Shirred London Valance

About This Window Treatment

Regardless of whether you need to dress a French door or a standard sized window, this stationary shirred London valance is versatile enough to fit into any room design or configuration. And if you’d like something a bit more luxurious than our casual ring-style London valances, a shirred London valance is a great solution.

Each valance is fully lined with premium drapery lining. Interlining is optional. The valance hangs flat on a continental rod with a projection on each side. You select either a 2-inch or 3-inch rod pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a shirred and a ring-style London valance?
Ring-style London valances have deeper folds whereas shirred London valances have slightly narrower folds. The centered festoon, however, is gathered across more length in a shirred valance whereas the folds in a gathered valance stack up and sit on each other at the bottom of the festoon. Generally, shirred London valances are used in more formal and elegant room settings while the ring-style London valances are more likely to be used for casual designs.

Which width should I choose?
Most people use this valance as an outside mount. Typically, you want the valance to just cover your window width slightly, then add the projection of the continental rod on each side. Please see the suggested measuring instructions below.

What’s the fraction width and what do I select for this option?
For outside mounts, you’d simply skip this step. If your measurement was for an inside mount, this is where you would select the fraction width. For example, if you measured that you need an inside-mount valance that is 34 1/4 inches wide, you would select 34 inches in the step for “Width” and 1/4 inches in the step for “Fraction Width.” Do not skip this step for inside mounts, even if the fraction width is a 0.

Which length should I choose?
The short length is typically for standard windows where the valance will be an inside mount. In most cases where an outside mount is required, the standard length should work. This would give your window treatment a casual look. However, keep in mind that the longer the length selected, the more fabric you’ll have to work with. Ultimately, this translates to more volume and folds on the bottom hem. The brown and gold valances you see in our product pictures (the large check and velveteen scroll valances) were both made with the Long option under “Length.” As a result, the valances have plenty of folds at the bottom hem that look beautiful up close.

What kind of hardware do I need?
Although you could select a drapery pole with decorative finials on each side, we highly recommend a continental rod instead. This wraps the valance nicely on each side and gives the tails a better shape.

For inside mounts, a flat tension rod that’s 2 1/2 inches wide should work if the 3-inch rod pocket is selected. If mounting the valance inside a patio door, keep in mind that you may need a magnetic curtain rod instead if the door is made of steel or any other metal.

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.

Do I need interlining for this window treatment?
Interlining is a great option to block out the sun, so it’s always a good option. It’s a must for silks and faux silks, so make sure to select it. Besides its thermal blocking properties, interlining always gives a valance more volume and a better shape.

Can this valance be gathered?
No. This valance is installed on the rod without any gathering whatsoever. Even with the extra bit of width added on for inside mounts, the gathering is negligible.

For inside mounts, why are you telling me to add more width? Shouldn’t I just be measuring the exact space between the studs?
You can do that, but from experience, we’ve found that adding as little as 1/4 of an inch works wonders. It fills out the space between the valance and wall and can minimize some of the sunlight that can come through this small gap.

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 kind of trim should I select if I want trim?
You can select any that’s available. Having said that, we find that for this style of window treatment, trims that are at least 2 1/2 inches long work best.

Do I need a 2-inch or 3-inch rod pocket?
The 3-inch rod pocket is standard. Only use the 2-inch rod pocket for inside mounts on your French doors.

Can you make this longer to cover my French door fully for privacy?
We don’t recommend this particular valance any longer than what we offer. The longer it gets, the more it becomes a regular panel and less a valance. The gathered bottom hem is the focus of this valance and a long version of it would draw your eye down (not to mention that it would compromise the shape). Many people misunderstand London valances. They are not intended to cover a window entirely. They are commonly made to cover 1/4 or 1/2 of your window (or even 2/3 of some short windows).

Where is this valance made?
All our work is created in our Atlanta, GA workroom.

How do I use this valance with draperies?
You would layer a single or a pair of draperies over or under the valance. Adding the valance over a drapery is a bit more traditional, whereas installing the valance under a drapery is more popular and modern now. Whichever layering option you choose, just make sure that the curtain rod that’s on the outer layer projects at least 5 inches away from the wall.

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
First, you must select whether the valance will be installed as an outside mount or inside mount on your window.

For outside mounts, measure your window. If your window is framed in wooden molding, make sure to include it in your measurement as well. Add 2 to 4 total inches to this measurement. If you will install the valance onto a decorative pole, this is the valance width that you will need to order. If you will install the valance onto a continental rod, you must add the returns of the rod of each side to the above measurement also. We recommend that the projection on the continental rod be no wider than 3 inches. This valance is not intended for continental rods with large projections.

TIP: While you can install the valance either on a decorative pole or continental rod, we highly recommend installing it onto a continental rod. We find that this gives this particular valance a more tailored look.

For inside mounts, measure the inside width of your window between the studs. Add 1/4 to 1/2 inches. This is the width that you will need to order. Valance will be installed onto a flat tension rod and will gather minimally.

We do not recommend installing this style of window treatment as a frame mount (valance is installed on the actual wooden frame of the window).

Special Instructions for Double Wide and Triple Wide Windows
In this case, your valances must be inside mounted. You must make sure that there is mullion spacing between the window sections. This is needed in order to install the tension rods. Otherwise, follow the standard measuring instructions for inside mounts above.

Special Instructions for Bay, Bow and Corner Windows
If you select an outside mount installation, you will need to make sure that there is enough space between each window section. We recommend at least 7 inches of space between each window section for bay and bow windows and at least 8 inches of space between corner windows. If the valances will be inside mounts, they will work on bay, bow and corner windows. However, you must make sure that there is mullion spacing between the window sections of bay and bow windows. This is needed in order to install the tension rods.

Special Instructions for Arched and Palladium Windows
For arch windows, you may install as either outside or inside mounts. If the window requires two or more valances that will be installed side by side, the valances will need need to be installed as inside mounts and you’ll need to make sure that there’s some mullion spacing between each valance. If there are no mullions in between the valances, then the installation will not work.

Special Instructions for Patio Doors
Only measure the glass panes of your door and add 2 to 3 total inches. Make sure to add on the projection of your continental rod for both sides of the valance to this measurement. If door is made of steel, we suggest purchasing a magnetic curtain rod to avoid drilling holes into the door.

Special Instructions for Sliding Glass Doors
This type of window treatment is not intended for sliding glass doors.