by Matt Fox
Home and Garden Television
Sometimes it's amazing how the addition of decorative moldings and trim can really change the look of a room. A room that starts out with chair rail or crown molding can quickly take a giant leap from being ordinary to spectacular. If you are willing to spend a weekend adding decorative trim to one of your rooms, it will be time well spent. And just imagine what the neighbors will think when you tell them you did it yourself.
Materials:
picture frame trim
back saw
corner rosettes
hammer
level
2d finish nails
measuring tape
nail set
pencil
flush spackle
primer
caulk
220 grade sandpaper
masking tape
miter box
carpenter's wood glue
Steps:
1. Measuring and marking
Measure the room that you are going to be working with and purchase enough molding to do the entire room with a couple extra feet for mistakes. For this project I purchased corner rosettes that are basically 3 1/2-inch square blocks. We spaced our rosettes at 20-inch intervals, so divide the total room measurement by 20 to determine how many rosettes to purchase.
Using the dimensions of the rosettes, establish where you want your trim to be placed. With a level, draw a pencil line around the perimeter of the room. This line will be used as the guideline for placing the picture frame trim.
Painting inside the lines
Paint between your pencil line and the ceiling trim with the same color and type of paint that was used on the crown molding. Allow the paint to thoroughly dry before you start to place your trim.
Placing the trim
Pre-prime all of the picture frame trim and rosettes using a quick dry primer. Sand the primed pieces with 220 grade sandpaper (just sand lightly, to smooth the edges). Remove all dust with a tack cloth. Cut the picture frame trim using a miter box and back saw. Place the cut trim on the pencil line and secure it to the walls using 2d finish nails. Set the nail heads and fill the nail holes with a flush spackle. Apply a small bead of caulk around the trim; this will help to give the project a more finished look.
Painting, part 2
All right, you're almost there _ but you need to give all the trim a final coat of paint. Apply a second coat of paint to the inside surface of the wall below the crown molding, and to the picture frame trim. Use masking tape to protect the wall below the picture frame trim; it will help the job go a lot faster.
Painting and attaching the rosettes
Paint the rosettes with the same paint as the trim. Tap a small nail into the back of each rosette to use as a handhold while you paint. Allow the rosettes to thoroughly dry. Confirm how far apart you want your rosettes, but don't start right in the corner.
Give yourself 8-10 inches from the corner before starting. Mount the rosettes to the wall using carpenter's adhesive such as liquid nails. Spread it on the back of the rosette, and then press the rosette to the wall with enough pressure to secure it. Hold the rosette to the wall for about 30 seconds before releasing, allowing the glue to set.
Extra tip:
Molding can really enhance a room. If you do a lot of trim work, you may want to invest in a power miter saw. A power saw will give you smooth cuts, and save a lot of time.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.shns.com.)
Resources Great Ideas From Room by Room Videotape
Fun, creative projects give each room in your house a beautiful new look--without costing a lot of money. Step by step, Shari Hiller and Matt Fox show how to build a fireplace screen, use special painting techniques to customize walls and furniture, create window treatments and offer tips for accessorizing. All are easy, economical projects that can be completed in a weekend or less. (60 minutes)
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