Cut Crown Molding

1. My foyer was built in the 1970’s. Whether then, or in an “upgrade” about fifteen years later, someone painted and wallpapered it a beige-eggshell-ecru concept. The floor is the same color. So is the Cut crown molding. To my left is the formal dining with a nice dark maple buffet in view. The foyer itself has an ornately carved dark mahogany table that was intended for a prayer or alter table (I think). On the opposite wall is a dark maple barometer (still works). Straight ahead, the living room has dark paneling. To the right, my “music room” with the piano: which is a medium wood stain. The light fixture was a bronzy-gold old-fashioned thing. The blandness of my beige-eggshell-ecru entry-way walls, ceiling, floor, chair rail, and moldings (above and below) was annoying. I finally decided to do something. Factors beyond my control (namely money and my spouse) wouldn’t let me take the crown molding down and strip and re-stain. So, I bought an oil-based walnut-colored stain and repainted it. Yes, I cleaned the dust off and wiped it down first. The result was dramatic. The crown molding went around the entire perimeter of the foyer. Whichever side you looked at, the dark trim completed the view. It wasn’t necessarily balanced, but visually pleasing. I’ve had several comments on how nice it looked. Because the wallpaper was old, the good ol’ painter’s tape would ruin the paper. I used small brushes and very carefully painted it by hand up on a ladder. There was probably a better way. But, the time I went around the whole perimeter, I had gotten it out of my system - whatever “it” was - and was glad I didn’t take it down. The point here is that sometimes, a good cleaning will brighten up crown molding. Sometimes, however, a new coat of paint or even contrasting paint will work even better. Don’t be afraid to try new things. For more information visit us at http://www.cutncrown.com