http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p269/momto3labs/?action=view&current=DSC00533.jpg"; target="_blank">{{!gwi}}

Ok, I may be all wet here, but I personally like the more open look of the panels just the way you have them. And I think the extra ones would also be a waste of money if you never plan to use them to cover the window. Now I'm even going to be so rash as to say, leave the curtain rod white. It seems to tie in nicely with your trim and not be such an attention hog, which fits in with its style. Let the chair, which is really beautiful, grab my eye, and I assume there are other dark woods in the room that tie in with it nicely. It's sometimes easy to misjudge a room when we only see one side of it, but I'm guessing it all looks beautiful together.

Now if when you look at the window, you're continually thinking they look skimpy, my advice is to get more panels, because that feeling may not go away. But personally I don't think they look skimpy so save your money for other things.

I went through exactly what you did. I bought an extra panel for each side and it gave it a look of lush rather than skimp, but no valance. I think that makes the window look even wider and drapes even skimpier. Just put another panel on each side. It will look great.

I think your window looks fine as is also. Why spend extra money when not needed? My question is where did you get the wood pole that long? I have two windows side by side that are both 80" each with just about 3 inches between each of wallboard.

TIA

No valance. Extra panels for fullness. Paint hardware darker.

Another vote for the extra panel and darkening the curtain hardware. I think the added expense will be worth the visual impact.

Wow, everyone, thanks so much for the feedback!

I actually tallied the votes :). Seems like the majority advise getting the extra panels. Although my instincts lean toward those who thought the look is ok-and cheaper- guess I will head over with my Bed Bath & Beyond coupons very soon before they are sold out.

As for a valance, although the picture doesn't do it justice, this window has a terrific view and it is my favorite part of the room. When you look out you see our oak trees, the neighbor's palms, blue sky...it is really pretty. I will probably keep the main part of the window open, only because it gives me the best vista as I lounge on my couch in there!

Re. darkening the curtain rod, again the picture is a bit misleading. The drapes are a sage-y silk (I will share the specific name as soon as I buy the second set) with a stiched pattern and they are't nearly as dark as they show up here. So the white rod with the white blinds works for the reasons sujafr lists. However, I won't say absolutely no. One decorating challenge for me is thinking outside the standard typical box and this idea is intriguing.

You are all so creative and good at coming up with ideas I hadn't thought of! And thanks so much caminc for photoshopping in the extra panels and valance so I have a visual feel for the suggestions.

And last, digeo, those are 2 6' long poles screwed together to make one long one. We put the extra support bracket in the middle of the window to support the seam, and it also hides it so the rod looks like a single :).

Ann

I like the white drapery rod. It's a nice change from all the heavy dark rods and finials so often seen.

Instead of putting more silk panels up I would do as another poster suggested and get a pretty sheer or filmy white, perhaps white with an embroidered sage something? to hang just at the edge of your existing panels. Maybe even hang them on the same curtain rings about halfway in, letting only half the sheer extend beyond the edge of the silk curtain. (I'm not sure that's explained very well, sorry!)

I think a straight valance would look very dated, and would add another strong horizontal line to your window that you don't need.

If you do get another pair of panels I would try them at the two breaks of your wood blinds, which would make the one big window look like three side-by-side windows. It's a more traditional look and your furniture intimates that you are moving in a more traditional direction. They needn't block out any more of the sun than they would if stacked back at either side, just make sure they hang straight down narrowly.

Are the polls closed? I vote for more drapes and no valance.

The Cote de Texas blog, see link below, recently (10/01) did an article on Gerrie Bremerman, a New Orleans decorator. The blog author pointed out that Ms. Bremerman is noted for her luxurious drapes. She uses 3 widths of fabric on each side of a window! Considering that most decorator fabrics are 54 inches wide, that is 162 inches on each side of an ordinary size window.

I was taught that curtains, drapes, bedskirts, anything gathered, should be a minimum of 2 1/2 times the width of what is being covered. For example, a 42 inch window would be covered by a curtain at least 105 inches in total width - or 57.5 inches on each side. I find most of the curtains/drapes shown on HGTV are too skimpy...except Candice Olsen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cote de Texas blog

I like them as stationary single panels, very similar to what I hung on my window. I didn't want to cover my blinds and prevent light from coming in.

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I also vote for more panels, though agree with kswl and other poster who suggested a coordinating sheer.

If you don't mind me chiming in...what exactly are those small rods called and where do you find them??? thanks!