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I think it looks good as is...but at least don't do the 15 ft of fabric by hanging it from the ceiling. It will be way too dramatic.

This is tough. I think all I would do is extend the rod farther to each side and push all the curtains beyond the frames to the window grouping is uninterrupted. It's sort of distracting to have the small segments of curtains in between the panes.

I think you made the right choice about the height of the rod, though, and it looks like a beautiful room.

Hi! I would like to vouch for the idea of putting the rod above the highest window, but if you were to do that, you might go for a cream curtain that would blend in as another architectural element of sorts-- and also, ideally there would be just two curtains that could stretch across the whole shebang when pulled closed (but my! that's a lot of fabric).

One other thought: maybe it's worth painting the rod so it doesn't have so much contrast with the window/ceiling? Maybe cream? (which is the word I'm using to describe the warm white of the trim & ceiling)

Good luck with this-- a toughie!

Well, from the pictures, it looks like part of the reason drapery panels are a problem is that on the left side you have a bookcase and a radiator. There's no place for the drapes to stack back when they're open. I think the rod is at the correct place, between the vertical windows and the transom, but the rod seems a little off scale. You should either go bigger, to make more of an impact or do something that almost disappears (like hospital track from the ceiling. Ideally, you could keep your existing panels but have them stacked outside the window frame (meaning your rod would have to extend beyond the frame with finial practically touching the adjacent wall.

I think I'd go for something directly attached to the individual window frames, like white blinds or (white) Roman blinds.

I have white blinds directly attached to the frames of my living room window (facing south) and I love how light, fresh and cool it is in summer with the blinds down. You can even open the windows to let some fresh air in without having problems with curtains etc.

If you want to keep the curtains, I'd second sally305 and push the curtain segments all to the ends of the rod so that the windows can unfold their full visual potential.

What beautiful windows and such a nice room. How about a stained glass effect on the top-most pane? Too much? I like the height of the rod for the curtains and I like the idea of a soft, light-diffusing material.

Four panels are throwing me off. I think that two wide panels (one on each side of the outer windows) would be less distracting. A double rod, with one large sheer in the back and the two side panels in the front would give uniform light filtration and tie the windows together.

hmmm... i would do a rod set at the top of the odd middle window that then hangs down all along that middle section of window. i would then do single panel rods over the two remaining side windows. that way you can have a main color style for the middle and supporting side colors potentially. i would also put tie-backs in the lower corners of that very top window, so that it would look kind of like a high waisted dress when the windows are revealed.

other issues that can be adjusted, is to move the location of the bookcase and the ikea lamp. the case covers part of the window and panel (you don't want that do you?). the lamp closer to a corner puts out more light since it bounces off the walls.

I see what you mean, the curtains do look funny. First of all, the radiator - is it really one of those oil filled electric heaters that could be moved somewhere else? Or is it really a radiator, with the curtains tucked behind? If the latter, I think you've got a fire hazard there. If the former I'd say move the bookcase and radiator somewhere else so you can see the whole window in its full glory. Then if you want to stick with curtains, I'd have a wider rod so that the curtains can be completely opened to reveal the window (and not four blobs of curtains, but only two, if you know what I mean). And I'd do white curtains rather than gray. But I'd really want to take the curtains away altogether and do some kind of shade that only covers the glass part of the window.

But disclaimer, I'm no designer.
Cheers,

I have a similar problem with a south-facing tall (but arched) window and sloping ceilings and a beam.

I suggest (custom) Roman blinds are the way to go here. They won't interfere with the radiator, the linear shape will fit the window, and you get unlimited choice in fabric and lining.

I just saw a treatment on a trio of windows that stacks up and away into very neat 3" accordion folds at the top behind a tidy little 4" box pleated valance. I'm trying to tell you how frickin spiffy it looks, and falling a bit short. Now I wish I'd photographed it. The designer used a variable-width vertical stripe and matched the print across all three windows. Just beautiful.

The designer also used small cleats inside the frame to keep the cord neatly stowed, but accessible.

do something within the frames of the four main windows (leaving the upper window bare).

that is all i would do, personally, but if you must have curtains/drapes, i think they should cover everything, mounted on the wall above the upper window or from the ceiling, with white hardware that will blend into the wall/ceiling. the rod/track should extend beyond the edges of the window frames, so that when opened all the way, the entire window is exposed.

is there a color scheme you're going for? if you could pin that down, that will help you decide about the window treatments. and if you replace the current curtains but they are the direction you want to go with the room, you can use them to slip cover the bench and chair, or as new cushion covers . . .

