Decorating Guides
Molding: Add Texture by Detailing Your Detail
Take the Architectural Accent to the Next Level with These Extra Elements
For those of you lucky enough to live in a space equipped with great molding, be sure to count your decor blessings. Molding adds a flair of antiquated character, charm and architectural detail that is hard to match. However, are you treating your molding to its maximum potential? Texture is an important design must-have, and moldings are a great place to emphasize this element. Whether the following photos inspire you to tweak your already existing molding or customize an entirely new design, one thing is for sure: Your spaces will be rich with texture before you even get to the furniture.
Oh, the stories this molding could tell! Just imagining the creative effort that went into developing it is inspiring in itself. And against the patterned gold wallpaper and brilliant royal purple, the scene becomes vintage elegance with a modern twist at its very best.
Thinking molding? Think deep. Extending the molding a foot or so longer than the typical length adds height to the ceiling. Texture is found in the different variations of thickness.
Bring the eye toward the molding by adding a painted border where it meets the ceiling. In this case, the architect applied additional molding on the ceiling that frames the paint and adds even more texture.
Paint can truly be molding’s best friend if you want texture without affecting the structure of the design element. This faint tree scenery painted onto the wall gives the molding just the right touch of dimension and interest. Mixing one green patterned chair amongst the white makes the whole look pop.
Add a strip of molding several inches below existing molding to easily and affordably insert instant texture. The space between the pieces brings a sense of depth, especially when it’s painted a different color.
Who said molding doesn't allow a few design tricks? Add some va-va-voom to your space with a faux marble finish versus traditional wood. Glamorous texture can't help but come with the territory!
Paint already textured molding gold and you’ve hit the jackpot. Not only does it immediately catch the eye, but it instantly elevates this room from comfortably stylish to ooh la la.
It’s all in the finish: This molding received an instant texture injection by way of this brushed style. Using the same finish for both the doors and the molding creates cohesion.
This corner is so delicious; chaise, velvet, purples, Lucite, mirrors. And then you catch a glimpse of that molding — the layers give the velvet texture a run for its money. Take me to here.
There is no rule that molding must stop at the ceiling. Enhance its architectural expression by bordering it with paneling above. Guess what it adds? More texture.
This tri-layer style is a great geometric approach to contemporary molding. I love its addition in this cottage-like home with the painted bamboo wall — the combination is very seaside chic.
Already have great, layered, textured molding? Can’t figure out what else to do with it? This painted detailing above the molding might be exactly the unique solution you’re looking for. Textural and artistic!
Ah, the hint of silver. Forget not that shiny metallics can double as sophisticated elements and a textural addition. I love how the designer bordered this molding with silver; it sets off the decor of the space while modernizing the molding in a clever fashion.
Go big or go home: With molding like this, you could furnish the room with a lawn chair and it would still look fabulous!
More ceiling details:
Design Details: Cuckoo for Coffered Ceilings
Oh, What a Feeling... To Have a Painted Ceiling
Ceilings Worth Another Look
More ceiling details:
Design Details: Cuckoo for Coffered Ceilings
Oh, What a Feeling... To Have a Painted Ceiling
Ceilings Worth Another Look