Adding Character: Window Molding

Our house was built in the 60s. Right about when "they" decided it was an awesome idea to use hollow fake wood interior doors, thin molding - on the baseboards only, and salmon tubs, tile, oh, and toilets. Yes, I have one upstairs to prove it. Needless to say, our windows have zippy charm. Other than a little sill (and I mean little), there's nothing going on.

See what I mean? It was never really a problem for us, since we have drapes in just about every room. Until my new family room makeover vision. Since we have a sofa and loveseat in front of all three windows in that room, long panels would no longer work. I'm a HUGE fan of the super thick window molding and bamboo shades. The look is everywhere (trust me, since I got on this window kick it's all I see when I open a magazine or watch a tv show!), and I would have no problem going panel-less...if only our windows weren't nekkid to the bones.

Lucky for me, my husband's getting pretty handy with a nail gun these days and decided to tackle this project. The super wide molding look wasn't really going to work with our wimpy sills (well, without a much more complicated project on our hands). So we decided to just do some basic molding. First we measured how much the sill came out on each side, and knew we couldn't buy molding any wider than that. A quick trip to Lowes and it was time to get started.

Paul cut the side pieces first and nailed them up.

I should go ahead and apologize for the crappy pics. It was a super rainy day and lighting was not in my favor. If only I could work a camera! lol. ANYway...the sides were up, then he measured the top, cut the piece and nailed it.

WOW. We were both amazed. In about 15 minutes, our windows already looked 100% better!

Then Paul caulked (yes, he caulks too - I got me a winner, ladies!;)...

...and I painted them semi-gloss white.

OH! Duh. Forgot, he also nailed a piece underneath, as you can see it this picture (above). He just slightly angled it, and made it the width of the sides, just slightly smaller than the sill.

Then it was time for the new shades (also purchased at Lowes).

We chose the cocoa finish. It's a little darker, but looks great with our Gallery Wall.

Ta-da!

The photos do not do them justice. They look really great in person, trust me;)
My favorite is how they look at night. The windows are so pretty, I don't know why we always covered them up with blinds and curtains before!

Didn't want to give too much away before the Reveal, but you get the idea;)

Hard to believe what 15 minutes will do! We went from zero character....

...to a charming window in no time at all!

Much thanks to my DIY partner in crime (and everything else!). Lucky lady, I am! :)