Moving Beyond Crown Molding

Decorative crown molding adds a definite sense of style to any room, but you don’t have to stop at the ceiling if you want to add architectural detail to a room.  There are many ways to use crown molding or decorative casing to add even more detail to your home.  If you’ve installed your crown molding and are now thinking, “Gee, now the windows and door look plain,” you aren’t alone.  You can use decorative casings in any number of areas to complete the stylish transformation of a room.

·        Install decorative crown molding around the top of simple kitchen cabinets and stain or paint them to match the cabinet faces.  Your cabinets will look like high-end, custom made cabinets for a fraction of the cost.

·        Trim out bookcases with decorative moulding and casing.  Crown molding across the top and a decorative baseboard.  If your bookcases are large, you can even use crown molding and baseboards to give the illusion of built-in furniture.  Again, you’ve transformed a standard bit of boring furniture into a showpiece.

·        If you have a kitchen island or breakfast bar, consider a deep strip of crown molding beneath the counter where it meets the side of the cabinet.  If you’ve added crown molding on the top of your cabinets you can match the pieces, or you can go with something that contrasts nicely but complements the other elements.

·        Crown molding can look beautiful under the edge of a fireplace mantel.  Choose a width that is strong enough to solidly accent the mantel itself without overpowering it.  Generally speaking, a decorative molding here should be about ¼ to ½ the depth of the mantel itself.
You can also frame the fireplace with crown molding along both sides from floor to ceiling, setting it off from the wall with architectural interest that helps one element flow into the other. This is especially nice on a fireplace that protrudes into the room, smoothing the harsh corner between fireplace and wall.

·        Windows and doors can be framed with decorative casings that coordinate with your crown molding.  Be careful to keep the styles the same so that there is a continuity in the room.  You don’t want lavish, baroque crown moulding with art deco trim around the windows; it will give the room a split personality that can be jarring.  Keep in mind the size of the windows when shopping for ecorative casing.  You don’t have to purchase four inch casing just because  your crown molding is four inches deep.  If the windows are small     for the size of the room, consider a three inch or even a two inch casing in the same pattern as the molding.  They will coordinate perfectly but each will be in the proper scale.

·        Add additional interest at ceiling level with decorative corner blocks. These add drama on corners and are easy to install to cover up the not-quite-perfect areas where you had to miter the crown molding.

·        If you have a gorgeous light fixture, give it proper attention by adding a ceiling medallion.  These are usually circular or oval decorative millwork pieces from which a light fixture is suspended.  You can pain it the same color as your ceiling or, for added impact, in a contrasting shade that matches your crown molding.

As you can tell, crown molding may be just the beginning for your decorative trim work.  To get ideas for other ways to add trim work such as window casings to a room, leaf through decorating magazines, watch home improvement shows and browse websites.  You’ll be amazed by the variety of beautiful crown moldings and other decorative elements available to the do-it-yourselfer.

Crown Molding Copyright Profile Supply 2009

Moving Beyond Crown Molding

Decorative crown molding adds a definite sense of style to any room, but you don’t have to stop at the ceiling if you want to add architectural detail to a room.  There are many ways to use crown molding or decorative casing to add even more detail to your home.  If you’ve installed your crown molding and are now thinking, “Gee, now the windows and door look plain,” you aren’t alone.  You can use decorative casings in any number of areas to complete the stylish transformation of a room.

·        Install decorative crown molding around the top of simple kitchen cabinets and stain or paint them to match the cabinet faces.  Your cabinets will look like high-end, custom made cabinets for a fraction of the cost.

·        Trim out bookcases with decorative moulding and casing.  Crown molding across the top and a decorative baseboard.  If your bookcases are large, you can even use crown molding and baseboards to give the illusion of built-in furniture.  Again, you’ve transformed a standard bit of boring furniture into a showpiece.

·        If you have a kitchen island or breakfast bar, consider a deep strip of crown molding beneath the counter where it meets the side of the cabinet.  If you’ve added crown molding on the top of your cabinets you can match the pieces, or you can go with something that contrasts nicely but complements the other elements.

·        Crown molding can look beautiful under the edge of a fireplace mantel.  Choose a width that is strong enough to solidly accent the mantel itself without overpowering it.  Generally speaking, a decorative molding here should be about ¼ to ½ the depth of the mantel itself.
You can also frame the fireplace with crown molding along both sides from floor to ceiling, setting it off from the wall with architectural interest that helps one element flow into the other. This is especially nice on a fireplace that protrudes into the room, smoothing the harsh corner between fireplace and wall.

·        Windows and doors can be framed with decorative casings that coordinate with your crown molding.  Be careful to keep the styles the same so that there is a continuity in the room.  You don’t want lavish, baroque crown moulding with art deco trim around the windows; it will give the room a split personality that can be jarring.  Keep in mind the size of the windows when shopping for ecorative casing.  You don’t have to purchase four inch casing just because  your crown molding is four inches deep.  If the windows are small     for the size of the room, consider a three inch or even a two inch casing in the same pattern as the molding.  They will coordinate perfectly but each will be in the proper scale.

·        Add additional interest at ceiling level with decorative corner blocks. These add drama on corners and are easy to install to cover up the not-quite-perfect areas where you had to miter the crown molding.

·        If you have a gorgeous light fixture, give it proper attention by adding a ceiling medallion.  These are usually circular or oval decorative millwork pieces from which a light fixture is suspended.  You can pain it the same color as your ceiling or, for added impact, in a contrasting shade that matches your crown molding.

As you can tell, crown molding may be just the beginning for your decorative trim work.  To get ideas for other ways to add trim work such as window casings to a room, leaf through decorating magazines, watch home improvement shows and browse websites.  You’ll be amazed by the variety of beautiful crown moldings and other decorative elements available to the do-it-yourselfer.

Crown Molding Copyright Profile Supply 2009