Cornice Window Treatments
A very important aspect of decorating your home, often the finishing touch, is the window treatment. Whether you have blinds, drapes or curtains, the top of the window treatment often needs to be dressed up, or given a finishing effect. One way to achieve this finishing effect is with a cornice window treatment.
The terms “valance” and “cornice” often are used to mean the same thing, but they are actually two different window treatments. A valance window treatment refers to a fabric treatment that hides rods and accents the window treatment. Cornice window treatments are usually made from a rigid material, like wood, wire, or foam core board and then are painted or covered with coordinating fabric. They serve the same purpose but are made differently.
A cornice window treatment is a horizontal treatment that is designed to hide or cover the tops of curtains or the rods and pulleys for blinds and drapes. It is also known sometimes as a cornice board, or a cornice box. The cornice window treatment can be made of wood, or it can be made of a light weight material and covered with fabric that coordinates with the room or with other parts of the window treatment.
A homeowner may choose to put in a cornice window treatment for various reasons. The room may have a very high ceiling and that requires the space to be broken up between the top of the curtains and the molding around the ceiling. A very nice effect when there is decorative molding at the ceiling is to have the same carving reflected in the cornice. Reversing that would be to have a light weight cornice covered with fabric that coordinates with the fabric used on the windows. The first example would pull the eye upward; the second would make the treatment more compact. For windows that are covered only by blinds or shades, a cornice treatment gives a finished appearance. It is also very attractive to have sheers for window treatments, topped by a fabric covered cornice that goes with the upholstery on the furniture.
Obtain cornices wherever window treatments are available. That would be stores that sell blinds and shades or stores that have curtains, and drapes for sale. An interior decorator would be able to assist you if you needed a custom look. Another resource is a big name home remodeling store. Cornices are available online at any site that sells window treatments. There are also do it yourself books and websites that offer instructions to build your cornices from things like foam board and wooden or wire frames. Patterns also show how to use precut moldings and assemble an elegant looking wooden cornice box.
Add cornice window treatments in your room to create proportion or to finish a look to your windows, whether you have curtains, drapes, sheers or blinds. The completed cornice box will conceal drapery pulls and curtain rods and pick up details of your furnishings and your architectural details. Whether you buy ready made cornices, have custom treatments made, or do it yourself a cornice is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve the look of your home.
Window Treatments Ideas
There are many terrific and unusual window treatment ideas available on the market today. One can find a variety of new styles and information in monthly decorating magazines, traditional styling books, online stores and blogs, and even in your local fabric store. Depending upon your own personal style and the type of the area that you are trying to decorate, there is sure to be a style to fit what you have in mind for your home. Finding the perfect choice for your décor is as easy as looking for it with a wide range of options and functionality to pick from.