Looks just like mine!
I have a nice clock with a rooster on it above the window.
Put the curtains a littel wider than the window.
I really like my kitchen so never noticed the window thing!
I just knew I DID NOT want soffits again.
Karen L

You can see its dark here..
Also my salt and pepper shakers on the window sill.
I did my own backsplash and love it as well.
My cupboards go to the ceiling so I have lots of cupboard space.I made my curtains and really love them. I also have them on the picture window by the table.
Get your stuff in your kitchen and it will get better and not just look like a window out of place.
Karen L

I would put up a curtain rod to line up with the tops of the cabinets and then find some gorgeous valances. Have the rods and valances go a little outside the window to cover up some of the empty space. A beautiful, thick white lace might look great there or something with a white background with some beautiful colors. I wouldn't pick anything "kitcheny". Toile might also look good there.

We had that in our last house and installed an arched wood cornice that bridged the two cabinets. It was custom made thought very simple, it stepped way back from the faces, and went all the way to the ceiling, with big crown moulding on top. If you did that you'd want to put crown moulding on your cabinets as well.

that might be a little complicated, it was a big kitchen re-do. If so, I would do as Ingrid says, except I would bump the cornice up above the top of the cabinets to give some extra interest, instead of all--one--line-------

I agree with her about something gorgeous and non-kitcheny like a rich toile.

I would put a board like this over it, and build spice racks on each side of it.

Your backsplash up and over the window is another option and you can create any design you want, solid, solid wall with mosiac curtain, strip up or across, what ever you love, tile, granite, wood, etc.

I am adding about 2" reveal frieze and about 3" height (3 5/8" size) crown to the tops of the cabinets. That will still be about 5.5" from the ceiling though. The light is centered at 12" from wall so can't go straight across with valance, though I'd love an arched valance. It would have to be less than 6" from wall or be bumped out about 15-18" to clear the light b/c I don't want a soffit and rewire light.

Oceanna's is very interesting, could I drop the crown over the window below the level of the cabinets *and* recess it to 6" away from the wall if I did an arch to just cover the corners of the casing? That way I wouldn't be blocking the light. I can't bring sides all the way down to counter b/c that's where I keep my dishdrainer. I'd either keep the sides open or put shelves in, unless my carpenter can build small boxes with slide-outs. Do you have slide-outs? I already have my spices by my stove. I was thinking of doing that with backs open, projecting, but he was worried about "wings" being fragile.

I have Romans shades inside mounted in FR that is all 1 big room open to kitchen, so don't know if I could put a curtain rod over the window and what sort of fabric to use. Was going to ask about that after I got woodwork figured out.

Keep the ideas and pics coming - have to bring dd to maple sugar house now, will check later - Thanks!

I don't know if what I just suggested would work b/c the arch would only be about 4" away from wall b/c the crown projects about 2" I think. Would that look strange?

The more I look at karen's kitchen, the more I am beginning to see that the crown (even though mine won't go all the way to ceiling) adds a little. What may really tie it all in might be the tile, though, and I wasn't planning on tile for now (though I've spent weeks picking it out) b/c I just found out about $350 installation cost. Unless I can manage to do it myself for about $400 in materials, $750 is not something I can spend right now on "decoration" b/c we have so much else to finish in the house. A back deck off my slider so we can actually use it this summer would be nice, instead of a 4ft drop. Not that $350 is that much, it's just kinda the straw that broke the budget's back, if I can do it for $400 DH might let me but it would be better to wait and use even that money toward the deck. At least I'm getting the carpentry work in the kitchen done in exchange for the compressor I already bought, so essentially it's already paid for except for about $150-$200 of oak.

bigdoglover - I don't think it'll be that much more to do an arch, do you happen to have any pics of your old kitchen? That might be the thing to do instead of spending $ on tile that I would have to rip out when we redid countertop in 8-10 years - cabinets will stay so it's worth putting $$ into carpentry right now when I have someone who will work for barter, or $15/hr once the compressor credit is used up.

Thanks

Karen, your kitchen is warm, friendly and charming.

You know, Ajsmama, I love thinking out of the box. Why not visit your local salvage yard/store, or even goodwill. Look for anything in an architectural piece that you could use. I am thinking specifically that an old inexpensive headboard strategically chopped up might make a really "wow" treatment over your window. A turned table leg from a hardware store sawed in half vertically, and glued to the wall might be neat down the sides. Or you may find a piece of an old antique that has lost its mates but is at your local antique store. Look in CL too. See what you can find and take your open, creative mind with you. Look at everything... trays, picture frames, whatever. Be a decorating Sherlock Holmes. A bottle of spray paint, maybe some antiquing or gold leafing, or bronzing, or a faux copper patina... and you may end up with a knock-your-socks-off solution. I would start there.

