Add architectural details and increase your luxury quotient

Lanaby Lana
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In Decorating How-To

When planning a room design, it’s easy to jump straight to flashy items like artwork or furniture. But before we do, let’s consider the architectural details. These bits of trim add a sense of luxury and solidarity to any space.

TRIM – BASEBOARD, DOOR AND WINDOW, CROWN
The beginnings of any room design should take trim into consideration. We make sure to evaluate whether baseboards, window and door casings, and crown molding are substantial and appropriate to the style of the home.

Using luxuriously scaled trim on baseboards, doors, windows, and ceilings makes a world of difference.
(Photos left to right – MarthaStewart.com, Windsorone.com, NextLuxury.com, Drivenbydecor.com)

BOARD AND BATTEN
Board and batten is a fairly simple way to add detail without a high level of skill or expensive materials.

Left – Board and batten on the lower 2/3 of a wall are painted an impactful deep blue.
Right – An heirloom iron headboard is set off with board and batten and painted a crisp white.
(Photo left – Pinterest.com)

WAINSCOTTING
Originally, wainscoting was used in homes to add a layer of insulation and protection for walls. Today, they infuse color, texture, and interest into any room in the home.

Left – Traditional wainscotting combines a chair rail, picture framing, and baseboard molding.
Right – Beadboard capped by a chair rail is finished in a rustic green, adding tons of charm to this powder room.
(Photo left – BobVilla.com | Photo right – Decorsnob.com)

SHIPLAP
Historically, shiplap was used primarily for the exterior of a home or barn. However for the last decade, homeowners have dearly loved it for its welcoming charm.

Left – Whitewashed wall planks add rustic appeal and texture.
Right – Shiplap wraps a fireplace wall and adjoining bookcases for a subtle white-on-white effect.
(Photo left – Homedepot.com | Photo right – Blythebuildingcompany.com)

PICTURE FRAMING
With the addition of simple strips of wood, picture framing can take walls from basic to beautifully ornate. Hanging thin molding this way gives the illusion of wood paneling, and can be a backdrop for artwork, or just add texture on its own.

Left – Picture framing detail painted white adds striking contrast and detail to this living room.
Right – Painted the same color as the wall, the molding adds subtle dimension.
(Photo left – BHG.com | Photo right – Deavita.net)

FOCAL WALL
Wood strips applied to a wall in a pattern can add a contemporary feature to a room. They can take on any number of patterns – grid, herringbone, random diagonals – and make a large impact.

Left – Applied in a grid pattern, this focal wall makes a statement with fresh green paint.
Right – Creative diagonal patterns make a modern statement in a nursery.
(Photo left – Wagner Spray Tech | Photo right – Withinthegrove.com)

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