Are you tired of living in drywall boxes? Does your home lack any character beyond the paint and furnishings you put into it? Unfortunately, today’s construction methods often leave an interior dull and devoid of any detailing.
One of the reasons older homes are so popular is due to their character and their details. But older homes come with their own set of problems. Be prepared to deal with old wiring and plumbing and a whole host of other repair and maintenance issues. If renovating an older home from scratch is not in your budget or timeline, a newer home may be for you.
New homes however do not need to lack the classic molding and details from the past. Old homes were once new too. The difference is due to the time involved and added cost, builders frequently leave out the special custom detailing that makes a good house a great house. At the very least these details are optioned as very expensive add-ons to an already expensive home.
Photo: Houzz
The good news is as designers we are always going into homes and adding the details they lack. We take a lot more care in actually detailing an interior with architectural elements, as opposed to just decorating with wallpaper and paint. With good craftsmen and a good design team one can easily detail and interior and the budget need not be astronomical.
Regardless of style, any home can be architecturally detailed, even modern homes. The key is being true to the style of architecture and paying very close attention to scale. Knowing what will add to a space and what will subtract from its beauty can be challenging. What lines and decorative elements to use should be thoughtfully and carefully researched.
There are many fine examples of well-appointed homes in America, Europe and beyond which can be used for inspiration, but applying the lessons can be the most difficult part of the process. The key is to knowing what is and what is not appropriate to a space. This level of detail is often left to the professionals to achieve the best results.
