Emily Tab Top Valance

About This Window Treatment

The Emily tab top valance is a simple custom valance that can be designed to look much more luxurious than its price suggests. It features 2 1/2-inch tabs and can fit a rich, wooden curtain pole. Choose the same fabric for the flat swags and the trumpet and jabots, or choose different, but coordinating fabrics for added interest.

The valance is fully lined. Each trumpet and jabot is self-lined. The swags are lined with our premium lining in white. Interlining is optional.

Frequently Asked Questions

In what width is this valance available?
The Emily tab top valance is available between 26 and 85 inches wide. If you have an extra wide window and need a window treatment that’s wider than 85 inches, you may request a special order. Please contact us.

What’s a jabot?
The longer sections that fall on each side of this valance and frame your window are called the jabots. In this case, the jabots would be below the tabs on each side of the valance.

What’s a trumpet?
The trumpet is the short center section of the valance that appears triangular. The trumpets are under the center tabs of the valance.

I want this valance in both my kitchen and dining room, but I have a double patio door. Will it work on all my windows and doors?
We offer this valance in a smaller size to accommodate French doors and a standard size to accommodate standard windows, such as those commonly found above kitchen sinks. Please follow the measuring suggestions below.

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?
The Emily valance typically ships in about 3 weeks. For larger orders, you can expect a turnaround of about 4 weeks. Our workroom also gets busy right before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays due to higher demand. Please plan accordingly. We email updates and shipping information for our orders. To be able to check on your order on our website, please make sure to sign up for an account during checkout.

What’s the main fabric?
This is the fabric that’s used for the flat swags. The swags are lined in our premium lining in white.

What’s accent fabric and how do I know what to pick for it?
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 would be used for the trumpet(s) and jabots, which are also lined in this same fabric. Choosing a solid color will give you the most impact. You may also choose other coordinating fabrics. These would be small-scale gingham checks or stripes, for example.

What if I want this valance to be made in one fabric only?
You’re more than welcome to ask for this valance to be made in a single fabric if you prefer a more uniform window treatment. When making your design choices above, just make sure to select the same fabric under both the “Main Fabric” and “Accent Fabric” selections.

Which length should I select?
Inside mounts for French doors (to cover the panes only) are best in the short length. For all other valances, select the standard length. Be mindful that the valance length excludes trim.

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?
It’s entirely up to you. From our experience, we’ve noticed that for this particular type of window treatment, trim is very helpful. It adds length to the valance and adds a lot of richness to the simplicity of the jabots.

Does this valance need interlining?
The Emily valances that we pictured on this pages didn’t have any interlining, but it’s always a good idea to add it, especially if your window gets a lot of sunlight.

Can I layer this valance over a Roman shade?
Yes. Make sure to install the valance high enough to not cover too much of your Roman shade.

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. Make sure to select Customer’s Own Fabric under the Main Fabric and Accent Fabric selections above, and you’ll be able to see the pricing immediately. For more information about this type of order, please read our guidelines.

What kind of hardware will I need for the tab top valance?
For standard windows: You’ll need a single drapery pole up to 1 5/8 inches in diameter with some decorative finials on each end. Do not use curtain rods that extend. We do not recommend a drapery pole that is less than 1 inch in diameter.

For inside mounts on patio doors: A curtain rod with a 1 inch diameter is best, but a 5/8-inch diameter will work as well.

Suggested Measuring Instructions

Standard Instructions
We measure this valance at the tabs. Since the tabs allow for some minor adjustments, the width of the patterns that we’ve created fall within a range, rather than being exact.

Measure the outside of your window, including any wooden frame. If the valance is meant to be installed alone, without any draperies, then adding 2 to 4 inches to the measured width for narrow to standard windows will be sufficient. Add 3 to 6 inches for wide widths. This is the width that you’ll need to order in the “Width” selection above.

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
Because the jabots of this valance are simple, they take up relatively little space. In order to install several of these tab top valances side-by-side, we recommend at least 7 inches of space between each window section for bay and bow windows and at least 9 inches of space between corner windows (if no draperies re installed underneath the valance). You may need to join adjacent decorative poles with a hinged elbow to save space.

Special Instructions for Arched and Palladium Windows
Follow standard measuring instructions above. The tab top valance is installed at the base of the arch. For extra wide windows, make sure to first find the right drapery pole and sturdy brackets on each side (since you won’t be able to install a center bracket in the middle of your window).

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.

Have a steel patio door? You may install this valance onto a magnetic curtain rod if you are unable to drill into your French door.

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.