Looks to be above the sink so I'd want a cordless unit that didn't have strings to get into the dish water, and I would raise or lower with a single touch.

here's an odd-duck thought ::
if you only want to dress it up for the winter, why not use a pine bough (fake or real, your choice), draped lightly like a swag and falling just a little way down the sides of the window?

it wouldn't block light, and would dress up the windows for winter.

if that's not your style, roller shades installed as dytecture says would be lovely.

Check out the solar screen shades. A white textured fabric would look nice. You can see more pictures at http://www.solarscreenshade.com

Hi ced653, Agree with DecoEnthusiaste. How about cordless honeycomb shades --

Valance with some blinds would be nice ...

A string of christmas lights above the window (with a branch in it for example) and some undermount led's to brighten up the kitchen. If not for privacy I would leave the windows bare.

Anyone heard of the new "Internet for things" where objects "talk" to each other? So a car up ahead communicates to cars behind about a hazard, for example. What about if your blind receives messages from other blinds facing the sunset, that it is time to shut? That would be the blind leading the blind...

It seems you need a decorative treatment only. So, I would recommend a faux Roman Shade mounted high or a slim box valance

[houzz=[houzz=[houzz=[houzz=]

I too have a window above a sink, like so many people do.

Whatever you put, make sure it's very simple in style (no folds, pleats, tucks, honeycombs....anything with crevices) and easy to wipe down/wash.

Blinds above a sink get splashed a lot and need to be cleaned often enough that you really should be cautious about what you put. I speak from experience.

A simple roller blind (you can have it in a fabulous print if you want to add punch) or mini blinds are good options.

I think your best option is a simple box cornice as in Jason Ball Interiors photo. You can use outdoor fabric if you are worried about splashes.

I LOVE the pics that cdrdesign showed you! Those are all great choices. For length--start maybe 3" from the ceiling and end about 6" from the top of the trim into the window. This will not kill your light, it will frame your view. Don't be afraid of a box pleat or two (details are your friends) and some pattern and color.

I was looking at your windows and the handles on them. What kind are they. How do they open? Do they open inward? Need to consider that.

Thanks for all your comments and advice, it's been fantastic. I have decided to go for a simple pelmet to hang on a rod at ceiling height, and have it drop to just to the top of the glass, to give the illusion that the window goes right to the top. I don't need to be able to close it, we have built in shutters and we r on the 5th floor. The windows open in, to be able to clean them from inside. I live in Switzerland, and windows above the sink are actually not the norm here, in our last flat we had no windows over units and a massive glass door to the balcony opposite, which is easy to dress. The Swiss do little patterned lacy nets over each window which I don't like, so was a bit stumped over this one!! Will do a photo when it's done...

Thank you. Glad to be of help.

Hi everyone, thanks for all your suggestions and ideas, here is a picture of the finished curtain, on a brushed steel rod... Hope you like it!!

What a treat to see the After! Great job!

Looks like your windows open inward, doesn't that valance get in the way? I would have stopped the window treatment right above the doors so you can still open the windows. Just cut it straight across and loose the dip. It tends to look a little too heavy, and you can't open your windows.

You are right! It did get annoying when I opened the window... So I have changed it for a shorter version! It was ok over the cooler months, but when summer hit and the windows are open a lot of the time, it got annoying. Style wise I prefer the first one, like you say, I should shorten it...

It's an easy fix

I have a top-down, bottom-up shade on my kitchen window. Love it.