Who else remembers the whole "valances are dated" thread? Anyone have a link to it? There were lots of great examples of sink areas with valances, without valances, with shelves, etc.

Well, in case it is lost forever, here is a pic of my sink area with a valance. :) I have 3 little puck lights behind the valance that light the sink area (not on in this picture).

Here's another one...my previous kitchen. It didn't really have what I would call a valance, but more of a "bridge" that housed 2 little lights.

Here's my stained glass valance over the sink (pre-white renovation)and again in the new kitchen:

I have a small cabinet with glass doors. My window is quite small and I wanted something which would take the focus off of it. Window treatments didn't seem to do the trick and I'm not keen on valances.

It just went up a couple of days ago, I haven't taken a picture yet. The only problem I have right now is that the two cabinets on the sides didn't line up exactly on the window sides - one comes right up to the window edge, the other about 2 inches away (contractor/designer errors - nobody confessing) and I'm not sure how to address this small empty space.

Thanks so far, everyone. I'll search for that other thread shortly.

cali_wendy - I'm not always a fan of valances, and maybe I haven't noticed that many, but I really like how yours steps back from the cabinets. Somehow it gives it a more- finished? tailored? look.

sivyaleah - I hope you'll post a picture when you can. I can't yet visualize it. Is the glass-doored cabinet above the sink window, or next to?

dian57 - especially love the chalkboard on the island. Genius!

Okay, found a couple of threads; one is below

Here is a link that might be useful: One valance thread

It didn't occur to me until the kitchen was finished and the plants were placed on the ledge, that I didn't need any further window covering. They've grown bigger, wilder, and more straggly since then, almost totally obliterating any view.

cali wendy--your sink window is in my inspiration file for what I would like over MY sink. I just love it, and your kitchen. Thanks for sharing it again.

Great ideas for above the sink--one of my problem areas as well.
Dian57, I'm interested in learning more about your backsplash. It looks like a row of subway-type tile then beadboard. Did you use any special paint, etc. to protect the beadboard? What was your rationale for the row of tile? I am probably going to use beadboard with tile over the sink and behind the stove.

I recently put a wroght iron piece from Pier 1 above my sink area. Not the best picture of it; it has copper and red flowers.

{{!gwi}}

Anyone see an example of a very long wood treatment of some sort to bridge an entire wall of topless kitchen cupboards including sink? It would connect two walls of upper cabs.

I am going to either put open shelves across the window with antique bottles and other glass pieces (an extension of the shelves across the entire back wall - 20 feet) OR a gorgeous antique Morrocan iron work screen over the window. It's strange I know, but my kitchen is shaping up to be a mixture of modern and antique - sort of form and function peppered with a little steam punk.

Cali Wendy I love your kitchen. What did you use for countertops? Can you direct me to a thread so I can see more. I didn't have any luck finding it with the search feature, but then again, I can't find anything with the search feature!

Thank you so much, island. My counters are honed and textured Colonial Gold. Here is a link to a thread where I answered some other questions about my kitchen and included links to a couple of photo albums.

Here is a link that might be useful: thread with links to my albums

Here's mine - it's on the other "valance" threads also.
{{!gwi}}

I am boring. I have nothing, just a crystal light that hangs down in front of a woven wooden roman shade.

{{!gwi}}

I have small shelves with decorative tins on them on both sides of the sink.

OT to fran1523: I have that same cracker tin. Ours is rather battered, though, and currently holds the kids' crayons. In my grandmother's kitchen, it always contained, yes, Premium saltines.