The latest Intrim style series sees us look at three very different homes and the way in which timber mouldings work to create distinct aesthetics in each. First up there’s the 2021 Block contestants Kirsty and Jesse’s Country Coastal abode. Second cab off the rank is Gray & Co’s Modern Farmhouse while design duo Zephyr & Stone’s Modern Hamptons property rounds out the inspiration. From a circular architrave to unique wall battens, these examples feature some of the most beautiful use of timber mouldings that we’ve seen.
Country Coastal An ongoing project with regular interesting reveals, former Blockheads Kirsty and Jesse have been very busy with their lake house renovation of late. A standout power couple from the 2021 season of the show, their latest project is in fact their own home. A coastal-styled residence, it’s a great one to check out if you’re as fascinated by the ‘before and after’ genre as we are. Intrim skirting boards, architraves, chair rails, VJ boards, handrails and windowsill nosings have all worked in concert to take the renovation to the next level.
Kirsty and Jesse’s Country Coastal home
Intrim products used throughout include SK498 skirting boards and architraves, CR45 chair rail, VJ Board Pro 150, SN03 sill nosing around the windows and IHR04 handrails.
Modern Farmhouse Located in the NSW Southern Highlands, interior designer Graham Simmonds’ home walks the fine line between modern and country styling. The owner of Gray and Co, the Sydney interior designer and retailer has created a gorgeously warm feel throughout, in large part due to the judicious use of Intrim mouldings.Featured products include lining boards, wall battens, skirtings boards and architraves.
Gray and Co’s stunning Southern Highlands holiday home
A great use of wall battens adds interest
The texture of the lining board on the walls makes a subtle statement
Intrim products used include Lining Board LB35 (185mm x 12mm – FSC) in the main bathroom, Wall Batten SK06 (custom 42mm x 12mm) in the bathroom, as well as the skirting boards and architraves SK552 (135mm x 25mm – FSC) and SK552 (90mm x 25mm – FSC).
Modern Hamptons Gold Coast sister duo Kasia Clarke and Ania Forster, of Zephyr + Stone, have used Intrim Mouldings to create a contemporary take on the Hamptons aesthetic in their latest project. Circle architraves, raised panel wainscoting and large skirting boards add gorgeous character and style.
We especially love the circle architrave which makes a bold statement in the bathroom in the form of a porthole window – a feature that looks fabulous both inside and out. Used throughout the home, wainscoting elevates the home’s white walls for a fresh, modern take on Hamptons style.
Zephyr + Stone project
Chair rail was cleverly used both above and below the wainscoting to give the illusion of extra tall skirting.
Intrim products used: Wainscoting: Chair Rail CR84 and Inlay Mould IN04, Circle Architraves SK466 90mm and Skirting: SK327 185mm.
It’s the beginning of a new year and as there was such interest from our readers in timber mouldings trends and styles last year, we’re sharing the top 10 skirting board profiles for 2022 from our friends at Intrim Mouldings.
Yes, it’s become a bit of a cliche, but you probably can’t deny that all the extra time spent at home has made you notice the little things you’d like to improve about your home along with giving you a renewed enthusiasm for having a nice space. I always say a great interior is the sum of all the finer details, so skirting boards and architraves (door and window frames) are a great place to start. And then you might consider adding other decorative inlay mould, wainscoting or VJ panelling, which have all seen a surge in popularity.
Getting these details right makes a huge impact on a room, turning a house into a home and a bland commercial space (if we ever get back to the office) into a desirable place to work.
In terms of style, it comes as no surprise that we see a continuation of the beloved Hamptons and modern contemporary styling. There has also been a resurgence of French Provincial styling as decorative mouldings with bold curves and fine detailed finishes grow in popularity. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 profiles that are red hot at the moment and how they can be incorporated into different styles.
SK58 is a consistent best-seller for its all-round Hamptons styling, beautiful curves, and ability to blend into a more modern style. The most popular combination is a 185mm skirting board with a 90mm matching architrave. However you can go bigger to suit your rooms. A general rule of thumb is tall ceilings can look better with taller skirting and larger architraves as they give scale to the room.
Available in 90mm, 115mm, 135mm wide, 185mm, 230mm and 285mm wide x 18mm thick
The SK800 Shadowline System is the perfect profile for a modern contemporary styled home. Its minimalist sleek look provides a neat finish to the base of plasterboard walls. The great thing about the Shadowline System is that it allows you to create gorgeous, modern interiors with slim, seamless finishes around walls and doors.
