Pelmets: the tailored box that finishes a window, hides the curtain fittings and squares up the top line of the frame. Made to your window's width in our Toronto workroom, in fabrics that pair with our shades and draperies, and shipped in 10 days or less.
Pair one with sheer draperies or a faux Roman shade valance for the full frame.
Pelmet, valance box or cornice — what's the difference?
They are three names for the same object: a rigid, fabric-upholstered box mounted above the window. "Pelmet" is the British term, "cornice" or "cornice board" the North American one, and "valance box" the everyday name. A soft, gathered valance is the unstructured cousin — fabric instead of a box. If you have seen "curtain box" or "window valance box" in a design guide, it is all this product.
Why put a pelmet over a Roman shade or drapery
A pelmet hides what should not be seen — the rod, the track, the shade headrail — and draws a clean, square line across the top of the window. It adds visual height, blocks the light gap above a shade, and lets you repeat a fabric from the room. A Roman shade with a matching valance box is the most finished version of the window we make.
Made for your window
Each pelmet is built and upholstered to your window's width in our Toronto workroom and ships in 10 days or less. Fabrics match our Roman shades and draperies, so the box and the shade can be cut from the same cloth. Not sure about the colour? Order free swatches first.
Pelmets and valance boxes — questions we answer
Is a valance box the same as a cornice board?
Yes. A valance box, cornice board and pelmet are the same thing: a rigid upholstered box that crowns the window. The names vary by country and by decorator, not by construction. A "valance" on its own usually means the soft, sewn version without the box.
Can the pelmet match my Roman shade fabric?
Yes — that is the point. We upholster pelmets in the same linens, faux linens and cottons we sew shades from, so you can order both from one cloth. Order free swatches first if you are matching an existing shade or paint.
How does a pelmet box mount?
It hangs above the window frame, covering the rod or the shade's headrail. Tell us what will live underneath — a shade, a drapery track, both — and we will size the depth so everything clears. Write to us with your window and we will walk you through the mounting for your case.
What size can you make?
Pelmets are made to your measurements — width across the window casing plus the overlap you want on each side. Measure the full outside width of the frame and see our measuring guide; if anything is unclear, send the numbers and we will check them with you.
