You are going to love this...the only tools you need are:
Hot glue gun
Straight pins
Batting
Fabric
And
Styrofoam sheets from Lowes for $7.00
After I hung the drapes I thought they looked to plain and I wanted something to glam them up, so I decided to make valances
Many years ago I made valances from wood. They were expensive, heavy, and took carpentry skills to cut and nail together......There had to be a better way!
I have been buying styrofoam at home improvement stores for other craft projects since it is soooo much cheaper than buying at craft stores
This is what I used.....There are 6-48" sheets to a $7.00 pack
I used a knife to cut a sheet for the top, front, and 2 sides. I ruined a sheet because I did not compensate for the Styrofoam width on the sides and top.....I'm just saying that I had to do some careful measuring but, with 6 sheets in a pack I had plenty of sheets so, messing up was no big deal.
The only thing I used to attach all of the pieces of styrofoam together was gobs of hot glue. It gave a good strong bond...I was amazed!
I first hot glued on the batting and then pinned the fabric on. I hot glued the batting but pinned the fabric to make it easy to change the fabric in the future.
Now it was STILL to plain.......
Now it was STILL to plain.......
I used 2 "L" bracets and set the valance on the brackets, there was no need to attach the valance to the brackets as they are really light and not going anywhere
The Bedroom is officially done!
If you are wondering what I'm up to now.....
...Here's my kitchen, do you see anything missing?
Oh gosh, I think I'm a glutton for punishment. Anyone that has done a kitchen reno will agree that it is the most difficult of all!
I'll be back when I can........
Happy Creating!
Carol
40 comments:
The valances are the perfect and very elegant finishing touch!
Good luck with the kitchen and can't wait to see.
AGAIN, you are a GENIUS!!! Love it, love, love it...and being able to switch out the fabric...read from top!!! All the best on your kitchen reno...they can be a bear! Can't wait to see.
Great job! Thank you for the tutorial! Haha, you are really asking for trouble and mischief with a kitchen remodel, but I know that you can pull it off with success.
Wow! That's genius! I never thought of using something lightweight like that foam. Very clever! I love how cheap it is too! Your cornice boxes look fantastic! Thanks for the idea and the step-by-step directions. I just might do this!
Good luck and have fun with your kitchen! Can't wait to see the before and after photos! :-D
Carol, I love this idea, funny but I promise my cousin I would help him make some valences for his dining room, I really love this idea of using styrofoam, instead of the wood...hummmm I wonder if he will go for this idea, I'll just have to tell him it's cost effective...lol....that always works ;-)
Thanks again~
Mari
What a great idea! I used to make valances with wood also, but never again. Your room is gorgeous! I don't envy you with the work you have cut out, but it's going to be fabulous!
So pretty and ingenious....as usual. The windows look so elegant! Lov it!
The valances add so much--thanks for showing how to do it. Have fun working on the kitchen!
Fabulous Foam Valances that truly do add that GLAM factor with elegance. Well Done Dear...
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I've been at a standstill for my bedroom windows. Know I want valances, but that's where it stops. Your tutorial is fantastic. I especially appreciate that it is lightweight and easy to install without so many holes in the wall.
I love yours, and your strips of ribbon make it perfect.
Thanks for sharing.
Great finishing touch. Thanks for the tip about buying the Styrofoam at the home improvement stores. Who knew?
Nice finishing touch and so simple. A kitchen redo - do you ever sleep?
Curtains and window coverings in general have always perplexed me. You tackled the problem and created a beautiful solution! Wish I had your confidence. I usually end up with plantation shutters or very simple curtains. Love the ribbon on the bottom, it adds just the right touch!
xoKathleen
Wow- That makes a huge difference in the whole "feel" of that room. I used to make the cornices out of wood, too. You could use that for a canopy over a bed, too, Carol. GREAT idea!
And the kitchen? What's missing? Well, I don't see any paper towels! xo Diana
The perfect finishing touch to a totally glam bedroom!
Awesome tutorial! The ribbon sets your beauties off perfectly! {We always called these "cornices." Shows ya how much we know! LOL!}
Can't wait to see your finished kitchen. Never a dull moment inside your polka dot closet, is there?!
