Underneath the valance.

Wellllllllllllllllllll, depends on what sort of window coverings you have planned.

Me? I'd gently remove it and stuff it in the attic. (That opinion might change based on the rest of the room, though!)

Well my 25 yr old dd and 2 friends will be here and they are in charge of decorating.

We don't want to spend too much on this house. But, we definitely want it to be updated.

I have wood valances on all my living/dining room windows in a "great room" space. I LOVE them. DH made them out of wood cove. They cover up the ugly verticals hardware that are there in case we need privacy--we NEVER use them. They came with the house. Your picture is not easy to really see the valance. Is it the only window in the space? How will you cover the light socket?

I think they're retro in a good way. They can always be painted or covered with wall paper.

Well, I made a decision here as well.

I don't love the valance but since there is an outlet under the valance for the "tube lighting" I am keeping the valance. I am not going to pay an electrician to remove the outlet...then patch the hole which is plaster BTW, not drywall. Does anyone even repair plaster walls anymore?!

Annie says it is kind of "retro", so if the dd complains, I will tell her the GW designers said it was retro chic :-)

Arcy--I apologize. I just saw your question. Yes, this is the only window in the room. It is the living room and there is no window that opens!

I'm glad you like your wooden valance. Hoping dd can find something to use under the valance that will utilize the existing rod.

Thanks!

It's a lovely window. The valance makes it look stumpy. When you see outlets next to windows, it's usually there to power traverse drapery rods.

86 the wood valance. Install fabric window panels on either side of the window that extend from ceiling to floor on a traverse rod, & use the outlet to power a motorized track. That way you can either use a remote control to open and close the drapes.

Here is a link that might be useful: E Rod Motorized Drapery Track

My first home had a window valance (just a plain white board really) with light shining out the top. The valance covered both the light fixtures and the top of the curtains over the patio doors. I loved it so much that I am trying to figure out how to build one in this home. The light bounced off the ceiling and lit up the room without any glare in your eyes. Every house I've been in since, though larger, had a more claustrophobic feel because they were darker. Your valance though looks rich and classic.

Beverly--after I read your post I was ready to call our handyman to take the valance down!

Music teacher--then I read yours! That is exactly what this light does. Here is a picture. This valance must be built out of solid maple.

Now I don't know what to do. I told you I can't make decisions :-)

Do you really think that's a good look? What does it illuminate,.........the corner of the ceiling? I might feel differently if the valance was 2' down from the ceiling so the light has space to disperse, but it's 6" down from the ceiling.

However, it's your decision.

There are 2 outlets, you can do both ideas if you like.

Leave the valance...this is a place for young'uns who will add their own touch anyway...when I was young, I thought indirect lighting was cool. And the valance nicely hides the hardware on the traverse rods. Get some pinch pleat drapes to hang there and you're all set.

The valance makes it curtain-ready. No muss no fuss for now. If and when other drapery treatments are wanted, then the valance can be removed. My bedroom as a teenager had wood valence lights and I loved them (not for the ambiance, but to see better in a dark room).

I like it. I think if you go to a window treatment store you will find that similar valances are pricey. I wouldn't be so quick to take it down unless you want modern decor.

Update on wooden valance.... At the last minute, I had the painters take it down and patch the holes.

The whole house is now painted "believable buff" (looks very yellow in this picture?), new laminate floors, inexpensive but new kitchen appliances.

We decided to take down the extremely old drywall in the garage that had never been finished and put up new...we found zero insulation. My dh wondered why this garage was always so cold (this is the home he grew up in).

Getting closer to being done and dd moving in. I wish my sweet MIL would have let us do these things when she was alive.

Thank you for all of the advice!!

So what do you think?