What Do You Want From Your Window Cornice Patterns

Hard Cornices & Soft Cornices

Cornice patterns can be hard or soft window treatments used to frame the top of a window. They were originally used to either hide drapery hardware or to display special plate or other collections above the windows on the ledge they create when hung. The wood can be very plain or very decorative and stand alone or accompany other decorative window treatments.

Cornice board window treatments can also be upholstered with various fabrics in many styles that will enhance a room. Many make architectural statements with or without embellishments of welting, medallions, tassels, borders and fringe.
Here they are shown with a soft silk fabric bordered to add drama to the overall design and also to hide the hardware of the roman shades below them.

Like swags, cornices can also have jabots, tails, or cascade extensions on the sides to frame the window. Others just have padded fabric hung from them in folds, pleats, points, and borders.

Although symmetrical is popular, some cornices often have asymmetrical lines that soften the overall look and add formality to it.

Others are shaped into lambrequins which have long sides extended down each side to frame the window. They are usually painted, stained, upholstered, sometimes wallpapered or stenciled. They can make a great contribution to sleeping during the day in a bedroom, as they shield the light gap that normally peeks through blinds and shades on the edges.

Another version of this is the Cantonniere - which has the sides extended all the way to the floor. These window treatments are even better than lambrequins for light control in bedrooms, as shown in this picture.

Simple curved cornices can be padded and fabric covered to make a stand alone window treatments.

Or to soften the room and add ambiance and formality, one can drape fabric folded into swags around the window treatment and add side panels like the window shown here.

See how the room changed by taking simple and plain and turned it into a focal point of the room adding elegance and style?

Cornice patterns can take on an air of elegance when combined with scarves, flags, and turbans . Many stylish embellishments are used like nail head borders, filigree, welting, contrast banding and tassel or brush trim. Sometimes crown molding is used to add even more depth and beauty.

Any of these ideas can bring an interesting twist to your cornice pattern.  You are only limited by your imagination and style.  Don't forget to visit other interesting top treatment pages from the menu page below.