Love the valance, and the color seems to work well everywhere. I would NOT use the valance on the transom windows - they are charming, and the valances will only detract from that. I would use them on the two end windows and the kitchen window for sure. I would also consider them over the slider, hung so that the top of the valance was just below the crown of the cabinets, I think. The sliders are so very stark white that I think the valance would help to warm them up a bit, and soften the stark lines.

Just curious, will you be adding lamps and end tables to the family room? The overheads don't do justice to the colors and feel of the lovely things in the room, imo.

Your home is warm and inviting - makes me want to pop over for a cup of coffee!

Les: Would love to have you over for a cup of coffee! I also like the valance on the kitchen and end windows; however, I was not sure if it would look odd to not do the transom windows, however, it really cuts down on the light and appearance since they are so narrow. My house is slowly evolving and I think the decorating stage is taking the longest! I find we put all these great recessed lights, but then I don't know what to put on the end tables! The big step in this room was to put in the TV which DH bought last month, now we are waiting 8 weeks for the entertainment console. DH had big plans for the surround sound speakers, etc. which I'm trying to balance out to keep the warm, casual and inviting feel. Before I had the drop leaf table the TV is sitting on next to the sectional. DH and I have a difference of opinion on that one. I like it because one, it belonged to my Grandma and two, it is very useful as it extends out to a table that can seat 10 and I still own 5 chairs to it which are very sturdy and we use for desk chairs. I can extend the outer leaf and use it as a sewing table or for jigsaw puzzles or to serve appetizers when we entertain. But I see DH's point, it doesn't really go with everything else so it may well be phased out (as will the oak ent. center). What I had been considering is set of nesting tables--though maybe not as necessary now we put in the ottoman (kids can use to sit and play video games). We also are debating if we can squeeze in another chair by the sectional. Again, DH and I differed in our views for this room. I would've put the TV opposite wall with the sectional against the windows. But DH didn't want a glare on the TV so I gave in and we had wiring done on that wall. It's hard to tell from my pics, but the sectional does not rest against the back wall as there is a door there leading to our bathroom addition (not ideal, but no other place for it either and we needed the third bath).

Did you consider putting the tv on the wall under the transom windows, and rotating the sectional so the back of the left wing is to the kitchen, and the right wing would have the back facing the wall with the bathroom door? Then you could put another chair down in the right hand corner of the end wall by the two windows, or even in between where the TV is now. The bookcase on the left wall could go down by the bathroom door perhaps, to open up the space for the chair by the windows.

If that doesn't fly, I would think about keeping the drop leaf as a sofa table behind the sectional, perhaps a chair sitting on each side of it. I think it makes great sense to have an extra useful table like that for all kinds of uses. I'm with you on that one.

I would dress the windows, but not on the transoms.

Les: Would love to have you over for a cup of coffee!

Wouldn't we all!

I agree with Les and Squirrel. Love the valance!

Okay, I'll say it. Valances over the transom windows would just look dumb.

OK, with two votes from Les and Squirrel, I'm going to go down to Lowes today to get more valances and rods for all windows except the transoms--plus another rod for my bedroom window. DH is going to be busy this Sat. I hope to have some results to post by Monday.

I'm really not sure, though, how many panels to use--one or two. The package says for 36" and each window is 42" so if you factor in extending past the trim it will be about 48"W--too much for one panel, perhaps not enough for two, though I could always cut one in half and trim the ends. I like how it is with the dip in the center of the window, though and having more panels will have more dips.

Les: We considered the other wall--but it really is not far enough to get the correct viewing distance, plus we need some clearance for the dining chairs. At this point, it would be hard to move it since between the insulation and sheerwall we needed to add to that room, all the walls are closed and I don't want to see any wires along the walls. DH had the electrician pull all kinds of $$ high tech "structured wiring" plus speaker wire so I'm afraid the TV is where it is at this point. I like the idea of having a sofa/console table, though the drop leaf tableis too wide given the dimensions of the room so the only other logical spot for it would be where the ent. center is now and we will have to see how it works once the new console comes in. I do need to do something to the back wall--not quite sure what. Given we are a family of 5 with three kids and this is where we spend the bulk of our time together, this room needs to have a more practical decor as it gets cluttered very easily. My favorite thing is the new ottoman as I can stash all kinds of stuff in there. My kids hate my new plaid cushions and are always throwing them on the floor as they find it more comfortable to sit on the sectional without them. Good thing they are washable! Here's a few other angles the show the wall and area I would like to add a small chair in case you have any other suggestions:

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I think you have a beautiful home. Can you tell me what your wall color is? I like it a lot.

happyladi: Thanks for the compliment. The wall color is Behr Oat Straw with trim in Swiss Coffee.

I wish I had caught all these photos, Val, before I commented and asked my t.v. placement question on your other thread. I do see that he has his wiring in place.
Your drop-leaf table is very versatile, but I'm not seeing that it adds a lot decoratively. Perhaps there is a hallway, the end of a foyer, a spare room, that could use the table, and then it would be available for your entertaining?
I actually think you should wait on your WTs until after you get your console. Get the console in, the t.v. on it, get the entertainment center gone, move all your little accessory stuff, THEN consider how to dress the windows. Soft romans might be pretty cool in there, as well as the kitchen.

Red