P.S. I'm digging your light fixture and other vintage accessories. Another reason to keep the window jazz undramatic, and play up your cool collection.

Also, custom can mean DIY if you're at least a little handy.

You're so lucky to have such high ceilings! And wonderful windows. I like the idea of a hide-and-seek style fabric wall- re: hanging the curtains from the top of the top window.

I think the key there would be to make a fabric choice that acted as more than just a window covering but a true part of the decor- as true and important as the color of paint you'd choose for an accent wall.

You have so many wonderful options. Maybe do some research on completely curtained walls.

Good luck, and please do let us know how it turns out!

Emily

I have the same color scheme in my living room :)

I like the idea of two short curtain panels inside the two small windows and keeping a shade simillar to what you already have in the big window.

Or pushing the rod above the top of the big window frame and using only two curtain panels, which you could use to conceal the side windows during the day to cut down on the heat and pull the shade down on the big window. You have beautiful high ceilings, why NOT work the drama?

I think a maybe a softer color like a taupe or koala bear gray would look nice.

Great windows! I would use these IKEA hanging panels. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40122212
They are 118" long. Which is really quite long and could be sufficient for your windows. You will need a ladder to install these.

If you do two birch panels on either side and two white panels in the middle, you will still get your light, but it will be nicely diffused and you would just slide open the white curtains to let in the sunshine.

We did these for a friend who had really tall cieling and they looked stunning. We did three tree panels and one red panel. Very striking.

Have fun! http://www.modernests.com
hatching new ideas for a warm, attainable modern home every day.

Ya, I think your best bet is going to be to hang from the top of the center piece to the floor.. it will give it a very grand look and take away from the choppy-ness.

The thing about this is that you would need to rearrange furniture.. currently the shelving (on the left side of the picture) looks a wee bit too small as it is. If you add height to the curtains you'll completely dwarf them.

I wish there were more pictures, b/c it's hard to see exactly what is going on in the rest of the room..

I would, however, also suggest that you move the floor lamp and do some general rearranging!

I really love the color of the walls!!!

oh and the molding!! Beautiful (:

I have a similar dilemma – two wide windows (47” x 47”) right next too each other. I purchased two 48” wide panels, but they looked silly since they barely extend across each window. Is there a guideline or ratio for curtain width/window width? And does anyone have a good source for extra wide curtain panels (under $100 each)? I would need them to be 96” long and preferably in white.

I'd get rid of the curtains & just get blinds. Bamboo shades might be nice, they reduce the amount of sunlight but don't block it altogether.

I predict the curtains will look awkward no matter where you put them. Although the wall of curtains idea sounds great, it doesn't look like it'll work with your layout and current decor.

I'm so impressed by ALL the answers... honestly, there is a pool of smarts here...for the quick fix I lean to the painting of the rod white, and swapping in white curtains... it's a fabulous problem you have there

I would apply sheers all the way from wall to wall at the height of the tallest window in the middle and get rid of the other curtains, the dark rod is distracting and silver would be more appropriate, but you would need to have the curtains customized for that length. Or you can put roman shades on each glass.

Yes, the window coverings here are all wrong:

I'd hang a chunky but shorter rod - wood perhaps, with large decorative finials and bridging over the mullions between the center and outer windows - with a pair of panels that drop all the way to the floor.
Then you need a pair of shorter and equally beefy rods over the lower windows - extending from just behind the center panels to beyond the outer window frame, but with just one finial on each rod at the outer ends - and just one floor length panel on each rod, pulled away from the center.

Of course that bookcase in the left corner and the cheap paper lamp isn't helping you any - get those away from that wall completely, and place your seating area so that it's centered on this magnificent window.

gorgeous windows high ceilings = happy problem!

if you want to work with what you already have, i would simply re-mount your rod to the outside corners of the lower windows (so it stretches across the moldings, rather than above them). overall, a cleaner, less distracting look.

you could keep your existing curtains, but if you buy new, i'd get ones with tabbed backs--the kind that create pleats at the top--just to give the rod a little coverage and create a neater line across the top of the windows.

