Classic Cuff Top Valance

About This Window Treatment

The classic cuff top valance is a very simple, but hard-to-find custom valance. It owes its unique shape to the many cuffs and horns that stand out after the valance is slightly gathered. This three-dimensional effect is especially evident when viewing the valance from the side. It’s great for busy traffic areas, as well as areas where its details can be admired from up close.

This window treatment is available in an endless range of widths. Please see instructions below to calculate the width needed for your window. Luckily, the valance is gathered, so your measurements simply need to fall within a range rather than be exact.

Ring top (with clip-on curtain rings) or drapery medallion installation possible. For bay and bow windows, we recommend drapery medallion installation. The length of the valance depends on trim options and ring top/drapery medallion hardware. Because of this variation, approximate final jabot length will fall between 25 and 31 inches (a jabot is the longer part of the valance that hangs longer on each side and frames the window). Please contact us if you will be ordering several valances in drastically different widths. That way, we will be able to ensure that the jabots on all valances are the same, consistent length.

Frequently Asked Questions

In what width is this valance available?
In simple terms, the answer is any. But to be exact, this style can fit a narrow window or patio door starting at 22 inches and can span to fit a whole block of windows up to 163 inches wide.

What’s a jabot?
Jabots are just longer sections on the left and right side of a valance that help shape the window. Due to the nature of our work being custom and every valance having its own needs to be just the right shape and form, your jabot length will fall between 25 and 31 inches. Please let us know before we start your order if you will be ordering several valances on multiple windows in the same room. That way, we can keep the jabot lengths consistent.

How do I buy this valance?
Simply make your selections above and click to add to cart. Then proceed to checkout.

(In case you’re wondering, the price changes in real time each time you make a change to your custom design. The price is displayed on this page right above the purple “Add to Cart” button.)

How long does it take to ship this valance? Will I be updated?
Depending on the size of your order and whether the fabric is in stock, you could receive your valance in as early as 2 to 3 weeks. However, for most of our customers, the normal turnaround time is about 3 to 5 weeks. We rarely see a 6-week turnaround, but it does happen with some of our larger orders.

We get busier right before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays due to higher demand. Please plan accordingly.

And yes, we understand this is an important purchase for most of our customers. We take ample measures to update our customers via email at least three to four times during the process.

What is accent fabric and which should I choose?
Accent fabric, or coordinating fabric, or contrast lining – they’re all the terms used to simply describe the secondary, less prominent fabric choice on a window treatment. In this case, the accent fabric shows on the cuffs after they are folded over to the front and it also shows on the jabots. As far as which you should choose, it is entirely up to you. If you want a more consistent window treatment, you may select the same fabric you chose as your main fabric. Most of our customers, however, choose an accent fabric that is vastly different. Typically, solid colored accent fabrics provide for the biggest contrast, or “wow factor” when it comes to valance designs.

What if I don’t want to add any trim?
It’s optional, so you can simply skip it. And if you’ve added it by mistake or changed your mind, you can always delete it in the shopping cart.

I may want trim. Should I add it?
This valance can be both traditional or playful, depending on the fabrics chosen. Trims can be just the right addition to finish the look. A pink and green valance in a girl’s room may look even better if a bright pink pompom or ball trim is chosen. At the same time, a traditional version of this valance with a subtle damask pattern in a neutral color palette may be finished in an antique gold trim without looking over-the-top.

Do I need interlining?
For this valance, we always recommend interlining. If you’re on a budget though, you may not need it. The valance is entirely lined in your chosen accent fabric. Whether you need interlining or not depends on how the main fabric and accent fabric layer on top of each other when the sun shines through your window. If you choose an accent fabric with a busy pattern, but your main fabric has a simple design with a white background, then the accent fabric will overpower the valance and show through. In that case, interlining is a wise choice. But if the main fabric is a darker fabric, if the accent fabric is a solid color or subtle print, or even if you have blinds under your valance, then more than likely you won’t need any interlining. Keep in mind that interlining has other positive properties as well. In this case, interlining would give a cuff top valance more volume, weight, and an overall better shape.

My window width falls within two width options. Which one do I choose?
Let’s say that your window width is 76 inches. You can choose the valance version with eight or nine cuffs. If you want a rich valance with greater volume, opt for nine cuffs. If you are on a budget or want a more casual and less formal look, opt for the valance with eight cuffs. Also, if you choose to add draperies underneath, it is always a wise idea to get a valance that is slightly wider.

