There are several ways to improvise the interior designs of the house. With innovative ideas popping up every day, people are left with umpteen choices. One such improvising design that is widely popular among homeowners is crown molding. Unlike the general term âmoldingâ which refers to any type of trim work inside a home, ceiling molding specifically falls under crown molding. Though it was initially installed for practical purpose, later on, it became a style symbol for houses. The crown molding designs paved the path for chair rail molding which is installed at the height at which the top of chairs back touches the wall. The practical reason is that crown moulding was able to cover the gaps formed by the intersection of wall and ceiling materials. Over the years, the plain crown moulding evolved into a decorative trim that uplifted the elegance of the room.

ceiling designs

Is crown moldingused purelyfor decorative purpose?

Well, as mentioned earlier, it was originally installed for the practical purpose. Later on, it was beautified using decorative designs. However, crown molding still serves the purpose of its installation. Apart from covering the intersection of wall and ceiling, it also helps in lifting the space by drawing attention to the ceiling. This gives an impression of the ceiling being higher. These designs are also capable of hiding the defects of walls such as peeling paints and cracks by distracting the eyes. These can also bring out the forgotten grandeur of old houses by getting the attention of these tiny designs.

What are these made of?

Crown Mouldingis available in several materials, thanks to the advanced technology we have today. The popular materials used are:
⢠Wood: The oldest material used for crown molding is wood. It is flexible, lightweight and DIY-friendly material, which is easy to install using nails.
⢠Plaster: This is the traditional material used for crown moulding. Plasters can be decorated extensively with crisp detailing. This material is heavy and rigid which makes its installation difficult and requires skilled craftsmen.
⢠Plaster covered foam: This material is made of polystyrene topped with a fibreglass and followed by a coat of acrylic plaster. It is flexible, light and seamless making it a good alternative for wood and plasters.
⢠Polyurethane foam: This material looks like plaster. Polyurethane crown molding is lightweight and very easy to install. It can be installed using construction adhesives and the joints can be sealed with caulk.
⢠Flexible polyurethane: This material looks like wood but is much heavier. It can be installed using construction adhesives and finishing nails.
Size required

To know the required size, measure the ceiling height. This will help you determine the right size of crown molding required. Simple crown molding is ideal for private spaces while elaborately designed ones are suitable for public rooms. Also, consider the existing trims in the space to create uniformity in the sizes.
Painting crownmoldings
Most of the crown moldings can be painted. Painting it the same color as the room will give an impression of the high ceiling. It can also be painted in different colors as it befits the taste of the homeowner. Crown molding is the ornament that beautifully shields the consolidation of wall and ceiling.

When we hear the words âcrown moldingâ, all that comes rushing into our mind is the intricately designed ceiling painted in white of some apartment in the historic European cities. During those days, houses with crown molding, and baseboards indicated, high status and in par with the fashion at that time. Crown moldings have made a strong comeback today with people preferring simple yet stunning designs over the heavily detailed works of the past century. Crown molding is considered as the king in the world of trim. These elevate the look of the otherwise boring ceilings by adding characters, which will enhance the transition of walls to ceiling. Crowing can be done on ceilings, chair rails and even baseboard. The preference of people of this generation leans more towards simple, delicate designs which do not crowd the room. Thus, the crown molding designs have also toned down to blend smoothly with the architecture of this era.

read more

The lineage of crown dates back to 2500 years of the ancient Greek. We still use the same profiles and proportion rules but the changes are made in the materials used today. The crowns used today are made of relatively light-weight and are also malleable. Many people have opted to install a crown molding to their modern homes as it enhances the aesthetic appeal as well as increase the value of the house.

Is âcrown moldingâ different from âmoldingâ?

Crown molding is a general term used for molding on the ceilings while molding refers to any trim works done inside the house. Crown molding serves two purposes- one the practical function for which it was installed while the other being its decorative purpose. Moldings were used in the first place to fill in the gaps formed when different materials are combined, usually, the point where wall and ceiling meet. What started for a functional purpose was later continued as a fashion statement.
How are crown moldings beneficial?

As mentioned above the main purpose of using crown moldings are to cover up the gaps formed between the walls and ceiling. With different profiles of crown molding available today, you can make any design on your ceiling. This will add to enhancing the elegance of the room. It will also help in lifting the space and make the room look larger. These designs are also capable of camouflaging the little distractions such as cobwebs, cracks or patches on the ceilings.