hello, thanks for all the great answers! I'm very impressed to get so many ideas. I will read them through and try to imagine all the options you recommended to see which would suit my great window. it's very hard to find the balance because of the sizes of the room (& the flat) and still keep it quite simple and ready for every-day use. my flat is 516 square feet from which this room is 322 itself. the walls are almost as tall as the room's lenght. I think the wall to wall solution would make my furniture to look even smaller:-)
also thanks a lot for the compliments on my chandelier, the molding and the wall color.:-) I inherited the flat from my grandparents and the fixture was originally bought by them.
regarding to the radiator: I just kept it behind the sofa (that is a sofa, just pulled it down to be able to show bigger part of the window) - don't use it - I have an original old fashioned tile stove for heating similar to this: http://www.cserepkalyha-kemence.hu/cserep/PICT3919.jpg

Rea

Just a thought, what about giant shutters.... Like they do in Italy ....then you can swing them open and have the day light pour through....

I am not sure where they would sell/have them in the US... but I am sure not impossible to find....?
Just a vision I had while looking at the photo...
good luck the windows are wonderful!!

lilipixi, thanks for the tip. one thought on those shutters (spaletta): my flat is on the 3rd floor (65 feet) above an avenue of 6 lanes :-).. would be a bit risky, storms can be very rough here, the wind coming from the Danube is very wild. I could however have them inside, but there is no enough space on the molding.

I have some pictures for you. I'm not really sure what's going on with this rod, but check it out:
http://www.curtaincalldrapery.com/gallery2e.html

It looks like from your picture, that only the center pair of windows open. Is that correct? If so, go ahead and treat the side windows differently than the center opening windows, as shown in the above image link. You don't need the zig-zagging rod either.

Two short rods for each side window. Center shades. Only if the windows open in...but if they open out, I'd be real careful about what is installed on the window proper.

Nobody wants to make headlines like
"Falling drapery injures 4"

So, we have a short rod for each side window, and I'd really suggest using white material for the side windows to match up to the trim. The gray cuts it all to pieces.

And for the lower section of the center opening windows, swing-arm rods. Here's one neat solution from AT:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/window-coverings/anywhere-telescoping-curtain-system-from-umbra-038823

And a couple images here found via a Google image search:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__MInKf-H-Do/SfjGbpaD7UI/AAAAAAAAAAc/TYB7i2my-YM/s320/ss_100238184.jpg

http://www.decor-medley.com/image-files/decorative-hardware-swing-arm-rods-french-doors.jpg

I would use a pair, I would have SHORT curtains on them, as well as on the side windows. So you can easily swing them open or closed or tie them back.

Depending on where you are and how intense the sun is, you might consider solar film applied TO the windows.

Here's a random site showing a before and after and talking about the benefits:
http://www.euroguard-spain.com/solar-film.html

For that wonderful upper window, I'd really suggest a window film, like these ones:
http://www.artscape-inc.com/index.php

I think the Amber Glass one would be great with your yellow walls. When the sun would get to that side of the home, the entire ROOM will glow.

If you have all the curtains short, white, on clip rings, you can quickly flip the center swing-arm rods to the sides, and pull back both the curtains on the swing-arms and on the short rods back at the same time to reveal your view.

There would be NO hardware at that point in the center of the windows, keeping it very open.

You can play with all kinds curtain usage. Leave the side ones closed, swing the arms over the side ones, making a double layer, while having the center unobstructed.

I wouldn't use full-length curtains, because you lose all that lovely woodwork.

#9 had mentioned Artscape, they have a line of Energy film which reduces the heat coming in. I have used it on my windows and have been thrilled with my results, plus I was able to keep my view of the city since it's clear. It might be a great option for you. here's there site http://www.energy-film.com/

AWSOME WINDOWS..I WOULD LEAVE THE GREAT COLOR FABRIC ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS MAKE THE FABRIC INTO ROMAN SHADES, VERY EASY TO DO! BY PLACING THE SHADE OVER EACH WINDOW YOULL GET FUCNTION AND A GREAT LOOK! LETS NOT COVER ALL THAT WOOD WORK, AND WHEN ITS VERY SUNNY OUT LET THE SHADE DOWN. ALSO THE YELLOW IS TOO BRIGHT AND GET RID OF THE BOOK SHELF NEXT TO THE WINDOW TOO TALL AND COMPETES WITH THE WINDOW. PLACE YOUR BACKLESS COUCH IN FRONT AND WOW DRAMA!!!GOOD LUCK!