I love molding (moulding?). I want it everywhere in our house. Why don’t builders make it a standard feature instead of an upgrade? I think the housing market would be much better if so. :)
I first added it to a big entry wall which also adjoins the family room. Here is the wall before, and this is pretty much right after we moved in, so it’s still builder beige and very little decorating done.
Here is what it looks like now.
Soooo much better! I still want to redo this picture wall one day, but I don’t know when I will get to that. The paint color in here is Sherwin Williams “Baguette” which I also LOVE. See Tobacco Road to the right under the bar? LOVE!
This was a DIY project that mostly my Dad did for me. But at least it was my idea so I can take credit right? :) I did do all of the painting and boring stuff. I bought all of the materials at Lowe’s and used the foam chair rail stuff. It’s very cheap at about $7 for an 8ft piece, and I needed 2 pieces for this wall. They come already white, but I painted it the color of our trim (SW Navajo White). The boxes on the wall I totally cheated on and bought them already made. They are the foam stuff too. But I had a gift card to Lowe’s so I didn’t mind using it on this if it meant less mitering. The pre-made boxes are about $12-$15 depending on the size you get. But you can by an 8ft piece of the skinny foam stuff for about $5, so you would save yourself lots of money if you make the boxes yourself.
I don’t have a tutorial on this, but basically just get a miter box and saw that sell for about $8 at Lowe’s. Cut whatever angles you need, then just nail it up! We used a nail gun which is oh so handy, but you could use an old fashioned hammer and finishing nails also. Then caulk all of the gaps, fill in the holes, and add another coat of paint and your done. I have actually done another room in our house, so I can say I have experience now. It’s actually pretty easy. :) And for the boxes on the wall, there is a math science to the spacing, but don’t ask me what it is because I don’t do math. Luckily my Dad is a genius and does know math.
And if you end up having crooked walls like us, this is what it will look like from the side.
Arghhh! For whatever reason our walls are not totally flat and some of the studs stick out slightly. You would never know it unless you are trying to do a project like this or trying to hang up shelves that need to be totally flat. My Dad did his best to “build” up where it was crooked with compound, but you can still see it only if you are staring down the wall at an angle. So if you happen to come over here, just don’t stare down this wall sideways mmmkay? :) It really doesn’t bother me at all, but I still think it bothers my dad. Ha!
Now, I totally could have not showed you the crooked wall from the side, but I just want to keep it real here and let you know any problems that could come up like this, if you were to try doing this yourself. :)
Here are a few more after shots, just so you can get your mind off of our crooked wall.
I heart molding!
*UPDATE – Please click here to see what the wall looks like now with fake wainscoting*
xxoo,
Decorchick!
Kristi says
It looks great! I’ve seen on some decorating show where they just used picture frames for the boxes. I thought that was pretty neat.
We have two long shelves with photos on them. My husband made them for me after I saw this photo: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/holman-shelf/popup/more-views.html?active=2
Something like that might look good on your wall and it would be really cheap!
Decorchick! says
Kristi that’s a great idea! I’d love it if you send me pics of how you did yours. :)
Jenglamgirl says
Looks SO MUCH BETTER with the molding. Also the extra frames you added did alot more too. LOVE IT. Jenn
Decorchick! says
Thanks Jenn!!
Suzanne says
Love the molding. It totally transformed the wall. Just fabulous! (Visiting from It’s So Very Creative.)
Decorchick! says
Thanks so much Suzanne! Thanks for visiting too. :)
Carol Charvet says
Looks great! You are right, your Dad is a genius and a perfectionist, too. Those traits are certainly genetic, since lots has rubbed off on you and your siblings. :)
Love,
Cousin Carol
Decorchick! says
Haha, such a perfectionist. Thanks Carol!
Amanda says
Love the new look! And the contrast of the black frames/shelves with the white molding are BEAUTIFUL! Nice work!
Decorchick! says
Thanks Amanda, really appreciate it!!
Nestled In Rosenberg says
You and your Pops make a great team!! :)
Sandy says
Was good to see your change.. the moulding turned out really nice!
