What Exactly Is Crown Molding?

What Exactly Is Crown Molding?

by: Patricia Tomaskovic

By definition, a molding is an ornamental piece of wood, metal, or plaster, used to decorate or outline something. It can be used on the interior or exterior of a home. Moldings frame walls, ceilings, windows, and door openings. Examples of moldings used to decorate with are baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails. Today, I want to talk exclusively about crown molding as a decorative architectural choice.

Crown molding, also referred to as crown moulding, or cornice, is probably the most important architectural accent used to detail any interior space. Most interior designers today would agree that every room can be improved with the use of crown molding. Crown molding smoothes the transition from the wall to the ceiling and does a wonderful job of defining the architectural style of a room. The size and style of crown molding used may vary widely, from a simple cove in a farmhouse kitchen to a large built-up cornice in a grand entry.

The initial use of a cornice in building design is anyone's guess. By the time the ancient Greeks had gained power, rules had already been created to define the use and design of crown molding. Originally, it was used as a structural element to help support the weight of the roof. It also served to keep water away from the building, thus protecting the lower walls and the foundation. However, the use of cornice as a decorative element was not considered any less important than it's more utilitarian functions. Most of the ornamental design patterns that you see on today's crown molding originated from the ancient Greeks. Egg and dart, dentil and acanthus leaf are the most obvious examples and these were used extensively in ancient times by both the Greeks and the Romans.

With the rebirth of the arts in the Renaissance period came a renewed interest in classical architecture as well. The rules of the classical orders were applied to the interior decoration of rooms. These were the rules of "3". A column, the basis of classical architecture, is divided into 3 parts: base, shaft and capital. The base and the capital were then further divided into 3 parts and prescribed rules applied to the relationship and the proportion of these divisions as well. The same divisions that apply to a column are also applied to the wall. The wall is divided into the baseboard, the wall and a crown molding. The lower wall can be further divided into the base, dado and chair rail. Finally, the upper wall is divided into the picture molding, frieze and crown molding.

When beginning any decorative project to include several types of molding, it is recommended that you choose the style and size of crown molding first, as it is the most prominently displayed. Then select the rest of the moldings to match. Regarding the proper sizing of the crown molding, advice is abundant and many guidelines have been written. Most often the advice directs you to select the size of the crown molding based on the height of your ceiling. This may be a common approach to this aspect of the design process, though, as larger crown moldings have often been used to impressively decorate rooms of more modest proportions. What IS important is to properly scale the casings and other moldings to the size of the crown molding that you wish to use. When choosing crown molding for your interior, feel free to select the size and style that YOU like. Historically, larger crown moldings were more frequently used than what is recommended today by many interior designers. Change is anticipated as the current architectural renaissance continues and more designers and homeowners endeavor to add warmth to their homes and to personalize their interiors. So have a go at it and don't be intimidated . You are limited only by your imagination.

copyright 2006 goceilingmedallion.com

About The Author

Patricia Tomaskovic is the President of http://www.goceilingmedallion.com Copyright 2006. Visit us soon and let us help you decorate with style. We look forward to serving you.

info@goceilingmedallion.com



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10 Ways to Purchase the Wrong Kitchen Cabinets

by: Bob Williams

A couple of years ago we remodeled our kitchen. I'd like to see you just as happy with your kitchen as we are with ours. So here are ten tips on what to look out for, so you don't make any mistakes when you're looking for kitchen cabinets.

1. First, know your budget. You can't do further research until you know how much money you want to spend. Cabinets take up 40% to 50% of your total kitchen costs, and you should budget for them accordingly.

2. Measure your space. It is impossible to get a realistic estimate without having some idea of you needs. Make the measurements as accurate as you can but don't worry too much; these measurements are for research purposes only.

3. There are three types of cabinets on the market: Stock, Semi-Custom and Custom. When you buy stock cabinets, you are buying something "off the shelf", as they are pre-assembled in the factory. They are the cheapest cabinets available. Unfortunately, stock cabinets come in a limited range of sizes and styles and have few options on finishes and accessories. Semi-custom is the next step up. They are still factory-made but you have many more choices in terms of storage, design, and style. Custom cabinetry is built either in a workshop or on-site and the sky's the limit both in options and in price. Don't be intimidated by this, however. Surprisingly the price difference between semi-custom and custom is often minimal and, particularly in hard-to-plan kitchens, may be worth the money.

4. Whatever kind of cabinet you choose check out the reputation of the manufacturer. Find out if they have a good track record. Look into their warranties. How much coverage do they offer and for how long a period?

For example, KraftMaid offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser which guarantees that under normal residential usage their cabinets will remain free of defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the product. Unfinished cabinetry is not covered under their warranty.

In contrast, Yorktowne offers a lifetime limited warranty on only some of their cabinet collections and a five year limited warranty on others.

Among other things, these warranties do not cover:

Correction of improper installation or repair of damage caused by improper installation.

Replacement or repair of parts when cabinetry is used in other than a residential home.

