Expert advice on using plaster work and panelling
NEED TO KNOW
Mouldings are elements such as ceiling roses, cornices, architraves and coving.
Typically associated with the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras, designs were created through reliefs and recesses across surfaces, often inspired by classical Roman and Greek architecture. While mouldings were originally made from plaster and timber, during the 20th century alternative materials provided more durable, cost-effective finishes. ‘New mouldings can be transformative,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. ‘And whether you paint them the same colour as walls or in a contrasting shade, you can inject personality into a room.’
HISTORIC HOUSES
Try to keep as close as you can to what would be the appropriate style for the house, advises interior designer and antique dealer Max Rollitt. ‘If the cornice is missing, refer to what details still exist – the skirting, dado rail, architrave or fireplace, for example – for guidance.’ These elements within classical buildings are based on four classic orders: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Tuscan. ‘Identify the order and you’re over halfway there,’ says Max.
MODERN TOUCHES
Most decorators warn against retrofitting mouldings into a modernist house. However, those wanting to go for a more contemporary style will tend to work with less opulent and more linear plasterwork designs. For a creative take in the bedroom, add moulding to the wall with fabric panels layered inside and between them to create a headboard effect, recommends Samantha Wilson, founder of Collection Noir. ‘Adding moulding to walls can be a great way to create zones in a space while also adding depth by inlaying bras
