I think I'd probably put 2 rods to help break it up a bit. I know you said you weren't interested in blinds, but I'm in love with some vertical sheers I saw at Calico Corners. They looked just like drapes when closed and didn't look like the typical vertical blinds at ALL. They are very elegant looking and with an exterior mount, they'd look lovely with what you've described.

Both blinds and drapes can be practical, especially if the intent is to leave the drape panels apart and have them cover only the side window trim, using the blinds (lowered and/or closed) when there is a need for light control and/or privacy. Some have expressed the opinion that a valance -- even a plain one -- is "out of style" but a lot of those same people actually seem to like the sloppy drapes dragging on the floor look (which is a fad I hope is or soon will be over). In my opinion (not shared by some pros here on Houzz), a valance is not "out of style" -- there is a place for them, especially if the drapes have a rod pocket top hem and that part of the rod holding the drape panels hides the rod. In that case having the rod between the panels also covered is a far more finished look than leaving a wide expanse of exposed curtain rod between two panels of drapes. Having a valance between drape panels can also cover/hide raised mini-blinds -- some newer mini-blinds come without strings and do raise/lower as advertised. Having all those metal and/or plastic rings that are attached to both the curtain/drape panels and the rod in dark or shiny metal exposed that seem designed to attract attention doesn't seem, to me, to be a "finished" look. If you leave the rod and rings exposed, consider white or another light color that more visually "disappears". If the old style flat white rods are used with a traditional rod pocket, and either the panels meet or you use a valance, the rod pocket would enable the side of the rod to be hidden, too -- the rod wouldn't show at all. Another look I like are those drapes with separate fabric rod pockets (tab top) -- (but only with and a rod finish chosen to visually "disappear"). (Loathe the sloppy drag the floor look though): https://www.wayfair.com/window-treatments/pdp/lark-manor-rivau-solid-sheer-tab-top-single-curtain-panel-lark8302.html The newer style drapes with the holes in the top of the drapes themselves that the rod is run through (again, with the rod color chosen to visually "disappear") is, to me, a better casual look than having a dark rod/rings draw attention to itself..

Hi - thanks for the response. I did go ahead and get HD Luminettes, outside mount, for the family room sliders. Will be doing inoperable side panel drapes in the living room. Hoping it will look ok since it's different. The rooms are separate though. I could always do the Luminettes in the living room too but it's kind of a waste of money as we don't get direct sun that way and I don't see that I'd ever use them.

These are Rollease Acmeda motorized shades. They were around $6000. I really loved the Lutron motorized shades (they are really quiet) but they were going to run $10K and I just couldn't justify the extra $4K.