The white panel looks good. I still think you need to tone down all of the black.

yes, still working on it.........this is just the first of several changes :)

I really like the grey. The white is nice too but I prefer the grey. So glad to see the chandelier scrunchie gone!

Can you possibly find some panels that aren't so sheer? The ones mocked up in yesterday's post looked much nicer being heavier and fuller.

So many said no drapes AT ALL, so I thought the thinking was to keep it light and airy, since it is in a kitchen. Wouldn't heavier and fuller defeat the purpose? I am really getting confused.

My vote might not count because of what I'm going to say, but I think you should ditch the idea of fabric over those pretty shutters entirely. I think it clutters your space. Would you consider taking everything down and just living without the curtain rod and any fabric there for awhile? I suspect you're so used to seeing the valances there, and your eye may be 'tricked' into thinking you need something more than the shutters. You don't. Shutters are a beautiful element on their own, and they stand well on their own. (Says the proud owner of a house full of plantation shutters - none of which are adorned with any sort of fabric. ;-))

((((((((Idaclaire)))))))))))))) - I don't think I could go without SOMETHING over that window - and maybe it IS because of the reasons you say, but regardless, I don't think I could. These panels were not that expensive. I would not be heart-broken if I kept them up for a while and then tried living without for a while. I think it is an improvement over the valances, so maybe just another step towards not having anything at all, lol. It just looks so BARE to me with nothing :((( I think I may have to make this a baby-step towards not having anything at all and keep one of these two pair for at least a little while, lol.

right on IdaClaire!

I really like it - I love all the black!

Definitely the white. The gray has no relationship with the floor or wall color. Yes they should go to the floor, just touch it. Rod is way too flimsy..... Ditch the white rugs also. 1st they're a hazard & 2nd they look like bathroom rugs

I think those lovely shutters would be so much nicer with no other panels of fabric. If the panels stay, I'd move the rod down. I know, no one else in the decorating universe wants lower rods, but I think rods up against the ceiling, or floating mid-point in no man's land look odd. That's just me; it has to please you.

What would you think of removing the mirrow from over the chest on the left? It seems to be reflecting only a water jug.

Take one of the square plaques from the right side of the windows and hang it over the chest on the left side. Hang the two plagues at the same height.

Then, find a door for the small chest on the left. I know there are places that sell custom size doors and the hinges to hang them. It could be a color similar to the baskets on the left side. That would remove some more of the visual clutter.

If it were my room, which it is not, I would add a round, very colorful, rug under the table.

Thanks, all - rod is just put up there haphazardly until I can decide which one I want to keep. I definitely will be re-doing some of the other items, just trying to take it one step at a time with the windows first :)

Hi Cindy. I will not add to any of the thoughts already posted as it would be repetitious. However, I just want to commend you for being such a good sport. It is difficult to put yourself "out there" and you have taken all of the suggestions with grace and an open mind. You have a lovely home!

In general I am not a fan of sheers because they often end up looking skimpy. I'd rather see no curtains. Or curtains with a little more ooomph.

I'd try no curtains for a bit and see if you can get used to it. You can always add some back later.

If you have to have something on the windows, I think burlap look curtains would look good with your floors and your French country vibe.

Honestly, it's all nit picking because your space looks great.

Bite-sized pieces is good.

I like the gray, surprisingly.

I completely agree with IdaClaire about nothing but the shutters at the window and I also completely understand what you are saying about it looking bare with nothing there. I encourage you to just live with nothing but the shutters there for at least a few days and then see how you feel. Initially, it's not going to look right to you, but after a few days you may decide it's just right.

While I was posting, you added the picture of the area with the rod down and no panels and I think it looks MUCH better!!!!! Please give it a few days.

Congratulations Cindy on hanging in there. You are doing GREAT. Your space is really awesome. The nice part is all the ideas are working..at some point it comes down to you and your personality and what you like. So far I see no downside. LUCKY YOU--but that is because you started at a great place.

IdaClaire, it looks like we'll have to do an intervention to get Cindy C. to lose the curtains. I agree the widow is pretty as is, and the rod makes it look cluttered on the top. I think the decorating police want the curtains to break at the floor. That sounds problematic if you want to wet mop the floor.

