I purchased the curtain/valance set to coordinate with the Amsterdam comforter set. I must say that while the curtains themselves look great, I was very disappointed with the valance. It is the same color as in the bedskirt, and while it is used to great effect there due to it being an under layer to the comforter, it looks very out of place when paired with the curtain panels. The pattern is way too plain and detracts from the drama created by the panels. The straight across style of the valance is also quite skimpy and is as generic as it can possibly be without any interesting detail. I opted not to use the included valance at all, and purchased seperate ascot valances in the galleria pattern....and wow, now the window looks spectacular. I would recommend the curtains, but skip the valance and add your own. Even though the valance is already included, the set is reasonable enought that you can forego it and add your own valances to create a much more elegant look.