A cornice is the architectural finish at the top of a window treatment — a rigid fabric-wrapped or painted board that conceals mounting hardware, adds height to the window, and closes the gap between the treatment and the ceiling. Bloomin’ Blinds designs and installs custom cornices as part of a complete window treatment project.
Direct Answer
Window cornices are rigid boards — typically wood-framed and upholstered in fabric, or painted — mounted at the top of a window to conceal the hardware and headrail of underlying treatments. They add an architectural finish to the window wall, visually extend the height of the window, and provide a designed frame for the treatment below.
Expanded Detail
A cornice serves two functions at once: hiding the mechanical — cords, tracks, blinds hardware, shade headrails — and adding a finished architectural element at the top of the window. They’re available in fabric-wrapped (upholstered) versions that coordinate with drapery or Roman shade fabric, painted versions that match walls or trim, and wood-stained versions that tie to cabinetry or architectural millwork. Because cornices mount on their own brackets above the window, they work over almost any window treatment — blinds, shades, shutters, or no treatment at all.
Direct Answer:
Structure.
Expanded Detail:
Cornices are rigid — built from a wood frame, wrapped or painted. Valances are soft fabric that drapes or gathers at the top of the window. Cornices provide a cleaner, more architectural look; valances are softer and more casual.
Direct Answer:
Yes.
Expanded Detail:
Cornices mount on their own wall brackets above the window and work over blinds, shades, shutters, or bare windows. They’re compatible with virtually any underlying treatment type.
Direct Answer:
It depends on the window width and design intent.
Expanded Detail:
Width typically matches or slightly exceeds the rod or treatment width. Height is proportional to window height — taller windows support a taller cornice. Your Bloomin’ Blinds consultant will recommend proportions based on your specific window and room.
Direct Answer:
Yes — this is the recommended approach for design cohesion.
Expanded Detail:
Using the same fabric for both creates a unified window wall. If the drapery fabric is heavily patterned, the cornice may be cut to center a pattern repeat intentionally. Your consultant will review pattern placement at the time of specification.
Direct Answer:
The mounting is straightforward — but precision matters.
Expanded Detail:
Cornices mount on L-brackets or return brackets anchored to the wall. Level mounting and correct height placement matter significantly to the final look. Bloomin’ Blinds installs all cornices as part of the complete window treatment project.
