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Scallop wood molding — 6 ready-made designs for retro cornices valances

pam kueber - Updated: May 24, 2019

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

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.

 Jeff wrote in his comment:

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.

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39 comments

Comments

  1. Amber says

    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!

  2. kcastle129 says

    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.

  3. Melanie says

    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!

  5. nina462 says

    #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

    • Jeff says

      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.

  6. Anne Fontaine says

    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!

  8. TappanTrailerTami says

    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 🙂

  9. deb says

    This is gorgeous! I’d like more info on the light fixture in the breezeway if you have it? Almost looks like sunflowers? Thanks!

    • Jeff says

      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!

  10. Lynne says

    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!