Sally, your pic didn't come up... I have a wood valance in Cherry and I never think if things are dated... I think would I like it?? My old kitchen didn't have the valance and it looked like my corner cabinet was all alone and it looked weird. Also I have seen some beautiful wood valances on this forum. Good Luck!!! NJ

Your valance does look great and brings unity to the cabinets.

I don't have a strong opinion either way, but I was think that a curved valance would tie in nicely to the curved range hood on the other wall... would love to see more pics from people.

I'm going to try the ling again...

Here is a link that might be useful: Inspiration Hood pic

I guess it all depends on the situation. For my set up, I think the two upper cabinets on either side of my sink would have seemed lost or floating without the valance to connect them. I didn't match the curve of the valance to my hood, which I left in black steel, but I did have the cabinet maker make a mirrored piece that fronts my sink front, even though you can't see it in this picture.

We did plan for this, as we had an electrical outlet, run to a switch, put up there and we have a string of lights we can turn on at night.

Shezzy- it looks great- like it makes sense...makes it look 1 piece...very pretty kitchen. NJ

Sally, take a look at Renofan's kitchens. She did the same in her former and current kitchen.

current kitchen ... (2nd photo)

Wow, thanks for those pics of RenoFan's kitchen. The second one in particular looks exactly like what I was thinking on the curved valance. The only difference is that mine will be cherry. My girlfriend insists that the valance will take way light from the window. I don't have any issues with the cabs looking lost because I have 2 uppers on either side of the window.

Anyone else have an opinion on valance or no valance?

I don't want to offend anyone, because I think in the pictures above there were reasons why those valances were needed (or preferred) -- in nancy jean's and shezzy's, the cabs certainly would have looked lost. In renofan's, they weren't as 'necesary', from that perspective, but she obviously likes the look, and that is the important thing. For me, I like simple simple simple (we are going modern but warm), so a valance just to have a valance would not be my preference. So I guess my thought is, if you need one for visual continuity, great, but if you don't, leave it out. You can always put some interesting artwork (a long narrow piece of metalwork, maybe) or paint effect above your window if you want to add some interest. Unless you really like one, in which case, go for it! It may block a little of the light, but I doubt it would block all that much. It's always a balance, I guess. Good luck.

I also think it helps to frame out the window. Plus, if you want to add an over the sink light, it will help to hide the fixture. I simple wood valance isn't going to take away any light, unless you're at ceiling height :-)

That's right, unless the window goes all the way to the ceiling you're not losing any natural light.

I had a scalloped valance in my old kitchen (along with 3 cabinet shelves on either side of the window). Very 1950s, lol. It was unique and it hid the fluorescent tube. I chose no valance for the new kitchen window.

We decided not to go with a valance even though we have a curved wood hood.

Most kitchens aren't using window valances any more.

The wood valance over our sink and window will be hiding pipes from the upstairs bathroom! It was not my first choice as I would have preferred no valance(personally I think it is a more modern look),but it seemed like a good way to deal with the problem and I think it will look fine. It will be similar to our wood range hood and there will be a light in it. Our KD came and put holes in our soffits to check what was there before we made the decision. By the way, this is a terrific site. I love the way that people are so helpful and willing to share their knowledge and experiences in such a positive and supportive way. I've used so much information that I gathered here in planning my kitchen. Thanks.

One idea I'd like to throw out there if you're trying to add visual interest. We are adding a curved valance, just because I think it looks more finished with the crown molding that is in our kitchen. We also have light fixtures in the room- no cans. In order to "disguise" the 2 fixtures over the sink (so it doesn't look like an excess of fixtures in the room) yet not block the light, we are just using wood to "frame" the valance and placing decorative glass inside this frame. If you have ever visited a glass shop- the kind that stained glass artisans visit, and the bigger the store the better the choices-you will be blown away by the beautiful options. You do not need to do a stained glass mosaic for this idea, you can just put in a large single piece of your choice. I was just there today and I have yet to make a final decision. It's a simple way to do something a bit unique.