Unique crown mouldings and trims aren’t something that you see all that much these days. I’m mostly speaking about newer construction which is honestly such a bummer if you ask me. Sure, they may not be the right look for every style of home but man, they can add so much character to a home! I feel confident that I’m not alone in having my heart flutter a bit when I see a really beautiful application. So as I’m sure you can imagine, I was in heaven when I went to Paris last year…
Hi dad! This cafe’s moulding, in particular, really stole my heart which is why I took photos of it so I didn’t forget what it looked like. I thought “I’m going to DIY this in my apartment!” Just cut some dowels both vertically and horizontally, grab a nail gun, slap on some paint, and BOOM! Parisian crown moulding, complete. When I got home and started accessing my already existing crown molding, I realized this application wasn’t going to work/look right (don’t worry I have other plans, and sorry for the endless teasing:)). Then after talking to Mal recently about her plans to also add crown molding to her new apartment, it was clear I needed to dig in and write on blog post on this VERY important topic – interesting crown moulding and trim ideas. You can see from his face, Les Bunge also agrees that it’s urgent.
It doesn’t matter if you are renovating, a skilled DIYer, or just looking to stare at some beautiful spaces, there is something for everyone in today’s post. Let’s go!
What has been really grabbing me lately is moulding like this, classic with a modern twist. The scale of the small rectangles makes it feel a bit fresher, don’t you agree? It commands that space in such a beautiful way. I know this is a shop but I would HAPPILY have this moulding in my home. I also love that it’s painted a different color from the walls but we’ll get to that in a minute:) Tali Roth is such a genius.
And keeping with the classic geometric vibe. I love the trim detail that Lone Fox added to his IKEA bookcase DIY. It brings the whole piece to life in such an exciting way that totally feels style-appropriate to the home. This is something that anyone could add to a piece like this (with the right tools and some skills). 1000/10
I thought it was important to add an example that felt a little more classic but still had that modern look. It’s really all about scale. This one looks more traditional because instead of larger rectangles like the first example, the main detail are the smaller squares. I’m absolutely not a crown moulding historian but anecdotally the smaller and more detailed the mouldings are, the older they look.
My point is proven again! This moulding/trim/valance(?) is oversized and SO playful. I love what it does to the room. Definitely an expensive custom job unless, of course, you’ve got advanced DIY skills but so inspiring regardless.
This one also falls into the moulding/valance camp but my god is it stunning. The lines are simple but the perfect mix of modern and traditional. It also immediately draws your eye up. Then if you go to the next slide check out that ball detail! So fun but still cool and elegant. The room doesn’t need a ton decor-wise because the architectural interest is so stunning.
But speaking of detailed, ornate mouldings, this is a beautiful example! Studio DB did an incredible job restoring this home and I adore how the ceiling moulding is painted while the wall mouldings are the original wood tone. This keeps the ceiling from making the space feel too heavy while still honoring the natural wood on the walls. What a dream space.
This one is for my beginner DIYers that might already have some crown moulding in their home. Paint is your friend! This tonal blush space is so calm and inviting. But it’s made a bit more visually dynamic with the mouldings being a darker tone. Not a new idea but such an effective one.
Or you can pull a page out of Orlando’s book (he does this all of the time) and paint some “mouldings” on your walls. In this wildly good dining room, the boldness of the black helps to balance the wonderful intensity of the green. It feels both modern and retro and is so doable.
Or if you have beams or mouldings that are calling for some special creativity, maybe they could use a little artwork like these beams?? (I know I used this photo for the Tamegroute ceramics post but it’s too beautiful and too perfect for this post to not use again.)
Another option is to really just focus on the ceiling. I don’t know if this moulding is original to this home or not, but with the right craftsperson, you could definitely design your own version. I feel like mouldings have a reputation for making a home more “elevated/traditional” but they can also add so much sweetness like in this example!
Now for the last handful of examples, I wanted to show some playful trim ideas. Like in this bathroom with the serrated triangle trim. I don’t know if it’s tile or wood but regardless I LOVE IT. But given it was designed by YSG Studio it’s no surprise that it’s bursting with interesting, creative ideas.
Then if you love the triangle look, maybe painting around an archway or window could be the perfect affordable answer. This look is specific but would be amazing in the right space…like this one:)
I’m not done with triangles yet. I adore this architectural feature designed by Daniella Villamil which was made even better with the triangle trim. Hope this sparks some inspiration for some features in your home that could use some enhancing.
And finally, another reminder that trims are for furniture too and this bench by Tess Twiehaus. Couldn’t love it more and makes the whole space that much more special. No notes:)
Are you looking at your ceilings as we speak? Do you have crown moulding that you love or maybe could use some attention? Which was your favorite example? Let’s chat!
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Interior Design and Styling by Emily Henderson and Brady Tolbert (and team) | From: The Portland Dining Room Reveal + How to Create A Room That Is Interesting Yet Sophisticated