I also agree with aktillery about eliminating some of the black. I like the black with your wall color but there's just too much of it. You need another color to add interest I think. Someone posted several rugs yesterday and one of them was a floral that had some coral in it. I thought the coral color was a nice touch. Maybe a little in a rug or a painting.

Oh! You took them down while I was typing. 'Looking good!

no, it looks good without the curtains! those shutters are so pretty. How about just a pic of the black and white valance? not the triangular one, just the other (or are they one piece?) I just want to see what the one piece on top looks like. Otherwise, I vote for this bare look. you're just used to having something hanging over it.

ok,,,if you leave them bare, what about painting the trim around the window black?

I don't think that "nothing" looks bare -- it just looks more like a kitchen and less like a living room! The window and shutters are nice, and there's already a dark valence-like shape from outside. But do the solid curtain for a while, we won't think any less of you either way. :)

LOOKS great! Don't change it.. I was following and prior could not appreciate the chandelier... was not fond of the sheers and keep it like this! As Beth mentioned if you feel you are missing some black, paint the trim around the window... not sure I would, but it was a good though as I know you are probably feeling naked and you should NOT!

SO much better without any embellishment. It gives the eye a place to rest and the viewer can appreciate the good looking shutters. I'm willing to bet that anyone seeing your home now will tell you how nice it looks.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An intervention, YES, that is probably what is needed!! I just don't think I can not have anything on there..............I am willing to try it for a few days, but am going to keep one of the sets and then put them up in about a week and live with them for a week. So that will give me one week of each and just see................and yes, I am going to do some other things to tone down the black and will refer back to the other thread. For sure! :) Ya'll have to admit, I've taken a step in the right direction removing the valance and going from busy print to at least a solid. PROGRESS! :))

Hippoing big time, I am all for the white panels. Don't lower the rod, your panels don't need to be all the way to the floor either. I would actually change the table and the chairs. They give off an outdoor furniture feeling. You'll get where yoy want to get, baby steps or not. Just sift through our opinions to get where you want to be. Good luck!

I absolutely LOVE the shutters with no curtains! Sorry :). The room looks so much bigger and airy. The black furnishings even look fresher with the rips white shutters. PLease, please don't paint that gorgeous trim black.

Just one more thought....the black and white fabric of your original valances would make cute cushion covers for your chairs. Probably not enough fabric, but just another little French Country element.

Your last version (no curtains/valance/cord scrunch etc), looks FABULOUS! It's not bare at all! One can actually see what you have in there without all the distraction! Live with it for a while - your eyes will adjust.

No curtains, no curtains, no curtains!

Your home is beautiful. I like it without curtains. The shutters have a lot going on with all those slats and the curtains are just something else for the eye to bounce around on and then you really don't see anything. I prefer rooms not to be overdone whether modern or traditional. Without the curtains it looks like the room is in 2017 not an earlier time period. Sorry just m personal opinion and you should do what you like.

It looks great without the curtains!

If you must do curtains, I like d_gw suggestion of burlap.

I love it without the curtains. And I would try cream cushions on the chairs instead of black. And remove some of the black accessories in the tables on either side of the window. Change out the black and white shade, for example, to linen.

Plus one for no curtains. Looks lovely!

My brain when "aaaaahhh" with your last pic. Thanks for being a good sport and taking our suggestion to try it out.

I understand that it takes getting used to but look at that fun chandelier, all highlighted and showing off her tassels! You could hardly distinguish her from the valences yesterday. Go look at that first pic you posted compared to the last.

I adore your style. I also think that window doesn't need anything, it's beautiful all on its own. Try it for a week. And I love the black/dark colors.

It reminds me of France. It's a beautiful room :)

I've been in your shoes. It took about 3 months for me to get used to the nakedness of no valance. I stopped in my tracks every time I entered the room. I love it now.

No curtains. Sometimes it helps to look at the room through the camera lens to see the difference, it helps focus your eyes by eliminating the peripheral decor. The shutters-only version lets other items be the stars in the room. It is beautiful without the curtains.