You have a couple of choices. If you want to convert to grommets, you could look into the kit, though I have never done this, and suspect it might be a bit pricey. You CAN buy a header stiffener in the drapery section of Joann's or a similar store, and I would think you would definately want to use it. A couple of other options: You could buy clip on rings. There is a small clip on the bottom of the ring, which clips to the top of the panel. Then the ring goes over the rod. Probably want to clip a ring every 4 inches or so along the top of each panel. If you want to hang them on rings,but don't want the look of the clips, here is an easy solution. Go to Joann's or some place similar and buy rings which have little metal eyelet-screws at the bottom of them. Unscrew each little eyelet-screw from the ring, and you will stitch it onto the back of the drapery, by hand, probably every four inches or so. You will stitch around the eyelet part. The stem end will be sticking straight up. Where the stem meets the eyelet -that part should be right a the top border of the panel. When you have stitched them all on, simply screw the rings on to all the eyelets and then hang the rings from the rod.

You can certainly use colored sheers behind drapes. Look through JC Penney and you will see many, many combinations. But it seems to me that what you really want is to darken the room a bit. I don't think the dark window treatments are going to accomplish that. Beige walls and carpet and a white fireplace are not going to play well with your dark on dark window treatments. Since new paint is not an option, put some big stuff over that beige paint. You want to spread the dark/forest look around the whole room at eye level rather than going for a sudden blast of it on two small windows. I don't know what is on your walls. But I think you could bring the outside in by choosing some woodland fabrics and using them to cover some large canvases. Or you can frame some large sections of wall with molding and either put fabric in the center or paint just that area. I'm assuming you don't want to paint because you've got that big two story high room in a large open concept area...painting the whole thing is a big deal. So don't paint wall to wall, paint big sections that can be the background for any art you hang.

callaloo, Thanks for responding and posting your photo. When I saw it I remembered the post from summertime when you were wondering how to manage that long expanse without doing separate rods for the windows. Great solution! I like seeing how neatly the grommets stack when the curtains are pushed aside. Am trying to avoid the bunched up look I think there will be with pinch-pleated panels, etc. Your picture also shows that they can work with a white pole. I was hoping not to have to go with metal in this room. Nice punch of color on your walls. Your space looks neat and fresh!

I hope you do not take my comments out of context as (1) I paid $1,000 each (ouch!) for my rods from Calico Corners and (2) I have clearance behind my sofa where I could've walked to open/close. My fling rods are on some relatively inexpensive stock drapes from JC Pennies. So I have expensive custom drapes and rods in the LR/DR and inexpensive drapes and rod in my bedroom. I don't know that I would've put the inexpensive rod on the custom drapes since they are much heavier--just meant perhaps I'd gone overboard in the LR/DR and could've done a less expensive solution using the cheaper rod as well as the made-to-measure type drapes from JC Pennies. I do notice some pulling on the fabric, but the fabric weight and lining is much less sturdy than my custom drapes. I'd discuss it with the drapery designer you are working with to come up with a good solution. One other thing about my fake rings that is VERY annoying since now you know what I paid for them is that sometimes the fake rings pop off when opening closing. In fact I have about 8 of the "rings" I need to get my step stool out and attach back on. The installer just said that if I found it to be a problem not to use the rings, but sheesh when you pay the $$, you expect perfection. DH thinks I need to discuss with Calico Corners the problem, but I've had the drapes for about 9-10 months now--a bit late to complain or is it?