Cornice Boards Strike a Strong Top Note
Structured and sturdy yet just as elegant as valances, cornice boards slip neatly into classic, eclectic and modern spaces
Shane Inman
August 13, 2012
Houzz contributor and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. Under Shane's leadership, The Inman Company is committed to raising the standard of business to incorporate the highest-quality customer service with unwavering excellence in design.
Houzz contributor and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. Under... More
Cornice boards are slightly similar to the traditional fabric window valance, but they're constructed of wood. These architectural elements can simply be painted for cost effectiveness, padded with foam and covered with fabric, or heavily sculpted and adorned with embellishments for a luxurious look.
Take a look at these 11 stunning cornices and useful styling tips to inspire your next window treatments.
Take a look at these 11 stunning cornices and useful styling tips to inspire your next window treatments.
1. Painted wood. This wood cornice board has an applied molding on the top and bottom for added detail. The entire cornice board then was primed and painted.
Styling tip: Try to match your cornice board with your headboard for a cohesive look. Here, a bright paint color does the trick.
Styling tip: Try to match your cornice board with your headboard for a cohesive look. Here, a bright paint color does the trick.
2. Scalloped. Complete a little girl's room with this feminine-infused cornice board with bottom scalloping. The fringe across the scalloped edge adds delicate texture.
Styling tip: Mix up fabric patterns in the room for a look that feels playful but not too "matchy."
Styling tip: Mix up fabric patterns in the room for a look that feels playful but not too "matchy."
3. Sculpted. Soften up any master bathroom with a highly sculpted cornice board that has curves and cutouts. Here, two coordinating fabrics were used in conjunction with piping (fabric-covered cording) for a precise, tailored look.
Styling tip: Coordinate the colors of your cornice board with scatter rugs, towels and bathmats for a put-together bathroom.
Styling tip: Coordinate the colors of your cornice board with scatter rugs, towels and bathmats for a put-together bathroom.
4. Tufted. Nothing says elegant like a fully tufted cornice board with buttons. Install it on top of flowing sheers (lightweight and transparent curtains) for an ethereal feeling.
Styling tip: Be careful — the more buttons you add to this style of cornice board, the heaver the tufting becomes.
Styling tip: Be careful — the more buttons you add to this style of cornice board, the heaver the tufting becomes.
5. High style. Up the ante of your great room's aesthetic by adding a meticulously stylized cornice board. This cornice board includes two contrasting fabrics, glass fringe, a wooden top molding and perfectly symmetrical tassels.
Styling tip: Use the same fabric from one of your upholstered furniture pieces on the cornice board for visual uniformity.
Styling tip: Use the same fabric from one of your upholstered furniture pieces on the cornice board for visual uniformity.
6. Oversize. Create spectacular drama with an oversize painted cornice board with exaggerated edges. In this photo, the built-in window seat instantly becomes a cozy reading nook sheltered by the cornice.
Styling tip: Paint a design on the front of your cornice for a whimsical and personal touch.
Styling tip: Paint a design on the front of your cornice for a whimsical and personal touch.
7. Asian-inspired. This very tailored, sleek cornice board is sophisticated and simple. An Asian garment closure provides uniformity within the room's design.
Styling tip: Try to use matching design elements in threes. Here, the color of the cornice board fabric matches the duvet cover and the desk chair cushion.
Styling tip: Try to use matching design elements in threes. Here, the color of the cornice board fabric matches the duvet cover and the desk chair cushion.
8. Nailhead design. Traditionally used to tack furniture upholstery into place, nailheads can be used as design elements as well. They line up in perfect unison on this cornice to create an understated but classic pattern.
Styling tip: Use nailheads on furniture in the same room to create a reoccurring motif within the space.
Styling tip: Use nailheads on furniture in the same room to create a reoccurring motif within the space.
9. Architectural effect. Create an architectural illusion by installing individual cornice boards between your windows rather than over them. In this picture, coordinating stationary fabric panels were added as faux columns.
Styling tip: Try using a large-pattern fabric for your cornice board instead of creating sculpted edges.
Styling tip: Try using a large-pattern fabric for your cornice board instead of creating sculpted edges.
10. Theatrical. Add a visual performance to any media room or in-home theater with a dramatic cornice positioned over your viewing screen.
Styling tip: Create your own center stage by layering more fabric behind the cornice board, just like a real Broadway production.
Styling tip: Create your own center stage by layering more fabric behind the cornice board, just like a real Broadway production.
11. Banded. Complete an entire window treatment with both a cornice board and matching draperies. These cornice boards and draperies have a contrasting band of fabric in red for eye-popping appeal.
Styling tip: When adding fabric banding to your cornice board or draperies, use your room's main accent color to tie the entire space together.
Styling tip: When adding fabric banding to your cornice board or draperies, use your room's main accent color to tie the entire space together.
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Happy New Year!
Hello, I'm building a Tuscan style home. I want to have cornices, and maybe the panels on the side of the windows. Are there any templates or guides to teach you how to place them such as how long, where to place them according to the size of you wall, window etc. Thank you.
Ravin