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Home Decorating Paint Design Dilemma

paint molding trim color or wall color

4 years ago

This is ceiling and top of wall. Wall being painted BM Balboa Mist (still needs another 1-2 coats) and ceiling and trim is BM Chantilly Lace.
Ceiling height 8’.
Would you paint the lower squiggly trim the wall color to make it disappear (ceilings appear higher?), or fill in the wall space between squiggly trim and crown moulding with Chantilly Lace ?
Goal is to keep room architecture traditional but have more modern furnishings.
This is not my space but owner does not want to remove the trim or moulding, etc, on wall or ceiling.

Featured Answer

simplechoices

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I would paint it the ceiling color. But why don't you buy a it of poster board. Cut it to fit a small portion of it to fit into the squiggly space. paint one side the ceiling and the other the wall. Then you can test without painting wall. But personally, I would highlight it because its such a special feature and it will actually draw the eye up and make the ceilings look taller, in my opinion. Good luck!

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Comments (12)

jck910
4 years ago
I think I would like the space done in the Chantilly Lace
Gcubed
Original Author
4 years ago
You don't think it'll visually shorten the room? That was one of my concerns. And if CL is used, use the satin like the trim, right?
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And here's a blog post by the wonderful Laurel Bern on ceilings: https://laurelberninteriors.com/2018/02/18/ceilings-giving-nightmares/?utm_source=Laurel-Home+Blog&utm_campaign=0dea1268c3-free_offer_for_existing_subscribers5_20_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1b3ab7a4f2-0dea1268c3-80328673&mc_cid=0dea1268c3&mc_eid=c59cef7f07
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I went with Muslin & it was the PERFECT option. I can't think you enough for the spot-on suggestion!
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PRO
HALLETT & Co.
4 years ago
Would adding an additional moulding be an option?

Adding a picture moulding a little below the current moulding then painting everything from there to the ceiling the trim color would simplify the whole composition. It is a bit busy right now.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
4 years ago
Just an example of a contemporary space with heavy crown
Gcubed
Original Author
4 years ago
I think that pic is lovely but those ceilings are high. Adding another moulding would essentially create a 6.5" wall space of BM and probably 12-18" "trim" space of CL. With high ceilings it all makes sense, but these are only 8'!
nosoccermom
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I'd paint the squiggly trim and everything up to the crown molding in the wall paint color. Or at the very least, paint between the lower molding and higher crown in the wall color.

Some pics here:

https://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2019/05/paint-above-picture-rail.html/
Bette P
4 years ago
The wall needs to be Balboa Mist because the ceiling height is only 8 feet. I’d probably paint out the squiggly trim Balboa Mist if it were my room.
jck910
4 years ago
Yes satin like the trim
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
4 years ago
Sorry, you said 8’ but I guess I chose to ignore that part! I’m guessing removing the bottom ‘squiggly’ moulding isn’t an option?
Gcubed
Original Author
4 years ago
No, cannot/will not remove. Painters are there and trying to make a decision
jck910
4 years ago
what did you decide?

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