Yes, they are dated!

They are from the 18th century and earlier if I'm not mistaken, as are many other timeless classic forms that will never go out of style. If you're going for the 18th century look, -- which will never be outdated, -- then they are right in style (even though they currently may not be generally popular.) It is in the monetary interest of those selling draperies etc. to have things come in and out of style; but IMO some things are never, ever, dated. If you love them and the rest of your house is in keeping with them, go for it.

nothing is dated if it is a style you like ..it is easy for someone who prefers computer age styling to say that your style is DATED..they are not in your head.

if you love it it is NOT dated..it is YOUR style.

each person should seek out their own personal style umbrella..take a style test..there are tests in a lot of books and on web sites..

they generally ask a lot of questions about different styles and have you check the one YOU PERSONALLY prefer..the comparisons will be things like country, traditional, modern, asian, etc.

if you like traditional or country style..you would be foolish not to go with jabots and swags, as they are country or traditional styles..if you are modern or asian or some other style that doesn't, then you won't want them..pretty simple.

traditionaly styling will NEVER go out of style for people that prefer it.

can you imagine buying a french chateau, or buying a gingerbread covered victorian old lady house and NOT wanting to style them in the traditional style?? it would be out of character with the house to not style them traditionally..

however if you are buying a tract house, it is basically your choice what style, you can go traditional or modern asian or country..by how you accessorize your home.

people shouldn't expect other people's tastes to be the same as theirs..

as a designer i suggest people tear out pictures of everything they love, from every type of magazine that they buy, or save photos of online places that they love, and then sit down and look them all over and try to identify what it is that you love, the color, the style, the materials, the light, and then choose for yourself among these ideas how you will decorate your home, not a copy, but your own style umbrella.

i also suggest that you make a list, of the colors and styles and fabrics and trims that you like, finishes etc..and carry it with you, so that you aren't temnpted to get something that won't fit into that style, just cause it is a good price, or whatever.

you will notice also on this particular site when you look at photographs, they do tend toward traditional or modern with a few country..so who should say traditional or country are OUT?

They are still used, but only in very formal rooms with very high ceilings. The ones that are readily available tend to be much too small, and too tight and stiff, to look nice in today's rooms. You can have soft, drapey ones made, but they need rich edge trims to hang well and look finished, and they cost the earth if they are done well.

Also dated are those very chunky curtain rods with big finials and fat rings.

So go with simple floor-to-ceiling panels hung with smallish rings attached to the tops of the pleats on a slender rod in black or bronze, and you can't go wrong.

I agree with Ronbre! Also chunky curtain rods with big finials being dated is a new one to me. Again, I think it is a matter of personal style and preference.

Hey now... since when are big chunky rods with big finials and fat rings dated? :) The chunkier the better.

It's a personal preference and does greatly depend on your taste and how your house is decorated.

As others have said it depends on the architecture of the house. Too many people go against the style of the house and put swags, valances, and jabot, in tiny ranch homes, apartments and the like. It looks too fussy and claustrophobic.

I have the dated jabots and swags and love them. I have a very traditional queen anne living and dining room and used cranberry jabots and swags. I don't believe my rooms look dated because my dining room table is glass with the cherry queen anne chairs. I've added other modern elements to balance the traditional look. I'm happy to read RonB's response because too frequently, people follow trends instead of their heart. If your home looks like everyone else's which tends to be the "trend" today, what have you accomplished.

Hmmm. Personally I love contemporary/clean-lined furniture & especially art-work, in fussy Victorian-area homes. I think it can work very well. However, the opposite doesn't seem to do likewise.

bigdoglover said exactly what I was thinking when I read your post. They will always be classic, given the right architecture and decor. I live in the South and see them a lot (even in current decorators' show homes)....but southerners sometimes aren't known for being minimalists. ;-)

I do think that swag/jabot treatments are currently "looser", and not quite so formal.

I think it is a matter of context, and in certain traditional rooms they are always correct, but in others, and depending upon fabric and construction will feel dated.

I think if you are Concerned about it and questioning their use, that perhaps you're wondering if you will tire of them. Its always better to go simpler if in doubt,IMO.

The hardware thing I am not sure I get--its kind of like saying architecture is dated, like crown moulding is dated. it either works with the house or it doesn,t. Interior design is not like a pair of shoes, in one year and out the next. Or, it shouldnt be,IMO.