What can I do with built in window valances?

Welcome

Buy the Books

*NEW*FREE* Interactive Design Tool

How to Design

Choose a Look

Room by Room

Fixtures and How-to

More Design Info

Designing Your Garden

Chill 'n' Chat

Resources

My Site & Me

Business Stuff

[?] Subscribe To This Site

What can I do with built in window valances?

by Julie
(Delta)

I have an older 1970's home that has built in valances that run the entire length of the room over every window.

The construction is such that removing is too difficulty and costly.

I wanted to shorten the length of the valance overhang but this too is more work.

My husband wants to square them off so they are box style. I haven't been able to even find a picture of these valances on google but I know a lot of people have them. I'm not sure that would look o.k.

We plan to install wood shutters so curtains aren't a concern.

Comments for
What can I do with built in window valances?

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 01, 2010
Rating

Modernising Valances
by: Charlotte

Hi Julie

Are they valances of wood? or some-such material?

Without seeing photos it is hard to comment...

...I'm thinking though that perhaps, if you can't remove them, covering them with new wood, MDF, etc in a modern design of your choice might be a do-able option.

This could be simple and squared, or with a curved pattern, or stick on traditional-style moldings, depending on your home decor style.

You could paint or stain to match walls, window frames or shutters, depending on the look you wanted to go for...

...painting to match walls would tend to make them blend in with the walls, whereas stain/paint to match shutters will bring more attention to them.

If you wanted to make a feature of them, you could cover them with some matching/complementing fabric to your color scheme.

If you'd like to post a photo, just leave me a comment here, including your email address in the comment (it won't be published online), and I can send you instructions of where to send your photo(s) so that I can add it/them to this thread.

Hope some of these ideas help you with your decisions.

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

Dec 01, 2010
Rating

Built in Valances
by: Pauline Finch-Lea

How I would love some of those wooden valances Julie, lol.

You can't find them anywhere to purchase, except to have them custom made at price most of us cannot afford.

As you have them - wanted or not - it seems a good idea to make a 'wow' feature of them by painting them, and maybe using wall-stickups which are like stencil art.

Will post a couple of photos to Charlotte which I saved when I 'Googled' 'Wooden window valances'.

Most of the valances were fabric ones, but they did show a few painted ones which might give you some ideas.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

HUGSsss

Dec 01, 2010
Rating

Thanks!
by: Charlotte

Thanks Pauline for the great ideas!

Look forward to seeing the photos, and I'll get them on here soon.

Charlotte x

Mar 11, 2011
Rating

Removing built in valances
by: Anonymous

I have actually removed two of these valances in my 1972 home. Getting hubby to demolish them was fairly easy (and funny to watch).

The part I didn't like was putting a vapour barrier up (on attic side) and making sure it was sealed. After that was drywall and mudding and sanding.

The house also came with popcorn ceiling so I removed 6 inches all around the room (if I had more time I would have done the whole thing)

Now you can't tell where the valance was. Picky job.

The rest of the valances in my home are painted same as the walls so they don't stand out so much.

Good luck!

Mar 13, 2011
Rating

Good job!
by: Charlotte

Well done - sounds like a good job! :o)

Thanks for sharing your experiences - very helpful!

Charlotte

Mar 31, 2011
Rating

I'm doing a valence re-design now
by: Bryan

I've decided to re-design my built-in valence. I've taken 4ft. on each side of the window and boxed it in and added 3 reset pot led lights pointed to the wall with a dimmer, nice soft accent on the pictures.

I shortened the remaining height of the box in front of the window by 3" therefore creating a different eye line for the entire valence.

Removing the entire valence IS a big job and requires ceiling work or replacement, I have a pop corn ceiling with a flat border all around and this seemed like the best option and a very nice result.

Hope this helps...

Bryan

Mar 31, 2011
Rating

Creative! Thinking outside the box!
by: Charlotte

Thanks Bryan - that sounds like a very creative solution - and I think it will give a much more contemporary look - and actually make an attractive feature out of your window valances.

Good thinking!

