Amity, the purpose of the valance is to hide the workings of the blind. Nanny2a is correct about losing some light from the upper portion of the window, but unless you have an awesome view I wouldn't worry about that. It doesn't lessen the light that much to be concerned with. Well in my opinion anyway.

Just a thought, have you checked out overstock.com? That is where I purchased mine from because I had very narrow windows that I couldn't find sizes for in a big box store, and I didn't want to pay for custom. They really had a nice variety of styles and sizes in a very affordable price range. The reviews really helped me in making my selection also. I purchased 4 bamboo blinds and I agree that the valance is there to hide the operating mechanism, and does not take away that much light. For what it's worth, I don't think you can go wrong with bamboo or wood blinds/shades. They are pretty classic and go with anything.

My windows aren't all that large to start with so I'm thinking when I open the blinds, there will be 6 whole inches at the top hanging down into the window/light/view....am I correct?

What's your window size? If the windows are too small bamboo shades may not be the best idea.

"I'll go without the binding but I would like to know if the binding in any way helps the blinds retain their shape longer, helps them last longer, or is there any real reason it would be best for me to encourage Mr. Amity to embrace the bindings at the sides of the blinds?"

Mine are outside mount, so I can only address the above issue. After 3 years my no-bind wovens are fine. They look fragile, but are holding up perfectly.

Amity

Where are the blinds going?

Keep in mind the woven ones typically are not lined - so on the outside they show the back of the blind. Also, the are light filtering - they allow light in.

I've had one without binding in a bathroom for several years - it looks just fine. I also installed 3 woven blinds in my kitchen, from SelectBlinds, without binding and they're doing fine, too.

Nanny2a is correct - when the blinds are raised, the height of the raised blinds is still taller than the 6-7 inch valence, so the height of the valence is not significant.

As an experiment, I made my own liner for the blind in the bathroom - I'd bought the kitchen blinds with liners.

Helene

Thank you....Each of you, Thank you!!!!!

Each and every response/answer here is what I was looking for but I wasn't finding while searching for information about blinds.

Yes, the blinds are for the kitchen.....one window will be facing the front street.

View? Ha! But I'm glad the subject was brought up so now I don't have to think about losing light.
The window over the kitchen sink has a lovely view of the side of my neighbor's house, complete with two Dishes for TV and because she is a CB radio person, there are lots of wires and cables running from her roof into her bedroom window. My view is of lots of cables (not tied together) running down the side of her home.
The street-facing window view looks across the street at a home that was paid off and is now a rental. Several families living in a two-bdrm home. Lots and lots of their cars parked on their curb and at ours.
So now that you put it that way, I wouldn't mind losing some light from that front window. Something I hadn't thought about.

Several years ago I purchased a fabric/liner called "Rain and Stain" to line my homemade shower curtain. I have a lot left on the roll.
The idea of adding some 'Rain and Stain' fabric and making my own liner for the street-facing window blind is a great idea!

My apologies for the delay in my responding......life is getting in the way of decorating.

I tried the big box stores and Overstock dot com (where I purchase so much for my home) and although I was told our windows are 'standard size' by the guy where we purchased the windows (DIY install), and since I want inside mount, I am not finding the sizes I need.

I'd sure save a heck of a lot of $$$ if I could find my sizes and buy them off the shelf!!!

Over Sink: 47 1/4" across top. 33 1/2" tall.
Street View: 58 3/8" across the top. 34 1/2" tall.

Small back door window....haven't decided if I want to add a small cafe curtain, tiered, panels held at top and bottom with rods, or woven blind.
If I go fabric on the back door, I would use the same fabric on the chair seats in the little eat-in area.
Back door window is 26 1/2" across top. 39" tall.

Scatter-brained and a little memory loss lately otherwise I would have put this response with my first one. Again, my apologies.

amity

Are the measurements on the inside of the window casings? where the hardware would be placed?

Not sure if they work
but closest to your measurements

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Woven-Sage-Roller-Shade-58-in.-x-72-in./3309208/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Bellona-Bamboo-Roman-Shade-47-in.-x-72-in./3610456/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Bellona-Bamboo-Roman-Shade-58-in.-x-72-in./3610194/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Tuscan-Bamboo-Roman-Shade-26-in.-x-54-in./3705850/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Nantucket-Bamboo-Roman-Shades-47-in.-x-72-in./3140199/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Tonga-Bamboo-Roman-Shade-26-in.-x-72-in./3610476/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Rustique-Bamboo-Roman-Shade-27-in.-x-54-in./3297084/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dali-Native-Bamboo-Roman-Shade-58-in.-x-74-in./3297261/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Shanghai-Bamboo-Roman-Window-Shade-26-in.-x-98-in./4765955/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=47%22+shade&SearchType=Header

http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=26%22+shade&SearchType=Header

http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=58%22+shade&SearchType=Header

You should be able to use some of the above

here is what OS states about shades in general

"# This bamboo shade is 58 inches wide (+/- 1/8 inch), and the hardware may add to the width slightly
# For an inside mount we recommend ordering a shade that is at least 1/4 inch smaller than the inside width of your window frame"

I'm sure I'm the only one who holds this opinion, but I don't like woven/bamboo shades/blinds one bit. They are grease and dust collectors like no other. Especially in a kitchen. And to my eye, are unattractive and add nothing to the warmth and decor of a room.

I understand they are very popular, but there are so many other options.......including taping a newspaper to the window for privacy if necessary! I am completely with Mr Amity on this.

Shermann, if you ever find something that isn't a dust collector let me know. I was lying on the sofa last night and thinking about that. You know how you can see the dust on a hard surface, but how about all that settles into upholstered furniture? Even vacuuming doesn't get rid of it. Now that's gross!

hi amity - I feel your pain on window treatments! I just struggled with what to do in our kitchen and our attached small family room. I went with bamboo blinds, I like the texture and they jibe with browns and cream color scheme that I have going. I have smaller windows over my sink so I went with outside mount to preserve the light just as you mentioned. After MUCH searching, I had to bite the bullet and get custom. The upside is I could get one single big shade with loop control (it is really nice not to have a long cord hanging all over the counter) and they do have a return hem like you mention. It may not hurt to get some custom bids just to see what the prices are and maybe there are some promos. Good luck with your windows - I think window treatments are painful!