Tuesday, September 28, 2010

DIY: Custom looking Window Treatments

Window Treatments can take a big chunk of your room budget if you decide to go custom. I have some pretty great seamstresses that I work with whose rates are very budget friendly, but add to that loads of yardage that I would have needed for my bay window and I knew I had to go the DIY route.

One of my favorite go to places for budget friendly window treatments that look luxe is JC PENNEY. The best part is that they normally have some sort of promo code going on. So when I purchased my window panels they were on sale and then an extra 20% off!

Now I wanted to add something a bit more custom to the window and give a bigger impact so I knew a padded cornice would be a good solution.

After a quick trip to Home Depot we had our supplies:



and



Now it will be different for everyone, but I cut down my main piece to size and then decided that I wanted my side pieces to be 4".

The side pieces need to be at least 3 and 1/2 inches, because of how far my curtain rod stuck off the wall. I purchased an inexpensive rod set by Umbra at Century 21 for $10!

Side profile of my curtain rod:



Once you pick your size for your side pieces you need to cut them with your table saw:



Cut pieces:



You will then use your liquid nails to hold the two pieces of wood together and start to nail it in place:



Then you can add your L brackets for support:



Now for the fun part adding the fabric! I picked a neutral for my window panels so I knew I wanted to keep it neutral on the cornice. Since I knew it would be hard to find a fabric that totally matched in shade and texture I ordered one additional panel in the 108" length and used that as my fabric to wrap around my cornice. It was the perfect solution!

Before you add fabric you need to add a cushioning so with some quilting batting and spray glue you can get to work:



We did this outside so that spray glue wouldn't get all over the place. You never think it's going to get everywhere, but based on numerous past experience it totally does so if you can spray outdoors I would do so.



Then wrap your wood cornice:



Almost finished now! Now make sure you've ironed your fabric and cut it to size and you can start stapling it on:



Once you staple it into place you are all finished!

Here is a little design tip that I used for my window situation. You all know I hate short window panels. Well of course in my excitement of ordering my window panels on a crazy sale I ordered the 84" length when I really needed 86"!!! Whoops! Turns out 86" version didn't exist anyway and the next size up would have been 93" and therefore require some hemming. I didn't want to hem so I stuck with the 84" and due to my cornice and some clip rings I made it work!!!

Clip rings totally saved they day! I bought a bunch of inexpensive ones at Ikea and went to town! Now my curtains just kiss the floor:



Here is my before:


And the after:


Another tip into helping your curtains look like they were custom made is the fullness of the panels.The number of panels used to cover a window should be enough fabric to cover two times the width of your window. I ordered 4 curtain panels to get the amount of fullness for my bay window.

How to hang on wall:

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45 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

That looks fabulous, Camila!! I hereby crown you DIY queen!

September 28, 2010 at 10:08 AM  
Anonymous Amy said...

Camila, will you come do this in my apartment? These look INCREDIBLE! xoxA

September 28, 2010 at 10:13 AM  
Anonymous Miranda @ Haute Headquarters said...

I think these are absolutley fantastic, Camilla! I know they are simple (as in, not the most complicated project you have ever completed) but I'm pretty sure this is my favorite DIY you have ever done. I want cornices now! Love this!

September 28, 2010 at 10:28 AM  
Blogger Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy said...

When I saw your windows in your post yesterday, I was hoping you would provide us with some DIY instructions! Thanks so much!

September 28, 2010 at 10:30 AM  
Blogger Mary said...

Very cute. But I need to see a picture of how they kiss the floor.

September 28, 2010 at 10:33 AM  
Blogger Lindsay Hosanna said...

This looks great!! And your post was full of TONS of great tips! Thanks :)

September 28, 2010 at 10:34 AM  
Blogger High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Thanks guys! I will totally add a picture of them kissing the floor. At the moment the whole dining room is bit trashed from said project so once I clean it up (fingers crossed today) I can take more pictures.

It would also help if the sun came out so that I wouldn't need to use flash.