Hope the project goes well - if you'd like to post pictures when you've finished we'd love to see them - you can upload them here... and if you mention they are to go with this, I'll add a link to this thread.

Thanks for sharing your innovative solution, Bryan :)

Charlotte

Return to the main Window Treatments Page for more help and advice

Return to the Home Page

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Curtains and Blinds - Q&A

Use the information on this site entirely at your own risk. No responsibility is accepted for any reliance on information contained in this site. Click here for the disclaimer. Your use of this site indicates acceptance of its terms.
© Copyright 2007-2012 Charlotte Brown t/a Charlotte Sneddon
www.interior-design-it-yourself.com All rights reserved

SBI!

Search My Site:

Custom Search

“This practical guide is a must for any DIY decorator!”

Interior Design It Yourself - Volume 1 - Back to Basics - out now

"If you have no idea how to decorate your house or apartment or you're just not sure what you should put in which room...

"...Charlotte shows you, in an easy-to-understand way, how to tackle any project."

says David - New Hampshire, USA

-----------

"Love, love, love your site! I bought your ebooks and find them helpful and inspiring."

says Linda - United States

CLICK HERE to order the
Interior Design It Yourself Book

Charlotte - author of the Interior Design It Yourself website and books

AROUND 1 MILLION READERS LAST YEAR (2011)

Read what you say about us:

'I just love your web page it is fantastic for people who don't really have the design skills...'

Elizabeth - Scotland - UK

'You are the first entry on my favorite places. Beautiful work, well (very well) written.'

Shirley - Laurinburg NC - USA

'U can't believe how happy I'm to find such a helpful website! it's over than great, really!!'

Lama - Sydney

'I really appreciate this amazing website & ur helpful tips... you really give us so much attention & I loved your advice...'

Mostafa - Cairo - Egypt

Thank you so much to all my lovely and loyal readers!

OUT NOW - THE INTERIOR DESIGN IT YOURSELF BOOKS

The books teach you how to use professional interior design techniques in your own home...

...to get a home you love, that's also the envy of family and friends!

THE INTERIOR DESIGN IT YOURSELF BOOK LIBRARY

Paperback and E-book versions available

Click here for more info
Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. I: Back to Basics
Available as:
Paperback Book
E-book Version - Save 47%
Bonus Edition E-book - Save 30%
Click here for more info about Vol I
Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. II: Room by Room
LAUNCH DATE: 1st Feb 2012
Available as:
Paperback Book
E-book Version - Save 65%
Click here for more info about Vol. II
Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. III: Styles by Design
NOT YET AVAILABLE - COMING SOON
Click here for more info about Vol. III
Interior Design It Yourself
Perfect Personality Palettes
Available as:
E-book Version - Save 44%
Click here for more info about 'Perfect Personality Palettes'
Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. I Bonus Edition
Available as:
E-book Version - Save 30%
Click here for more info about the Bonus Edition
The Books - Out Now!

Click here for more about the books

You might also like:

How to Design

Color Workshop

Room Layout

Stuck for Ideas?
Ask a Question

Recommended Books

Sign up for my e-zine below to stay updated:

Enter your E-mail Address

Enter your First Name (optional)

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Interior Design It Yourself E-zine.

GET THE BOOKS
Paperback and E-book versions available

Click here for more info

Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. I: Back to Basics
Available as:
Paperback Book
E-book Version - Save 47%
Bonus Edition E-book - Save 30%
Click here for more info about Vol I
Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. II: Room by Room
LAUNCH DATE: 1st Feb 2012
Available as:
Paperback Book
E-book Version - Save 65%
Click here for more info about Vol. II
Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. III: Styles by Design
NOT YET AVAILABLE - COMING SOON
Click here for more info about Vol. III
Interior Design It Yourself
Perfect Personality Palettes
Available as:
E-book Version - Save 44%
Click here for more info about 'Perfect Personality Palettes'
Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. I Bonus Edition
Available as:
E-book Version - Save 30%
Click here for more info about the Bonus Edition

The Books - Out Now!

Click here for more about the books

What can I do with built in window valances?

Comments for What can I do with built in window valances?

Comments for
What can I do with built in window valances?