If you would like your home to have the look and feel of a million dollar
mansion without spending the million dollars - Danny Lipford has some helpful
hints on how to create a rich, quality appearance, without going broke. Crown
molding, chair rails and wainscoting are just a few of the many elegant extras
that can transform even the most modest home into a design dream.
Crown Molding
Designed to soften and decorate an otherwise stark, empty corner where the
wall meets the ceiling, crown molding can actually create a visually stunning
focal point using a wide variety of styles and materials.
Wood
Wood molding is available in a variety of wood species such as pine, spruce,
poplar and oak as well as medium density fiberboard, and it comes in various
styles from plain to decorative. When installing wood molding you may opt
for a simple, single piece of crown molding or create a custom design by
combining lengths of various styles of molding.
Installing wood molding is fairly straightforward as long as you take accurate
measurements, plan carefully and are fairly comfortable using a miter and coping
saw. Coping and mitering refer to the two types of cuts necessary to effectively
join strips of molding together at the corners.
Select a style of molding based on the overall architectural style of your
home as well as the decor in your room. Also, take care of all painting or
staining prior to installation, as this is much easier and will provide better
results.
Urethane
As with many other home-related products, synthetic materials such as urethane
now provide additional decorative choices in molding and due to the fact
that it's lightweight, make the job of installation much easier. Urethane
crown molding resists splitting, cracking and peeling due to age and changes
in temperature and humidity. In addition, various manufacturers now make
available ready-made corner pieces that virtually eliminate the need for
much of the cutting that wood requires.
Chair Rail
Traditionally installed to protect walls from chairs as they were moved away
from the table, chair rails also provide both a decorative finish and a means
to separate two different colors or finishes on a wall. Generally installed
at around 36 inches high, chair rail is very simple to install and can easily
be handled by most homeowners. The material used is a strip of molding available
at any home center. Simply match the style with that of either your crown
molding or the overall style of your room.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting refers to the application of wood panels around the lower portion
of a wall providing both protection to the wall as well as a rich finishing
touch. There are many styles of wainscoting ranging from traditional to modern,
and your selection would be based of course on individual preference as well
as the overall style of your home.
In the past, wainscoting required custom millwork and a sizeable investment
and was quite a luxury item. However, a wainscoting kit that is now available
makes the project an affordable option for many homeowners, costing a fraction
of traditional wainscoting with an installation process that is as simple as
putting together a child's puzzle. The kit of parts includes pre-machined stiles,
rails and panels that fit together by a tongue-and-groove joining system.
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