As for the spice racks, I'd imagined something in a diamond pattern, not a straight pattern, but I don't know how much room you have. Shelves could be cool too.

You could also consider just painting some flowers/vines over the top and down the sides. That's almost free to do and Michaels has plenty of how-to books and very inexpensive paints and brushes. I painted sunflowers and curlique vines over the top of my kitchen window.

Or sew a really cool valance and side curtains, and put a pretty decorative plate or three over the top. The prettiest valance patterns are at pate meadows.

Glad you like my kitchen. I did my own back splash and it was lots of fun.
It took me a whole day to install the tiles.
My husband then helped me grout it, I just do not have the muscles in my arms to spread the grout well.
If you need help with the tile, just ask at the tile store and look on line...I did it and it was fun.
I am not really into tools but was able to use the tile saw. I borrowed one. It cost me a case of beer for rent!
Karen L

i have a similar situation and I am planning on putting a cornice between the two cabinets with a valence (which I have up) inside the cornice..similar to the white kitchen above however i don't have the bit pedimonts on top of my other cabinets..just crowns.

Right now i'm just waitinig until my son's garage is clear enough so we can get to our oak boards stored in his garage..and it is warm enough to mess with saws outside in Michigan..

if you like plants, that is a good spot to put one too, over the window.

another thought I had but haven't decided to do was to put small shelves on either side of the window..i don't think i want to do that as it might look a little outdated

ronbre - can you post pics of your window? I can't do a plant shelf - not only do I have to keep the top open for the recessed light centered (12" from wall) over the sink, but I'm too short to reach a shelf there and the plant would die from lack of water LOL!

OK, here's the window with casing (sorry it's cloudy day, I'm waiting to finish the casing after I check the stain color then I'll nail it up). After looking more and more at karen's kitchen, I'm thinking of just butting the crown at the top of the cabinets into the wall and calling it good. The top of the crown will be about 5.5" above the top of the window casing, and will project 2" over from the side of the cabinet, making it about 5" from window casing on left and 4.5" on right. Will that be enough to tie the whole area together so I don't feel like the window is undersized (which it is - I specified something 7" wider)? I have roman shades in the FR so wasn't thinking about putting a valance over the window, though I suppose that could make up some room (esp. if I make it same distance from cabinets on each side, choose something that has no "center").

{{!gwi}}

I'm still trying to hide the scuff marks from sanding that are showing under the paint (do I have to put a layer of joint compound on and sand again, then paint?) but I have about a foot b/t the top of the casing and the ceiling, I can put something decorative there like karen did if doing so would no call attention to the paint defects.

Or we can actually bump out a wood valance over the sink, though anything coming down lower than the cabinet tops would be hard b/c of doors being hinged on sink side. So probably have to be straight oak valance and crown, no arch. I'm buying the 1x4 stock, crown and half round molding (to cover gap - going flush instead of overlap so corner door opens, lower crown will go to top of that cabinet/bottom of half round).

Opinions? TIA

I think it will look great with the just the crown molding on the cabinets and something decorative above the window. What about something like this.

I posted in the forum where you cross posted this question.

I'd love to find something like that, matching one over the range too? Area over my window is 50x12 (will be more like 46x12 after crown is on), range is 30x14. Can I mix wrought iron with stainless/nickel?

I just hope that I can get the paint to look OK - you only see the sanding scuffs from the side when the light is on, but it's been driving me crazy. I'm convinced the painter isn't coming back, so I might have to finish painting the foyer and upstairs hallway, and touching up kitchen and bath, myself. He already painted over the kitchen window once and I can see the scuffs.

New pictures - think it'll be OK with crown just on the sides of the cabinets, or do I need to box out over the window?

{{!gwi}}

{{gwi:1448178}}

Don't know why the color is off in this one:

{{!gwi}}

I think that will look fine - my personal preference would be to not box out the window. I like the open look with just a decorative piece. My kitchen window over the sink was not what I expected either but I'm used to it now (should have put in 42" cabinets). I originally bought that iron scroll piece to put over the sink but then decided to put it in the breakfast area. That was the other picture I posted.

Sharon - where did you find the iron scroll? Do you think I can mix iron or bronze artwork with SS appliances and brushed nickel lights?

I think any artwork can go higher than the crown, as long as it's not really close to the ceiling. Another idea my mom had was to put a curtain valance over the window, extending all the way to cabinets. I don't think I'd go that far, but maybe just under the crown? Curtain would have to wrap around, I don't think I can do decorative finials and tab-top for instance. I kinda wanted just to do a Roman like I have in all the other windows in the house (all those that have WTs). Maybe a different fabric than FR (linen stripe) though I'm afraid to be too daring since it's basically one big room. What do you think?

aj,
How about a valance that is raised in the middle like the one from Pate-Meadows? It could be from the same fabric as the FR since it is one big room, just a different style. That would keep it from looking so "blocky" (is that a word?).