The Intrim Shadowline System door jambs are available to suit 70mm and 90mm stud widths and available in 30mm and 40mm thicknesses. Shadowline Skirting Board is available to suit 10mm and 13mm plasterboard thickness. Check out the different options here.
The SK498 skirting profile has just the right amount of curves and details, making it one of our must-have Hamptons profiles. After all, the devil is in the detail.
Available in 66mm, 90mm, 115mm, 135mm, 185mm, 230mm, 285mm high and 18mm thick.
SK497 is the kind of profile that makes a statement in a room. With its dramatic dips and curves, this profile can suit many different styles from Hamptons to French Provincial or even modern contemporary/Art Deco.
Available in 115mm, 135mm, 185mm, 230mm, 285mm high and 25mm thick.
SK23 is a versatile profile with a simple big, round curved feature which is perfect for a relaxed coastal, beachy style or a more elegant and sophisticated Edwardian/Georgian styled home.
Available in 42mm, 66mm, 90mm, 115mm, 135mm, 185mm, 230mm, 285mm high and 18mm thick.
SK60 may be the perfect profile for a country or Hamptons styled home but with its beautiful detailing and elegant, balanced curves it’s the kind of profile which can work well with just about any style, including Colonial or Victorian.
Available in 90mm, 115mm, 135mm, 185mm, 230mm, 285mm high and 18mm thick.
SK460 is a Hamptons profile that continues to be very popular with home builders looking for eye-catching curves which stand out. Available in 90mm, 115mm, 135mm wide, 185mm, 230mm and 285mm wide x 18mm thick.
If you’re not sure if the 2022 top 10 are right for you it’s simple to browse more than 1,000 options on the Intrim website and look through the Gallery for more inspiration.
And it just got REALLY easy!
One of the exciting new additions to the skirting boards offering is Fast Trim. This is a pre-scribed skirting board, and it means that the humble renovator or handy DIYer can order the skirting, ready to go. The scribe is the cutting process for an internal corner and for most designs it takes a specialist to do it well. Fast Trim pre-scribed skirting saves an experienced fit out carpenter up to 45% of their installation time. Imagine what it can save you if you are DIY’ing your renovation!
To help you make your final selection, order free samples online from Intrim Mouldings’ website. They love making spectacular interiors, so will be sure to have a solution that will create the wow factor for your project.
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Regular readers may have seen the Instagram Live we hosted for Intrim, alongside interior designer and Hamptons design queen Natalee Bowen of Indah Island recently. A fabulous and informative chat (you can check it out here if you missed it), we discussed how to get the Hamptons look in your home, and how Intrim mouldings can help you do so. With so many reader questions, we thought we’d bring you the top 10 questions and a series of expert Intrim answers.
Also read to the end for details of how you could win a design consultation with Natalee.
Intrim Mouldings by Front Porch Properties
Are decorative large skirtings & architraves expensive? The height and thickness of the profile, what material it is made from (ie. FJ Pine or MDF) and whether it is primed or unprimed will determine the cost. If you consider that the install cost for skirting and architraves will be roughly the same for smaller and taller skirting, the key difference is the timber itself.
For the visual impact it provides, it’s one of the highest return on your investments for a reno. It’s also often overlooked. You can get a tall decorative skirting on a thinner profile and save a heap but still create big impact. You can easily work out a figure for budgeting for your project by downloading the price list from the Intrim website.
How do I work out how much material I need? For skirting, measure around your floors, room by room. Start from left to right, work around the room and remember each length is 5.4 metres so calculate how many lengths you need. We recommend allowing an extra 10% for skirting. For your architraves, measure around all four sides of the windows, and three sides of the doorways. Add 20% scrap for architraves.
Intrim Mouldings used by Front Porch Properties
How do I see samples or a showroom? We have displays in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Check with Covid restrictions, however you can also order up to four samples for free from our website. They really help when creating a vision board.
I don’t know where to start? Who can help me? We always recommend browsing through the project galleries on the Intrim website or visiting our Pinterest boards for inspiration. When you have an idea of the style, but you are after help in selecting your profiles, you can filter on the website by style and size. After you’ve shortlisted a few options you can then order samples online. Another option is to book a design consultation, where you can have a virtual consultation with a product expert from Intrim to help you.