September 28, 2010 at 10:35 AM  
Blogger Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Great solution to hang drapes on a bay window, looks wonderful! Janell

September 28, 2010 at 10:49 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I LOVE these curtains! Looks amazing! We actually made very similar cornice boxes last weekend, but now we can't figure out how to secure them to the wall. Could you explain how you secured your cornice to the wall? I see you have your L bracket on before adding the fabric, so how did you get your fabric so smooth? Thanks for posting this! i'm obsessed!

September 28, 2010 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger Laurel-Dawn McBurney said...

Now THAT is the way to do a valance! I tried creating something similar to this a few months ago and did not succeed! I wish this post would have been around back then! haha! lovely! This is a beautiful solution to working with bay windows...

Here is my post:

http://abodelove.blogspot.com/2010/09/im-just-not-that-into-you.html

September 28, 2010 at 11:09 AM  
Anonymous Splendid Sass said...

Look great! Thanks for the tips.
Teresa

September 28, 2010 at 11:10 AM  
Blogger Lisa @ Lisa Moves said...

How did you mount them to the wall? I'd like to do something similar in my kitchen, but I can't figure out how to get the piece up on the wall.

September 28, 2010 at 11:25 AM  
Blogger Lissa Pierce said...

You make everything look so easy! I love seaing all your DIY projects...keep em coming!

September 28, 2010 at 11:29 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

So pretty! I agree the more panels on the window the merrier it will look

September 28, 2010 at 11:36 AM  
Blogger abby jenkins said...

SUPER PRO and so chic!

When I was in interior design I would be embarrassed to tell my clients how much their 'window treatments' were going to cost them. One living room we did in Greenwich had over six figures worth of drapes! Yikes!

I'd rather spend my money on daffodils and have you come over :^)

September 28, 2010 at 11:48 AM  
Blogger Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} said...

Wow, that cornice makes a huuuge difference! Ok, I'm trying to wrap my brain around your final tip....your panels should EACH be 2 times the width of the window? What if the wall on one side of the window is 10" wide and your window is 3'?

xo, cass

September 28, 2010 at 11:49 AM  
Blogger Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

love it!!

September 28, 2010 at 12:22 PM  
Blogger High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

I believe Jon simply hung it with another L bracket that you can see in the image of the wooden cornice being wrapped in batting.

He is coming home for lunch in a little bit so I'll ask him and get more details and then post on it.

:)

September 28, 2010 at 12:28 PM  
Anonymous Lauren said...

Also do you recommend that electric staple gun over one that uses a compressor? What brand is it? I have had bad luck with manual staple guns and need to buy a new one. Thanks for all your answers!

September 28, 2010 at 12:41 PM  
Anonymous Laura@JourneyChic said...

I agree that JC Penney has a great window treatment selection - especially the hardware. Your drapes look awesome, and major props go to your super-helpful hubby for going to town with that batting and glue!

September 28, 2010 at 12:42 PM  
Blogger Danielle Oakey Interiors said...

love them, great job!

September 28, 2010 at 1:10 PM  
Anonymous Jenna said...

While I would have added some trim I think you need some pretty tiebacks to allow that gorgeous view and fabrics to show. another tip, if your drapes are too short add a panel of coordinating fabric or trim for the extra lenght needed.

September 28, 2010 at 1:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great job. Another question- who makes the grasscloth in your room, and how can I get some?

September 28, 2010 at 1:24 PM  
Blogger Living It At Home said...

Ok! What you just did is amazing! You are so talented...hubby too! I love how it turned out! Great job!

September 28, 2010 at 1:38 PM  
Blogger High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Thanks for all the sweet comments!

I'm thinking about adding trim. Not sure if I want it or not. I have some already purchased just deciding if I want to pull the trigger and actually use it. We shall see.

September 28, 2010 at 1:46 PM  
Blogger SHERRY HART said...

Way to rock those ready mades! I agree...custom window treatments are very expensive and I think with a little effort you make ready made curtains look fabulous. You certainly proved that with yours.

