Are they way too big to be cut up for plant markers?? Or maybe made into a trellis of some kind??

Just cover it any way you like. That's much cheaper and less messy than tearing it out

Sara's roman shades are probably the most common type of roman shade. I've made these in the past--the velcro allows easy detach compared to nails or staples. Sara's treatment has the full stack of the raised, folded shade exposed at the front, which is usually just fine. But I'm planning to use an assymetrical fabric pattern which is very distinctive, so I'd like to have the fabric covered when it's fully retracted. The pleats in the up position will not be a look that I would enjoy all summer--I assume that it will simply look lopsided. I suppose I could just remove the shade during the summer, but there are odd times when I might like being able to drop the shade in the off season, including when I'm going to be gone or when I want to run them halfway down to show the fabric. One thing that Sara's posting reminds me of is that I'll perhaps have to remove the cornice in order to access the fabric for washing. Gotta think on that. Below is one commercial source for traditionally styled cornices for windows, should anyone be interested to see an example of a wooden cornice. I would want something plainer, with spare trim. Disclaimer: I know nothing about the company, Smith + Noble. Fabric will be a Finnish Marimekko supergraphic pattern "Luminara" in the white-silver colorway. It's in a Crate & Barrow tablecloth.... http://www.crateandbarrel.com/outlet/table-linens/marimekko--lumimarja-white-tablecloth/f22276 The tablecloths are in the Outlet store, making them almost affordable. I plan to center the pattern in the wide middle window, and position it at the outside on each side curtain. Artsy idea, yes? Not sure if I'll give the romans the Warm Window treatment or not. That makes them quite bulky. With the second shade below it, I think that a lining without an insulated interlining on the fabric shade might be sufficient, but I do like that mylar layer in the Warm Window. Bounces the heat back into the room and is a vapor barrier. Warm Window supplies and roman shade supplies are sold at Joann Fabrics. There are lots of directions for roman shades on the internet. It's a do-able sewing project for a motivated sewer, even if without a lot of experience. I won't be using ring tape on mine--I'm too hard on the presewn rings so I have to tack mine on extra hard. It's a project to do with a recorded book going in the background. Here is a link that might be useful: examples of wooden, very classic cornice boxes

Thanks everyone for your comments! I plan you use a trilight type shade for room darkening for movies and privacy during the day. I would use stationary valance at the top just for decoration. I feel like it looks too plan with the old shade that is there now. There is a larger picture window on the wall to the left, about 5 feet. Would I use a roman shade valance on that as well? Or can I mix and match on that window do standard drapes in the same fabric? I plan to use the same fabric as I made the pillow out of on the brown chair. Braemore Gorgeous Pearl. That is not my window, just the fabric/drapes I like.