Between valances and cornices, curtains and drapery, window treatment terminology can be confusing! That’s why Janovic is here to help you navigate the ins and outs of window treatments and the unique ways to style them.
The Difference Between Window Valances and Cornices
While most commonly associated with drapery, valances and cornices can enhance the appearance of other window treatments. Valances are fabric top treatments that add softness and movement to your windows. You can choose from several valance styles and lengths, from low-key to elegant. Cornices have a wood frame covered with fabric, which gives them a structured and formal look. You can use either top treatment to adorn various window coverings, like roller shades, Roman shades, or horizontal blinds.
Zebra Blinds or Zebra Shades?
You may have heard them called “zebra blinds” or “zebra shades.” We know them as banded shades. These shades feature alternating sheer and opaque fabric, giving them a unique, modern look. They offer the straightforward operation of a roller shade, and you can align the opaque bands to enjoy increased privacy and light control or have them in an offset pattern to allow sunlight to enter a room.
The bands can have crisp, straight lines or come together to form exciting geometric patterns. Banded shades are available with two band heights and light-filtering or light-dimming opaque fabrics. For a polished look, top your banded shades with a fabric-wrapped headrail.
Drapes vs. Curtains: What’s the Difference?
Both curtains and drapery are made of fabric and hang in panels, so knowing what sets them apart from one another isn’t always straightforward. Curtains are typically more casual, using lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen that break just above the window sill. Drapery uses heavier materials, like damask or velvet, and brings a refined appearance to a space. It is significantly longer than curtains, breaking just above the floor or forming a small puddle of fabric.
What Makes Curtains and Shades Different?
Shades have a fabric construction like curtains but are available in various styles instead of basic panels. You’ll enjoy increased versatility with shades as they are available in multiple opacities and have unique features, like top-down/bottom-up designs. Styles like cellular and Roman shades also bring significantly more depth and textures to your windows than curtains. That doesn’t mean you should abandon curtains in your home – they’re still an excellent choice for many spaces, including in a café-style for windows in your kitchen.
Custom Window Treatments in NYC
Janovic is here for all your window treatment needs, including interior design questions. We are the city’s premier Hunter Douglas window treatments and Benjamin Moore paint dealer, with endless options to suit any space and style in your home.
Visit one of our many stores across New York City, including Chelsea, Gramercy Park, Hell’s Kitchen, Long Island City, Soho, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Uptown West, Yorkville, and The Bronx, or Book a Consultation Online Today!