I have been wanting to get started on my bedroom but I’m getting
a bit overwhelmed with all the re-doing I’m doing in my townhouse..
the bedroom will eventually be sorta french… with the rectangle
boxes of moulding…
the bedroom might have to wait … one thing at a time.. yeah right!
I love the wall color too!
Decorchick! says
Thanks Sandy! Good luck on your bedroom, I’m sure it will be beautiful. :)
Suzanne says
LOVE it! Noticed your stools. Did you buy them like that? I repainted mine, the legs black and then stained the seats walnut, but they aren’t dark like that! So anyway, if you did do those yourself, let me know because I love them too!
(FYI-seems like there is another “Suzanne!” I’m the one from Mommy Moves Again!)
Decorchick! says
Yea, I bought them like that at Garden Ridge. They were really cheap too, maybe $20?
Ha, I know I keep getting confused! :)
Pamela says
Love this. I really am amazed what a difference it makes. Molding makes a home look so much more custom. Nicely done.
Pamela
Decorchick! says
Thanks Pamela. :)
allthatglitters2009 says
That looks wonderful!!! Everything in my house was the most basic it could be when we bought ours! WHY?!
Decorchick! says
Thank you!!…Ughh I don’t know! I don’t know why they do that to us.
AnneliseWilcox says
I have the chair rail in the hallway but I want the bottom pieces. I will keep thinking on it. Should definately get a nailgun, so many purposes it will serve. Great project.
Decorchick! says
Nail guns are the best. We don’t own this one, just borrowing it from a friend. Hopefully borrowing it forever. :)
Melissa Miller says
WOW! Emily this looks fabulous! Gorgeous! :)
Decorchick! says
Thanks Melissa!!
Kaysi @ Keeping It SImple says
WOW WOW WOW!!! I LOVE it!!
Decorchick! says
Thank you Kaysi. :)
jen says
I am SO doing this. I have a really long hallway and this would be perfect. Thanks for the inspiration.
Decorchick! says
Oh good I’m glad! Let me know how it turns out!
Tammy @ Not Just Paper and Glue says
I love how this really changed the total look of the wall. It is fabulous! As for the wall being crooked – I used to do construction cleaning and sometims we would have to go in and do clean up while they were building. If you only knew…… But – your wall is still gorgeous and I don’t think anyone is really going to notice ;)
Decorchick! says
Thanks Tammy, you’re a sweetie.
Allison@HouseofHepworths says
Wow, this looks amazing! I like how you left it the wall color inside the molding and only painted the actual molding white. It looks very classy. Great job!
Decorchick! says
Thank you! I thought about painting the wall color white to make it like wainscoting, but our walls are too textured I think. I’m scared to try.
Erin @ Crafts & Sutch says
This project turned out GREAT! It really adds a wonderful traditional element…not to mention value! :) I’m stopping by from Marketing Mondays @ Trendy Treehouse!
I would love for you to stop by craftsandsutch.blogspot.com when you get a chance to take a peek at what I’ve been up to. :)
Have a super week!
Erin :)
Decorchick! says
Thanks so much for stopping by Erin! I will definitely come and visit you. :)
Holly says
I absolutely LOVE the molding! The color contrast on the wall is amazing, it adds so much depth. It is sweet of your dad to help out! I agree with you, it was your idea, so you get credit. Fantastic entry way, I am inspired to tackle mine.
Bonnie@HouseofGrace says
Looks great!!!!! As usual great post. I really want to do that someday, it does make a huge difference!
Bonnie
Bridgette says
Looks fabulous! Thanks for joining us for Anything Related! ~Bridgette
Kara says
I also ? moulding, and your wall is fantabulous! I bought a miter saw so I could do my own, but it’s been five months and I still haven’t found the time. Sigh.
froufroubritches says
That turned out so good! I love it! What a difference a little trim can make!
Love that you’re keeping it real. We have a really crooked little wall beside our fridge. It’s WEIRD! It’s like 1 1/2 inches off front front to back. Oh well!
