Ceiling Built too low for crown molding. Help!
We’re building a house long distance (sigh). Ceilings are 10’, with 6” crowns and craftsman door headers that are about 8” high in aggregate above 8’ doors. We recently visited the house, and found that the builder has reduced the height of the ceiling in one bedroom to about 8’9” (don’t ask). The only way to fix the celling height would be to tear down most of the house, and we don’t have the stomach to even consider doing that. The builder said he was planning to make the door and window headers slightly taller to meet the ceiling and eliminate the crown. Alternatively, he said we could picture frame the doors with minimal casing and put in the crown molding (I don’t even think there is room for that, even with criminally narrow casing). Neither works for us; we really want to do something to bring this bedroom closer to the standard of the rest of the house. The only other idea I’ve had is the equivalent of a chair rail about 4” below the ceiling that ties into flat center of the the door headers (I’ve seen something like that in some craftsman houses—does anyone know the name for it?). Other ideas? What would you do? Help!
A few more details in case they are relevant: The room 14’ by 15’, two doors on one side (closet and bath) and one door across with two windows to the right as you enter.
Comments (12)
rwiegand
3 years ago- PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago Related Discussions
Crown molding or, at this stage, is it too late?
Comments (12)If the vanity is transitional, it would look good. Especially a very simple cove. If modern, no. Yes. Nail to ceiling and glue to wall. I always take the tile to the ceiling. Much more finished looking even in traditional spaces if you're not trying for retro....See MoreHelp with cabinet crown molding in kitchen with low ceiling.
Comments (5)Yes, we're having the cabinets made. They're framed cabinets from Kraftmaid, and come in 3 inch increments for height. I could have gone with 30, but then there's a lot of room left at the top, and I don't want a big crown. 33 inch gives me more storage space and still leaves just enough room for a 3/4 inch or 1 inch crown at the top. I want something straight as Sophie Wheeler suggested, not something that is angled. They have something called "solid stock" that is finished on 3 sides and gives you some flexibility in placement. Same for the light rail - just a straight edge mounted so it comes out slightly beyond the bottom of the cabinet....See MoreHelp! What size Crown molding with 10 foot ceilings?
Comments (22)To me, drywall based molding is cheap. You may not agree and that is perfectly fine. But hear me out. There are some people (like me) that come to your house and think 11 ft ceilings are all fancy but you cheaped out on the details. Now you can dismiss me as a snob and that is fine. But you should know that there are people out there that understand trim and feel like you are being less than genuine. My last hood had 55 houses built by 5 custom builders. One of these areas that was developed and each builder bought lots (presumably 11 each but not sure about that). They then built some spec houses and some custom. All to about the same level (fancy cookie cutter we liked to call it). Trim levels usually pretty ornate. Most with 10 down/9up ceilings. You could always tell which houses were Rudy's houses. Ah the corners he cut..... like drywall based crown. Our good friend's next door bought a Rudy (not the company's name) spec house..... My builder (total trim snob) refers to drywall based trim as a "spec house trick" that he refused to partake in. Better to have no trim than fake trim.... On your other issue - you should post a floor plan. 11ft transitioning down to 9 ft is tricky with door sizes as you are figuring out. But the plan matters. You can mix 8 ft doors and 7 ft doors in the right situation I think....See MoreWavy Kitchen Ceiling and Crown Molding Help
Comments (14)Thank you everyone for your valuable comments. We have a 9 feet ceiling, and the original plan was to have stock above the cabinet and the crown on top. The contractor did not check the ceiling before ordering the cabinet, and as mentioned in the end while putting the crown it was too late. He then replaced the stock and crown with the soffit as can be seen in the picture, and it gives me the unfinished look apart from the agony of wasted material and extra expense of a drywall. @Christopher Wright the ceiling is still curved directly above the gas and if installing the crown leaves a gap of 3/8 inch at places. Originally we had floating cabinets, and I renovated the kitchen to eliminate the dust mites issues. The bulkhead has been put as the original cabinet crown could not be installed by contractor....See MoreHU-218123
3 years ago
PROJAN MOYER
3 years ago- PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago 
PROHALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
PRODiana Bier Interiors, LLC
3 years agoWhat is the style of the home? Crown molding is fairly formal and fits colonial style homes, depending on the style of the molding.
Here's an example of very shallow beams on an 8' ceiling in a casual farm-style house in a beach community. They are painted the same color as the ceiling so they don't stand out, but add a bit of interest. Crown molding in a house such as this wouldn't be appropriate, but only you know the style you're going for.
Hamptons Beach House · More Infosuezbell
3 years ago
jmm1837
3 years agomainenell
3 years agoHU-218123
3 years ago
JAN MOYER