I didn't want a pair of sheers because of the ability to accidentally leave an opening. My goal is to let light in, while being able to change without closing the curtains. In our last house, we had wooden blinds (regular size) and honeycomb blinds. A couple of those were cordless and they stopped working after a while, so I'm not keen on cordless. I don't mind the continuous loop versions. I'm intrigued by the idea of blackout fabric roman shades with sheer solar panels underneath, but that's not in the budget right now. (We're in the middle of a major kitchen remodel!) My husband is OK with getting more sheers for the room now, and changing it up later on when we decide what to do. There is no room in the current windows to attach any type of hardware. Not even tension rods. Anything would have to be mounted outside, but we don't want to poke more holes right now. Windows will be new construction windows, so the whole thing will be replaced.

Are you asking for fabric pattern suggestions? Are you asking for suggestions for alternative window coverings? I am not sure what you are asking for. In any case, perhaps you should try posting on the Home Decorating Forum. Make sure to include photos of the kitchen and dining area, as it is almost impossible to know how to answer your post without photos of what you are talking about. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/decor

To clarify my numbers. Take the width of the window. Add 10%., That's width x 1.1. Thar's how much the total width of the curtains will cover. When the windows are pulled back all the way so that the window is completely uncovered, the amount of wall that the curtains will cover is 10% of the width of the window. That is. you have to allow for, in your case, 14.7 inches of wall space to be covered when you open the curtains fully. This is for light weight unlined fabric. You will have more of the wall covered with heavier or lined fabric, according to the formula I gave in my previous comment. As for not being able to pull the curtains back over the needed supports for the curtain rod, you can get a curtain rod that will let you do so. You need to look for a specialty rod, not one where the rings surround the rod.

WOW Great spaces. Really liking all that natural light. While I may well be in the minority, I'd like to suggest you at least consider vertical blinds. Before downsizing, I had them in the living/entry space, the den and the dining room. Would definitely use them again if I ever again have an other sliding glass patio door. They come in vinyl, wood, faux wood and fabric . I'd personally recommend the vinyl and using all one neutral color -- white or beige. Vertical blinds make it a lot easier to use the doors as doors and open and close them for that purpose -- or you can quickly just push them aside in an emergency. They're great for light control because in addition to open or closed -- pulled over the door and completely shut or pulled all the way to the side and fully opened -- when pulled over the door, the slates can be straight -- fully open -- or you can choose partially open with the tilt of the slats in either direction ... you gauge how much of a tilt and in what direction based upon sunlight available (and from what direction) and how much of it you do or do not want to let fully into the room.