I once used PVC pipe then painted it gold and used a support in the middle, they also make brackets that you can't see, sort of like an elbow bracket that the rod sits on and screws in underneath the rod and to the wall. PVC comes in different sizes, I don't remember now but I think this was 3 in. diameter pipe. Home Depot. It was light weight and you can get it in any length. I glued on the finials. You can use a ball or something on the end something lightweight and either paint it or wood faux finish them. Sorry for the poor quality picture. Photo of PVC rod (from several years ago in another house, contemporary lace swags on painted PVC rod).

Use electrical conduit, it's lighter and apprx $2 for 10 ft. I found an online DIY video and I'm about to tackle this project myself for an almost 200' rod. My biggest problem is figuring out where to put the brackets so I can still open the curtains. I have a slider with windows on both sides, about 11' of wall space between the slider and each window, very little wall space to the corner. I'm hanging 3 patio drapes, because I wanted the color and the company doesn't sell matching curtain panels. My goal is to block the bright morning sun and the heat (the sun rises right into my window!). I'll try to post a link to that video, it seems fairly easy, except the bracket issue. I bought 2 100' pieces of conduit, 1 can of primer paint combo (spray paint) and it only cost $8. I did pick up some connectors for $2, but I'm not sure if I'll use them yet. All i need to buy now is brackets, shouldn't be that expensive, i'm guessing the total cost will be under $30. I'm also hanging a black out liner in front of the slider, on a separate rod, as close to the wall as possible. If rods weren't so ridiculously expensive, I would just buy a custom made one, but that would cost more than my curtains! I'm hoping this is as easy as it is in my head...Anyone have any suggestions on where to put these brackets, please let me know. Here is a link that might be useful: DIY curtain rod

If you want to do sheers under a curtain and you don't need them to shut, you can string the curtains and the sheers on a single rod with the sheers in the middle...same look, lower profile. You can do the same with a valance that covers the middle of the rod with panels on either side. Another alternative would be to look into ceiling mount...perhaps the projection would be less of an issue if it's flush to the ceiling.

Fiona, I read an old post of yours about the Pottery Barn Clarissa chandelier. I just had two installed but cannot figure out how to hang the crystals. It says long crystal then big crystal and I understand that but it says "please make sure the drop hook is through the hole at the laciness metal ring by ?reverse location." What is reverse location? Do you remember?