Window valances for 4 windows in boys' room.....finally

It has been a little while since my last post, and I have a very good -- and very cute --- reason! Our family has grown by one precious little boy. We have been blessed with another son. So, I have had other things on my mind than blog posts. But I'm feeling good - he is a good little sleeper and I have help so today is a good time to lie on the couch and do this post!

So, about today's post...... I did get several projects done before our littlest blessing arrived, and I will blog about those over the next few weeks, while I get my mojo and energy back for more projects. They are all in my mind, but not in the planning stages other than in my swirling brain! Today's post is about one of those projects that I completed about a month ago.

When we moved in our current house I simply got blackout roller shades for the boys room windows. I used them in our last house and they are just so much better for keeping out the sun (and heat) than blinds. But they are ugly. Unfortunately they are nothing special to look at. Their windows are very big, very tall and face east. They get a lot of sun and heat in the morning hours. The windows are stacked at top, with the middle window being taller than the two flanking it, so I could not put a big valance across all three. Here is an exterior picture of the windows to give you an idea. (Our home was still under construction in this photo).

I liked the valance in the room at our last house, but I only had one of them and this house has 4 windows in their room!

I decided to copy the valance from our old house and hang it with tension rods in each window (inside mount). I bought more fabric similar to the original, and bought more star material, although I could not find the exact one. I bought blackout material for the back of each valance.

I reused the original valance for the window that is separate and above a desk. It is so similar in color that you can't tell it's not exactly the same as the others. I did keep the pom pom fringe on it but have not found enough of it to put on my 3 new valances. When I find it I will add it to them.

The amount of light coming in the windows make it difficult for this non-photographer to take decent pictures....sorry....

It is sad that I feel good about getting the boys room done just a little bit more.... I mean we have only been in the house since February. Geez...... ***total sarcasm, in case you can't tell..... The good news is I don't think they care!

I feel like I have been creeping with projects. But sometimes that happens and life and family need you more than making your house pretty needs you!

Thank you for reading today.

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Gallery shelf for Kitchen

Many of you have probably seen the gallery shelves in stores like Pottery Barn, and seen lots of bloggers DIYing them too. I have seen multiple tutorials on them, but the first I actually read was Ana White's tutorial when I bought her book last year. I thought to myself, that is something that is so easy and has a big impact...... I have to build one.

Well, it has been a while, but I did build a 6 foot long one. It was very easy, but took me a little longer than it should have because I had to cut my own boards. Being the frugal thrifty gal that I am, I did not go buy pre-cut 1 X 3's or 1 X 2's. That is because I had a 16 foot 1 X 12 board in the garage that I wanted to use. It would have been much easier if I had a table saw. Maybe I should ask Santa for that this year!!! So I had to measure and use clamps to set up a ledger to run my circular saw along so that I had a straight cut.

So after all the setup, I actually cut my board as 2 3/4" strip for the back and bottom. Then I had to cut a 1 X 2 so I cut that at 1 1/2" wide, (for the front) as I did not want the front lip to be too large if I had cut it at a true 2".

Here is a finished picture. I decided to paint the wall a color (below there is a before that only has the flat builder's paint....yuck...). It is the same as the bathroom where I showed you how to plank a wall, and the back of the Billy Built in unit. The other walls will be a neutral color that is yet to be determined.....

And a reminder of where we started....

I used wood glue and my nail gun to put it all together. After sanding, I painted it. Then I installed it finding the studs in the wall and using 3" screws through the back and into the studs. This baby is not going anywhere!

Here are the dimensions and a close up of how they go together.

Here are some more pictures from different angles. You can see it is NOT perfect. I could have sanded the ends a little more. But I did not. I could always do it now..... And anything that I place on the shelf will cover the screws and any other little imperfections!

I just put the chalkboard menu and cork board back up. I added the dry erase board, which is not finished yet. I need to frame it out. Or I may do something different using clipboards....not sure yet....

This is where you come in. I need help with this space. I don't know what to do above it. It does not feel finished.....

Should I:
1. Add another shelf - same size - above it. Maybe put plates on it, or wooden platters etc?
2. Put some sort of salvages molding, that is purely decorative?
3. Make some sort of sign, or two or three, to hang above in a row?
4. Any other ideas?

Please send me and email, or comment below, what you think I should do. I am at a total loss. Could be pregnancy brain, but I need some help!!!!

I can NOT draw on photos - but this line depicts another shelf above the current one, just to get a visual. I think I like it. Maybe...

Here is another before and after just because....

Thanks for stopping today and have a great day! And don't forget, I need some ideas!!!!



Linking up with: The Pin Junkie, Miss Mustard Seed, Redoux Interiors, Serenity Now, The Charm of Home, Craft Dictator, DIY Vintage Chic, Thrifty Decor Chick