Our friend Wendy Hammond writes at The Local Cook about gardening, seasonal cooking, cheesemaking, home decor and more. She’s schooling us in cornice construction as a part of our Crafty At Home Video Series.
Custom upholstery gives softness and an upscale feel to nearly any project. Just as upholstered headboards make bedrooms feel cozy and pulled together, a homemade cornice can really dress up windows. Cornices can be decoratively carved and stained to give wood blinds and other window treatments some crowning glory. This DIY upholstered cornice can be used to hide blinds when raised, cover up hardware, or simply add some color to your windows.
Learn to Make a DIY Upholstered Cornice
Get Started:
DIY upholstery may sound intimidating, but with a staple gun in hand, nearly anyone can do it. Any fabric will do, so choose your favorite and create a unique look for your home. The options are endless!
(2) 1×6 boards
3 yards fabric
2 yards upholstery batting
Spray glue
Fabric scissors
Staple gun & staples
8 angle (“L”) brackets
Screws
Electric Drill
Clamps (optional but helpful)
What To Do:
1. Build cornice frame. Cut lumber slightly larger than the width of your window. Attach 6″ pieces to each end with angle brackets. Adjust length of side pieces according to the clearance you need around blinds hardware and window molding.
2. Cover frame with batting. Cut batting to double the width of board and exact length. Spray the frame with glue and press on batting for a tight fit. Staples may be necessary if glue does not hold. Cut off any excess batting.
3. Repeat with fabric. Spray batting with glue and wrap fabric around frame tightly. Reinforce with staples for a tight fit.
4. Hang over window. Attach cornice to wall with an angle bracket on each side and a few screws.
That’s all! We can’t wait to pretty-up our windows with cornices in a few coordinating fabrics. If you haven’t already heard about fabricworm, head over now. They’re the ultimate source for quirky, cheerful prints!
Get Inspired
Find more DIY tips, recipes and gardening advice from Wendy on her blog, The Local Cook. If you’re itching for more DIY home decor fun, check out past episodes of our Crafty At Home Series:
Really Easy Pillow Covers from The Happier Homemaker
