One Room Challenge – Week Two

I am loving this challenge still!  My project this week was to create wood valances for my window treatments.  So come follow along as I show you how to do it too!  Make sure you check out all the ladies in this challenge over at OneRoomChallenge.com for lots of inspiration.  You will love what these designers are coming up with!

Do It Yourself Wood Valance in 10 Steps

I was looking for a way to decorate these windows and found the most amazing idea on the Shanty2Chic blog (these sisters are my favorite).   These gals are so talented and have the best tutorials.  Their DIY Wooden Window Cornice was what I was looking for in this space.  I had to change mine up a little and wrote how I did that here, but for sure check out their blog post here to get a good idea about what this entails.

Here’s my 6 week outline:

Project One – Shiplap COST $92.00

Project Two – Window Valences COST $45.00

Project Three – Custom Shutters

Project Four – Blinds

Project Five – Decorating

I will give you a quick review of what the first three weeks have looked like:

Week One:  Empty Walls  (see the beginning of our journey here)

Week Two:  Add Shiplap (read all about it here)

Week Three:  Add Wood Valances

Ready to learn how to get it done?!  Here we go:

Supplies Needed:

• 1×6 Board (two 6-8 feet long)
• 1×4 Board (one 6-8 feet long)
• 1×3 Board (one 6-8 feet long)
• Stain or Paint
• Paint Brush and old rags
• Two Curtain Rods
• Screws (1 1/2 inch)
• Kreg Screws (1 1/2 inch)
• 3 1/2 inch wood screws (I use hex head screws)

Tools Needed:

• Circular Hand Saw
• Sander
• Level
• Cordless Drill
• Kreg Jig (read all about them here and how to use them!)

Here is my 60 second Do It Yourself Video Tutorial so you can get a quick glimpse of how it is to be done!

Step One – Measure Your Windows

Each window is different so I will not be giving you the measurements of my window.  But you will understand the measurements you will need create your valance.

1. You will need to take the measurement of the window opening and add 2 inches to each side.
2. The curtain rods are about 3 1/2 inches deep, so you will plan on 4 1/2 inches on each side of the valance.

Step Two – Buy Your Wood and Rods

Head over to Home Depot to grab your wood.  You can find curtain rods there as well, Walmart or order them on amazon.  Make sure you grab 2 and that they are the length you need.

Step Three – Cut Your Wood

Grab your circular saw and some saw horses or a table.  Make sure you lines are as straight as possible (this is my weakness!).

• You will cut one of the 1×6 pieces to the length of your window plus the 2 inches on each side.  Cut two of these.   
  • Length of Window + 2 inches = FIRST CUT (2)

• You will measure the width of your rod – add this measurement plus 1.5 inches.  You will make 4 cuts of this measurement using 1×6 pieces.
  • Width of rod + 1.5 inches = SECOND CUT (4)

• You will measure the length of your first cut MINUS 1.5 inches (you are going to add this as your top piece and it fits in between the two side brackets of wood – hence the minus 1/5 inches).
  • Length of first cut  – 1.5 inches = THIRD CUT (2)

Step Four – Pocket Holes

If you have never drilled pocket holes before you need to read up on this.  It isn’t hard, you just need a small amount of training.  Refer to my post here on using a Kreg Jig.

• You will add ZERO pocket holes to your first cut.
• You will add 2 pocket holes to each second cut.
• You will add 3 pocket holes to each third cut.

Step Five – Put Together Your Valance

Add your side braces to your first cut like this:

Then you will add your second piece.  This is the top part of your valance and the way you will attach it onto the wall.

Step Six – Sand and Stain

You will sand down your valance and then wipe off any extra sawdust.  Pick your stain and get to work.

I first stained with Varathane Briarsmoke and let dry.

I rubbed on a small layer of Beeswax for a distressed look.

Then I painted with a top coat of Behr Paint and Primer – Tan.  Once dry, I sanded lightly and this was my outcome (I LOVED IT!):

Step Seven – Mount Your Rod

You will look for the studs and mount your rod brackets there, at the end of each window.

Step Eight – Attach Your Brace

This is the 1×3 wood piece that you will attach your valance too.  Find the studs (this is very important for a secure brace) and mount right above your metal bracket for your rod.  This is where you use your hex head 3.5 screws.  The hex heads give me more grip with my drill.  You need this long to go all the way through your 1×3 brace, the sheet rock, and then into the stud.  Use a level to make sure its even, your valance will be crooked if this is not straight.

Step Nine – Attach Your Curtains

Slip your curtains onto your rod and attach it to your window.  You are almost done!

Step Ten – Mount Your Valance

You will now add your completed valance.  You will lay it over the brace and curtain rod.  Make sure it is measured even.  You will take your screws and add one on the top middle area of the valance, attaching the top piece of wood to your sturdy brace.  Then add one to each end of the valance.  See the video tutorial for how I did this.

It is all done!  Yah!  I love the look it gives this room.  I found some darling curtains at TJ Max for inexpensive.  Now I get to rest for the weekend before I start my shutters!

Happy Building!

Love,