Empire Swag Valance on a Board

About This Window Treatment

If you only want the best and most luxurious for your home, the Empire valance is for you. It arrives already mounted on the board. Jabots and swags use a generous amount of fabric for extra luxury and volume. Choose a 3 1/2 or 5 1/2 -inch board return/projection. Jabots and trumpet are lined with your accent fabric of choice and each swag is lined with our premium lining. Interlining and trims are optional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What widths are available for this window treatment?
The window treatment is available between 44 and 54 inches wide. We cannot make it less than 44 inches wide because of its large scale. We limit the width to no more than 54 inches wide due to the shipping restrictions that a board-mounted window treatment poses. However, for this style, we can create a rod pocket to be installed on a continental rod. The rod pocket is sewn in the back only, making the front of the valance stitch-free on top. Please note that we sew the rod pocket by hand, so there will be a slight upcharge for this service. Please contact us for a special order.

Do I need to attach this valance on a board?
No, the valance arrives ready to hang at your home. We meticulously select the perfect wood board for your size, wrap it in our premium lining and staple the valance onto it in our workroom. The valance arrives ready to hang from a box, with the appropriate angle brackets also provided for you. Each one of our board-mounted valances typically weighs about 10 to 18 pounds, so be mindful that two people are needed to install it.

Do I need any hardware?
We already provide angle brackets, but you may use your own if you prefer. The beauty of board-mounted valances is that there is no need to buy any expensive drapery poles or hardware. All you need are screws and anchors.

What’s a jabot?
The slightly longer sections that fall on each side of this valance are called the jabots. They’re used to frame a window and create the illusion of height in a room.

How do I order 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?
This is the fabric that will be used to line the inside of the trumpets and the long jabots on each side. We suggest solids or small-scale fabrics. The greater the contrast, the more depth and richness the valance will have.

What if I don’t want a coordinating fabric and want the entire valance to be made in one fabric only?
Simply select the same fabric under both the “Main Fabric” and “Accent Fabric” selections in your custom design above.

If I choose a fabric with a large, patterned print, will you center it on the swag?
Yes, we will, whenever possible.

How do you line the valance?
The back of the trumpets and jabots is lined in your chosen accent fabric, while the back of the swags is lined in premium lining in white. If you select interlining, it will be used in between the face fabric and lining layer on all sections of the valance.

What if I don’t want to add 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.

What’s a projection on a valance?
Since the valance is installed on a board, the board will have some depth. The projection is how far out the front of the valance is from the part that touches the wall. The same fabrics that you choose on the jabots wrap around the board, making this window treatment look nice when viewed from the side as well.

You may select a 3 1/2-inch or 5 1/2-inch projection. Most average rooms will work fine with a 3 1/2-inch projection, but if you’d like to install a pair of draperies under the valance, you must select the 5 1/2-inch projection to be able to clear them.

Can I layer this valance over a Roman shade?
Of course. An inside-mounted shade would look great with this valance over it. However, be mindful to not make the valance too wide when pairing it with an inside mounted window treatment. Otherwise, it may look out of place with the window treatment underneath that has the smaller size and scale. Make sure the valance covers just enough of the window to be able to install it properly. The 3 1/2-inch projection should work unless you feel that the treatment underneath needs more space.

How do I use draperies with the valance?
You simply select the 5 1/2-inch projection for the valance and install the draperies underneath on a simple curtain rod.

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 lining 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
Measure the outside of your window, including any wooden frame. If the valance is meant to be installed alone, without any draperies, then adding 4 to 6 total inches to the measured width will be sufficient. If you plan on installing draperies underneath and space permits, keep in mind that adding 10 to 30 total inches will make the window appear larger.

Another trick of the trade is to install the valance higher, regardless of whether it hangs alone or over draperies. Hanging the valance higher will add height to your room. Not every valance is capable of doing this, but the large scale of this valance allows it to frame your window generously. However, make sure to not install it too high and expose the top of the window.

Special Instructions for Bay, Bow and Corner Windows
This valance has a lot of weight and thus requires a lot of space. Do not select unless there are at least 12 to 18 inches between the individual window sections, depending on projection chosen. Otherwise, follow standard instructions above.

Special Instructions for Arched and Palladium Windows
Valance is installed at the base of the arch, using the same standard instructions above. However, since it is board-mounted, it will only work if the window does NOT have a wooden frame. Please do not purchase this valance if you have an arched or palladium window with a wooden frame and want to install it at the base of the arch (ask us for a special order with a hidden rod pocket instead).

Special Instructions for Patio Doors
Valance is not meant to be used on patio doors.

Special Instructions for Sliding Glass Doors
Valance is not meant to be used on wide sliding glass doors, unless you have requested a special order for an extra wide valance with a hidden rod pocket from us.