Q: My house is far from modern – it’s a 1919 Arts and Crafts sort-of bungalow – and inexplicably, the living room walls have picture-frame molding (and crown molding too). My question is about what to put inside those picture frames because so far … nothing!
A: This little truism applies here: “Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s good.” You actually have no idea when this moulding was put up, correct? Could have been the misguided person living there in the 70s…
One option is to ignore the moulding: paint it the same color as the walls, hang whatever art you like, and call it a day. (If you plan to sell your house within the next few years, remember that some people find ANY kind of moulding charming.)
That said, I’m a fan of removing shadow box moulding if you don’t like it. (I heard that gasp – I promise lightning will not strike you down.) Your painter will likely be able to pop it off and repair/spackle the wall to make it nice and smooth. Check out this example. This is the before picture:
Please don’t get me started on the colors (or faux fruit garlands on the window); there is no era in which this color combo would have been a good idea. (I take it back: late 60s?) Just note that this person set off the shadow box moulding with contrasting (green) paint. I didn’t see this room furnished, so I’m not sure what hung on the walls.
Here is the after:
Ahhhh. These clients have a really neat collection of contemporary art, and we didn’t want to be constrained by the moulding. Note how this single, large picture holds the wall with the moulding gone – it doesn’t need anything else around it.
Follow-up Q accompanying picture below: Now I realize (I’ve only lived here FOUR YEARS) that it’s not really picture frame moulding at all even though I’ve always thought of it that way. Whatever it is, I’m stumped because this wall is directly across from the entry. It’s about 12 feet long and no furniture can go there because it’s a high-traffic area (see door at far right).
A. Ah, I see. You’re right: I wouldn’t call this shadow box (or picture frame) moulding at all. But let’s hope someone out there benefits from the first Q/A anyway :)
A couple of ideas come to mind for your wall. The most obvious is a big mirror hung in the center panel. Since this is an entry foyer, a mirror would be practical as well as attractive. Look for something with an interesting/detailed frame, not a big, flat, wide dark wood frame.
The second – and this could be instead of or in addition to the mirror – is wallpaper inside those panels. Fun fun fun, and visually interesting. I’m in love with Manuel Canovas for intense, sometimes zany colors. Look at Neisha Crosland for elegant but funky English-y patterns. Cryptic note: don’t be afraid of metallic. Let me know what you decide!