I think the walls are changing color, greenfish!

I'm kind of over the yellow walls.

OH NO, I am sad to see the sunny yellow walls go!

not outdated if you still like them - I think that they look great in a house

The fabric used and the scale of the cornice is really the problem. Cornices are longer now, along with any kind of valance. They are about 1/4 of the length of the wall. I go up as high as possible giving the illusion of height. Updating the fabric and using long drapery panels will update your look and bring it all together. The look of layering is always nice and welcoming. Rod pockets are not the best alternative in this instance. I would return them and go with rod/rings first and decide if you feel you even need the cornice above it. It may need to have deeper returns based on your rod. Make sure the fullness of your drapery is always in proportion to the window so it looks fuller. Hope that helps. Good Luck.

I would just go for a plain white sheer maybe with a bit of linen in it. A classic look that won't date. A Scandinavian softness.

You have a lovely look ... I don't see the cornices as elegant but more a whimsical cottage-feel. With your setting I would consider letting the light in and enjoy what you have to view. Live with it for a while and you may never regret the change. Could you post a pic of your new fabric? Have fun and please post your new look.

THOSE THINGS ARE EXPENSIVE TO JUST TRASH THEM, YOU COULD REMOVE THE SIDE PANELS AND GET PLAIN ONES IN ONE OF THE COLOURS FROM THE PRINTED FABRIC. I just realized that i had the caps lock on , sorry i didn't want to yell at you !

So sorry ... I hadn't read the entire thread ... I have now seen all your updates. My thought is why sheers when you have a beautiful view. And if sold on sheers ... a plain white or off white with or without texture could enhance more than the colour patterned sheers. Have you tried re-hanging your drapes now that the cornices are down? Re-vamp (update) them with grommets?

somewhat like this idea

I think the photo Genevieve just showed would work well! Good find Genevieve!!

Thank you Margo!

I really don't think the sheers do anything for your room. Why diffuse your pretty view. Glad you are returning them. I think your existing curtains looked better.

Genevieve, it's a very formal room. Mine isn't. I'm not in love with the new sheers. Last night my daughter and I agreed that the yellow is ok and I don't want to paint the whole room for new curtains I'm not in love with. We are going back yellow on that wall. I like the comment that they shouldn't be rod pocket curtains. They look skimpy. I don't know how to reply to individual comments but I wish I could.

To reply to a specific poster use @decoenthusiaste, etc. You can reply to multiple people this way within the same comment.

@decoenthusiaste, Thank you! I've seen that done before but didn't realize it was functional.

Cornices...they are in...then they are out...then back in. To change with the times, you have to update them. Because you have a soffit in your kitchen above your window and that is kind of "boxy", I would remove that cornice and just leave the window plain to let in more light. Just take it down and see how much more light comes into the kitchen. The cornices in the Living room could be redone in a nubby plain fabric (no florals...grandma look) and just do side drapery panels in same fabric to the floor. Just side panels, not panels in the bayed window area, too much fabric. Draperies should also go to the floor, not to the window sill (that look is very dated). In the Dining Room, I would suggest raising the cornice much higher so that the bottom of the cornice edge just covers the window molding. Then do side drapery panels. Your window will appear much taller if you do this.

I may be the odd designer out on this topic but .... Cornices (in past) have served an important role in capturing heat and cold around windows besides being a fashionable design statement. For that reason they are an important factor in my own home here in the hot desert. Some clients who have seen them have asked me to include cornices in their window treatments whether weather is a factor or not. My vote is for what serves a purpose and whether the owner likes the look in spite of what is in today and out tomorrow. And, of course, it goes without saying that the style and fabric is what will make them look timely.

Yes, Saratogobrown they do help with heat and cold, but so do many other window treatments. I think having the biggest view through to enjoy the outdoors is always good. Shutters will not do that, even with wider vanes. Having drapery panels for the window controls light, but sheers are not the answer in this situation. She may also try a simple Hunter Douglas Window Treatment that can be controlled throughout the day. Silhouettes are the best product on the market for this window. They are not inexpensive, but they control light, heat, cold and give privacy when needed. They have fabric covered headrails which is a nice finished look.

Shutters that open an close would in fact allow you to have full view and give the room a very custom finished appearance with the added benefit of light control and they match the white moulding and character of your door.

You can use plantation shutters on their own (my personal favorite) or with drapes. All a matter of personal taste.

