DIY Network

Vintage-Linen Valance From "Ask DIY" episode ADI-308

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Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H Figure I

Q: I just inherited some of my grandmother's old floral kitchen linens. They're too pretty to use. How can I use them in my decorating scheme?

A: (from Nancy Golden, Ask DIY Decorating expert) I'm so jealous! Vintage linens are one of my favorite things. Besides exquisite details like hand-sewn embroidery, most older linens retain their color values far better than their newer counterparts. (This is largely due to vat-dyeing, a common coloring process used for fabrics in years past.)

Incorporating these lovely heirlooms into your decorating scheme is a great way to show off their best characteristics. Here, we'll fashion a charming window valance (figure A) that works with a variety of design styles -- and best of all, it's so easy to create!

Materials:

Select vintage linens (tablecloths, napkins, etc.)
Swag holders (finials, hooks, medallions, etc.) of the desired style and color (miniature wooden birdhouses are featured here)
L-brackets (for mounting birdhouses)
Clear crackle medium
Acrylic craft paint in the desired color(s)
Cord
Miniature clothespins

1. Your first step, naturally, is to decide which of your linens you'll use for which windows. Look through your collection and carefully select pieces to complement the decor of your rooms. For example, the Mexican motif shown here (figure B) would be perfect in a colorful kitchen.

2. Once you've decided what goes where, it's time to move on to hardware. For a rustic look, you may want to choose something similar to the wood finials shown in figure C. (These are actually fencepost finials, which are sold in most home-improvement centers.) To achieve the coloration of the pair on the right, the finials were first spray-painted black, then lightly sprayed with a coat of barn red to give them an aged, farm-inspired look.

   If you prefer a country French look, iron fleur de lis swag holders like those shown in figure D would be ideal.

   And for those seeking a delicate, romantic style, white-painted iron medallions (figure E) are a great choice.

3. For this project, miniature wooden birdhouses will serve as the swag holders; these are sold in most craft centers along with a variety of other wooden craft objects. To give the birdhouses a slightly aged look, apply a coat of clear crackle finish and allow it to dry (consult package directions for recommended drying time).

4. Then apply a coat of paint over the crackle finish (figure F). Once the paint has dried, you'll be able to see the crackled texture showing through the paint.

5. Now you're ready to mount the birdhouses to your wall. To allow enough space for the fabric to lie over the brackets behind the birdhouses, attach each bracket so that the corner extends out about a half-inch or so behind the back of the birdhouse base (figure G). Then just screw the brackets to the underside of each birdhouse and secure in place on your wall.

   (Tip: Be sure to carefully measure and mark the points on your wall or window frame before drilling any holes!)

6. After mounting the birdhouses (or other swag holders), draw the fabric across the width of the window, pulling the ends out over the hardware so they hang down slightly. If necessary, use a small piece of cord or wire to secure the fabric to the brackets.

   Note: Since a square tablecloth was used for the valance here, it was folded on the diagonal to create a center point and show off the fabric's corner detail. Experiment with your fabric to determine how it works best on your window before securing it in place.

7. And here's an easy option for the lower portion of the window (this is especially attractive on standard double-hung windows):

• Fold vintage hand towels in half over a length of cord cut to the width of the window (figure H). Space them along the length of cord so the outer edges almost reach the ends of the cord.

  Tip: If you have only one or two towels and need more coverage, purchase yardage of coordinating fabric and cut it to size to fill in the extra space, as shown here.

• Use miniature wooden clothespins (figure I) to secure the pieces in place, then attach the ends of the cord to decorative hooks mounted halfway up the window frame. This addition provides privacy on the lower half of the window and makes a perfect complement to the valance above.

RESOURCES :
A Portfolio of Window & Window Treatment Ideas
Model: 0865739560
Creative Publishing International, 1995

Do-It-Yourself Fabric Decor: Pillows, Window Treatments, and Slipcovers for Your Home
Model: 0865733457
Author: Editors of Creative Publishing International
(August, 2000)

To order this title from Amazon, click here.

Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com

Decorating Table Linens: Sixty Tablecloths, Place Mats, and Napkins
Model: 0806985984
Author: Chris Rankin