Improper storage situations where loading or use exceeds the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association standards.

Damages from fire, flood, or acts of God.

5. Create a written description of your ideal kitchen. This will help you to make a budget and pick a manufacturer. If you're unsure of what is available look around for ideas. An afternoon at the library browsing back copies of Woman's Day can be surprisingly helpful. Many popular magazines publish yearly specialty issues. In addition, there are several publications dedicated exclusively to kitchen and bath design.

Online you will find inspiring designs at http://www.wellborn.com/design/kitchens.asp and www.Kitchens.com. For a free step by step design guide take a look at www.Modularkitchencabinets.com/. For a quick overview of the various standalone cabinets and organizers see www.Stacksandstacks.com/html/category13_0.htm.

6. It is a good idea to take an afternoon off to wander through showrooms. Most showrooms have fully set up kitchens so you can get a feel for their products.

7. Don't worry if, after all the magazines and showrooms, you're still not sure what you want. Take a day or two to let your research sink in. Your kitchen will begin to emerge in your mind's eye.

You can also call friends and family and ask if they recently put in a kitchen. Ask them to tell you all about it. If you come up with anything I didn't tell you, let me know and I'll put it in another column.

8. Your next step is to find an interior designer. While you can design your own kitchen, unless you're a professional, it's not a good idea. A lot goes into a kitchen design; any mistakes you make will stay with you for a long time. Why not get help from someone who has made it their job to design the best kitchen for you? You can find certified designers in your area via the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Certification means the designer has completed design courses including certified training programs in room layout, storage planning, cabinet installation, plumbing, and lighting. When you hire a designer, you can expect to pay a retainer (from $300). A typical hourly fee is $50 to $75. Up to ten hours would be enough time for a designer to spend doing research and working on drawings for your approval. In picking an interior designer, you want to find someone with whom you're comfortable. In addition ask yourself: Does he or she seem knowledgeable? Are they genuinely interested and enthusiastic about your kitchen?

Tell your designer about your lifestyle and your needs. Among the things he or she will want to know are your family's life style and habits. Do you entertain and how often? Do you want to eat in the kitchen? It even makes a difference if you are right- or left-handed.

Find someone with the imagination and the ability to stay in budget. You don't need someone making you feel as if you ought to spend more. Your designer should visit your home in order to assess your needs.

9. Although you will have an interior designer to help you, it is important to know your materials. Cupboards can be natural woods in a variety of paints or stains. For durability, you can't beat laminate or baked-on varnish. Know that in homes with children, polyester and stainless steel finishes may not work well as they scratch easily and tend to show fingerprints.

10. There is a large variety of hardware to choose from too. There are Lazy Susans, racks, hinges, pulls and handles. There are different types of drawers and trolleys designed for ease of access that you might want to consider. Your designer should have plenty of space saving and storage ideas which will make your kitchen much more efficient. Just remember, each gadget adds to your total cost so watch that budget!

These are the basics of kitchen cabinetry. Now that I'm done writing this I'll go into my kitchen and get myself a cup of coffee and I'll be happy knowing that your kitchen, when it's built, will be just as good as mine.

About The Author

Bob Williams

UncleBobsTips.com provides timely advice to common home improvement problems faced by everyone. These practical tips will give you the knowledge you need to save time and money on all of your home improvement projects. http://www.unclebobstips.com/

The Joys of Satellite Television

by: Briana Liebmann

Satellite television is no longer the television of the future, it is one of the fastest growing forms of television viewing today. Satellite television has come a long way from the days where viewers struggled with large, clunky dishes on the sides of their house. Now, thanks to technological advancement, companies have successfully shrunken those bulky devices down to a compact satellite dish which has more quality and affordability than it's predecessor.

Today, Satellite TV offers an impressive amount of choices for the avid television fanatic. From newly released movies to your favorite sports game, satellite television has the capabilities to take you where you want to go and farther.

What makes Satellite TV so different than basic cable? Just one viewing experience would reveal a sharper picture quality and much larger selection of channels along with helpful customer service and reasonable prices.

When shopping for the best satellite TV retailers, be wary of scammer's advertising "Free Satellite Television" promising the best deals, installation, subscriptions and many more unbelievable promotions. If a website offers you a deal which seems too good to be true. Most likely, it is.

In order to insure a legitimate company, go with a satellite TV provider with a positive and well-known reputation.

Shopping online for satellite TV usually proves advantageous to customers through free gifts and exclusive promotions offered only online. Go ahead, take advantage of the offers and convenience of ordering online. Just remember to take caution as with any other online purchase. Here are a few tips to discern a great provider from a scammer:

1. The longer the satellite TV provider has been in business, the better.

2. Check to see if the web page is security enabled.

3. Beware of hidden fees.

4. Guarantees are always a plus.

5. Customer service is readily available and easily accessible.

About The Author

Briana Liebmann is an original content writer for http://www.youseekit.com which features original articles on a variety of topics.

To see the original article, go to http://www.youseekit.com/satellite-tv/htm.

youseekit@gmail.com



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