Here is a link that might be useful: pull-up valance

I got the iron scroll at Pier 1. I'm no expert but I mixed everything in my kitchen - stainless appliances - orb knobs - polished chrome etc.

I like the roman shade idea - did you post a picture of the other ones in your room? Why can't you use the same fabric if you like it? or get one that compliments.

Thanks for the link - over on Kitchens someone had suggested Pate-Meadows but I didn't know they sold patterns. I don't sew, but if it's simple maybe my aunt could make it. I really like how it's hung - if i could use hooks instead of posts, I could get some nice ones with ceramic or (light maple is all they had ) wood surrounds - I already bought 2 (a green and a blue& white Delft type) trying to decide which and where to use to hang a towel.

I don't know if I can get a Roman in the same fabric for this window - JCP seems to have changed their fabrics. But I did buy a scarf to put over the patio door or for extra fabric (the Romans only came 72" max length, I need a little more on the slider shades).

{{!gwi}}

Here's where the FR is in relation to kitchen (forgive the Valentine's mess), except for the 30" wide (plumbing) wall at the end of the cabinet run, the whole back wall is continuous. The opposite wall is continuous (37ft) all the way from end of kitchen to bay window at the end of FR.

I could use the scraf to make a valance like the Pate one, but is the linen stripe a little bland for the kitchen with Navajo White walls and all that oak? I have a tab-top blue check from old house (matched dd's highchair), and some green checked valances from the old LR. I'd like to bring some blue into the kitchen (you can barely see my grandma's blue-heart-sponged canisters to the right of the stove, and a blue teakettle) but since the predominant color in the rest of my house is green, I didn't know if I should stick with green. And I'm not sure the country checked pattern will work in this house since I was trying for more of a transitional look.

Thanks!

I think either way, crown or box over the window will be fine..you can do a shelf..if you look at your recessed light it is out far enough to put in a narrow shelf, over the window, the shelve doesn't have to be as wide as the entire cabinet.

I'd still go with a boxed shelf, maybe with an arch at the bottom, and I would put a valance inside the box to cover as far as just down over the top moulding of the window...there are such beautiful valances available.

I'd post a photo of mine, but it isn't done yet..so it won't do you any good..but i do have a valence right now from cabinet to cabinet just below the crown with a small jabot going down each side over some of the side area..when i do put the box over the top of the valence, it will form a shelf just BELOW the crown moulding on the top of each of the side cabinets, and will have an arch under it over the valance rod..to hide the top of the valance..this will form a shelf..but only a narrow shelf..also..cause i too have a recessed light over the sink..try what we did..lie a board across the top of the cainets, narrow one, and see if it interferes with the recessed light..ours did not ..but the cats loved it.

I took the mockup and put it across (of course it's only a little over a foot long so didn't go over entire window). The light is center 12" from wall but b/c crown projects 2", when I got to about 4.5" from wall (6.5" projection, just over trim ring) but holding it down in line at the top of the cabinets (about 10.5" from ceiling) I started seeing reduction in light over sink, though not a line. So box with crown could only be about a 1x4 deep (3.5") plus the crown. Didn't know if such a shallow box (hang another 1x6 or something vertically under crown, cut the arch in that?) would look strange and I do think it would have to go all the way to the ceiling and then I think it would look strange being so close to trim ring.

Other option was to go out 15" but would also have to put different-sized fillers on each side to center the arch and to allow for door swing since coming out 3" right against side of cabinets the doors would hit. I was wondering, though, since we have to leave the top open for the light, it would have to go all the way to the ceiling again, including on the sides, but would that really cut down on the light too?

I'd like to see pics of your jabot now, and also the box when you get it done. When do you think that'll be?

I don't know if I want any kind of shelf over the window - I put a 1x4 laid flat over cabinets, so it only projected 3.5" from wall and there was a noticeable reduction in light over the sink. Then DH held crown up onto 1x4 flat against the wall (so projection was only 2.75") and I didn't really notice too much light loss, but do you think it looks strange with the bottom of the 1x4 so close to the window casing (about 1.5"), and the top of the crown so far from the ceiling (about 5.5")?

{{!gwi}}

What about putting oak around the window and using the same crown as a cornice over it? Would that look better than the picture above, but tie in the window with the cabinets? Would it look strange with pine jambs, sills, and window? I could replace the sill, but I'm not keen on replacing jambs unless I have to. The window itself is very thin with thin molding to hold the screens in, so I would leave those.

This link may give you some ideas.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg021211197877.html
I plan to put plates above mine like aktillery

OK, I took curtain rod I was going to install in LR and some curtains I had and took a few pics for ideas - tell me what you think:

Floral jabot I bought for DR then changed my mind - this would have gone well with oriental rug, but not sure I like it in kitchen since I'm not a flowery person.

