July 15th, 2003

The valances were made out of 1/8"-thick Masonite hardboard. They will be cut to 18-inch wide strips for the valances, with the remaining pieces to be used for the layout's fascia panels.

This photo shows 20 of the 21 panels needed for all the valances for the layout. I spread two sheets of plastic drop sheets on the floor. The photo shows the primer coat painted onto the back of the valances. The blue masking tape is to prevent paint from coming onto the area that will be used to glue these sheets up to the overhead lighting cabinets. Over the next few days we will put a coat of primer on the front of these panels, and then we will paint the back side white and the front side dark green.

July 18th, 2003

After covering the back of the valances with primer and then a bright white latex paint, I covered the front with the same dark green paint I used for one of the walls in the layout room.

July 25th, 2003

The valances are installed. After that I filled any gaps between the panels with joint compound, and sanded the surfaces smooth. I taped off the ceiling to get ready to paint the joint compound with the same dark green paint used on the panels.

July 27th, 2003

The valances are finished. I am quite happy with how they turned out. It will really highlight the layout area later on.

The whole layout room will be trimmed with oak, so the corners between the valance panels and the ceiling will be covered with quarter-round molding, stained with Miniwax' Red Oak.

Although a bit dark, this photo shows the Oak trim installed at the intersections of the ceiling and the valances.

This close-up photo shows the trim around the valances much better. This is up against the dark green wall (the left side of the photo above). I put trim around the edge where the valance meets the wall as well. It gives the room a very professional appearance.

Here's a view of the main model railroad room with its valances and trim installed.