What can I do to brighten this valance? Blends too much. Any ideas?

I rather like it's blend, but you could put a few tastles at ends and/or creases but make sure they are simple and/or mostly complimentary color or it will become a circus. You could even change them as you change your table setting colors.

Paint the \valance with fabric paint or add embelishments.

Great idea!

I agree with Janet. The valance is lost in the color. Paint would work. You could even dry brush different shade of tans, browns and toss in a little green. You could stencil on it. Something muted, not busy or too geometric. I vision outlines of leaves, ferns, again using different shades of browns and greens.

Unless you are hooked on that one, couldn't you just buy aa new one. Maybe put a long panel at the ends that have a brighter color to match something else in the room. It seems kind of stark or office like as it is. Can you hang pictures, maybe some furniture in the window are with some color

I love the idea to paint it, or to embroider a contrasting color on the edges to give it a subtle but much needed pop. Its going to look fantastic, good luck!!!

Drape flower garlands across the top of it and use the same ones around the chandelier

I somewhat agree with Mary, understanding your question. I would leave the valance as is not breaking up the continuity of your decor, I would however add maybe add a curtain panel on each side of the two end window sides with some color. By this you have options to change your decor down the line. You will restrict that some what by altering the now valance that by the way is beautiful.

I really like the valance but agree that it may be too similar in color to the walls. By the way, it's a beautiful room! In the past I used ribbon on a similar project. In this case, I'd run the ribbon along the bottom of each horizontal pleat. Then, if you add panels to each side you can use the same ribbon as tie backs. Also, I used self adhesive velcro to attach the ribbon when I did this. That allows you to easily change it out seasonally or even on a whim. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Try adding some sort of fringe to the edge of the valance. You could also add a sheer curtains in a color that will match your room decor. Good luck.

I like the tailored look. add a bright throw rug under the table and chairs.. pick a color from that and put new upolstery or cushions on the chairs and bright cloth in the center of the table.. All that color will renew your room immensley..That is a lovely room..

Love it!! Thank you!!!!!

I would get some maybe deep teal or burgundy grosgrain ribbon and add it to the edges of each tier of valance. Either glue or sew it on.

you could add the color and attention ABOVE the valance. pictures, plates, medallions etc. be sure they are colorful for a bit of pop, without ruining the valance panels. also may help the pace above look bigger, giving the illusion that the walls are higher.

I love that they match and are very polished looking. I would change the shades. With that said if you really don't like them purchase fabric that you do like and apply with velcro in back so you can remove either seasonally or just when you get tired of that fabric. You could probably do this while leaving it up since these are heavy pieces if made of wood.

I would use some Ivy stencil and stencil a vine of ivy, but you couls pick one you like! good luck, beautiful room!

I love Arliss' idea of the colorful rug and table décor. I think the simplicity and elegance of your valance is wonderful. There is continuity between the valance and wall coloring. Very rich. I would change the material of the shades, into a print or stripe. Whatever is your design choice. Adding a colorful rug and may picking one of your favorite colors from the design on it for the shade color may be all you need to do. Beautiful room.

Thank you! These are great ideas! Can't wait to get started:-)

I've read quite a few comments whereby many believe that the valance is becoming. I agree with you however and find it blah. You can use beaded trim in whatever color }s} you choose. However, I'm one to go for the unusual one of a kind looks. Brooches. Collect a bunch of vintage or even new brooches in different shapes, colors, and designs and artfully place them here and there all over your valances. Believe me between the spots of color and the bit of bling will make not only your valance pop but the entire room. Plus, you will definitely have a conversation piece at hand and in all likelihood be the talk {and envy} of your neighbors. To give it a bit more if you like collect post earrings...even ones who have lost their mate and put them here and there among the brooches using the post backings. The one really great thing about this is that it takes no time at all to put on or take off {for washing} and when you redo them your valance will never be the same way twice. It also leaves open the option to change out your valance anytime you wish to switch to something different.

I love the valence. And I really love your chairs. I agree you need to change the shades. They're too "flat". You need texture. i don't know if your shades are full open for the photo or always for privacy or light-filter, so I won't suggest bamboo.

Wayfair, and others, have roller shades a bit lighter in color than the chairs. They are multi toned and would complement the woods in your room. . If that would be too dark, I'd go with a whiter background, but with flecks of color, like a great natural textured linen.

This is a very nice room, but you are right it does need a POP. All your colors are solids. You could use fabric paints and paint the valance with an abstract design in contrasting colors, i.e., greens, burnt oranges, yellows or turquoises, dark browns, oranges. And use colorful accessories--table cloths, place mats, runners, coasters. You could paint each of the layers a different color, but you would still be in the SOLID realm. (Just realized the valance does look like fabric, in the picture--is it made of some other material?)

Thank you! Yes..it is fabric...a very stiff linen. The accent color I chose is blue and I've already added some placemats and pillows to the chairs. Great ideas on the valance!

Dye it black!

Don't change the wall color. It will only emphasize the, no offense, blandness of the shade.

I'd previously recommended experimenting with masking tape to see how, and which direction, stripes would work on your shades/windows. I see that people have recommended artsy designs, etc. I like stripes in you elegant room; if not masking tape, maybe a narrow white tape you can probably find at Joanne's r your hardware store. I'm old, and from long, and occasionally disastrous experience I would suggest that you do any clever things first on wax paper or film or something and sticky it to the shade. For a day or two. Painting shades is a total and final commitment.

I love this room but the valance does nothing for it. I would take out that valance and put in long slender drapery panels between and on the sides of each window to soften the window and space.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/5177154/Potrero-HIll-eclectic-living-room-san-francisco

Maybe something like this.....

Yes, I love this. This is what I'm leaning towards because these same valances are also in the attached family room which is not shown in the photo so whatever I do to the valance, I'm afraid will now not match the others anymore. Thank you for your suggestion...it's greatly appreciated! Now to just find the right fabric

I also live in Florida and prefer the simple route. If able, buy the wide vertical blinds and their lines would break up the valance. It really is beautiful. Also, the blinds would block the sun, partially open, all open or closed. The room is way too lovely to make many changes. ( maybe darker brown blinds)

That's exactly what I had before I put these shades in. The problem was they made the area too dark. The kitchen and family room does not have much natural light coming in and with those dark blinds, it made it worse. That is why I switched to the lighter shades.

Maybe you could attach a light fabric to the shades? That is what sticks out to me. I have also seen shades hung 'up-side down' so when you lower them they open up the top of the window for light but you still have the lower window covered for privacy.

Hmmm......Very interesting! I will look into that. Thank you!