Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
Our cornice kits are pre-formed with three contours, the top and bottom are approximately 1/4 the total height of the cornice board with the center being about half. Although the contours or rolls are not super pronounced, I have been asked more than once if we make a "single" contour cornice board. We did try it, but the corners were problematic enough that we felt the success rate for the general public would be relatively low. Our goals in general with the cornice kit was to create a
n easy to assembly, fun to decorate, quick to hang, professional results cornice. The single contour seems to create more frustration than fun. However like all things what is one persons frustration is another's fun challenge. So I introduce you to Rose. A woman who wanted that "single" contour look using a big bold red and multicolored circle pattern! And so take a look at her success. A beautiful kitchen and family room area.
I asked Rose about how she came to this fabric and look, "We wanted a fun room and I always wanted a red and white kitchen so this is a fabric we both could agree on. We both just love the results and have had many compliments already. I’m lucky to be able to enjoy them every day.
She was certainly successful in creating that "single" contour look so I thought it best to let her tell you how she accomplished this... "I used a Barrow Home Decorating Fabric which I purchased on 50% off at JoAnn Fabrics. It was a heavy fabric (reversible) so tucking became a challenge in corners. I tried to clip away as much bulk as possible in those locations to make tucking easier."
"As far as smoothing the fabric, it is best to press your fabric prior to use. Then I laid it flat on a hard surface, put the cornice on top, started tucking in the center (top and bottom both) making sure to pull taunt when tucking and pulling taunt toward each end to smooth. On the circles, you needed to be aware of how the pattern was centered on the cornice and keep it straight. I accomplished this by watching the placement of the circles on the back as I was tucking. Keeping them tucked at the same point on the back kept them straight on the front."
"And most important of all, have some patience, walk away if you get too frustrated, and return to it when you are fresh."
Rose did wonderfully well on her cornices and took our multi-contour cornice form and created her own unique single contour look. She used our 12" high cornice kit throughout her home and you can see the rest of her cornices in our Gallery of Homes-kitchen, dining and family rooms.
In fact, in the kitchen / dining room section is another design that creates that single contour look. Look for the chicken pattern fabric!.
Cheers,
Jan
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
Just last week we started our we started our first Annual Half Yearly Sale! Our normal prices have been discounted 15% and if your order is over $200, you receive free shipping to any where in the Continental US. Even in this economy we have had solid sales months for the past 12 months and that is saying something indeed. Many people have decided that rather than trying to sell their homes and buy something new, redecorating is a very attractive option. Making your own window cornices can dramatically change your room. Our cornices provide color in a moderate size, so if you have that great lake or moutain view, this cornice will only enhance and not decrease that view. Use the colors from your room, pickup an accent color, use the fabric from your couch, what ever you choose it will be dymamic with just a little bit of work. Check what some of our users have created at these links:http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/design_gallery.html, the Design Gallery page
http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/living_rooms.html, the Living Rooms gallery page
http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/family_rooms.html, the Family Rooms gallery page
http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/kitchen___dining.html, the Kitchen/Dining Rooms gallery page
http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/bedrooms.html, the Bedrooms gallery page
http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/bay_windows.html, the Bay windows gallery pageI am sure there is a design there that will spark your creative juices and get you going.Dave, here in Lake Havasu City, chose to complete his "western" themed home. His family room dining area is show here.
Now that is an inspiration........ now go out, order your cornice and be creative! Cheers,Jan
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
Now that you have purchased your cornice board kits and have determined what window treatments you want, it is time to start the assembly process.
The first step is to get an accurate measurement of the width you need for your project. Measure between the widest two points (either the actual window or the rod length if your cornice board is covering vertical blinds mounted on the wall). Add 1-2 inches on either side to insure that the completed cornice will sit solidly on the wall.
After you have measured twice you are ready to go. First lay out the straight pieces and measure using the measurement you determined in the previous process. Mark the last straight piece to get the exact width you want.
Now let’s start the actual cutting process. Normally you will only need to make one cut per each cornice board you are creating. The next question is what do I use to cut the foam? The following lists the most popular tools to use:
= Hot wire cutter (makes a smooth cut and reseals the foam at the same time, not the most economical tool if you only need one cut. About $20 at JoAnns).
= Any serrated blade knife.
= Hack saw blade.
