Architect's Toolbox — Trim Wraps Up Style for Rooms

Dynamic 'ribbons' of trim work wonders to provide that important finishing touch and set off your room's architecture

June 19, 2012
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey & Wisconsin. Since 1996 I have worked from my home office and provide full architectural services exclusively to the single family residential market. My passion is to transform my clients' houses into their homes. I strive to have the "new" home accommodate my clients' lives without fighting them at every junction. I look to add curb appeal to encourage a beautiful streetscape. And I design any addition to look and feel like it has always been there. Our projects have won numerous design awards as well as having been featured on television (CBS News Sunday Morning, HGTV, CLTV, etc.), in magazines (Better Homes...
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa... More
Comment9
Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog.
How the interior of a house gets trimmed out contributes greatly to the overall character of that house. In many ways, a well thought-out trim design can turn a drab and plain vanilla interior into something rich and complex, as well as architecturally dynamic.

One of the most interesting ways to use trim is as a connective element to tie together the elements within a space and to reinforce the space's architecture. So when laying out trim, some architects and other designers will often look for ways to use trim to connect windows, doors, soffits etc. and to use trim to establish datum points or spring lines on which other features appear. The trim becomes a kind of ribbon that holds the wrapping paper in place.

In these instances, the trim, whether stained or painted, is often flat and simple. The profile of the trim is much less important than how the trim travels around the room making connections and framing elements.
Rustic Dining Room Rustic Dining Room
Trim installed like this creates the illusion that the wall is nothing more than a screen that can be moved. It's not surprising that this type of trim installation gained awareness and popularity in the late 19th century, when Japanese buildings started to become known in the West.
Rustic Kitchen Rustic Kitchen
The doorway to the left and the windows on the right are connected and held in place with the ribbon of trim. There's something to be said for intellectual rigor used to establish all of the dimensions so that every element is connected and uses the same reference points.
Kitchen by Sarah Susanka, FAIA
Sarah Susanka, FAIA
Taking one location, say the top of the windows, and then drawing a line from there all around the room, gives a logic and rationale to the placing of other features above and below this line. Now the upper cabinets and vent hood have a logical place to be.
Dining Room by Sarah Susanka, FAIA
Sarah Susanka, FAIA
And soffits become intentional rather than afterthoughts because we need to hide the pipes and the ducts.
Traditional Staircase by Wayne Windham Architect, P.A.
Wayne Windham Architect, P.A.
Using trim to connect and bind elements works just as well in a large space as in smaller, more intimate rooms. By establishing a reference point and then placing windows, more trim, railings etc. below this, the enormity of the space is reduced.
Traditional Staircase by Wayne Windham Architect, P.A.
Wayne Windham Architect, P.A.
Certainly these ribbons of trim can connect the first floor to the second floor, so elements are connected horizontally as well as vertically.
Asian Living Room by Mark Brand Architecture
Mark Brand Architecture
As mentioned earlier, this use of trim has a distinctly Japanese quality. Walls are made to feel less structural and load bearing and more light and movable. However, the American approach was characteristically less rigorous than required by the Japanese tatami.
Living Room by Taliesin Preservation, Inc.
Taliesin Preservation, Inc.
Certainly it was this approach to trim that Frank Lloyd Wright reveled in. And in Wright's work it was the complexity of the trim that made for an architecturally rich interior. So rather than just a continuous ribbon, the trim line would disappear into a stone mass, popping out the other side as it turned a corner.

More:
8 Elements of Interior Trim
Comment9
Sponsored
MCR ROMERO WORK LLC

Innovative & Creative General Contractors Servicing Franklin County
We are a small company, LLC located in the city of ohio in search of business contracts, commercial among others... Read More
Sponsored

News From Our Partners

Related Products

Abernathy 1-1/16" Length Clear/Satin Nickel Cabinet Knob
Abernathy 1-1/16" Length Clear/Satin Nickel Cabinet Knob
$27
Artisan Azul Decor Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile
Artisan Azul Decor Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile
$152
Heavy Duty Countertop Support Bracket, 12"
Heavy Duty Countertop Support Bracket, 12"
$21
Carrara Venato Marble Basketweave Listello Border Gray Dots Polished, 1 sheet
Carrara Venato Marble Basketweave Listello Border Gray Dots Polished, 1 sheet
$20
Sponsored
Everingham Design

Columbus' Home Design Experts Specializing in Custom Cabinets
We are a team of home design experts with over 30 years collective experience in custom cabinets and kitchen... Read More
Sponsored
Comments (9)
See 6 more comments
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
PRO
Bud Dietrich, AIA
@lionqueen - Those ceilings are really low so you might want to forgo anything that makes them feel lower. You'll get a lot of ideas from other Houzzers by posting your question (and include a few photos) in the "design dilemma" area.
1 Like    
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
User
Thanks, Bud. I'll take your suggestion and post pictures with questions to get help from the forum. LQ
   
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
timwerner
@lionqueen - Try a concave crown and paint the upper portion of the wall, crown and ceiling the same light, but not white color to blend them into one object and take the accent off the wall / ceiling corner. Then add a slightly lower than average chair rail (just below the light switches) to cheat the scale of the wall a bit and paint / stain the chair rail, lower wall and base / door / window trim a darker (to your taste) color to anchor the room. It accents the lightness of the upper part and makes it feel less 'there'.
1 Like    

Related Stories

Bathroom Design 5 Secrets to a Smooth-Running Family Bathroom
By Georgia Madden
Pros say these are the must-have features for creating an efficient shared bathroom
Full Story
Working With Pros Which Pro Should You Hire for Your Project?
By Laura Gaskill
Find out whether you need a contractor, an architect, an interior designer or another professional for the job
Full Story
Bathroom Workbook How to Remodel a Bathroom
By Mitchell Parker
Create a vision, make a budget, choose your style and materials, hire the right pros and get the project done
Full Story
Bathroom Design How to Prepare for a Bathroom Remodel
By Becky Harris
Ease the disruption of a bathroom renovation with these 10 tips
Full Story
Decorating Guides 15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
By tidgboutique
Use these pro tips to minimize noise, delineate space and establish personal boundaries in an open layout
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook How to Remodel Your Kitchen
By Rebekah Zaveloff
Follow these start-to-finish steps to achieve a successful kitchen remodel
Full Story
Remodeling Guides How to Survive a Major Remodeling Project
By Eva Byrne
Get expert tips for improving your home while preserving your sanity
Full Story
Working With Pros 10 Questions to Ask Potential Contractors
By Anne Higuera CGR, CAPS
Ensure the right fit by interviewing general contractors about topics that go beyond the basics
Full Story
Life 9 Secrets to Successfully Remodeling a House Together
By Laura Wheat
Learn how to put your stamp on a project while avoiding unnecessary conflicts
Full Story
Modern Architecture How to Improve the Comfort of Your Midcentury Modern Home
By Colin Flavin
You can maintain the era’s signature style in your home while improving its thermal performance
Full Story
| ABOUT | CAREERS | MOBILE APPS | PROFESSIONALS | BUTTONS | BRANDS | SELL | Terms |
Privacy & Notice
Houzz Inc. © 2024