Curtains. . .above the plate rail. . . or below??

13 years ago

How high do I hang the curtains?? I have a "plate rail" that runs all the way around my den (12 in down from the ceiling, 8 ft ceilings). I just had the patio door replaced and took down the old verticals. In January, the whole room will be painted, moulding removed from the ceiling and retextured. For the time being I want to hang some panels just to cover the window but got the rod I probably will use "after" with new window coverings. So. . .do I go up above the plate rail with the rod (which means the plate rail will be covered when the panels are closed) or just out side the window trim? If I go above the plate rail, do I go all the way up to the crown or maybe halfway in between? Sorry the picture isn't too good. . .with no curtains, too much light!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

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Comments (13)

Carol_from_ny
13 years ago
Plate rail should be left exposed so the plates don't move. I'd put the window hardware on the casing if you are dealing with plaster and lath and out to a stud if it's drywall.
cherigw
Original Author
13 years ago
Carol, thanks!! Everyone seeme to be going as high as possible with their rods and since I don't use the plate rail for display over the patio door, I thought perhaps it would be better to go higher than the plate rail. I'm working with drywall, but the fireplace is so close on the right side of the window, I'll probably be using anchors/mollies since I'm not near a stud. Thanks again!!
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regina_phalange
13 years ago
I would go above because I just love the look of higher rods.
cherigw
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Regina, I will probably try them high just to see. . .good time to play around with them before the repainting/retexturing starts!! Thanks again.
htnspz
13 years ago
I definitely wouldn't put it above. I think it will look out of place and destroy the virtual line of the plate rail.
graywings123
13 years ago
Below the plate rail.
cherigw
Original Author
13 years ago
Htnspz and Graywings, thanks so much for your input. As much as I think I would like to go higher, I agree it will look best below the plate rail even though I don't use it as such. I did a "trial run" with a panel/valance I had from my previous house. . .not what I will use after the re-do. FWIW. . .the paneling/plate rail/crown will be painted BM China White with a Van Dyke glaze, the area above the plate rail will be BM Grey Mirage, the mantel will be BM Blackbean Soup and the bookcase/drawers/doors to the left of the fireplace will be Rosemary Sprig with the VD glaze (what I have done in my kitchen).
Right rod, wrong rod. . .Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!! These pictures look SO bad. . .pls, someone tell me it will all come together!!

{{!gwi}}
loribee
13 years ago
I think you have it right...make sure you post pix after all your painting. Good luck!
Sueb20
13 years ago
I think the curtain rod under the rail looks fine, but I wouldn't put the valance on rings -- you don't want to see that white window trim on top (see how the white is peeking out in the second pic?).
cherigw
Original Author
13 years ago
Loribee and sueb20. . . thanks for the replies. . . and encouragement!! Sue, right on the rings. . .this is just a temporary fix until after the January re-do. What ever goes up in the way of panels/valance will be adjusted so the white window trim won't be visible. Also, I don't have the center support up, so it sort of "sways" in the middle. Will fix that also. For right now, it's just a matter of not being a "bird in a lighted cage"!! Thanks again to everyone. . .will post pictures when I'm finished. . .prob late Jan/early Feb.
regina_phalange
13 years ago
It does look good under the rail :).
graywings123
13 years ago
Regina Phalange - LOL!!! Phoebe, is that really you?
regina_phalange
13 years ago
Ha ha....yeah, it's me ;).

Curtains. . .above the plate rail. . . or below??

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Curtains. . .above the plate rail. . . or below??

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