A little old fashioned house trim can transform a boring interior design into a charming, cozy cottage reminiscent of days gone by. It just takes a little wood, some tools, possibly some paint and a bit of imagination.
Before you get started, you might want to look at some samples of interior designs. There are thousands of photos posted on the internet. Everyone wants to share their creative ideas. You might not see exactly what you want, but you should be able to get a few ideas.
A good place to start is in the kitchen. You dont have to live on a farm to have the farmhouse style, if thats the look that you want. White wainscoting creates a nice farmhouse look.
You can install it below a small chair rail or simply finish the top with some half-round. If you have baseboards you will need to remove them, but you can reuse them if they match the wainscoting nicely. If you are careful about removing the baseboards, you may even be able to use the same nails.
Antique white, yellow and light green are the primary colors for farmhouse style kitchens. You can put a little old fashioned house trim on your cabinets to make them fit better. Crown molding works well for that purpose.
Wooden paneling was a popular choice for living rooms in years gone by. But, you might find it a little dark for your tastes. Think about the overall effect before you choose. A good alternative is to use wood strips to create the illusion of rafters or exposed beams. Against a light colored wall, the dark wood creates a nice contrast.
In any room of your home, the windows may be an area waiting for improvement and a little old fashioned type trim. Modern windows are often installed without trimming, even of the really plain variety. Simple casing, painted white or any color that is lighter than the rest of the room can improve the appearance of the windows. The rooms will look warmer after the windows are trimmed.
Crown molding at the ceiling creates height and adds the finishing touch that you might be looking for. Highly decorative crown molding creates a rich look. It will look less like a cottage, more like a mansion.
A mansion house might not be the look that you are going for, but it is still considered old fashioned trim, because the more modern looks are plain. Let your home reflect your personality. Thats the best advice.