Window Cornices and Valances: Out of Style?

Window Cornices and Valances: Out of Style?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that most certainly applies when considering the comings and goings of interior design trends. From the elaborate, vibrant, patterned wallpaper of the 60s to the rustic, handcrafted rattan furniture of the 70s, some trends hold their value and live on in the modern world of interior decor. But are window cornices and valances, a trend very much considered to be Victorian, out of style? Let's explore.

What Are Cornices and Valances?

Cornices and valances are easily confused with one another. A window cornice is an ornamental framework structure, typically constructed using wood or composition that covers the top section of a window and curtains attached to it. Cornices were once considered gilded and were often elaborately designed with patterns and colours to create a visual feast. They were the interior design showstoppers of the 18th century.

Window valances are similar - they're a piece of fabric that hangs across the top of a window to hide other window treatments. They were renowned for being bold and brimming with colours but also as a way of bringing softness to an otherwise rigid and somewhat mundane structure. Valances were hugely popular during the Baroque era; and quickly found their way back into the interior design world in the 20th and, subsequently, the 21st century.

Both offer the perfect opportunity to make more of your choice of beautiful fabric, and, by extension, the window itself.

Out Of Style, Or A Vintage Lover's Dream?

Cornices and valances pay homage to the eclectic, vibrant, creative interior trends of the past. Both cornices and valances were hugely popular hundreds of years ago and continued to be well into the 80s and 90s. To say they're out of fashion doesn't do justice to the divine, elegant, and charismatic design trend.

Still, valances in particular, aren't for every eye, especially the lively, energetic, eye-catching patterns the exuberance of the 60s, 70s and 80s favoured. That trend is reserved for vintage lovers. Cornices are less of an acquired taste and never really left the interior design world; they are made of solid material, typically plain, and hide window treatments well. That sort of practicality isn't easy to phase out.

That also isn't to say that plain, simple patterns - particularly valances renowned for being in your face with patterns and colours - don't hold appeal. Simple valances, as they're known, often have one focal point, such as the colour, rather than combining colours with patterns. For example, a simple white and gold valance against trending dark blue paint or wallpaper offsets the darkness to bring softness, class, and divinity to any room.

If anything, finding new ways to add a pop of colour is very much on-trend as we kiss goodbye to the - what felt like endless - neutral tones trend. The design trends pegged to be favourite for 2022 feature much-needed colours and patterns that promise to bring vibrance and passion back to interior decor. Interior designers are getting bolder with their choices, and combining more daring fabric styles with ‘older’ features like valances. Imagine the power of a print like our Kenil in Pink, used to create a feature more commonly associated with ‘antiquarian’ styles.

So, are they a vintage lover's dream, or are they about to spring back into fashion quicker than they left?

Making Them Work In A Modern Home

We've discussed how cornices never truly left the interior design scene; they simply faded into the background. It's valances that have the potential to make a big comeback. Valances are a perfect way to bring softness to windows, draw attention to them in a beautifully crafted way, and the vibrance that's on trend in 2022. Blues, terracotta, yellows, and greens are all trending colours for 2022, and they all pay homage to the traditional valance - one that's anything but plain.

To make them work in a modern home, focus on the quality of the material and how the materials and pattern blend in to create the most elegant window treatment. For example, in a room primarily coloured with neutral tones, a bright green, floral patterned valance might not suit. A sophisticated, bold, royal blue valance with a beautifully intricate and subtle gold stitching design would suit. Take a look at our top 5 tips for layering patterns if you want to make a real feature around your windows.

Cornices are very easy to style in the modern home. Typically made from wood, cornices are perhaps a more suitable window treatment for people looking to keep interior designs neutral and strong, rather than with soft furnishes.

Cornices and valances might have historical roots, but they're anything but ready for the interior design history books. Both are appealing window treatments in their own right, with each offering unique interior design qualities. At the core, they're both window treatments serving the purpose of concealing drapery hardware, but on the surface, they're a beautiful design element.