Replies

1. 
   CapnMac | Oct 24, 2005 06:51pm | #1

   Hmm.  My first reflex thought is that more moulding equals built-up moulding.  So, most of my thoughts have some sort of flat stock with the existing crown mounted to that.  Then any additional mouldings go on the edge or under that flat stock.

   The reason for that is that most of the time, the "stock" crown has only a 1/4" - 5/16" "flat" along its bottom edge.  That's a tad "thin" as it were, to butt another moulding up underneath.

   Ok, how to get what you want without taking down all of the existing crown?  Try looking at some of the dentil mouldings out there, or possibly one of the taller base mouldings or casing mouldings.

   Check out the 120 or 223 casing from these folk:

   http://www.mouldings-etc.com/catalog/products/casing.html

    

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
2. 
   cynwyd | Oct 24, 2005 07:14pm | #2

   As noted the problem is the thickness of yoiur existing molding on the bottom edge.

   If a 3" or so width, your choice, is painted below that bottom edge around the room and an astragal like molding is added it will add weight.

   You'll need to get the wall stripe as smooth as your trim if it's going to pass as trim, use vinyl spackle not lightweight. The lightweight doesn't feather out as fine as the vinyl.

   So from top to bottom it would be, crown, wall painted like trim, molding.

   I think we're thinking the same, just make your cranberry wall pass as trim.

    

3. 
   scrumseeker | Oct 24, 2005 07:50pm | #3

   I see a lot of local builders use a piece of base cap upside down about 3" below the crown molding.  Paint wall in between the same as the trim.

   Looks good at first glance,  but not nearly the same effect as most built up crown details.

4. 
   DougU | Oct 24, 2005 08:30pm | #4

   Add that piece of trim 3" below the existing crown( or whatever you think looks best) and paint the strip of wall and the newly applied trim the same color as the crown.

   That way it all looks like one big built up crown detail.

   Doug

5. 
   Taproot | Oct 24, 2005 08:47pm | #5

   We had a client who asked us to put picture rail just beneath his new crown molding (a standard ogee curve, colonial). He had me place it about 1 inch below the bottom of the crown and then our painters painted that part of the wall the same color as the trim.

   When you stepped back it at first looked a little like a built-up molding. Overall I think it looked pretty good. Usually on taller walls (these were 8 foot), you'd place the picture molding about a foot or so below. But this looked pretty good.

   The client used it for what it was meant for--to hang his pictures from, but I suppose you could do it if you wanted to add a little more depth to your molding profile.

   Tim

1. 
   JoeyB | Oct 24, 2005 10:29pm | #7

   Taproot, what part of Va. are you located?Coming to you from beautiful Richmond, Va.

1. 
   Taproot | Oct 24, 2005 11:07pm | #8

   Charlottesville area.

6. 
   JoeyB | Oct 24, 2005 10:19pm | #6

   Rcar, I've seen where people have put trim under crown and painted it the same color to achieve a "built up" crown look. IMHO it screams fake 2 or 3 member crown. I would personally put up real 2 member.

   Coming to you from beautiful Richmond, Va.

7. 
   BryanSayer | Oct 25, 2005 12:07am | #9

   You can do a picture rail below the crown molding. Here is mine (the pictures were not hung yet), but be advised - large photo.