You are just finishing the final walk through of the new home you are buying, suddenly you realize, this house is very plain and boring. You didn’t notice this when you previewed the house before making an offer. Well now comes the fun part! Making this home a reflection of you, or Customizing it as we like to call it. Customizing your home can be as simple and inexpensive as buying a gallon of paint, painting an accent wall or the trim work, and if you are really creative and handy with a paint brush you could also add some stenciling for a one-of-a-kind look. But if what you have in mind is something more impressive a real showstopper look then, Architectural details may be a better way to customize your home. Here are a few design elements that can really set your space apart from all the rest.
· Accent/Feature walls · Crown Molding, Window Trim, Chair Rail · Shiplap · Wainscoting · Coffered Ceilings · Barn Doors
Accent/Feature wall
An Accent Wall is a wall that is painted a different color than the other walls in the room, stenciling, wallpaper, tile, wood trim can all be used to create an accent wall. A Feature Wall is a combination of elements such as, paneling, shelving, stone, brick or marble, a fireplace, entertainment center, and specialty lighting, that creates a very custom look based on the homeowners preferred style.
Shiplap
Shiplap siding was originally used to waterproof boats, and later commonly applied to barn exteriors. Today it has become a popular and versatile element in homes, the shiplap style features charming wooden planks and distinctive grooves that can evoke a range of aesthetics, from farmhouse, cottage, shabby chic to cleanly modern, depending on the texture and fit.
If you are hesitant about committing your entire living room to shiplap, apply it to just the back wall of built-in bookshelves to make a subtle visual impact. This unobtrusive application won’t overwhelm the space, but it will allow shiplap’s signature charm to radiate. For an eye-catching shiplap wall design, consider positioning the planks diagonally or in a chevron pattern on an accent wall. It’s a look that’s both modern and traditional at the same time.
When you think of shiplap, painted white wood likely comes to mind, but a colorful stain can take this style to a whole new level. Shades of brown are a natural fit, while dreamier hues of smoky blue or sage can dial up the whimsy.
The origins of shiplap may be grounded in practicality, but these trending design ideas prove that the timeless motif is far from boring!
Wainscoting
Wainscoting is like the elegant cousin of beadboard. It’s made up of decorative wooden panels that cover the bottom half or three-quarters of a wall. With its wide pattern, it adds grace and formality to dining areas, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, and entries. Covering your walls with wainscoting made from stock boards or panels can be an easy to do yourself project.
Available in a variety of patterns and panel options to suit almost any décor, it’s often used to stylishly safeguard walls that tend to take a beating. Traditionally wainscoting is made of solid wood, but these days wainscoting is also milled from plywood, plastic and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The proper height for wainscotting is generally that the cap sits about one-third the way up the wall. So, if the ceiling is 9 feet, go for 3-foot wainscoting. For taller wainscoting, such as one with a plate rail, cap it two-thirds the way up the wall. Baseboard topped with a profiled cap visually anchors wainscoting in a room and adds a little extra kick protection.
Use paneled wainscoting in rooms and entryways where you can stand back and appreciate it. Beadboard works better in close quarters, like hallways, mudrooms and
utility areas.
Coffered Ceilings
A coffered ceiling is considered “it” in the world of architecture because of the visual interest that coffering can add to any room. It can also improve the acoustics of a house. Made up of grids of sunken panels with moldings, coffered ceilings produce a waffle-like pattern creating an impressive focal point.
Some confuse coffered ceilings with tray ceilings, but the two are different. Tray ceilings are used to make a small room look larger without changing the room’s footprint. Also tray ceilings have just one large sunken surface, while coffered ceilings have many, covering a room’s entire ceiling area.
Things to consider when thinking of ceiling ideas
· The style of your home
· Your budget
· The aesthetics you want to achieve
· Ceiling height
· Faux or functional beams
Height is critical in coffered ceiling design. Coffered ceilings draw the eye upward, but beams expand downward occupying some overhead room. A coffered ceiling design is recommended in rooms with high ceilings, those higher than nine feet. Most coffered ceilings are purely ornamental, developed totally from empty faux beams. Coffered ceiling designs do require advanced knowledge in carpentry and excellent skills in structural work, design details and wood material that you choose will also affect the cost of the job.
Barn Doors
A Barn Door is a sliding door that can be installed anywhere in a home that space allows. Barn doors have rustic roots, historically barn doors have been used as exterior sliding doors to enter an exit a barn. Today barn doors have become a trendy and unique design feature for many homeowners. Whether you’re building a new house or remodeling a room, a barn door can become the centerpiece of your space.
Interior barn doors can make a huge statement in any area, whether it be in a pantry, master bath, closet, living room or an office. They are both functional and stylish and add much more decorative style than traditional doors. Depending on the hardware finishes and barn door design options, your sliding barn door can offer a modern feel or a more rustic style. There are glass and stainless options for a more refined look, metal options that can provide an urban or industrial vibe. No matter which style you choose, you can make your interior space pop with custom sliding barn doors.
Most architectural details are created by skilled finish carpenters. Finish carpentry is the final step in the construction or remodeling project that involves installing trim around doors, windows, stairs as well as baseboards, crown molding, chair rail and other design elements. Many of the architectural elements that have been mentioned can be done by a skilled Do It Yourselfer. If you really want to customize your home but are not up to taking on the project yourself give us a call, the friendly staff at Black Sand Construction, is always ready to help with all of your home customizing, remodeling or construction projects.
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