Oh yes, Cathy Kominsky Interiors. All good suggestions for most areas and/or newer homes with better insulation and double or triple pane windows. In the desert where it's 115 degrees, without a cloud in the sky to block the searing heat, everything in that wonderful outdoor view is brown and dying from the drought (I don't say that to you harshly.) Learning the needs of clients with what we call a 'desert mentality' became more apparent when I moved to this climate from (what seems like now) a virtual rainforest.

Yikes, I removed ours within minutes of taking possession of our new house, before a lick of furniture was moved in! It definitely dates a home I think, but if going for retro, go with them! We are nuts about light and open windows so we have nothing on our windows, so we aren't the best to give advice on window treatments!

Hi I just put cornices in my remodeled kitchen and bedroom.. But I bought a tropical look material in beige print pattern on white background not too busy, It goes with colors in my quartz counter-top. I have them above the sliding French doors that open out to my patio. The patio overlooks the lake. I live in Florida and my kitchen is not formal, but I do have new roller shades that let the light in. I thought the price I paid for them was outrageous, but worth the finished look I got, and still have my kitchen looking modern. I have a small cornices in my bedroom, with drapes pulled to the side, but still looks simple, nothing too elegant it just gives the bedroom a finished look. I think if you update the cornices with updated fabric and sheers that you can pull to let light in you will be fine. I do agree with the other suggestion as well.

Yes, we had them in our house in the 60's.

@yoliegoo2, I agree that cornices make a room look more finished. But I just couldn't find a way to use them with my new linen sheers. Although I'm not in love with the sheers I decided that if I put the cornices back up I would regret it within a year or so. It was time to make the change. I've been working on the new curtains all day and will post a picture soon. Thank you and your rooms sound wonderful.

Cornices are best for very traditional interiors. I would opt out of cornices for your home.

Groan...I still, after all these years, think that just a valance on a window makes the window look unfinished! I am always thinking "so when will the drapes go up?" "Did they run out of money and can't finish the window treatment?" I think the size of the cornice is all wrong, way too deep and clutters up the windows and the room. I'd go without really. Nice room though and I like the half shutters the best!

I have been waiting for this discussion! The entire south wall of my home is large windows (living &a dining room). The heavy white drapes were removed after we had the home moved to a country location (not cheap) as they were no longer needed for privacy and we had a new beautiful view to enjoy! The valance remained. This exposure assists with passive solar heating in winter and is shaded in summer. West wall has large picture window and east wall is open to kitchen leaving only north wall for photo groupings.

I have always wanted to install cornice boards over the south Windows to use for a place to hang family photos. I have seven grandchildren - all growing too fast. Their photos are currently displayed in the bedrooms for lack or wall space. Parents and group photos are displayed in our small hallway.

Any opinions? Thank you!

@Jeff and Lee, are saying you want to put up cornice boards and then hang family photo's on the cornice boards above the windows? *scratching head*

We concur with Margo. Cornices are not for hanging photos.

I do not have wall space without a door or a window in it that is larger than my 6' hall wall now being used - except in the bedrooms where no one else sees them. It was just an idea that might solve two issues - window coverage and space for 5x7 sized memories. Thanks.

Jeff &Lee- how about some nice photo albums and leave them out on the coffee table for browsing;)

I've seen lots of different styles of cornices on many model homes in SW Florida. Cornices look more modern if the fabric is more modern. But there is nothing wrong with your cornices. You like what you like and I think it makes your window treatments look more custom.

Take down the living room and dining room ones, They are too overpowering for those rooms. Or you could keep the top but toss the matching drapes. It's all to much. Keep the kitchen one.

Nobody thinks I should use them for photos........even though I have a serious lack of wall for them or art except in hall and bedrooms. Well, I have 8.5 foot sidewalls (mostly Windows) and the drapery rods were all set at 7.5, about a full foot above the top of the window frame.

I have determined that if I remove the old drapery rods and do without window treatment or change to something different, I will gain over 2 foot of empty wall space above my windows. I can put photos and/or art above my windows and cycle them to the hall or bedrooms as they become dated but I still enjoy them. Photos are memories to be treasured and some are just meant to be displayed to share.

Any ideas on alternative window treatments that don't require so much of my wall to mount? We have beautiful views and our windows serve as passive solar heat in winter so we only close drapes at night, to keep heat in. They are shaded from outside during the heat of summer.

Thanks! Lee

Roman Shades.

Start a separate dilemma for your question. 8' is way too high to hang and enjoy art or photos. Do you have end tables and bookshelves you can place the frames on instead?

Roman shades? Thank you!

We have little shelving in our living room to display pictures or art. Our windows reach 6' high so having 2.5 feet of wall above them sure seems like a lot of wasted space.

