Get an A+

I know you traveled from whence you came in cyberspace for a very important purpose. That being to find out my favorite word. Here it is:

WOW!

In the business of design and execution of design, Wow! is the equivalent of an A+ grade on your work.

I think it goes something like this:

• “Wow!” = A+
• “Nice work!” = A
• “Looks Great!” = B+
• “Much Better!” = B
• “Not Bad.” = C
• “Okay, so you’re done?” = C-
• “Is this what we talked about?” = D
• “We need to talk…” = F
• “Hang, on…I’ll be right back…” = Forget your tools and run!

But I digress… back to the “Wow!”  How do we get the “Wow!”? The answer is simple: details, details, details. The difference (and the devil) is in the details!

Trim IS Detail

Let’s go through a few pictures and just look at the detail trim can bring to your design.

Door Casing is a huge opportunity in most houses! Many builders provide standard 2 1/4″ casings that are functional, but not crazy beautiful! Why not go for crazy beautiful? This is especially true if you have a large opening that is a prominent feature in your design.

Crown Molding is another great detail. Well done crown can really make an otherwise average room jump up and speak out! But be careful with crown molding; it can throw you a curve. You have to be careful!

The most common problem with crown molding is using a size that isn’t appropriate for the room.

Walls ARE Art!

Wainscot (paneling the lower portion of a wall) is one of my all-time favorite projects! This kind of thing can be done in a weekend, soup-to-nuts!  Very few projects make as big an impact for so little effort!

Other details to take note of in this great picture:

• Notice the large baseboard and the difference it makes!
• Take a look at the crown here: it’s flat, not angled (much easier)

Deck the Walls!

Paneling – Sometimes it’s better to do the whole wall! I’ve met so many people who associate the word “paneling” with the old 4×8 sheets with a photo-finish that Aunt B had back in 1977!

May it never be so!Paneling can be AMAZING if done right! Take a close look at the photo above. See how the bead-board has been finished? That finish gives a weathered look that is perfect for this beachy theme. You can be creative too! The designer of this job decided to run the pattern horizontally rather than the standard vertical arrangement.

This is another quick and easy job; and it can be done by someone who can’t finish drywall! So if you want to add a wall (or knock one down) and you don’t want to learn drywall finishing, think about what you might make work with paneling.

I know we’re not talking about it…but I can’t leave this photo without saying “The blue floor ROCKS!”

Wood Magic

Magic is possible! A skilled craftsman can make custom shapes out of incredible hardwoods! This kind of thing takes a pro or a very experienced DIY woodworker, but isn’t the result incredible?

Now it’s important here to note the difference between “paint grade” and “stain grade”. While it takes a “magician” to do the work you see above in hardwood, a relative beginner could do something like it if the job is to be painted.

Take a close look and notice the large baseboards! Also notice the way the design uses both clear finished hardwood and painted trim. I love this detail.

Now that your eye is “tuned-in” a little bit to the details and intricacies of the trimwork, scroll back up to the top and look at the picture again.

Now THAT is detail!

Wow!

If this article has you wanting to do some trimwork but you just don’t feel like you know how, you don’t know what tools you need, or maybe you need some help with figuring out what size crown molding is best for your room; you are in the right place!

I am looking to help readers with this blog! I want to develop a “live and interactive” blog experience where you can see what others are doing and learn from it. So whether or not you want to do the work yourself, or you need help figuring out how to hire a contractor for the work, email me and I’ll give you a hand.

In any case, I suggest you run over to The Inspired Room to read a cautionary tale about the overuse of glue when installing trim. (post an anonymous comment telling Melissa to get a brad nailer!)