DIY Network

Simple Polystyrene Cornice The DIY rescue team add contrast to the white window. From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-105

Cornice expert Bob Trout provides Julie Boreman with a little personalized instruction for creating polystyrene cornices. The job is easily accomplished with a styrene cornice kit--readily available at window treatment, fabric and decorative accessory stores, and available in many styles. For this room, Bob will cover the cornice with black fabric to fit the room's slightly macabre theme. Here, Bob shares a simple technique with Julie--that you can use in your room, too!

Materials:

Styrene Cornice Kit
low-temp hot glue gun
pins (optional)
fabric
scissors
measuring Tape
saw blade or serrated kitchen knife
trim (braiding, cording, fringe, etc.)

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

1. To determine kit size, measure window and add about 2" on each side; for example, a 44" kit fits a standard 40" window. Styrene cornices can be trimmed easily using a saw blade or serrated kitchen knife. If a different "design" is preferred, the boards can be cut--again using a saw blade or a serrated knife. In this case, the crew didn't want such a wide cornice--and simply trimmed away some of the styrene shape.

2. Attach the front cornice piece to the two side "returns" Most products suggest using low-temp hot glue. Some kits come with polystyrene glue, which will need to dry before continuing.

3. Measure and cut fabric--allow about 1" extra on all sides. Typically, a solid or non-directional fabric can be used across the fabric width--getting two boards out of about 1-3/4 yards of fabric. Iron material to remove wrinkles. Measure and cut fabric to cover the inside of the cornice, if desired.

4. Lay cornice board face-up and place fabric on top--centering it over the cornice. Use the cornice kit tool or a plastic putty knife to tuck the fabric in along the styrene seams (figure A). Adjust the fabric if necessary.

5. When the fabric is secure on the front, continue along the sides.

6. When the outside is done, pull the fabric around to the back of the styrene pieces and secure. You can also pin or use low-temp hot glue to secure, if necessary. Trim fabric as necessary to miter corners.

7. Add any desired trim: braiding, cording, fringe, etc. If these go along the styrene seams, they can be tucked in place, like the fabric. Or use pins or low-temp hot glue to secure.

8. Cover the inside of the cornice in the same manner if desired using fabric adhesive, spray glue or low-temp hot glue to secure.

9. Use the kit mounting brackets to install over window (figure B) then simply slide the cornice slots over the brackets to secure (figure C).

RESOURCES :

Polystyrene Wall Cornice Kits
Seabrook Wallcovering, Inc.
Website: www.seabrookwallcoverings.com