I am not talking about wall to wall frames hung willy nilly. Any photos hung would be selective such as those of family members. We really don't need to hang art as the windows themselves frame beautiful outdoor art every day.

Regarding the photos, another option is to hang photo(s) where the plates are currently hanging on the wall.

Jeff & Lee McCubbin, I agree with greenfish1234 that even art, let alone family photos, would be awkward above the windows. If the space above the windows bothers you how about raising the window treatment higher to give more drama to the windows and draw the eye to the wonderful view?

If floor space allows how about a variation of this screen idea hanging your photos on both sides using uniform size frames? It would bring the wonderful moments down to eye view and make it a double sided showcase. You would have the option of adding panels as your family story grows or use two screens for more impact, symmetry or the ability to use them in various locations. I hope some of our ideas have helped. Keep us posted!

I have one too, but it's wooden. I like mine. I just posted a question about moving mine to my laundry area, and putting doors on mine. Maybe you can recover it with an updated solid material.

saratogabrown-great idea with the screen! Aaron Brothers carries those. What a clever suggestion! The homeowner could still have the photos as a "featured" focus in the room and even move it around when needed.

Sorry tifflare, that window would look much brighter and open without the wooden cornice.
I had to get rid of mine a few years ago. Although I spent a lot on custom cornices in the 80 s it was time for them to go. You won't believe how much better you like it without!

This is what I have. We bought the house because of the wonderful views from the south facing windows, that also provide passive solar heat in winter. The only sections of wall are on either side of the west window. One space contains a display cabinet full of family heirlooms. On the other side of that window I have shelves on which I do display some photos.

I do have a space on the east wall above the antique radio that I plan to display pictures on. I have disposed of the heavy white drapes and valance that extended the full length of the south wall and were over the Windows on the east and west walls. I retained the sheers and added single patterned drapery panels for accent.

Now that you see my home do you have any suggestions for picture placement and window treatment? The traverse rods are still in place for drapes but other than for retaining heat at night we never close them anyway. The country view is too nice!

Thank you for your input.

@Jeff & Lee McCubbin You should open up your own thread for further discussion. That way you'll likely get more relevant options and oldcarfun can get suggestions relevant to her own situation. As an aside, you have a unique problem with the paneling. Anything wood installed above the curtains would clash with it. My mother has a 50s "military" ranch with a huge window in the LR and she wanted to put up a wooden cornice to display her plate collection. Never happened because her carpenter husband wouldn't build it! Her situation is different, though, because the space between the top of the window and ceiling is only a few inches. We finally hung rod pocket ivory sheers and rod pocket ivory linen-look darkening drapes to within a inch or so of the ceiling and it looks great. But you're right....some of these older homes have little wall space for pictures so always a thought as to just how to fix it. BTW, how attached are you to the wood panels - any thoughts on painting it? We are painting my moms one paneled wall cream this spring to mimic the curtains. Hoping it will brighten the room a bit more!

@oldcarfun I can see how you might like the sheers in a catalog but I think the pattern is too much. It detracts from the outside view. I think you are also having trouble with the way long sheers look with half windows....it's almost like 2 different curtains! A thought might be to combine a sheer blind with drapes. I had no problem with your cornice - just thought it was a bit too much with the patterned curtains. Keep the cornice, add solid drapes and sheer blinds. It will be sophisticated yet cozy/country, colorful yet restrained, and will fit the style of the window without being too much.

This is from Wayfair. It would likely even take the place of the solar shades you currently have so you could get a cleaner look as well.

@columbia93, thank you. You're probably right about the half Windows and long sheers but it's almost done now. I will post pictures soon. I kept the cornice over the kitchen window and will cover it in a fabric I like. The rest of the cornices are gone. I have the sheers I bought installed. I'm going to make a valance next week because it needs a little more something. I'm not thrilled like I was many years ago when I got my curtains and cornices but feel it's now lighter and more current. The floral fabric needed to go.

Cornices can be all shapes and size, And fabric tends to get dated more than the cornice shape, if they are out now its just a matter of time (probably not long) before they are back. I like them over blinds and shades more that drapery,

Final pictures. I listened to all of your comments and learned so much but the train had left the station. Once we took down the cornices to see what it would look like we knew they weren't going back up. The new curtains came and we bought the hardware and kept going. I'm not excited like I was when I got the drapes and cornices years ago but feel that this is more current. Maybe if I find some curtains that I like better I will be more excited. I have left the cornice over the kitchen sink and will upholster it in a coordinating fabric later. I have mulleins (is that the right word?) that can go in the windows that might bring some of the coziness back. Thank you to all who helped.

What you have now is like a breath of fresh air Good job