{{!gwi}}

Bear in mind what I have just a dozen feet to the right

{{!gwi}}

Here's a green check tab-top I bought for the breakfast nook in this house but then I did the Romans

{{!gwi}}

I also have the same thing in blue from the old kitchen, and in green but balloon valance instead of tab-top.

Then I have the valance I bought to go with DR drapes, but I'm thinking of just hanging panels with no valance so I have 2 of these. I think it's way too long unless I hang it right at the ceiling, above the crown that's going on the cabinets.

{{!gwi}}

And finally I have a really bad picture of a green victory valance I am going to hang in my MBA (just on corners of trim now) and in my MBR (no rods up yet so no good pics). I can't find any more in this fabric, and would want to block some light or put a shade like in the BR under, but just to give idea of the swagged look:

{{!gwi}}

Hi ajsmama! First off, let me say that I think your kitchen is going to look wonderful once you are finished. I haven't read every single response so someone may have mentioned this already. Have you thought of adding a different light above your sink to add interest and, perhaps, draw attention away from those things you don't particularly like?

In our new house, we have a similar set up to yours in that the window over the sink is between two sets of cabinets. We opted not to have any kind of connecting piece. We also opted not to have crown (1) because we were going for a very simplistic/craftsman style and (2) budget constraints just did not allow for it at the time. However, we've since come to the conclusion that we DO want to add a very simple crown when we are able to save up for it. It just adds so much character!

With our window, we chose a mini pendant light that matches the ones from our island. I really like the look and I get lots of compliments about it. As for WTs, I hung a valance there and I also intend to put a roman shade behind it just to be able to pull down for privacy and for when the sun is shining in too brightly. We already have it, it is just a matter of actually getting it put up there! I'll post a picture. It's definitely not the best picture but I dropped my camera a couple of months ago while it was on and now it doesn't work. I've definitely got to get some more up-to-date pics loaded. Anyway, whatever you do, I'm sure your kitchen will be lovely!

ajsmama, in your 3/20 pics, I like the way the crown molding on the cabinets will sort of frame the window. It sets the stage for some art over the window. Either some iron work or a plate or plates would look fine. I wouldn't worry about mixing the metals. There's a pretty clear difference between your fittings and wall art.

Many of the valances you've shown look too heavy to me. I would want nothing larger than the size of the checked valance. If you don't need to cover the window, I wouldn't bother with a valance at all - just the artwork. Even the artwork with a simple roll-up shade mounted inside the window would look good. That way the entire woodwork around the window would show.

Anyway, I think you'll have a lovely room. I know the window is smaller than you wanted, but it doesn't look off to one who had no prior idea of how it should look.

you are doing the right thing by trying things to see what you like, the floral looked ok, but if you don't like florals the shape might work, like the longer sides and shorter center..didn't care for the others at all..they bring too much attention to the bare sides and block the sun ...the jabot at the side at least covers the sides..

that would be similar to mine but mine doesn't have that long of a jabot..the box on mine will be where your valence is just under the crown moulding on the side cabinets, with a small shelf..and it will just cover the top of the valence, and then the valence..mine is smaller than yours and doesn't hang down as far..but also puffs in 3 puffs in the center with the 2 side ones for 5 panels..3 puffs and 2 jabots..i also have a small fringe..

DH said we could switch out the fixture but I don't know how hard it would be to replace recessed light with regular box. Plus I don't want something hanging down too far over the window, and though we could put a curtain like scarlet, it would detract from any artwork if I had a cord hanging. I *do* have a spare mini-pendant for my track light over the island. But I would need to convert the recessed to a box and then use a single-point mount for it. And we just had the ceilings retaped and painted a year ago, I don't want to mess up the ceiling.

Thanks for all the suggestions! You gals have convinced me to die the crown right into the wall for now, not get into boxing out 15" deep valance (sorry ronbre). Hopefully we'll get the crown up in the next 3 weeks or so (bought it all, just have to get carpenter to cut it, he wanted to do the mitred returns on the sides by the corner cabinet b4 I stained and finished, I'll get him to cut everything app. to length). I'll post pics when it's done, we'll see how it looks and go from there, whether with artwork and/or curtain or a pendant light.

(best Ahnold accent) "I'll be back!"

I agree with changing out the recessed fixture. They have a $35 kit at Lamps Plus stores or .com that I just bought to convert cans to any ceiling mount or pendant or any fixture you want.

What do you think about this $25 WT? Help ASAP, b4 JCP sells out (my LR and DR drapes are already gone)!

How would you hang this - hooks? Rod?

Think I should use these blue plates as a "backsplash" (hanging, just haven't bought hangers yet so used stands for pic)?

{{!gwi}}

Or go with linen stripe Roman ($60 custom non-returnable) to go with the ones in my FR? Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: JCP toile valance