Cap It Off With Cornices
A cornice creates a finished look over a window. You can then add curtains, side panels, cafes, a shade or mini blinds. Or, if you don't want curtains, just use a cornice alone. It won't block out light.
Use 8-in. wide pine. Measure the width of your window all the way to the edge of the molding trim and cut the wood to this measure. Using a 3-in. distance from the wall, cut 2 pieces for the return on each side. Use glue and 1 1/2 in. brads to glue and nail the long piece to each side piece. Let the boards dry overnight before working with the cornice.
Perfectly Painted
Paint the wood to match the window trim or pick up one of the colors in your curtains.
Padding Around
For an upholstered finish, cover the wood with quilt batting, then fabric to match your curtains or slipcovers. Cut quilt batting and fabric pieces large enough to wrap around the cornice and staple to the inside.
Paper Proud
For a coordinated window treatment, cover the cornice with wallpaper to match the room. Or, paint the cornice and then add a pretty, contrasting wallpaper border. Tip: When ready to paste in position, center the strip of paper on the front of the cornice and press in place. Do not press the side pieces to the wood. Position the cornice over the window molding and nail with brads at each side. Then smooth the remaining paper to the sides over the nails on each side of the wood.
Faux Fabulous
A faux finish such as marbleizing or sponging is a handsome touch. You don't have to take a course in faux finishing. You'll find kits in home centers and craft shops to make a small job like this very easy and virtually foolproof. In particular, I've had success with the marbleizing kit made by Plaid. It comes in many colors.
When In Doubt Sponge It
For a quick and easy faux finish, apply a coat of white latex paint over the wood. Dip a natural sponge or sponge brush into acrylic paint in a soft pastel or beige color and dab or swirl over the entire area.
Stencil Savvy
Apply a coat of base paint then use a contrasting color to stencil a repeat border design across the cornice. For a child's room, choose a simple whimsical design and use bright colors. For a sun room choose a graceful curving vine. For a bedroom, trace a flower from your fabric or wallpaper and cut a stencil for a repeat matching pattern.
Decoupage
Cut out flowers from wallpaper or wrapping paper and arrange across the painted cornice. Use white craft glue to secure in position. This is a good way to design cornices to match the wallpaper if you are papering the wall at the same time. You can also use cut out fabric for this project, but you have to be sure the fabric edges don't fray.
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.