Jeff!
When I wrote about the lovely scallop-edge picture frames that Eva Zeisel designed when she was 104, Jeff piped up to let us know that he has found a source for ready made scalloped pine trim. Use this trim — like he did — to make a cornice aka valance to cover the traverse rods or other workings of your window treatments. Holey moley, look at how Jeff has begun using these designs to recreate classic midcentury cornices for his home — and look at his breezeway family room — gorgeous!
Continue for Jeff’s big discovery — the ready-made source for five scallop wood molding designs straight from the 1950s. And, I found a sixth, from another wood place.
Pam, speaking of those scalloped 50s cornice boards, I originally had them throughtout the house, and with the help of pictures, have been able to start replicating them- best of all, I found a source for 8 foot strips of scalloped trim, done in both the traditional scallop, and the one punctuated by darts- different widths as well, and CHEAP!
I chased him down and he said:
Here’s the link: Randall Manufacturing – Look under “scallop strips” to see the lineup.
Different widths as well. I think they were anywhere betweent 8 and 16 bucks an eight foot strip, and available individually at our local hardware store- it’s not widely distributed, since in the metro Detroit region with a thousand hardware stores to choose from, only Durst Lumber has it in stock locally. Needless to say, between me and some other retro weekend warriors, they’re constantly cleaned out! I’ve attached some photos of my first install in the house – the breezeway linking the living/dining area to the garage. I did a double strip on these creating a “hi-lo” effect. The rest of the house will be getting them soon, as all the windows originally had them- some are nine feet long!. You can use the photos if you like.
Thanks, and enjoy- Jeff
Thank you, Jeff. Note, I went online hunting and also found this one — A slightly more detailed 1-3/16″ high design from Blumer and Stanton — if you want more layering somewhere!
The room you have created is amazing. I want to sidle right up and have you mix me a mai tai. Of course, I also wanted to know more about those fabulous draperies. Jeff said:
Those are an amazing vintage Tiki barkcloth I bought years ago from a sale, held onto them about 10 years before being able to use them here- still vibrant and strong,though the linings are a little “off white” as you can imagine.
I have two 9 foot runs on both sides of the breezeway. The imagery includes treehouses, tribal masks, “Zulus” caricatures of palm trees, huts, Mayan temple figures. I’ve never seen it before or since, and there is no selvedge to determine who made the fabric, but suffice to say, it’s pretty fabulous, isn’t it? LOL. I’ve attached a few photos of the fabric, flattened out- just one left over panel, sans lining.Cheers, Jeff
Estate sales, peoples: Look to the windows. Often estate sale organizers don’t even think about the window treatments. Be super nice and maybe you can buy them right off the windows. This has been a successful strategy for me several times. If you are able to get a lot of panels, these are not difficult to piece together into custom widths; you need only basic sewing skills.
I have a scalloped wood cornice over my sink window and I absolutely love it.
We’re not sure if it was there in the 30s — probably added later — but I love, love, love it!
There’s something about the decorative cut out and the time it took for someone to make it….. it just adds happiness and whimsy!
Just bought a condo in FL & have been searching for scallop wood for around opening from kitchen counter to living room. Thought it was just me who liked the look. Anyway, thanks, Randall is not far from where I live.
I love this room! Some interpretations of mid-century design are a little too cool & detached for my taste, but this room is wonderful. It almost crosses over into kitsch, but not quite. Warm & inviting & whimsical. Great job!
I thought the exact same thing. Warm and just right!
Thanks Pam, for such a terrific posting!
As things progress I’ll be sure to send more shots of this work in progress.
Just a note- the carpet was installed in lieu of a hard surface floor- it’s a vintage find as well- a deep teal/chalkboard green commercial loop pile in “Orlon” dating to about 1960, found in a local carpet store sell-off, on the original cardboard tube- just enough to finish this 150 sq. foot room. It will no doubt outlast me, and then some!
Aughh!! I just paid a carpenter to custom make this scalloping for our remodel to match other scalloping in and outside our house!! Be sure I will NOT be paying him to do the window valances.
Thanks – your website has been an invaluable source for my 1940′s beach shack restoration.
Beautiful breezeway!! I love breezeways, and although my old farmhouse does not have one, I have an enclosed front porch that I’m planning to mid-mod with some knotty pine. Yes, Pam, when you go to the estate sale, look to the windows! A couple of months ago I went to a sale and when I asked about buying the pinch pleat curatins and hardware, the sellers looked startled then said ok. I paid $60 for about four big windows full of curtains and rods, etc. Plenty for my living room and perhaps my porch.
Yay on you! I adore breezeways, too, and your plan sounds so wonderful. Yes: Look to the windows at estate sales — but, shhhh, don’t tell anyone our secret!
I saw pictures of a kitchen (in a 50′s house for sale in my area) that has wooden soffits made of scalloped trim over all the cabinets.
Yes! I have seen this look as well — usually layered like Jeff’s. Super cozy look!
Hi
Breezeway looks beautiful and what a great find in the cornices. My home had scalloped valences over kitchen sink and over picture window in living room. You can bet I kept those beauties intact!! Thanks for sharing.
