No they're not a thing of the past. A lot of people no longer want valances, which used to be popular, but are opting for shades such as Romans.

However, if you don't need them and like the bare look, that's fine too. I would prefer Romans, but everyone is different.

A Roman shade always warms a kitchen up a bit

IMO fabric anything in a kitchen is just one more thing to need washing. If you don’t need privacy leave as is . The think I would want to do there is change that backsplash.

Window coverings in kitchen areas are absolutely still in style. Like the shady lady said, valances are not much of a trend anymore but many people are going with Roman Shades or Designer Roller Shades. Both looks can provide a nice modern touch to a kitchen area. It's like adding furniture to your windows. The shades really finish the space off nicely. Here are 2 great examples of kitchens we recently outfitted here in St. Louis, MO

Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades: Semi-opaque fabric, square cassette head rail.

Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades: 6'' flat rolling pleat, semi-opaque fabric.