Columns are the new trend now in the home decoration sector. This will go well for both the traditional setup and for the modern outlook. In the open floor plan, the entire space will be available but there will not be an option to separate the walls from one space and other. In the case of open floor place, though it is a pleasant option the absence of separation between the dining and the living area will be a real mood killer. It will not be pleasant when the furniture in the kitchen area and the furniture of the bedroom get mixed because of the absence of the separating walls.

In this situation instead of going for the walls, there is the solution in the format of an interior column. One can go with the traditional wood column or they can opt for the decorative column. Use of this column in the open space will be helpful in redefining the specific regions. The presence of columns will be able to distinguish each space without really disturbing the workflow of the open area. In case of the open region where the kitchen, as well as the dining area, is combined, the interior columns can be used in separating the areas instead of the walls. This will help in reinforcing the kitchen as well as the dining space. home design
Placing one column in the room might be odd. It might look lonely too. But consider the presence of columns in the corners. This will be followed by the columns in the places where the walls will turn. There can be the usage of half-columns which will be a completion of the effect. This will not interrupt the flow, but will also increase the space visually. In the case of traditional setups, turned columns can be taken into account. There are interior columns which are used for the bookshelves too. Wood columns are mainly used to satisfy the traditional look.

However, many are on the verge of mixing it up with the contemporary look. This can be extended with the help of imagination. Using the columns in a way where it is placed in the structural, logical sense will make sure the columns are in the right format. While the columns placed now might not need to support any kind of loads, it is ideal to place it in the right angle. They might not support anything but the visual effect will be given. Interior columns can also be used to define a space. Finishing the columns is a crucial task.

Columns will increase the visual interest when placed in the right way. It is important not to over-do them as it will spoil the entire look. Interior columns will also be useful in the case of reinforcing height. The use of a vertical presence will often make the eye move upward. There is also the option to create your own column. The columns can be built according to the specifications given. The column assembly will be able to assist you with this.

Wallpapers became popular during the late 18th century and since then there was no turning back for wallpaper industry. With few ups and downs, the wallpaper industry has evolved along with the changing fashion world. Modern wallpaper add a fresh look to the otherwise dull, solid colour painted walls. To those who did not know, wallpapers are the mirror of our mind and personality. Selecting the right shades and designs will have a drastic impact on our feelings.

How to choose Wallpaper

As mentioned above, choosing the right wallpaper has an impact on our mood, style and personality. You can either go for light and airy themed wallpaper or warm and inviting type wallpapers. Light and airy wallpapers create a soothing feel and help brighten up the room with subtle shades and design. Warm wallpapers made of warm tone shades with floral design will create a welcoming feel.

Styles available

Whether you want the room to be vibrant and fun or subtle and airy, there is a suitable wallpaper to nail the style.
⢠Floral: Floral wallpaper is widely popular due to the delicateness and versatility offered by floral arts. These designs give a rich feel to the room.
⢠Geometric: Geometric patterns bring a modern vibe to the rooms. These modern wallpapers are the best at creating an illusion of spacious rooms. Even black and white wallpaper can also be the good option for your wall.
⢠Mimic/ Fake: Realistic wallpapers have created a niche for itself in the wallpaper industry. Brick wallpaper are one of them. These look so realistic that it imparts a beauty of its own to the whole structure.
⢠Drama: Dramatic wallpapers are the ones with jungle foliage, big cats and large palm leaf designs all over. These designer wallpapers have wow factors and can create an impact when it is combined with a boldcolour palette.
⢠Metallic: These wallpapers create visual interest by adding a sense of luxury and elegance to the room. These textures are capable of reflecting light and keep the space well light.
How to measure
1. Calculate the number of drops required
This can be calculated by measuring the width of each wall to be covered and divide by 53cm (standard width of most wallpapers).
2. Calculate the length
It is calculated as Height of the room x number of drops required.
Always buy at least 2 additional rolls than the required number to prevent a shortage and to see for mistakes.
How to clean
⢠Dusting the wallpaper one or twice a month will clean up the dust built up. The brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner is the best equipment to use for cleaning.
⢠Washing wallpapers with a soft sponge, dishwasher soap and water helps more than a dusting. Prior to doing this, check whether the wallpaper can withstand washing by doing a small spot test.
⢠Wallpaper dough is the best dry cleaning alternative for those wallpapers which cannot be washed. This method is used to lift away dirt and stains from the wall.
How to strip
Stripping is easy of the wallpaper is peelable or strippable. To know this, use a stripper, pull out one corner, and try stripping. If it comes off easily then it is strippable. If it is not strippable, try soaking the wallpaper in water or use fabric conditioner to peel.