Oh Sadie, I'm so glad you posted this because I'm in the same boat for our dining room and kitchen windows. I have my fabrics but am really torn over which valance type to go with. I saw that green fabric when shopping for my own and its really lovely. I also love the style of the last one you posted for the den. The two fabrics you've chosen will look great. I would use that myself but we have blinds on the windows as well and I don't think it will look right.

The first one is nice, but like you said it needs a little more umph. I sure hope you get lots of suggestions!

Are you keeping the vertical blinds or changing to something else? I like both of the valances you posted.

I'm planning to keep the vertical blinds for now. They're in fairly good condition yet, and we really only close them in the evening during the winter months. During the day, and when we are enjoying the longer daylight, everything is opened.

I would use the one with the bands in the dining room, for a softer, curvier effect to compliment the chandelier. Have covered buttons in the main fabric on the bands.

For the office/den, I would prefer a cleaner line, much as you have now on the two smaller windows - no curves. If you like pleats, perhaps consider something more like this, with the button on the pleats covered in the complimentary fabric. It is the fifth one down, the green and red floral fabric:

[box pleated valance with buttons[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/box-pleated-valance-phbr0lbl-bl~l_2499)

Also, if it were me I would make the valances longer, and hang them all much closer to the ceiling.

I would not use rods, given the number and placement of the windows.

My existing valances are about 16" -- I have 8' ceilings. Would the reason for hanging them higher and making them longer be to make the ceiling appear higher? Approximately how far down from the ceiling should I place them?

When I have made valances and cornice boards, I put them right up to the ceiling, just under the crown molding if there is any. I make the length just cover the header of the window and any window treatment hardware. This lengthens the window, making your ceiling appear higher (just like vertical stripes in clothes draw your eye up and down and make you look taller). It avoids chopping the room visual. Right now, your ceiling and wall appear to blend together (at least in the photo), so the valance is giving a strong horizontal line a good foot or more lower than your actual ceiling. Mounting the window treatments higher and just skimming the window top also maximizes the amount of glass showing for light and views.

I know that you are asking about valances, but have you considered simple side panels to the floor instead? It is a more modern look. However, if you are set on the valances, they would look much nicer closer to the ceiling. The bottom of the valance or cornice should just cover the headrail of your blinds, and any window trim.

I agree - side panels would look very nice.

I love your woodwork, paintcolor, and the general look of the rooms, but in my honest opinion, I think your money would be better spent on some nice faux wood blinds if you are intent on keeping some kind of blinds. The vertical blinds really date the room, and I don't think updated fabric is going to give you the change that you are looking for.

Good luck with your decorating. You have a great room to work with.

I agree - Panels and wood blinds would be beautiful.

Wow - thank you for your honesty. I guess I haven't really paid attention to the trends in windows and didn't realize how things have changed. If wood blinds and panels are the way to go - I'm certainly open to that. I do like the idea of the panels, but as I have several windows that run right up to the corner, how do you handle that? In the dining room, I have only a few inches in the corner between the two windows. Will panels work?

There are several manufacturers of curved corner curtain rods - BB & Beyond should have them.