Hey, it's YOUR house... you can have what YOU like!

The answer, alas, is yes. The bare curtain rod look as well as simple hardwood valances are in.

Its a traditional/ formal look. It is not what you are seeing in many shelter magazines right now, but if you look at those that feature traditional interiors, you will still see them. I think particularly for a guest room and the guest who may want as much light blocking as possible, it could be very nice.

I recently read Cote de Texas' blog and fabric covered cornices with a taped trim are "in." Read her post titled "Updating Your Decor" that she posted in October. There are photos showing the cornices with the taped trim that she refers to.

Here is a link that might be useful: Updating Your Decor

I don't think so as long as it's done well.

i'm putting them in my bathroom, out of date or not! (have a cool fabric that's not out of date!)

I think the fabric, the shape of the valance and it being well made makes it or brakes it.

Thanks for your responses and the decorating article. Once I have completed the pillow shams, I will know for sure how much extra fabric I will have to make use of. I know draperies on rods are big right now, but the pattern would be lost when the drapes are pulled back. The covered cornice appealed to me because of the pretty pattern in the toile and wanting to show it off to best advantage.

I think toile's most effective when there's lashings of it. Windows, bedskirt, shams, lampshades, covered boxes, and so on. Don't waste a scrap!

I adore fabric-covered cornices!

And I think you could use your toile so well on them! And yes -- if you can -- add a thick ribbon to trim the top and draw the eye up to the ceiling -- a VERY effective way to add visual height to your space! :)

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I hope this link works -- here's an example .....

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of fabric-covered cornice from designer Phoebe Howard's website

Teacats and Ideefixe, I appreciate the suggestions. However, is it possible to over use toile in a room? The spare bedroom is a smaller bedroom, but of sufficient size to acccommodate a full-size bed.

In a smaller bedroom -- you COULD choose to keep the walls painted in a simple color -- which would allow the viewer's eye to rest. And appreciate the toile!

You could also choose to use a plain bedspread or cover -- and THEN add a toile-covered duvet -- which could be folded across the end of the bed.

Then add toile-covered shams with a smaller plain long bolster pillow to the top of the bed.

Add a small plain chair to a corner -- but then add a small pillow of the toile.

For the windows -- you could add plain shades or even bamboo shades -- and THEN add panels of the toile fabric. Then add a toile covered cornice.

Just some thoughts!

Jan you ALWAYS come up with the most scrumptious pictures! I don't know if those are considered cornices or lambrequins but they are gorgeous.

Brenda this is just my opinion but the only way you could over do toile would be to wallpaper with it AND use it for all fabric surfaces. I've seen pictures of rooms like that and it makes my head spin!

Here's an example of the mix -- again -- from designer Phoebe Howard's website ....

Here is a link that might be useful: Another room -- with a mix of the pattern and plain

I just googled "photos of toile bedrooms" -- and literally dozens of photos popped up! LOL! And LOTS of ideas that might help ....

Jan at Rosemary Cottage