DOOR TRIM

DOOR TRIM-100

Traditional Style, c. 1828 – 33 These photos are courtesy of the Library of Congress. This ornate corner block is from the Connecticut Greek Revival home of Captain William Webb Wakeman. You could make similar corner blocks for your traditional…

FIREPLACE MANTELS

Antique FIREPLACE MANTEL-100

Traditional Style c. 1780 Photos courtesy of Greg Roth. This beautiful antique marble mantel comes from Bowcliffe Hall, England. The Detroit Institute of Arts list the artist as “unknown.” Whoever the artist was, however, it seems that he was influenced…

PILASTERS

PILASTER-100

Traditional Style, Doric Order A pilaster is nothing more than a column cut in half and then placed against the wall. It is not a load-bearing element like a column, it is decorative only. However, a pilaster must appear to…

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Architectural Detail & Yoga. What’s the Connection?

[This is part of my How to Install Moldings series.] Can you spot the architect’s use of architectural subordination on the, Birmingham, Michigan, Lululemon yoga clothing store? I noticed it while sitting across the street drinking coffee at Biggby’s, waiting…

Ask Ken, WINDOW TRIM

How to Make a Craftsman Style Window Surround

Ben Asks Hi Ken, I am currently installing in my basement my version of your BASEBOARD-100 (5 inch 3/4 mdf + 1.5 inch 1/2 mdf). I will also do the DOOR TRIM-133 in craftsman style for the doors and windows….

CROWN MOLDING

CROWN MOLDING-100: DIY for c. $2.14/lf

Traditional Style Finish Carpenter Price c. $12.00/lf + $12.00/Corner or Return This example perfectly demonstrates the four powerful effects a simple flying crown molding gives an otherwise undefined and visually bland great room: Provides architectural detail to undefined, blank walls…

PIER MIRRORS

PIER MIRROR-100

Traditional Style Though made around 1820, this pier mirror is designed in the earlier Federal Style. And while I’m not a big fan of the spheres under the cornice, I am a fan of pier mirrors in general, and have…

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Architectural Details in the Detroit Institute of Arts

An American Beaux Arts Masterpiece, 1927 Friday morning I spent a few peaceful hours wandering the galleries of one of my favorite public buildings, the Detroit Institute of Arts. My parents took me here as a child, and I’m sure…