I am the designer of the Bunny No Ears valance with the jabots. While this particular valance style does have the jabots at the sides, most of my valance styles actually don't have them. When I came up with my design styles I actually was going for a more contemporary and modern look. The valances are installed using either 2 1/2" or 4 1/2" continental rods but give the look of being on a board instead. Until now, most of the time when you thought of using those rods to hang a window treatment, your options were pretty much limited to a valance gathered onto the rod which would give a "country curtain" look. (Nothing against that look though.) Since my customers choose the style of their valance and the fabrics that will be used to make them, they are able to create a valance that will suit their own personal taste and vision for their homes. I hardly ever make the same exact design twice which is actually great for me since I get to work with so many amazing fabrics.

I love that shade! I would probably pair it with a pale blue or blue-green that has a slight similar undertone on the walls, along with the white counter. Here is a kitchen posted a few years ago that used a very similar color in the lowers. The walls are painted in Sherwin Williams Compatible Cream, the trim in Creamy... I wouldn't choose those paint colors myself though.

Isn’t that ”wainscoting“? Why is the word “barn” in there? Before I opened the thread, I thought we were going to be talking about shiplap, because your title said “barn”. Shiplap was indeed a fad that is now over. But what you have is classic wainscoting (it appears from the photo at least). Been around for hundreds of years and is not going anywhere. I would just paint the walls a brighter color. And you can get wall air registers in stained wood online which will look nicer than the metal one you have there, and change the look for the better.

It's really not a bad kitchen for a rental. I'd get a large piece of colorful art for the wall and a rug/runner for the floor. I love having a rug in the kitchen. I buy outdoor rugs and they hold up well, don't stain and when dirty you can just hose them off outside: It's difficult to make suggestions without knowing what colors you prefer or your style...these are all very inexpensive - with free shipping and returns. Unfortunately, I accidentally shopped a different site that doesn't have free returns, but am posting them anyway just for ideas. go to esalerugs.com and sort for runners, outdoor and you'll see a large selection.