Could you post a picture?

My guess is that if you think they are dated, then yes, they are dated. Straight side drapes can cover just the edge of the window frame - they needn't block the window.

If they're wearing, I'd go for something totally new and not build around them.

I think valances are dated and burgundy and navy together definitely are. Time for something fresh!

Thanks, I'll try to post a picture soon.

Just because they are dated doesn't mean you have to get rid of them. If you like them...then you should keep them. If you walk in the room and sort of groan, then it's time to think new. How do you feel?

If you don't know how you feel, take them down, store them carefully so you can put them back if you choose...and see how it feels to have them gone. Sometimes when I am stuck on a furniture arrangement, it helps me to take everything out and start adding back in a bit at a time.

I bet once you take them down you'll know.

And another thing...the style of the swag might be quite appropriate for your traditional room. Maybe the color is what feels dated to you, or the scale of the floral. Consider all the parameters.

Well, I sure hope they're not dated. I'm having a valance with swags made for my front bay window. The navy with the burgundy may be a bit out... It seems that if yours are actually starting to tear that may the reason to get rid of them.

I think that she said that the shades that she wants to get rid of are starting to tear, not the swag valances.

Oops, you're right. I should have read more carefully.

I love burgundy and navy together and as for swags, they can look good or bad anywhere. I think we can get carried away a bit with "what's in" and need to remember that if we love the room that's the most important thing. I don't see how anything as timeless as swags can truly go out -- no matter what they try to tell us on HGTV. We have to keep in mind that all this "fad" decorating is there in order to sell us more merchandise. So if it looks good to you, keep it. If it looks bad to you, ditch it.

I don't think swags are out; maybe certain styles of swags or fabrics and colors would date it, but valances and swags, seems I see them all the time in 'current' photos.

With so many ready-mades at reasonable prices, maybe you'd just like to freshen things up. That always feels good :)

what color are the upholstery pieces ? you mentioned silver gray walls.

Thanks, I'm still waiting for daylight to take a picture. Hope I can remember how to post one, it's been a while.
Sofa is dark blue, wingback chairs are a dark red/blue plaid, club chair with ottoman is dark blue pattern, and we have my grandmother's rocker. Carpet is silver/gray. That also needs to be replaced. Twelve years, four kids, things are wearing out.
I'm also trying to find a dark leather sofa, camelback with wood trim to replace our 1920's sofa. It was reupholstered many years ago, and has a lot of class, but the spring system is gone. dd3 doesn't want me to replace it, it's her napping sofa when she's home from college.
Thanks for all the advice, will try to get a picture when I get home this afternoon.

As others have said, 'in' or 'out' doesn't really matter if you love them. It is your home. Second, swagged window treatments are classic and never out of favor, particularly if you have traditional decor going on.

My only thought is that it sounds like a lot of blue, although some of that will be alleviated when you replace the couch. And with grey walls and flooring, the room has a pretty 'cool' color vibe, I am guessing.

Now that you are replacing the carpeting, perhaps you want to think about another color scheme for the whole room? Are you going to do hardwood/laminate or carpeting? That will make a difference in how the room feels if you go to wood. Depending on how dark or light that would be, you could do something warmer on the walls then.

If you are doing carpeting, you could look for something in a warmer tone, perhaps a rich beige or soft gold, and then change out the wall color to something in the same family. That would be lovely with the blue. Or, you could do a neutral cream or beige carpeting and go to a soft warm green or even a pale coral on the walls.

All that said, I wouldn't redo the drapery yet, until you have decided on the flooring and the couch. It is easier to find drapery to work with carpeting and upholstery than the other way around. Then you can pick a wall color that ties it all together.

If you decide to get rid of the valance, you might think about something like this for drapery. It comes in a ming blue with warm beige/gold embroidery, which could be very pretty in the space, and still has the more formal feel. Or you could do the bronze or amber gold, depending on your wall color.

la scala embroidered silk

Posting pictures is easy. First you need to upload them to a photo hosting site. Photobucket if free and easy to use. After you have uploaded your pictures copy and paste the "HTML code" into your post.

Am trying to post a picture of the current drapes. The couch is not that bright, the flash picked it up. Wall paint is new, leak was fixed, waiting for the plaster guy to touch up the ceiling. Should I hang new 95" drapes from rods where the wall meets the ceiling slant and at the top of the bookcases?
Should I use these same swags as a valance for long drapes?
I do love the cool colors, we face SE and get a ton of light from the windows above (open dormers to the 17' ceiling)and reflected light from our huge porch. The cool colors help tone it down.
Thanks for all the advice so far.
{{!gwi}}

This is the wall opposite the large window.
{{!gwi}}

shes dangerous now! LOL
you have VERY high ceilings and I love the wood frame doors. I think the valances fit the feel of the room. I **hope** valances are not out of style considering I just made some for my kitchen!!

Thanks msjay2u. I do like the valances, but I think I'll try to move them up and hang navy drapes on rings underneath. I love the view and like my big windows, but sometimes we need a way to cut the glare.