C.B.I.D. HOME DECOR and DESIGN: ITS IN THE DETAILS

8/8/12

ITS IN THE DETAILS

CREATING CHARACTER

I have a fantasy of owning an old farmhouse...

or a chateau in Provence...

or a cottage by the sea...

as long as it was built before 1940

before the millwork and mouldings began to disappear

and the ceilings and walls became non-descript

and the windows lost their charm

and the front of a house became... a garage

Chameleon Interiors

A house that was built when pride in craftmanship

took precedence over speed and profit...

(Pardon my rant - I get a little passionate about these things...)

my readers from other countries my not have the 'tract home' woes -

but it really doesn't matter when or where your home was built -

it probably could use a little more character.

Trimwork and moulding details take a home from ordinary

to extraordinary

its rare to find a home with lovely details today,

especially if it was constructed after the 1940s

when designing a new room, I like to

add the 'details' the room lacks

I call it adding the 'bones'

(all the things a room needs to have before the actual decor)

built-in storage, moldings and millwork are key elements

If you are working on a room in your home,

don't forget to start with the basics -

I'm Busy Procrastinating

like framing your windows in molding

for a clean, finished look

and adding sills if they are missing

Inspired Living Home

add moulding and trim to doorways

with or without the doors

some nice hefty crown molding

(I like to beef up the baseboards, too)

An American Homemaker

some panelled walls

in areas that could use a little punch - like the entry

wainscoting or board and batten in fresh white

keep an area from becoming too dark, and are easy to clean in semi-gloss

I Heart Organizing

a nice high wainscote creates interest in ANY room

Baltimore Smart Homes

White is not a pre-requisite for trimwork.

Painting walls and trim all one tone can bring in a more contemporary vibe

while still adding the detail to otherwise uninspired flat walls.

Sarah Richardson

You may wish to update your staircase with a little paint or darker stain

and some chunky newel posts

or create a handsome mantle over the fireplace

Don't forget to look up...

an interesting ceiling

can add big architectural interest to a room

take advantage of vaulted ceilings and raise the eye by going a little higher with the paneling

Kelly Moorehead

add some flat columns or

try something different on an angled wall

remember not to overdo - there is beauty in simplicity

but it is also fun to try something completely different

like putting your floor on your wall

or your ceiling

A K Starr Family

Headers over doors and windows create a sense of importance and fresh

white lets you get a little more dramatic in wall color without overpowering the room

All these details and finishing touches

create a feeling of permanence..

but

Its not ALL about good looks

function is important, too

and we can all use some attractive storage

to display our pretty things..

or to organize our life a little

Its kind of amazing how little decorating you need to do

when your room is prettier to start!

Classic Casual Home

most of these little upgrades don't take a lot of skill

or money

in fact, there are dozens of tutorials and

diy helps in blogland and pinterest

Apartment Therapy

I'm ready to add a little more character to my home

How about you?

if only.... :)

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