Draperies and Top Treatments - HELP!!! Need Ideas for 2-Story Foyer Window

We have a 2-story tall foyer with a large 47"w x 72"L arched winodw. We would probablyleave the arch uncovered so the measurements for treatments would be more like 47"w x 64"L.

The problem is being able to operate this stressful window.
Yes, those nice houses with large style foyers like ours might look nice but they are not practical at all. We get extreme summer heat so I want to get this project done before then.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of a double traverse rod with pinch pleated black out drapes on the first rod and then pinch pleat sheers on the other rod. We would have to buy thin rope at a big box store and replace it to accomadate our needs of operating it from the floor.(I know how to do this)..The rod would be center draw. What do you think?

Our other thought was buying ready made aluminum blinds and attaching a longer cord and buying an extra long tilt wand.

I personally like the traverse rod approach and all suggestions welcome!! thanks.

The length of the window you listed doesn't seem very long. Is it a double window and you just want to cover the top one or is it just one window on a tall wall?
Either way, if you want to hang panels way up high, they should touch the floor. Having short panels way up high and ending midway, doesn't look very nice. :eek: Shades or Blinds would be a better option in that case.

The window is a couple feet over our front door since it is our foyer. So drapes that would hang 18ft. from the floor would not work because of the door but I think they will look good hanging to the sill.

Style of window: It would hang from the beginning of the arch to the sill.

http://www.springerexteriors.com/constructor/users/YWPGallery/WebMaster/Images/Windows/Thumbz/thumbz__FixedExtendedArch.jpg

I personally don't like the look of sill length panels unless they're in a kitchen or child's room, and those 2 story windows have a formality to them that short panels will take away from, but if you like the look, then go for it. Maybe you could look into motorized panels so you don't have a long cord dangling there.

We have extreme afternoon sun and heat so I don't want to be spending $300 for a shade that won't withsatnd the heat. We previously had custom blinds in the other windows on the same side and the wood slats warped and the string shredded from the intense heat and use. We have an Ikea about 30 min. away and I saw something online that might work for our situation. However, I doubt the cord loop is 9ft. in length. Would I be able to find a place that sells long length cordloops? Here is a photo: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90122573
we would be looking at the 47"x77" shade for $30

Thanks shadeladie!

I like the blackout shades idea better than short panels (romans are nice, too). I wonder if Home Depot type places would sell blind parts or maybe stores that sell window hardware, but if you do a google search for "blind parts", there are a few places that you can order online from. Other than that, I only know of Rowley's, but they're a wholesale to the trade only place.

Thank you so much shadeladie! I found some websites that had chains sold per foot but today I just found a site that sells different color vinyl chains made for roller shades at $8.75 for 25 feet. I would have a lot extra but it's the cheapest I could find. I would just cut to the size I need and use chain connectors right?


Once again, thanks so much!!

any ma and pa hardware store would carry the same beaded chain your looking for..

I often will go to ace when i need some for a verticle repair

Alright, thanks everyone.
The shade has been up for almost 2 weeks and it seems
to be working good. I went to a website and found what I needed.