Hi, redroze, I may be wrong because it is a little far away in the last photo and at an angle, but it looks like in the picture your Dh likes, the valance above the window basically continues the trim that is above the cabinets, so there is more of a flow. Whereas your valance is underneath the trim, and it is in the style of your drawer fronts. Is that the difference?

You're right Victoria Jane. We could have just kept the crown above the window and boxed it out so the bottom hides the piping. Do you think that would look better?

It may be the fabric in the last photo that is making a difference, too. The lack of a fabric valance is what I thought of when I saw the first photo. Can you try tacking something you have in the house up there and see if it makes a difference? Otherwise the crown and boxing out may just do the trick!

You have a similar piece above your hood. Maybe make the trim piece the same height as that piece? I don't think it would look well to have blank wall there. Also, I think a little fabic valance would help.

I agree that it doesn't look quite right. I think it needs to either be less - as little as possible - or it needs to be more and the same size as the piece above the hood so there is symmetry of sorts. Is the gap above the current molding going to be closed off with another piece of molding? If so I think I'd go for less and then it seem like that section above the window will just look like continuation of the molding even though it is closed off underneath.

I agree with the other posts that it should proably be increased in height to match the height of the piece above the venthood. Also, could they kind of make a box out it by having the bottom piece flush with the vertical piece? I dont' know if that makes sense at all, but it would look cleaner. Also, if you the ability to wire it for a recessed light there, it might look more functional.

By the way, your kitchen is beautiful. Is the island stained or painted?

Redroze, have you shown us your paint before? Very pretty color.

I think I'd like that space above the window with no valance better. The valance looks a little heavy. What bothers me the most though is that large gap above the crown! The are fixing that....right? I do like the way your inspiration photo's window looks with that roman shade in there instead of the valance.

Sprengle - we're definitely considering adding a fabric valance there.

All - The piece above the window is actually the same height as the piece above the range hood, it's just panelled (similar to the door style) rather than flat. But I think it gives the appearance of being lower because of the detail.

I think our best best is to raise it a bit (just slightly lower than the crown), and box it off below so it's flush.

Jillkins - Thank you! The island is stained maple, a really dark espresso. I can see why you think it would be painted. The stain is so dark so you can barely see the grain, but we wanted this as our floors are red oak and have a ton of grain.

Morton5 - The paint colour is Benjamin Moore Natural Cream. We love it.

Ccombs1 - There is NO way we would leave that gap above the crown!! They've closed off the gap with a thin piece of trim on some of the other cabinets (not seem in these photos). But yes, they are definitely adding trim. That's one of the last bits for them to finish off the kitchen.

Thanks!!

They put the trim above the crown today, so there's no longer a gap between the crown and the ceiling. Do you think this makes the valance above the window look any better, or should we still change it?

Wow, that trim piece made such a difference! I think it looks a lot better now. I'd still like to see a solid underside. It's probably too much of a pain to do now, but it would be great if the underside could have a light.

RR, I think the reason it still doesn't work for me is that it's different than what's over the hood,as others have mentioned, but also it doesn't *line up* with your cupboards. Because the framing isn't flush with the cupboard it sits beside, it seems off somehow (if that makes sense). A fabric valance will make a difference, and I would also try seeing if you could Photoshop it so that you can see what it would look like to match with your over-the-hood piece.

It's all looking great though!

Eliz

I agree with Eliz. If you look at the top of your cabinet doors, they line up somehow with the trim on the hood but they don't line up with the valence. It's like the valence needs to be lower, with a trim piece above it that lines up with the top of the cabinet frames.

Oh, I see what you're saying. Yes, it does look out of place because it doesn't line up with the trim. Darn. Well, we asked our GC to go back to the cabinetry maker. He said he'll make a new piece and spackle the holes. I don't think wiring a light in will be possible at this stage.

I trusted you all to be honest with me, which is great! Morton, I know, I feel so great seeing it with the filler now. Next are cleaning the cabinets thoroughly and putting all the dishes in the uppers. Then furniture will be purchased this weekend. Onward!!

That extra trim makes a big difference! I agree with the last few posts- it looks a little odd in part because it is higher than the cabinets and hood trim.

I still think a valance would look great, though.

Your kitchen is just beautiful!

redrose.....i havent seen your photos in awhile so i forgot how much i love your kitchen! if you can change the valance, then go for it. i like your inspiration photo.....if you can't, i'm sure in a few days it won't bother you.

The trim above the crown really helps, and the kitchen looks fantastic.

Slightly OT, tell me more about the light fixtures above the island. We've been looking for similar. And also, if you don't mind, what granite did you choose?

Thanks Sprengle! I'd love to do a valance or roman shade (I think they're the same thing?) in a pretty patterned fabric.

I think you're right Gglks that it won't bother me in a few days. Unfortunately, DH has an eagle eye worse than mine and it will bug him. He already talked to our GC and we're going to fix it.

Craigintx - Thank you! The light fixtures were from Turn of the Century Lighting in Toronto, Ontario. The granite is Bianco Antico - I don't mind at all! I haven't seen any other kitchens with Bianco Antico. I think the slabs vary in pattern and colour. It's the first thing we chose in our kitchen and we love it. Here is a close-up for you.

Your kitchen is looking wonderful !. I think that the trim piece has certainly helped a lot. If I could make a suggestion it would be to really play up the window.

Right now, it is trying to be the focal point of the kitchen. The reason for this is that in the evening, when the sun has gone, it's the only dark area on your walls (at least from the perspectives that we have in the pics) so the eye goes to it immediately.

Perhaps adding some curved panel mouldings and an applique to the valance (painted out in the same colour as the rest of the trim)???

If you can squeeze it into the budget, I think it would look wonderful if you were to get new windows put into the existing frames that had divided lights the same size as, or similar in size to, the glass panes in the upper hutch cabinet you have.

Mind you, this would really be gilding the lily - it is indeed a beautiful room already.

:)

Looks better but as has been said previously, the piece above the window should be the same as what's above the hood. It's different in more than one way.

What bothers me is the thickness of the trim around the window in contrast to the shaker trim on the cabinet doors. If you look at DH's inspiration pic (the last in your initial series) the trim around the window is much narrower so the overall scale looks more balanced.