Decorating with Architectural Millwork

Unlike many other elements in a home, millwork is not just meant to be functional. Instead, it is an aesthetic feature that makes a room feel secure, cozy and well-constructed. Above all, it is beautiful. Decorative millwork such as paneling, crown moldings and wainscoting has long been associated with the elegance of traditional English manor houses. Millwork is well known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail. The name comes from the fact that millwork is produced in a mill or a woodworking factory. Millwork includes a wide range of products made to fit specific spaces in a home.

Some examples of decorative millwork you are likely to find in well-appointed homes include moldings, baseboards, chair rails, cornices and crown molding. Wood paneling appears on walls and ceilings. Staircase balustrades and railings are also prime spots for millwork. Built-in furniture such as bookshelves or window seats and TV consoles are other examples. Wainscoting is installed on the lower part of a wall, while the upper part can be painted or papered.

When deciding on a paint color for a room, walls are usually the main focus. The millwork plays second fiddle and winds up being painted white or stained with a wood finish to disappear back into the proverbial woodwork. Now decorators are taking a second look at millwork, and colorful millwork is trending. Millwork is crying out for attention in bold shades of green, blue and red. Even basic builder-grade features can benefit from painted millwork as an unexpected room accent.

Go with these ideas:

• Paint the window trim and other millwork a darker shade of the wall paint for contrast. Coordinate the same trim color with the accessories in the room, such as throw pillows and upholstered furniture.
• Ceilings can also benefit from detailing with millwork. Coffered ceilings are one element to consider. What are coffered ceilings? They are a series of recessed rectangles or octagonal 3D grids that give depth and great interest to a room as long as the ceiling is at least 9 feet high. These ceilings can work with just about any style of home, depending on the finish, and they can help dampen noise from above.
• Paint the walls and millwork with the same color for a dramatic monochromatic effect. Showcase built-in features such as bookcases by covering the shelves and cabinetry with a deep shade of gray, green or blue. Make sure the room receives a good amount of natural light, or the room may appear gloomy.
• Paint paneling or wainscoting in moody colors. For example, half a wall painted with inky blue contrasts well with wainscoting painted in teal.
  Millwork has been the hallmark of fine English manor houses for centuries, and with good reason. Nothing says elegance and importance like customizing your space with tastefully done millwork. Contact us for more ideas on beautifying your own house in the country.

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