Hi Suzanne and others,
Inside many houses in Australia, both older & new ones, there is a covering over the top of the window which hides the curtain track or the top of the curtains or the top of the roller blind. This is called a pelmet. As I said, some houses have them, some don't. Some people take the pelmet down. I look at it as a shelf. Yes, it's up high but I find them useful. Shelf, hang things from them etc.
If I could attach a digital photo I would. I don't know what a pelmet is called in the USA
I will probably use the pelmet in one of my rooms to store books I don't frequently use.
Suzanne, if you email me privately I could send you a photo.
Cheers.
Loz,
Melbourne, Australia