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Architectural products used in this room:
chair-rail created with:
Egg-and-Dart panel molding
and
Pacifica panel molding
Marietta baseboard
with
Pacifica panel molding above
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Traditional Wall Decor
Keep things simple in your approach to decorating your
house for a traditional atmosphere that is both sincere and attractive. When
you select molding for your
wall decor ask yourself a few basic questions.
Will these moldings add to the joy of living? Are they well crafted? Is the
material good quality? Can I envision this molding living with me for a
lifetime? Do these moldings have a timeless charm, a classic shape and form? Be wary
of current decorating trends that encourage you to buy molding or make
changes that are not truly you and that you'll tire of within months. Also
keep in mind that you can respect the authenticity and integrity of a
culture's art while recognizing that it does not fit your aesthetic. For
example, if you appreciate the artistry and precision of modern
architecture, but would rather not live with it around the clock, you should
continue to admire it in books and at museums. If something isn't you, don't
bring it into your home.
It is necessary to remember that the question of
how traditional wall decor can be justified is not merely a contemporary problem but
one which all historical periods have had to address. This question of
traditional as an awareness of the contingency of one's own period has been
with us from the earliest times. Indeed this dialogue between new and old,
often expressed as a desire to break with one's immediate past, always
arises when a new claim is made against the tradition that has been guiding
our everyday lives. |
Extending Wall Space Not all existing wall openings are desirable. If you're an art collector,
for example, you'll want space to house your collection. If there are two
entrances to a hall where only one is needed, you can extend the wall by
closing in the space, stretching the usefulness and enjoyment of an
adjoining room.
While some walls may inhibit the openness, light, and view of a space, a
lack of walls may limit your ability to feel embraced and cozy in a space,
bookcases within reach. A room with too many wall openings is unsettling, far
from intimate and inviting. A room with openings on all four walls is
not a private space but a public hall. Don't let preexisting wall openings
intimidate you. Be opportunistic in exploring ways to literally extend your
wall space; whether you want to close in an opening for more privacy or to
provide space for wall art,
books, or collections. Invariably you will find wall openings that you really don't need, where you could use the valuable wall
space for storage, art, books, or a furniture grouping and architectural
embellishments.
Why have two doors bunched in a corner, one leading from the hall, and
another from the kitchen, when one is all that is required? Remove the
doorframe and door, close the wall with sheetrock, tape the seams, spackle, and
paint. Now you have new wall space in both rooms, providing a place for a
standing desk or bookcases in the library, and a wine rack or even an
additional counter in the kitchen.
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Traditional Architectural Wall Embellishments:
- crown molding
- chair-rail
- baseboard
- door trim and
pediments
- pilasters
Traditional Wall Decor Products:
mirrors
wall sconces
wall panels
wall decorations |
