Small Details That Make a Big Difference

I did a few things to make a big difference to this living room:

Wainscoting
I took some shoe molding and assembled them into square patterns on the wall.

Chair moldings
Used a 2-inch contoured molding from Home Depot

Repainted the water block heaters
Just used spray paint with with a flat finish. I didn’t want it to be glossy.

Removed the overhead brick
These bricks were just aesthetic. I just knocked them down.

History of Character Design

Wainscoting, particularly when used as square moldings on the bottom third of a wall, carry both aesthetic and functional significance in interior design. It has a rich history and continues to be a popular feature in both traditional and modern interiors.

Aesthetic Appeal: Square picture moldings add a layer of visual interest and texture to a room. When applied to the bottom third of a wall, they create a pleasing, structured look that can make a space feel more refined and elegant. This type of molding often features in dining rooms, hallways, and other formal spaces where an added touch of sophistication is desired. It can also be used to complement and enhance the overall architectural style of a home, whether it's a Victorian-era house or a modern dwelling.

Historical Significance: Historically, wainscoting was used for practical purposes — to protect walls from damage, particularly in high-traffic areas, and to provide insulation in colder climates. Over time, it evolved into a decorative element, with the square moldings serving as a testament to craftsmanship and attention to detail in interior design.

Functional Benefits: Beyond aesthetics, picture moldings have practical benefits. They help protect the walls from scuffs, marks, and damage, which is particularly useful in homes with children or pets. Additionally, they can be used to conceal uneven or damaged wall surfaces, providing a cost-effective way to improve the look of a room without extensive renovations.

Design Flexibility: Square picture moldings on the lower part of the wall offer great versatility in design. They can be painted in contrasting colors to the rest of the wall to create a bold statement, or in matching tones for a more subtle, cohesive look. This flexibility allows homeowners and designers to tailor the feature to suit a wide range of interior styles and preferences.

Next, we have chair moldings, also known as chair rails, and they are more than mere decorative trims. Originating in the 18th century, these moldings were initially designed to protect walls from damage by chairs. Today, they serve a dual purpose: preserving the historical integrity of a room while adding a touch of elegance. Their placement, typically one-third up the wall from the floor, creates a pleasing visual division, allowing for creative paint or wallpaper choices above and below the molding. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also pays homage to the home's architectural heritage.

The third thing that you will notice is the water block heater which is located below the window. Water blocks were used historically and they were connected to a boiler and heated with hot water. Over the years they were used but people would paint over them. However, they were still functional. Photo I used a golden metallic paint to paint over it to give it a nice vibrant and colorful sheen, which adds to the aesthetic of the house.

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