Panels only would be my preference.

I did the Austrian valances in a kitchen about 10 years ago. I loved them but the definitely have a French country vibe. If that is the look you are going for then I would do panels and valances. Valances only would not look good in a dining room. If you are going for a more contemporary/modern/simple/clean vibe with the rest of the house then I would do panels only.

Only two panels and ignore the wall in the middle making it look like one window.

I'd do the opposite...I'd do a valance and then hang sheers as side panels...will add the color and pattern yet soften the look of the check.

I'm not much of a WT person, but I kind of think the panels + valance is a cute look, if that's the look you're going for. I have one valance in my entire house, over my kitchen window, a nice large window, but trimless and a little stark on its own. A few years ago Marcolo suggested I might try a valance there. I made one myself (a minor miracle in the sewing world, esp. because it's also lined) and I've always loved it. It's sweet.

As for rod pockets. I used to think that was the only way to use them, with the rod snaking through it. They're hard to move and always bunchy so you can't open them all the way. Now I use clips and/or those hook things and life is better.

If your pretty room was mine I would just do panels.

i would do one or the other, but not both... i prefer panels myself. i also would use rings with the rod pockets rather than the pocket for the panels.

are there blinds/shades pulled up at the top of the window that you would like to cover with the valence??

I kind of think the panels + valance is a cute look --Linelle

Yes, this is what bothers me, and that the buffalo check is a casual style imo. The dining room seems very formal with the wainscoting and the way it's set off separately from the kitchen. Is the dining set very formal?

Valances with or without panels look nice, but only if custom. Readymades can sometimes work, but not in your case, because the your windows would look better treated as one double, since there's not a lot of space between them.

Perhaps a valance that's straight across at the bottom would work, but I don't think those two you picked out would look very good, IMO.

I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but frankly I would rather see that beautiful area without any window treatment than the very casual and dark pattern you chose. I think it would be the first thing that would catch your eye and the architecture would be hidden/ignored. I would choose a very light, pretty pattern that is close to the paint color or beautifully patterned sheer curtains. I may be wrong but I have the feeling that valances are on their way out; one doesn't see them often any more except for a rustic/farmhouse look. Curtains really should be a background for a room and not the first thing you notice, but that's just my humble opinion.

Ok I ordered the sage panels. Just to answer a few remarks. I showed those pictures from the site but the color I ordered was a sage. We painted the room (top of chair rail) a light sagey green. My furniture is whitewashed: Dining table, eterge, small wall hutch. It needs color! Great room has lots of reds and sage. DR is dark. No natural light. We left the center of window white so not to break them up. I do like the cottagey style but not shabby chic and not french country. Sort of a mix. Maybe cottagey French!!! I will post pictures when curtains come and hung. THANK YOU all for your help!!!

Oops, just reread and you did mention sage. So much better, and sorry I missed that. I think with just the panels in that colorway it will look great. (I still hope you do the dining room in a beautiful red but if I'm not mistaken you had already picked another color. I hope you'll post the result.)

I think that the sage panels will look great. I had the black checked ones in my living room years ago. I hung them with the tailored valance and instantly wished that I had hung the panels only. I like a traditional look, but the valances made my home look more old-fashioned/country cottage than I wanted. I think you've made a great decision to try only panels first. If already mentioned, forgive me, but I recommend that you use a long curtain rod and extend it beyond the windows. Hang the panels against the wall to leave as much window space open as possible. I'm all for natural sunlight! If you need privacy in the evenings, then sheer panels underneath the panels could be used.

In my area of the world panels and the Austrian valance would be loved ....and accepted!! I can appreciate and admire many different styles, but I would not live with anything other than country/rustic.

We have a second home in which I have panels, but in our "real" house I have none! We have no wooden blinds, faux wooden blinds, woven shades, roman shades, plantation shutters, etc......and that makes me happy!!

I am very glad that you decided to get the curtains that you like. Do not be afraid to get the valance, too. Keep us updated!

Panels only.