this says don't go more than 8 inches above or it will look awkward ... so i think if you go 8+ you need to do the shade trick or something ... or just go 6 inches above ...
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organ...530/page6.html
lots of pics here - some of these are more than 8 inches and don't look too bad:
http://www.homegoods.com/blog/2012/0...-hang-em-high/
http://www.houzz.com/photos/livingoom/High-Curtains-
http://www.sasinteriors.net/2011/11/...rapery-panels/
http://www.thedesignfile.net/thedesi...-and-wide.html
haha - i read a lot of interior design blogs/articles LOL ... when we buy our house i will definitely be hanging my drapes high!