Get a bigger window or for no money at all, a longer blind and hang it high near the cabinets and then take a valance if that is what you like and hang it higher too. Almost to trick the eye into thinking the window is actually higher. and the first half will be covered by the valance. Right now your eye stops short but if you hang it higher, you will think the window is higher without getting a new window. OR new end cabinets. I like the idea of staining them a darker color.

I think the window needs a wide frame around it to add some weight to it. And maybe open shelving on either side to add interest.

Hi! I would definitely frame out the window as mentioned before, and add a beautiful, colorful pendant light to add interest! Painting the cabinets is always an option; right now the wall color and cabinet color have no contrast so neither can really shine. If you go darker with the cabinets, go light to med color for the walls, and if you keep them as they are, repaint the walls with a medium color paint that compliments your towels(assuming you still like them of course). It's hard to tell from the photo, but an olive green paint would look nice with the lighter cabinets. Also don't forget a nice rug to help tie it together. A bamboo shade in the right tone would look nice but not compete with a pendant as well. Then, last but not least, I would either put crown molding on the ceiling, or on the cabinet tops....

thanks so much! i know the black valance is pretty terrible and plan on doing away with it but just wanted to see how the black looked since our granite is brown, bronze, and black. we do need something for privacy unfortunately but i like the idea of raising the valance to draw the eye up and possibly shelving off each side. thanks again everyone!

As a previous poster said, hang window treatments high. I like to go to the ceiling, but in this case, you should perhaps go with the same height as the top of the cabinets. A pendant light would make a great focal point - splurge on something with a lot of visual impact. Then decide if the shelving is a good idea - it would likely be a detraction then. I'd also take the backsplash up to the cabinet tops. Alternatively, put a bridge shelf across span btwn cabinets, raise the window treatment to just under this bridge and install puck lighting under shelf (shelf should probably have an apron so it appears thick and covers lights and top of window trtmt). Then you can also add shelves on either side of window. I know you're trying to tie the appliances in, but your toe kick is quite a distraction - I think it should be the color of either the floor or the cabinets. If you need more storage, IKEA makes some cabinets that might fit the gap btwn your cabinetry and the ceiling. If you added those, take your window treatment to the ceiling or to the underside of cabinets if they go all the way across.