Hugs and happy week,
Kelley~
Great and ingenious job!! :))))
Beautiful Valances!! How clever!! I can't wait to see what you do with the kitchen!!
I sure wished you lived closer to me so we could hunt and gather together, create and just be. Your skills know no bounds dear lady. xoxo
Oh my goodness, what's not to love! Looks fabulous and I am so in awe of how easy it is! I'll have to try it one day. Thanks for the inspiration, Carol!
Wishing you the best on your kitchen. I've done 2 kitchen remodels in the last few years, tricky stuff sometimes! I know you'll pull it off and it will be over the top. As always.
Thanks for sharing!
Julie xo
Hi Carol, your cornices turned out great. Love the soft fabric and the bit of shine in the stripe. This is a project I actually have done using toile fabric for my kitchen a few years ago. They are down at the moment but I was thinking of adding them again and changing the fabric right over top the old.
Your room looks grand.
Have fun with the kitchen. I know what a big job this is and looks like you are off to a great start.
I have no doubt you will design is perfectly.
Hugs
I am stunned at how easy that is to do! Your ribbon really added the perfect touch. Having had a kitchen redo, I send all my best wishes to you!
Hi Carol, Great idea for the valances and they look wonderful! Lucky you..Looks like you are getting a new kitchen.
xx,
Sherry
The Valances are beautiful. As usual Carol your so talented and find a wonderful solution to every creative en devour. I always enjoy your works..
Hugs,
Cindy
Your valances look so elegant. Fit right in with the rest of your beautiful bedroom.
incredible work! congratulations!!!
Everything old is new again :) I taught this method in a drapery class in the early 70's, you can shape the lower edge in any design you like. Maybe 10 yrs ago? you could purchase a "Designer Kit" at Joanne's which was basically the same idea but you just pushed the fabric into precut slots :) Don't you just love how things get rediscovered every few years?
Girl, you are so creative! I love coming by here. That valance is just awesome.
Your valances turned out so beautiful! Our daughter can make hers too but yours are so elegant and pretty! Nancy
Carol, Carol, Carol . . . you are a "gluten for punishment" if i've ever seen one, LOL. When you run out of projects please come visit me:) Your cornices are beuitful and that little touch with the satin ribbon just give them a charming glamorous look that your new bedroom requires. I even think that the satin ribbons draw your eye more toward the stenciling that you did. Your bedroom is so smart and sophisticated without being over done. I love it. Do you have Cary Grant dreams at night, LOL.
I can not believe that you gutted your kitchen, but it is going to be so much fun seeing what you do to give it the Carol's special touch.
Have fun!
Connie :)
Nice job on the valences! So pretty, so white, such a clean look. That kitchen is quite the project. Will enjoy seeing the photos of progress.
You're so crafty!! They look amazing!
Susan
Carol, I love your valences! It all looks so finished off and beautiful. The ribbon really was the perfect touch. I can't believe it's made with Styrofoam and hot glue! You did such an amazing job on the whole bedroom. Good luck with that kitchen. I know it will be just beautiful when you're all done. Have a great week. ~ Jamie
I absolutely adore the finished room. It really is glamorous and so very restful looking to me. I can picture myself lounging about in there in silk PJs. (The fact that I do not own silk PJs is irrelevant.)
And now the kitchen? I can not wait to see the results. I just love makeovers in the biggest possible way.
Awesome job on the valances! Thanks for the tutorial! Please tell me that you aren't going to make new kitchen cabinets with Styrofoam and hot glue! Of course, if anyone could do that, you could... and they would be amazing!!!
Beautiful job Carol! I made these in our Florida home as well. You would never have known they were not custom made. It was easy to change up the fabric too once I tired of the old. I love your bedroom!!
Oh, you are too, too, clever!!! This looks so good and it's so easy and I can't understand why I never thought of it!?! Genius!
Hugs,
Patti
Piękna sypilnia. Prezentuje się jak komnata królewska. Jestem szczerze zachwycona. Pozdrawiam z Polski, Ania.
Carol:
What are the dimensions of the valance - height and depth?
A great look!
Carol:
I made cornices for my bedroom last weekend. They turned out great - thanks for the tutorial.
There are my usual bad photos on my blog.
Thanks again so much!
Pamela
Pennsylvania French
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