styrofoamwindowcornice.pdf

Another great treatment for any window is a cornice.  This is an upholstered stiff board that covers the top portion of the window often placed over a blind or draperies.  A cornice can stand alone as well for those of you who prefer minimalist window treatments.

Materials List:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam:
  2 Sheets, 36" x 12" x 1”  (For windows less than 36” wide)
• Fabric, to cover cornice frame (our fabric measured 54" x  36")
• Quilt batting, 36" x 12" (optional)
• Wood picks or toothpicks
• Serrated knife or dental floss
• Candle stub
• Sharp pencil
• Yardstick or ruler
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• U-pins
• Thick, white craft glue
• Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks (optional
• Iron and ironing board (optional)
• 4 Angle brackets with screws, 5"

Note:
The window shown is 34" across, and the cornice measures 36" wide and 12" tall. If your window measurements vary, adjust the sizes accordingly. For windows wider than 36", glue two sheets together along the 12" edges, joining them with thick, white craft glue and wood picks or toothpicks; u-pins inserted between the pieces will help enhance the bond. Let glue dry completely before moving on to the cornice construction.

Instructions:
1. Save one 36" x 12" foam sheet for front of cornice. Measure two, 12" x 6" pieces on second foam sheet; score lines with pencil. These will be side pieces. Wax serrated knife with candle stub, and cut pieces from foam sheet. Or, try dental floss:  stand the sheet on its edge, and hold a 20" length of dental floss along the scored line, positioning one hand at the bottom of the board and the other at the top; draw the dental floss down through the foam sheet along the scored line.

2. Next, join sides to the front by butting the side end to the back of the cornice front panel. Place glue on three wood picks, and insert into 12" edge of side piece. Using thick, white craft glue or low temperature glue gun, join side to front. Repeat with second side. Let dry completely.

3. If using quilt batting, cut 36" x 12" piece of batting. Glue to front of cornice.

4. Cut fabric strip measuring 54" x 28". Press fabric, if needed. Center and pin fabric to cornice front; pins are temporary and help hold fabric in place during assembly. Carefully wrap fabric around cornice frame, neatly folding at the corners and wrapping fabric onto the back.  After cornice is covered, glue fabric in place. If any of the cornice frame is uncovered, cover with fabric scrap. If using pins to help hold fabric in place on the reverse side, dip pins in glue first, for better hold. Let glue dry.

5. Attach angle brackets to wall to line up with the inside of each side panel of the cornice. Slide cornice around them and pin in place using "u" pins.

Matt and I had the opportunity to make one of these when we taped our first season of “around the house with Matt & Shari” and we believe this is a wonderful treatment for apartments because it is inexpensive and easy to make!

Shari

 
 
© 2011.  mattandshari.com, all rights reserved.

Comments (4)

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written by etameca, September 01, 2011

I really like this project. I'm going to try this for the middle window of my bay window area. I'd also like to make one to top drapes that I'm going to hang from my basement window. Your projects always inspire me!

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written by Shari, September 01, 2011

How did you find this article so fast, I just put it on ...was it yesterday? In any case, thank you for visitng the site so often and commenting, we really appreciate hearing what you have to say.

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written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , July 25, 2012

I'm just getting ready to purchase all the items to make a cornice for my children's bathroom. However, I'm having problems purchasing u-pins. What are these? Also, you say to "pin the cornice into place" on the angle brackets. How do I do that and with what?
Thank you -- Lisa

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written by Shari, July 27, 2012

Lisa, these instructions are directly from the manufacturer, but I think if you purchase 4 angle brackets (or "L" brackets as we call them) you could mount 2 brackets on each side horizontally so the part that sticks out would line up with the interior side of the cornice. Then, insert "U" pins through the holes in the "L" brackets where one side of the pin goes through the hole in the bracket and the other end goes through the side of the cornice.

By the way, "U" pins can be found in the floral department. They are shaped like a "U" with two pin points.

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