Top Treatment Terms

Cornice: A top treatment that boxes in the valance. It is constructed from wood and is usually padded and upholstered with fabric.

Valance: A general term that defines top treatments including swags, cascades, as well as shirred and pleated valances.

Swag: A valance or top treatment draped into soft, graceful folds that take on the shape of a half-circle. There are several variations of swags: Traditional, corner pleated, open, Empire scarf, shirred, and rod pocket. Also known as a festoon shade.

Cascade: A tapered width of fabric commonly hung under, over, or alongside of swags on the same valance. The top of cascades are folded or shirred, creating a zigzag effect between the short point and the long point. Cascades may end just below the swag, at the sill, at the floor, or anywhere in between.

Bishop's Sleeve Curtains: Tieback curtains that are bloused two or more times. Also called teardrop curtains.

Café Curtains: A curtain that only covers the bottom half of the window. Also known as cottage or Cape Cod curtains.

Cantonniere: A three sided padded cornice that frames the window across the top and 36” down the sides of the window.

Jabot: A decorative piece of fabric shaped into cones, ties, or circles, and hung between swags on the same valance. Jabots are commonly used with Empire Swags.

Lambreguin: A three-sided padded cornice that frames the entire window with the sides extending down to the floor.