Which installation version is better, the one with curtain rings or the one with medallions?
Both are equally great. Medallions (or tiebacks as they are also sometimes called) add more custom detail to the valance because of the additional ties between each cuff. They are great if you want a more unique look or if your valance spans across windows that are at an angle to each other (i.e. bay window). Big medallions add richness to the look and give you an extra step to personalize the look and really make this window treatment your own. In case you’re wondering what to shop for, here’s an example:

Colette Designer Medallion Holdback
Available in 5 finishes at Urbanest.
It has a 4 1/2-inch projection from the wall, giving a cuff top valance plenty of room to flow and form its proper shape.

One caveat of the medallion option is that the price of medallions can add up quickly for wide windows. If you chose the cuff top valance because you wanted an affordable window treatment that meets your budget, a simple drapery pole and decorative clip-on curtain rings may be your best option.

Can I layer this valance over a Roman shade?
Of course. An inside-mounted shade would look great with this valance over it. We recommend installing the valance as high as possible to add height and expose more of your Roman shade. Do not make the valance too wide when measuring – this is a common mistake we see when valances are paired with inside-mounted treatments like shades and blinds. You want to cover your window just enough. See below for instructions.

Can I send you my own fabric if I don’t see one that I like, or need to match the valance to the rest of my room?
Yes, you can. You don’t need to wait around for us to give you a custom quote. If you wish to send in your own materials and pay for interlining and labor only, simply select “Customer’s Own Fabric” under fabrics and continue making your other custom selections. Once you complete the last step of the custom design above, you will immediately see the price displayed at the bottom. However, we ask that you please contact us first before actually sending in the fabric. We must pre-approve your selections first, so we may require a fabric swatch or online link to the fabric that you plan to use.

Suggested Measuring Instructions

Standard Instructions
This valance can be made to fit windows 22 to 163 inches wide. Measure the width of your window, including the wooden frame, if any, and select a valance width that fits in that width range.

DESIGNER TIP: If you will install draperies underneath this valance, we recommend that you add 10 to 30 inches to your window measurement, if space permits, to make your window appear larger.

Special Instructions for Bay, Bow and Corner Windows

STEP 1:
Measure the following widths:
– the width of the wall(s) in the center (A).
– the width from the farthest point of each side window to the next wall towards the center (B, D).
To the above total measurement, add an allowance (C) on each side. We recommend a minimal allowance (about 1 to 3 inches on each side).

STEP 2:
Let’s assume that we measured A at 48 inches, B+C at 36 inches and D+C at 36 inches.

Next, we need to divide those numbers by the width of each cuff to make sure that the ties will be installed at the right places. Each cuff is about 7.75 to 9.00 inches wide. Let’s see if we can figure out how many cuffs each section will have.

48 inches divided by 6 cuffs gives us 8-inch wide cuffs. To verify, 8 is between 7.75 and 9.00. 36 inches divided by 4 cuffs gives us 9-inch cuffs, another number that falls between 7.75 and 9.00 inches. This means that our side windows will have 4 cuffs each and our center window will have 6 cuffs. That’s 14 cuffs total, so we need to order the cuff top valance with 14 cuffs.

And finally, in the steps above for of your custom design, make sure to select the drapery medallion installation, not the curtain rod installation. This will allow you to install your medallions right on the line where the walls meet.

Special Instructions for Arched and Palladium Windows
Follow measuring instructions above. However, valance will only work as a curtain rod installation. The drapery medallion installation will not work on arched or palladium windows. You’ll simply install the valance at the base of the arch, with the top part of your window exposed to natural light.

Special Instructions for Patio Doors
If the glass panes of your door are 22 to 26 inches wide, the French door version will work as an inside mount. You may install this valance onto a magnetic curtain rod if you are unable to drill into your French door. For steel doors or other metal doors, select the curtain rod installation, not the medallion installation.

Special Instructions for Sliding Glass Doors
If you choose a valance without trim, ensure that the distance from the top of the sliding glass door to the ceiling or crown molding is at least 27 inches. If you will be adding trim to the valance, ensure that the distance from the top of the sliding glass
door to the ceiling or crown molding is at least 31 inches. Otherwise, follow measuring instructions above.

Make sure that the valance is installed high enough to accommodate for your household traffic and low enough to cover the top of the sliding glass door. If you can see the wooden trim or wall paint above the sliding glass door, then the valance needs to be installed lower to cover it.

We suggest buying the valance without trim to save on space if you have 8-foot ceilings like most homes do.