Looks sooo good! My dad has to do my handy projects too, btw.
a little lovely says
i love molding too! i need to get the courage to do something like this. :) hope you’ll come share a project or two at my saturday soiree
Lisa says
There isn’t a house built by a builder that has straight walls! Your entry wall looks amazing now. A little bit goes a long way huh? Looks fabulous. Great job !
Stephanie Lynn says
This looks fabulous! I have seen the premade boxes before but have never seen them installed. They are gorgeous. What a fabulous transformation! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it. Hope you are having a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Decorchick! says
Thanks Stephanie! Hope you have a great week too!
Stacy D says
It looks great! I heart moulding too. I’ve been dying to do this in my dining room, but I’m a little intimidated. You make it sound pretty easy. I might just bite the bullet and give it a try in the next few weeks. Might need you dad to do a little “moulding spacing consultation”, though, or there’s no telling how wacky my boxes will look!
Decorchick! says
Ha, yea, if I were to do it by myself, I would have just “eyeballed” the spacing. Probably not a good idea. :)
Meg says
OH wow, I LOVE the molding! I want to do something like that in my house. It looks so, so good. Great job!
I would love for you to visit my blog for a fun giveaway! alittleknickknack.blogspot.com. Have a great day!
Decorchick! says
Thanks Meg, will do!
somedaycrafts says
I am drooling! I’m convinced I need moulding everywhere in my house! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my “featured” button.
Lisa says
It looks great! So much more elegant and finished! Great job!
Denissa says
I love molding too! I think I’m finally ready to try do it :) It looks great!
Decorchick! says
Good luck, you’ll love it!
Annette says
Fantastic job! You and your dad make a great team. I would love to do my wall but I can’t draw a straight line (grin)
Decorchick! says
Thanks! Yea, I know what you mean. :)
Helena says
This is so freakin’ creative! I absolutely love it. And I promise if I ever visit, I will only look at it straight on :)
Thank you for participating the Creative Therapy session at Life in the Pitts!
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
What a great custom look. Nice job, both you and your dad ;).
Decorchick! says
Thanks Kim. :)
Helena says
I am featuring this today :)
http://lanieree.blogspot.com/2010/06/featuring-you_11.html
Rory says
Wow! Very nice job you and your Dad did! I’ve always been a fan of this look, too. Adds so much character to a room. Thanks for sharing the fun on Modern Craftswoman Monday! Rory
Decorchick! says
Thanks Rory!!
Jill says
Wow, that looks great! I’m featuring this :)
asouthernbellewithnorthernroots says
Just love this…sometime somewhere I would like to do it.
Linda@Coastal Charm says
This molding adds sooooo much charm…luv it!
Blessings,
Linda
Laura says
Wow what a big difference that made. Looks great!
Thanks for linking up at Saturday is Crafty Day!
Laura @ along for the ride
Julie says
Isn’t it amazing the difference a little molding makes? Your project looks fantastic!
Thank you so much for linking up to Fab Friday.
Cheers!
Stephanie Lynn says
This is a stunning transformation! Can I borrow your Dad? Please? What a difference! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Decorchick! says
Sure, but you’ll have to be on a waiting list from all the requests he’s gotten! HA!
Decorchick! says
Wow, that’s crazy!!
Brittany says
Hey, I love this! Thanks for sharing. I’m featuring it on my blog at the end of the month! :)
Trish says
Beautiful!!! Will you come re-design my house? ;-)
Beth says
Hi..
Love the wall. What are the “boxes” called? I am searching Lowes site. I would love to buy them pre-made to put up in my hallway. Thanks! Love your site!
Scott says
Where did you find the pre-made boxes under the chair rail? I could not find any at lowes…
Decorchick! says
Hi Scott that was about 3 years ago so maybe they don’t sell any longer?
website redesign says
I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. This type
of clever work and exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
celebrity style dresses plus size says
Glitter pumps are flattering and will draw attention to your entire look, as will a nice pair of flats.
Look for bold prints to become mainstream on single-breasted coats and other items of men’s clothing.
However, the mere fact of adding them to summer dresses destroys the unique appeal of this type of
boutique dresses online.
Renee says
What size are the frames?