Thank you all for the kind comments on my kitchen. I really do love the way it is turning out so far! I also agree that my kitchen windows are a nice focal point and I really don't want to take away from the beautiful arch top and wood trim that contrasts with my walls and cabinets. I still feel like a small valance might add interest in both texture and color that would tie in with my overall color scheme. I am looking at tons of pictures on the web to narrow down the look I am going for. I appreciate all the good ideas offered here also. I did find a picture of a valance that comes fairly close to what I am thinking about. I photoshopped the picture of the valance onto my kitchen window picture. It is of course not my fabric, but it does have the same color burgundy and is a general style and size I would consider doing. I want to be able to fully visualize the arch top of my windows since that was one of the reasons I painted an accent color on the wall there to set off the window trim. After doing more measuring I am thinking the valance would be no more than 10-12 inches tall in order to minimize coverage of the window. Again I am just looking for a splash of color and texture in this area. What do you all think about this? Do you still think it cuts the window off too much and messes up the appeal of the windows? Iris16 - My gold wall color in the kitchen is a color match of Restoration Hardware's SAFFRON. We used Behr Paint for the color match. Maggiepie11 - I think I may very well end up using conventional curtain rods since I am thinking a return rod will work best in my space and if I make the valance with casings instead of tabs or loops I won't need to expose the rod Downsey - Yes I am on a budget and I can sew basic, uncomplicated curtains so that is what I am going to try to do. Thanks for your link to the swag curtains but I think I want to go more minimalistic and prefer not to cover up my arch top at all. It looks like a good idea though to use the medallions. Ingrid and Yayagal - thanks for the kind comments. I think my windows could stand alone and still look good also! Oceanna - those art glass images are really cool! I have a small arched glass window over the entrance to the master bedroom that I may consider putting art glass into. Thanks for the pics! Still trying to visualize my windows in the kitchen and figure out what valance style I can sew safely without botching up the job. Appreciate any more comments or ideas on style, size and hardware!

I have windows that meet in the corner just like that. You ask about getting on rod that is 'L' shaped but you would still need a "center" support in the corner for it to stay up and that would be awkward. I got my rods at Pottery Barn I believe. All I did was buy two rods that had removable finials. I put up two brackets over each window with proper placement and only put the finials on the outside ends having the rods set so they meet in the middle. Really, nothing special had to be purchased. I use rings for the curtains and they meet at the corner without any gap. If you are using curtains with the rod run through them then there would be a problem with the curtains meeting without a gap but that problem could be taken care of with a little cut in the curtain. BTW track drapes are "in" again and with a very updated sleek new look. These may solve someone's dilemma where windows meet at the corner. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/track-rod-window-hardware/?pkey=crods-finials Here is a link that might be useful: They are

I would look at white plantation shutters for the windows and a Vertiglide on the slider since you use it every day. I would then either add a cornice over the Vertiglide or some drapery side panels. Now if you have young children I am going to change my Vertiglide recommendation to a vertical. I know no one like verticals but if you have sticky little hands, you want to be able to clean the blind easily! When they have grown to the point where you don't have to worry about that anymore, then you can move to a Vertiglide or something else. Here are some links to a blog you may want to look at for ideas. https://dressthatwindow.com/beauty-of-shutters/ https://dressthatwindow.com/i-hate-verticals-what-else-is-there-for-sliding-glass-doors/ https://dressthatwindow.com/drapery-side-panels-complete-the-look/ Not a perfect example but just trying to give you a sample of the combination of shutters, a Vertiglide and a cornice board. You can really dress up the windows on that back wall to look great! Good Luck!

I mounted them full-width of the room and LOVE IT THIS WAY! Thank you guys so much for the tip. Had it not been for you, I would have mounted close the window frame. Attached are photos and thoughts: - My room is actually pretty bright (window facing west), shooting against the light makes it look dark. - Yes, I know the curtains are way too short and not wide enough. I will buy double-width ones, and longer (then cut to the right length, just above the floor but not touching). - Yes, I will replace the ceiling fan. Let me know of any modern ones you think about. Either dark or light color is fine. - I will probably get rid of the vertical blinds and go for light-filtering curtains on the inside rod or bamboo/cellular blinds? The idea is to have an option to block out the harsh western sun at 5-8pm each day but not totally blackout the room. Any other ideas? - Are the curtains too high? I love the height but wonder if they are in fact crowding the molding too much. I also pulled the curtains too far out from the wall, I think if I push them in closer to the wall, it will crowd less. (I'm using Ikea curtain hardware with the adjustable slider mounts, btw.) - Are the curtain rods at the right distance from side walls? I think yes? - Do you guys think I should go for a lighter curtain color? I think I still like the dark rod. White rods kinda look too plastic-ey. - I love grommets because they slide and fold-up so nicely but willing to explore others (rod-pockets).