Did you know that all top treatments a.k.a pelmets or valances, begin as just five basic styles? Just like in dressmaking, there are a certain number of basic pieces and an endless supply of variations. By having a better understanding of the five basic styles will allow you to create a unique design to achieve your final look.

Here we are showing one of the most popular styles in decoration. The flat or "tailored" valance. Even thought it is flat doesn't mean that it has to be boring. By adding a banding, trim or cut-out design will make your valance unique to your home.

A trapezoid shaped valance where the sides are gathered or pleated to create rounded folds. Gathered swags are usually seen in casual rooms while pleated swags are used most often in formal rooms. Swags should be made with one of the following components. 1. Horns 2. Cascades 3. Jabots A nything else you can add to a treatment is known as embellishment. An embellishment is the addition of an item either placed from behind or on top of a treatment. The most common embellishments are banding, buttons, tassels, beads and trim.

Random fullness, usually 2 1/2 to three times full, and it can be added along the top, bottom or up the sides of a treatment. This treatment is usually seen in a casual to less formal room

Pleated valances offer controlled fullness, up to three times full, and are usually folded and stitched to the front or the back of the treatment. Pleated panels can also be used in conjunction with the valance in any room setting to create a contempory look.