Crown Molding and Fine Woodworking

Published by: Paul Batchie
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

Sometimes we can get so used to the way things are that we lose sight of what can be. And with our homes, during times of economic slowdown, tight money may make us think improvements are unattainable.

But slow times are actually the ideal times to get things done, if one has a little bit of resources. In a feast-or-famine industry, slow times are when you are almost guaranteed to have your calls returned!

Often a relatively small investment can make dramatic improvements to your living environment. Take, for instance, the wonderful world of moldings. Crown molding at the ceiling line of common areas such as the foyer, living, dining, or den quickly adds visual richness. Chair rail is especially suited for dining rooms and foyers, but it can be used almost anywhere, and can make a natural break for color changes or wallpaper.

I was in one house recently where wood paneling – the real frame-and-panel kind – was installed in the foyer and going up a staircase open on one side. The effect was absolutely stunning.
Builders usually use a very basic wood trim to delineate windows and doors. Or perhaps in your house the windows were simply framed with drywall rather than molding. Upgrading to a wider and fancier wood casing will almost completely change the feel of the room.

And if your stairs occupy a central place in the house and have basic wrought iron railings, consider converting to a hardwood railing system. Thus can run into a little bit of money, but the effect will be dramatic.

Beyond moldings, also consider cabinetry. You might want to do a mini-upgrade to your bathroom by changing the vanity. Maybe you'd like some modern accessories like pull-out or rotating shelves added to your existing kitchen cabinets. These are improvements that make a big difference without declaring total war on the home improvement budget.

In my house one of the big excitements over the years was the ongoing installation of built-in cabinetry in various rooms. I have custom breakfronts framing the woodstove, and I built wall-hung bookshelves and a night table in my bedroom. With built-ins, the possibilities are endless, and nothing fits an existing room like a well-designed built-in.

One improvement that won't catch a lot of overt attention but which will be appreciated every day is a closet makeover. Extra, deeper shelves, cabinets with drawers, airy metal shelving – these will increase your closets' effectiveness.

Some of these things can be done by the more talented and ambitious homeowner himself. But before you assume that's the best way to go, consider the time and learning curve and mess involved for each project (and projects often expand as they go!) Especially on the bigger and more detailed projects, give more weight to calling in an experienced woodworker who can get the job and its clean-up done quickly and give you a beautiful result you'll be pleased to live with.

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