Cornices aren’t for everyone, but those that have them, know they’re expensive to replace. As long as the cornice itself is in good shape, though, there’s no reason to buy new ones. If the look of your cornices is old and boring, upgrade them yourself, and save plenty! Even if there’s nothing wrong with the old cornices you could just be in the mood for something different. It’s not a huge task, and some methods are just downright easy.
There are many things you can do to make cornices look different. If they’re simply painted, for example, you can add cloth and even padding. If they’re upholstered and padded, you can remove all of that, then paint them in your choice of designs. Vibrant paint colors, beautiful stencils and even wallpaper borders make it easy to have luscious cornices unlike anyone else’s.
Nail buttons easily change the look of padded, upholstered types of cornices. The buttons can be made at any upholstery shop for little money if you have a scrap of the fabric that matches your drapes. If not, choose a coordinating fabric and have the buttons made.
Nailing the buttons in takes no skill at all. Simply draw your pattern directly onto the fabric with chalk. Mark where the buttons will go and hammer them into the wood. It’s that simple! Other things you can do to upholstered cornices – with or without padding – is to add roping to the bottom edge, place a strip of lace, or roping, across the center of the cornice, or even add pom-poms to the edge. The pom-poms are sold by the yard at most fabric stores.
If your cornices are the type that have no fabric attached, and are simply painted or stained, you have many options. If they’re painted you can change the color simply by painting them again. Or, you can strip the paint add simply stain and varnish. If you’re good with a jigsaw you can cut out celestial scenes – or other shapes – to give the cornice a very unique look.
Another way to change the look of the painted cornice is to add wood pieces to it. You’ll find hundreds of different shapes at a craft store and they’re not too expensive. Hearts, pets, flowers, numbers, letters, molding, and other wooden shapes – painted or not – instantly change the look of any cornice.
Even thumbtacks can give your cornices a whole new look. Make a pattern with stencil or draw it freehand. Place a dot on each area where a tack will go making sure they’re spaced evenly apart. Use a tack hammer to put the tacks in position. Tacks come in all sorts of colors now giving you the option of mixing and matching or choosing one particular color.
It’s easy to add lighting to your cornices. You can now purchase lights that stick on, under the cornice, but take batteries. You can also purchase aquarium lights that work great. Drill a hole in one side of the cornice to allow for the cord, then hide the cord behind the draperies. The lighting gives a peaceful glow to your window. Lights are available in an assortment of colors like pink, green or blue.
Leftover wood scraps can give your cornices even more dimension. Long, flat pieces can be added to the front, then a smaller, similar piece, and even another. These pieces, which get smaller and smaller, not only give the cornice extra dimension but give you another option: paint each one a different color. Choose colors from the curtains or drapes, or choose colors from your wallpaper or border.
Tired of your old cornices? Don’t trash ’em and don’t buy new ones. Change the look yourself and you’ll be well pleased. It may seem like a big task but it really isn’t. Once you get started you’ll see how easy it can be.
Reference:
- Purchase wooden shapes here: www.orientaltrading.com