John
What timing – Pam knows me and my pinch pleat rants.
I have a breezeway too and I definately want the veritical blinds out and the drapes in. This breezeway is so great – mine isn’t quite as large, but I hope it ends up looking half as nice!
First comes the drapes in the living and dining. I made one last ditch effort this weekend to save the curtains and normal rods by using rings(borrowed some from Mom) to pinch them in back and to hopefully open easily(on the rings) but it doesn’t work or look good even with the rings hidden in back. So, I’m going to have to remove/patch and replace….traverse my way into a better mood!
My main issue is having a rod height I liked that is between standard length curtains, so I guess if I’m going to buy store bought and get them to the floor I’ll be buying longer and hemming. Custom wouldn’t matter obviously, but I can’t imagine everyone does custom for everything, but I just can’t stand the rod right on top of the trim.
SCREAM! That is beautiful! Love the drapes, the coffee table, the chairs, the driftwood lamp, and to think it is in the same area! I’m only ten minutes from Durst. That is the very best breezeway conversion I’ve ever seen.
I too, have the scallop trim over my kitchen window in my Florida time capsule, and I love it. It doesn’t feel right for this 1964 colonial but I’m thinking, I’m thinking!
Thanks Elaine! Durst is one of the last places to find older and interesting finds for that retro renovation. Eventhough theyr’e partnered with ACE now, they still have old stuff hanging around and new things other stores don’t. Believe me, I won’t stop until I find the right item I’m looking for- which is why there are still so many unfinished projects around here!
I saw a cute knotty pine cabin that used the scolloped design as a molding between the paneling and the ceiling. Charming.
Last weekend at a local auction, I got 5 of those big black trash bags FULL of custom pinch pleat draperies and sheers. They were antique satin in gold, lined with a polished cotton. The sheers are a nice voile with the little chain in the bottom of the hem. I got all 5 bags for $5.00!! Not a mark on them, the hooks were even still in the pleats! Then on the end of the rack, were all of the traverse rods! The decorative kind with the reeded rod and the big acorn finials, and the white traverse sheer rods to go with. I got ALL of the rods for $1.00. These drapes must have cost a small fortune when they were originally made, my guess, considering the color, is the late 60′s early 70′s. I just got back from dropping them off at the drapery place to have them modified to fit my windows. Now, I’m having the Irma Bombeck syndrome where she got the one new throw pillow and had to re-do the entire living room! I just had to share my news with people who would care and understand my enthusiasm!
Holy Moly! You got a deal and half! That is amazing!
Awesome! Whoever had those before would be so happy that you will love them too!
This is gorgeous! I’d like more info on the light fixture in the breezeway if you have it? Almost looks like sunflowers? Thanks!
The chandelier is enameled copper flowers in yellow and white with green leaves and is signed “Garland Originals” which was a firm in Coral Gables Florida in the 60′s and 70′s. Have had it for years- rare piece and not too many are out there- have seen hanging chandeliers by the same firm designed as a pot of exploding flowers in enamel, but REALLY expensive in stores in Palm Beach. This one, not so much- a junk store find years ago, designed to fit my budget!
Thanks for the info, Jeff!!
What a great find, Jeff, thank you for sharing! Your house is just so *swoonable*!!!! Can we see more please?
Now….off to figure out where these scalloped trims can go in my house
Really beautiful! I love his wood ceiling too.
Fourteen years ago, I was so determined to have a scalloped wooden valance across the top of a bookcase that I asked the contractor to cut one using a pattern I made from a picture in a vintage paint store ad. I am delighted to know there is now a source for these lovely things. Thank you!
#1) I want, want, want that blue & wood chair pictured! #2) I’d love to hire him for a wooden valance over the kitchen sink ( & little shelves on one side of the cabinets).
Thanks so much for the link
Hi Nina, I really wanted a “little piece of colonial America” for this room, and found it at a local sale- it’s a signed Heywood Wakefield in it’s original tealish fabric, and mint. Best of all, only 50 bucks. I do get lucky sometimes! Oh, and the deer pillow on it is vintage Nettle Creek.
I’m so glad they still make this. I love this stuff.
That room is gorgeous!!! Love the knotty pine ceiling. Now I want to do that in my hallway!
I have a scalloped cornice above my kitchen sink that someone obviously made and patched in. Looking at these pictures, I can see what it SHOULD look like. Thank you!
The nice little scallop trim over my china cabinet in this photo goes all the way around the kitchen. One of the main reasons I bought the house! Along with the cove ceiling in the living room.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! I have been SEARCHING and SCOURING every inch of the internet for over a year trying to find a scallop moulding for my girls’ bedroom with no luck whatsoever. In 2 minutes you just helped me find so many options! I am such a happy girl now. Thanks so much!
That’s what we’re here for!!!
How do you get new pine to look like old knotty pine, that deep rich color?
see this story, Debby: http://retrorenovation.com/2012/05/22/amber-shellac-the-classic-finish-for-knotty-pine/