Let’s cut. Carefully cut the foam using one of the tools above. Once the cut has been made you need to reseal the foam so it glues together correctly. Take the piece with cut end and place a piece of aluminum foil over the end. Use you steam iron and gently tap the foil along the cut (can also use the iron to sooth or level out the foam if your cut was not exactly even). Once this is done pull the foil of the foam and you cut is complete.
Now you are ready to glue the pieces together to create your cornice board kit and you will be ready to decorate.
Come back for future Blogs for addition ideas and tips to create that perfect window décor you have dreamed of. You can also visit http://www.windowbonnets,com/ for further details and watch the instructional video for the entire cornice board assembly process.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
Sometimes your window treatment needs to do more. In the window featured above, the customer felt the window was rather small for the width of the wall. Any regular window treatment would make it look even smaller compared to this wide wall.However, in this case, she decided to do 4 things that greatly "enlarged" the window to the wall, thus balancing the look and creating an effective optical illusion.
Here is what she did:
1. Made the actual cornice, a full 12" wider on each side of the actual window width. Thus this 48" window opening became a 6 foot wide cornice.
2. The use of the heavier fabric on the top and bottom, a burgundy-red velvet, made the overall cornice seem larger and more substantial than the 12" height that it is.
3. The accent feature of a natural leather piece and concho focus the eye to the center increasing the illusion of a great wide window with the cornice being so wide.
4. Finally, she used the back tuck groove to gather a sheer from the outer edge of the cornice to just over the edge of the actual window. The sheer does not move, but it further disguises the actual edge of the window.
All in all this is a wonderful use of the cornice, fabric and accents to "fix" a design issue that had been a problem. The cornice, fabric, leather and sheers at approximately $165 is significantly cheaper than having a new wider window installed in the room.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
Well you never know where you are going to find that great designer. I met Dave when I came over to measure his windows for cornice kits. The living room was being painted so I had to go around to the backyard gate. Dave was relaxing in his hammack. He led me in to his guest room and the office. Definitely a southwestern, western home. Adobe stressed paint on the walls, slightly different colors but pleasing combinations on adjacent walls, very interesting. He is really into the horses, saddles and the west. His horses range from the four legged ones to a four-wheel drive jeep and the big set of horses--his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
He fooled me, he immediately started talking about his fabric, it matched the bedspread, a desert scene with sunset, moutains, desert floor, and saguaro cacti. He was not sure about the office.
But once he decided, he really out did himself. He shows it off with pride, and well he should. The office fabric is black with a herd of horses running. Did he do it the easy way... not this guy. Take a look, over the three contours of the cornice, Dave has matched the horses.
Now that is just absolute perfection! It takes more fabric to do this but as you can see the results are worth it. The 9" high corncie could not support the full image but a 12" cornice was too much for the window. He is currently working on the ones for their master bedroom and the family/dining room area. I can't wait and we he calls for me to do the pictures, I will get them up for all to see.
Go Dave!
See more pictures of his office and the guest bedroom...
Jan
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
Window Bonnets is happy to say that we are doing well. Our economical cornice kits seem to have hit a home run this year in increasing internet sales. Although everyone is looking for areas of savings there are still some projects that give great rewards (like home decorating). The Window Bonnets no sew, no wood cornice kits continue to be popular. They add great color and style to your home and the window treatment ideas are endless. All fabrics work on this cornice, and the additional accessories make for unlimited valance styles.
Give your home a pick me up, kind of like a face lift only for your windows! We are offering our Black Friday savings 17% and FREE shipping from now til the end of the year.
And on a personal note. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with family, friends, or just relaxing quietly at home.
Dave & Jan Klatt
Our cornice kits are pre-formed with three contours, the top and bottom are approximately 1/4 the total height of the cornice board with the center being about half. Although the contours or rolls are not super pronounced, I have been asked more than once if we make a "single" contour cornice board. We did try it, but the corners were problematic enough that we felt the success rate for the general public would be relatively low. Our goals in general with the cornice kit was to create a
n easy to assembly, fun to decorate, quick to hang, professional results cornice. The single contour seems to create more frustration than fun. 
"As far as smoothing the fabric, it is best to press your fabric prior to use. Then I laid it flat on a hard surface, put the cornice on top, started tucking in the center (top and bottom both) making sure to pull taunt when tucking and pulling taunt toward each end to smooth. On the circles, you needed to be aware of how the pattern was centered on the cornice and keep it straight. I accomplished this by watching the placement of the circles on the back as I was tucking. Keeping them tucked at the same point on the back kept them straight on the front."
