architectural mouldings – The Interiors Addict

Architectural mouldings: what they are & how to start

You may have heard a lot of buzz about wall panels and wainscoting lately, seen it used by some of your favourite renovators in the media or on The Block. Like me, you may love the look but didn’t actually know that architectural mouldings is the term for all these fancy add-ons for your walls, skirting, door and window frames! Well, now you do!

“Mouldings, including skirting boards, architraves and wall panelling are those details that seem so small, but make one of the biggest impacts in a room,” says Candace Brigden from Intrim, the leaders in timber architectural mouldings. “They frame all of your hard work, they create depth and character, and most of all elevate the luxe in an interior.”

But the options are many and varied which could leave you feeling a little confused as to which and how much you should use in your home, and whether they’ll suit it.

Luckily for you, Intrim have put together a free handy guide to help! So if you don’t know where to start, it’s time to download it.

“With so many decisions to make, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. This is why we recommend to start with your finishings!” says Candace.

“This guide is as beautiful as it is informative, and as it has been curated exclusively for Three Birds Renovations’ Reno School, it is filled with beautiful images from their previous projects.”

Intrim’s guide gives you information, tips and tricks on:

Understanding mouldings types and how to use them in your home.
How to choose the right style of mouldings for your home, explaining the key features of each interior style.
Guiding you through choosing the right size of mouldings for your room, as well as what sizes of different mouldings compliment the other. This section answers their most common questions around “what height skirting boards to choose?” and “what size architrave to match my skirting with?”
How to measure your room for skirting boards, door architraves and window architraves so you can plan the quantity you need for your order.
Explaining the different types of wainscoting accompanied by stunning project images to show the look and impact each can give your interior. They also provide easy to follow wall-measuring instructions to create the layout for basic wainscoting.
What type of timber to use for your mouldings. Discussing the benefits and disadvantages of MDF and pine timbers, their two most popular timber choices.
Whether you should purchase primed or raw mouldings, the benefits of priming and the long term time and cost savings it can provide to you.

This small 70s apartment was transformed with Intrim mouldings

Intrim, an Australian owned and run business, are conscious of and actively pursue reducing their environmental footprint, supporting farming communities through their FSC certification.

Even if you haven’t got a lot to start from, the Intrim team can lead you to previous projects and social pages where you are sure to find a look you love to emulate in your own home. Contact them via their website any time.

DOWNLOAD the guide.

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Six must-have features for a Hamptons style home

Sponsored by: Intrim Mouldings

There’s no denying the enduring appeal of the Hamptons aesthetic. And with more and more people falling under its fresh white spell, we caught up with Hamptons expert and interior designer Natalee Bowen of Indah Island, to talk us through how to get the look.

Mouldings
“Skirting boards, mouldings and architraves around your doors and windows are key to the Hamptons look. Panelled detail such as wainscoting and shiplap are great feature mouldings too,” says Natalee who doesn’t believe these features can be overused. “I find that people will do their whole home if their budget allows but if not they’ll just insert interior mouldings in specific areas such as the entrance or main living areas.”

“We’ve just got back from revealing Deborah Hutton’s newly renovated home for Open Homes Australia. The mouldings and architraves are all from Intrim and they look amazing,” says Natalee.

Cabinetry
From the kitchen to the bathroom, laundry, fireplace and built-in bookshelves, Hamptons style cabinetry is key to the look. “Think Shaker-style front door details with corresponding handles. Drawer pulls should be half-moon shaped and door hardware is usually a simple knob,” says Natalee. As for finishes, it’s generally chrome or black but we’re seeing a bit more brass and polished nickel lately for that more modern take.”

Half-moon drawer pulls are hallmarks of the Hamptons aesthetic

Colours
“When it comes to colourways, we’re looking for very light, bright and neutral tones that allow the moulding to shine. All the moulding details (architraves, skirtings, ceiling, window trim) should be white to make them pop and bring out detail,” says Natalee who recommends pairing the bright white with very subtle neutral colours. “The complementary paint colours shouldn’t be too dark but should just feature a tint of grey or a tint of taupe. I’m a fan of Dulux Beige Royal, Hogs Bristle and Grand Piano but all in quarter strength.”

Styling
From natural linens to jute rugs and plenty of American Oak timber, Natalee says that layering is vital to the aesthetic. “Think layer upon layer upon layer like a Sara-Lee cake. Blue and white cushions, pops of black and white, floorboards are always American Oak or stained chocolate. Then finish the look with greenery including orchids and palms,” says Natalee who favours the styled vignette too. “Create little vignettes throughout the home – style with items you love and things you have collected on your travels.”

Hamptons styling usually features lots of linen, American Oak and often an accent colour of blue

Lighting
Whether hung over the kitchen island bench, dining table or even used in a formal lounge, staircase, bedroom or bathroom, pendant lights are important for in achieving the Hamptons aesthetic. “I love a chandelier in a bathrooms and wall sconces in entrances and bathrooms are a great look too,” says Natalee who says the finish should complement the rest of the home. “Whether you choose chrome, black or brass depends on the other colourways throughout the house. For example, if you’ve got brass taps and handles in the kitchen then you’d go gold over your kitchen island.”

Exterior trims
“Obviously exterior trims are important too. From weatherboard to cladding, mouldings and architraves you should make sure that all external trims are neutral in colour with white the best choice,” says Natalee who has noticed a navy trend popping up of late also. “We’re just completing a home with navy as the main external colour and the trims are all painted white. It’s perfect for those heavily coastal themed homes.”

For more on Intrim Mouldings

A Hamptons-style family home