Ask Ken

Dave’s Foyer Moldings: An Architectural Subordination Issue

[This is a follow-up post to Dave’s Kitchen Crown Molding Challenge.] Dave and I have been exchanging emails about upgrading the moldings in his home.  This time we’re addressing the all-important foyer. Dave’s foyer has the same issues that many…

Our Molding Makeover Updates

Kitchen Wainscoting Paint Scheme Update

[This is part of Our Kitchen Molding Makeover series.] We’ve decided to continue the picture rail molding all the way around the kitchen so we can paint the frieze dark blue.  Now we’re off to Phoenix to buy our picture…

Our Molding Makeover Updates

Kitchen Paint Color Samples: Thank You Robert Adam

[This is part of Our Kitchen Molding Makeover series.] This weekend we played with some paint color schemes influenced by our current infatuation with rooms designed by the great Robert Adam. Below  I primed all of the moldings — picture…

Our Molding Makeover Updates

DIY Wainscoting on Brick Wall Update. Take a Look!

[This is part of Our Kitchen Molding Makeover series.] We’ve finished installing our homemade, mdf wainscoting on the kitchen brick wall.  Our molding choices were based on Andre Palladio’s interpretation of the Doric architectural order.

Jennifer's Nest

Develop Your Taste

By Jennifer I firmly believe that good taste is not innate; it is cultivated through education and opportunity.  Admittedly, this belief is self-serving, since as a child I papered the walls of my bedroom with calendar art featuring unicorns, and…

Installation & Design Tips

Frankentrim: “You Get What You Pay For” or “Beware the Low Bid”

[This is part of my Hiring a Finish Carpenter Tips series] I like to keep things very positive on my blog, and so I prefer not to critique other carpenter’s work because we all work at different experience levels. But if…

Installation & Design Tips

Hiring a Finish Carpenter Tips

[This post is part of my How to Install Moldings series.] Not everyone has the time or desire to install their own moldings.  So I’m writing this series of posts for those of you who will contract the installation of your…