Our kitchen windows need dressing up. There are the two windows you see in the picture and one of equal width to the left. I really like the fabric above the window to the left, but my husband says the background color is too close to the wall color. My solution is to add a band of color to the sides. What do you think? The other option is to do a cornice in another fabric, one that I think I like is on the right, but I'm not sold on it and think it may be too drab.

Also, what would be a good dimension for a cornice? It is a large pattern and about 18" high would show off the pattern well, but seems to be taller than many suggestions I've seen on line.

Any thoughts to share? Thanks!