Do you do site visits or in-home consultations? If you want someone in your home to help you work out your requirements then it’s best to talk to a builder or carpenter. If you need help for a design consultation then jump online to request a virtual consultation.
Intrim Mouldings used by Indah Island
I want to match the profile I already have? Profile matching is absolutely available so you can stay true to the heritage of your home. The best way to do that is contact the Intrim team to assist you to custom make this for you. Additional lead time is required.
Can I just pick up the stock when I need it? With such a huge range of options and designs, timber mouldings are not an off-the-shelf item, except for the most basic profile stock in your local hardware store. That’s why everything is made to order, so depending on where you are located you need to allow four-to-six days production time plus freight to your location.
Intrim Mouldings used by Indah Island
How do I work out how to do the wainscoting panelling? This will depend on the style you are after. Once you have decided whether you want lower third or full height, with or without a chair rail and your profile style, you can work out how many panels you need. A general rule of thumb is to keep all the spacings equal between the panels above and below to create the symmetry. A panel shouldn’t be more than a metre wide.
Can I put VJ panelling in the bathroom? Intrim’s VJ Board Pro, is an MDF material and isn’t suitable for bathrooms or wet areas. Some VJ products can be used in a bathroom, but you need to ensure it is a specifically rated for wet area use, as many are not. You can however use FJ Pine products in bathrooms – Intrim lining boards are ideal to get the VJ look in a bathroom (our very own Jen did this). You can also do wainscoting in bathrooms (just not in the shower), and it looks fantastic in Hamptons homes.
Curves and arches are really in at the moment, how do you get an architrave or skirting board curved? Arches are custom made to your sizes in the matching profile for the rest of your architraves. Skirting boards on curved walls can also be made to match exactly with a more flexible material that, when painted, looks identical to the straight FJ pine timber skirting.
Is a coffered ceiling a must for a Hamptons home?
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Located inside a 1970’s apartment building in Sydney’s inner-west, this petite abode underwent an incredible makeover recently and its success can be largely attributed to the very clever use of Intrim mouldings. “I was going for a feminine Hamptons-style luxe vibe. The key elements were wainscotting and lots of white, so those two things were high on my list,” says Sam McDonald of The Curated Life who designed the renovation herself drawing on Pinterest and Three Birds Renovations for inspiration.
BEFORE front door
AFTER front door
“I had been a follower of the Three Birds Renovations YouTube show for a long time before we purchased our apartment and it was actually on their show that I first heard of Intrim. Bonnie was talking about how selecting the right skirting boards can transform your room and that you don’t need to settle for the run-of-the-mill, boring skirtings,” says Sam who clearly followed Bonnie’s advice.
But before the mouldings could be installed, Sam made a couple of significant changes; namely the installation of a false ceiling and down lights together with new flooring throughout. “When we purchased the apartment, there were only three really dull, old ceiling light fans that threw next to no light. This combined with dark grey and navy carpet and grey walls made the space really dark and feel quite small. So the ceiling, new electrical and flooring were the first things we did,” says Sam.
BEFORE dining room
AFTER dining room
As for the new mouldings, 185mm skirting boards were installed throughout the whole apartment, a chair rail was installed in the living and dining spaces and a combination of half and full wainscoting rounded out the mix. New cornices and architraves were installed throughout the whole apartment too with Jason at Living Walls Joinery working on the job.
The renovation also included a floor to ceiling custom bookshelf with cupboards at the bottom that was built by Jason early on in the project and rather paradoxically, the lowered ceiling and extra cabinetry haven’t made the space feel smaller. “Despite the statement bookcase and mantle taking floor space and the false ceiling reducing head height, it’s actually made the space feel much bigger and brighter. It’s a complete optical illusion but it’s exactly what I was hoping for!” says Sam.
BEFORE Hallway and balcony
The lounge room is also sporting a new custom-made fireplace. “I was browsing home decor stores and spotted an electric fireplace mantle and almost fell over a lounge in front of me trying to get over to it for a better look! I knew instantly that I wanted one and asked Jason to make it,” says Sam.
AFTER New custom cabinetry
As for the dining area, it was a formerly unused square nook at the end of the living area but Sam had better plans for it. “I knew it would fit our round dining table perfectly. It was also quite a dark space so I knew I wanted to brighten it up and make it a space that had the wow-factor,” says Sam of the room the that now features floor to ceiling wainscoting and a pendant light.
