When I graduated from college with my interior design degree, my first job was working for a lumber company on Louisville, Ky. It was a vast organization that sold lumber, doors, windows, roof trusses, custom millwork and custom cabinetry.
They had a Home Planning division that really interested me.
This particular location sold all of the afore-mentioned products, but also focused on stock and custom cabinetry, floorcoverings and wallpaper.
I had to start at the ground up, and I began my design career in the custom mill department where I sat in the air-conditioned office drafting custom millwork, such as palladium windows, built up trim moldings around doors, windows and fireplaces, custom case goods for both credential and commercial projects among a variety of other custom-built products.
My drawings were working drawings for the men in the large open-air warehouse to use as a guide to how the products were to be built.
Every job required a drawing.
I would also draft profiles of knives for the machinery that were used to make such products as crown moldings, bar rail and chair rails among others. After a few years, I did finally get to the Home Planning Center and became one of that showroom’s top producers!
I love working on a project where I can specify moldings and trim. Considering my experience working in a custom mill, I have a great understanding on how to utilize the best moldings for any project!
Crown moldings can be a lot of fun to consider with a client. Many builders will offer a client a few sizes of crown to be used primarily in more formal rooms. This is all well and good and hopefully an appropriate size crown is used. However, there are so many other options to consider. Especially if you have tall ceilings or interesting ceiling detail such as a coffered or trayed ceiling.
We call a multiple trim crown a “built up crown.” It can consist of a baseboard molding, turned upside down with at least a crown molding attached to it. This more elaborate crown detail can add such personality to a room.
Maybe you have a tall ceiling and want a real chunky crown. Consider adding several trim pieces together to make a big statement.
You can even add trim pieces to the ceiling above the main crown trim.
You must keep everything in proportion. If you have tall ceilings, you should consider a chunkier trim; however, a multi piece trim can really make a statement in a small powder room.
If you are on a budget, consider adding only a crown molding and then dropping a molding below the crown on the wall. If you paint the bottom molding, the crown molding, and the wall space between the same color, it will appear to be a larger built-up trim detail.
If you check out your local lumber store, you will see there are many great trims to select from. Some sell samples that you can play with to arrange the perfect combination!