September 28, 2010 at 2:24 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great job! I love the outcome.

September 28, 2010 at 2:53 PM  
Blogger Oona Johnson said...

Looks phenomenal! Way to save a few hundred bucks!

September 28, 2010 at 3:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for posting on how to hang on the wall. We secured the fabric before screwing the L Brackets, so when we tried to screw them in, it twisted the fabric. I will just remove the fabric and re-do.

Thank you so much. i just love it all. you are a genius!

September 28, 2010 at 3:16 PM  
Blogger LiveLikeYou said...

Love all your DIY's-always impressive. What a clean chic look!

September 28, 2010 at 5:17 PM  
Blogger alison giese Interiors said...

Great DIY tips, and of course, your projects ALWAYS look Pro!

September 28, 2010 at 8:15 PM  
Blogger Megan Elizabeth Johnson said...

Gorgeous! I love it & I want to try it ASAP. Now all I've gotta do is find myself a nook.
Oh right, my apartments tiny and I haven't any nooks to spare.
Guess I'll just need to save it in the inspiration folder.

September 28, 2010 at 8:45 PM  
Blogger LindsB said...

look at you all DIYing again- love this project, I cant wait till i have my own house to use it in :)

September 28, 2010 at 10:23 PM  
Anonymous Robyn said...

I was debating on whether or not to do this in my dining room. Decision is now made. I have a great shower curtain that I bought at Target that I didn't know if I wanted to just use as a panel or not. I can't wait to get this project done now! Thanks!

September 29, 2010 at 11:11 AM  
Blogger Beth H. said...

Your cornice is beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial! I'm really wondering where you found that great ikat fabric on the pillows though :) I've been looking for the perfect ikat for my living room and not having much luck...

September 29, 2010 at 12:01 PM  
Blogger Erika Ward said...

Wonderful job Camila! You saved a TON of money with that handy hubby of yours. Great job as always!

September 29, 2010 at 7:05 PM  
Blogger Specialkalle said...

I wish my husband was as DIY as yours!

October 4, 2010 at 1:22 PM  
Anonymous Adam Waterford said...

If you have the tools and the skills to pull it off, it's best to tread the DIY path. By the way, I like what you guys did! You added something to make the bland curtain rod look fabulous!

August 10, 2011 at 10:28 AM  
Anonymous Harvey Schu said...

That is a great window treatment! And it's so awesome that you got all those materials at a low price. Thanks for this DIY guide.

November 23, 2011 at 12:39 PM  
Anonymous curtains window said...

As this one is exclusively looking one of the great tutorial to make extreme window treatment. As the existing pictures and regarding information are authentically looking just most promising about it. Thanks for sharing.

November 30, 2011 at 12:27 PM  
Anonymous brickie said...

I couldn't make my husband understand the concept of the "box" on the wall. This is all I needed...thanks so much

February 10, 2012 at 1:16 PM  
Anonymous Gulf Coast said...

Great content material. Your website deserves every one of the positive feedback it’s been getting.

June 22, 2012 at 8:13 AM  
Anonymous Roxie Tenner said...

Your window treatments are definitely store quality! The curtains made the windows appear larger. And, this corner of the house looks very elegant now. It’s amazing how this project seemed easy when a lot of things could go wrong, especially in measurements. This project is on a league of its own!

December 5, 2012 at 10:05 AM  
Anonymous Katie Nicoll said...

Ahuh! That was such a fantastic job! From Venetian window blinds to a wooden cornice! I really love how it looks. The ambiance is so great and this will let you unwind every time you decide to go there and sit around.

December 19, 2012 at 12:06 PM  
Anonymous Lida Swisher said...

Well, if you have an idea on how to make a window treatment and you have the tools with you, you can definitely create awesome treatments just like this one! You can also save money since you don’t need to hire someone to do it. You’ll only spend money on the materials needed.

January 10, 2013 at 12:28 PM  

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