Pelmets and Valances

[maggiethecat]

Looking at having curtains done for my living room bay window and dont want too much fuss. One curtain maker suggests that I use a pelmet or valance to hide the track but they seem a bit too fussy to me. Is there a difference between a pelmet and valance? Can you make them so that they are unobtrusive and fuss free?

Anyone?

Hmm, smacks of swags and tie backs to me. There are lots of different tracks available for bays, IKEA do one and have curtains to fit.

TBH I thought a valance was something you put on a bed

Pelmets usually mean up at windows and valances are around beds. (USA valances are up at windows).
Usually pelmets are recommended if you are just having a gathered heading on your curtain tops. Thats because 'pencil tape' usually looks untidy when the curtains are open. If you go for Pinch pleats they always look lovely when curtains are open or closed. Also, because they use fewer hooks they will draw back such a lot more than pencil tape. If your track blends in with the wall does it matter if its on show?

I dont mind tracks being on show except that previous owner had put up some rubbish plastic track which will leave holes that are not easily concealed or covered over by new tracks.

I have seen a few pelmets at other people's homes and they dont seem in keeping with a very relaxed look. Am I right about this?