AFTER Cabinetry detail
And while Sam is very much enjoying her new home she believes the renovation was a sound financial decision too. “These changes have significantly increased the value of our property, well beyond the cost of materials and installation. It’s given the space new life and transformed it into something warm, inviting, charming and exciting. The reaction when people walk in is ‘WOW’ and when a space has that kind of impact on people, it’s definitely worth the cost. I’m still wowed every time I come home!”
Originally four apartments during the 1920s, this 1880s terrace home in Sydney’s Paddington was renovated recently into what is now a grand and generous family home. “The challenge was to unify the spaces, creating an elegant, beautifully detailed, yet functional home, that balanced modern living within the heritage context,” says the project’s designer Megan Burns of C+M Studio.
The staircase and lounge room – what a beautiful space!
Central to the unification was the use of a series of elegant Intrim mouldings – a nod to the building’s past. “We used the Intrim mouldings predominantly in the formal living zone of the house. We designed the panelling on the walls to create a definitive contrast between the old and new zones of the house. While the home has a unified palette, that wall detailing allowed a subtle nod to the grand heritage of the home. It really does evoke a feeling of grandeur in the space,” says Megan.
Overall, the home has an elegant, restrained palette with warmth provided by key textural details. “We used a simple palette of oak, brass and marble. We consistently used these materials throughout working on bespoke detailing to create interesting moments as you move around and enjoy the spaces,” says Megan.
Mouldings aside, another notable design element is the home’s gorgeous solid oak staircase. “We wanted an elegant stair that had elements of heritage about it, so went with quite a traditional nosing detail. Then we decided to pair that with a more contemporary balustrade with solid oak and brass details. The tactile nature of the balustrade with the beautiful grain of the oak is finished in a way to keep as much of the natural quality of the timber as possible. The pops of brass at the turns, which are so soft and undulating, just add to the whole experience of moving through the home,” says Megan.
Staircase
Intrim Mouldings feature under the staircase too
“Heritage, both physical and historical, was the strongest influence in terms of conceptual approach. Creating a contemporary home in a beautiful heritage setting, required finding a fine balance between celebrating the old and embracing the new.”
Photography: Prue Ruscoe | Styling: Alexandra Gordon
As someone currently renovating a very dated sixties house which was lacking in any architectural features or pretty character, I’ve been learning a few lessons about how to add these things and what makes the biggest difference. I wanted to share my top tips and products for adding some extra va-va-voom to your reno. It’s all about the details!
Architectural mouldings
I’m talking skirting, cornice, paneling and architraves. These are things you may not have given a second thought if you’ve never renovated yourself or have always lived in a new build. It is absolutely amazing how much difference putting a little thought and budget into these finishing touches can make. The addition (or replacement) of these trims can add some serious wow factor!
Paneling in particular is definitely having a moment. Indeed I have used VJ paneling extensively in my recent kitchen and dining reno and I love it. I now want it everywhere. How much is too much?!
I used painted MDF VJ paneling to create wainscoting and add visual interest in my dining area
Intrim Mouldings have some amazing products available and I seriously recommend a visit to their website for inspiration. Recently used by Three Birds Renovations in ‘Bonnie’s Dream Home,’ they certainly have the seal of approval of Australia’s most stylish female renovating trio!
Hamptons style skirting from Intrim packs a punch in Bonnie’s dream home
Shadowline skirting is a great choice for modern or Art Deco homes
We recently did a Facebook Live with Intrim, where they answered a lot of your questions on how and when to use mouldings. You can watch it here if you missed it. And if you’re not one of those visual people, check out their online room styler tool.
Who can go past the ever popular Hamptons look? These Intrim products are best sellers.
Flooring
While our kitchen re-do is probably my favourite thing about our part-renovated home, it’s the flooring that has made the biggest difference and I still can’t get over how much it modernised, brightened and added consistency and flow to our home. We also get a crazy amount of comments and questions about it! Months later, I still have all the heart eyes for our Impressive Ultra laminate from Quick-Step. I haven’t spotted a single scratch or dent and believe me, it’s seen a lot of kids running (and riding trikes) around, furniture being moved and tradie boots. It’s a dream to clean and I know I’ll never tire of it.
You may remember that our old floors were a patchwork quilt of cork, dark parquetry and pine boards. Never did a house feel so chopped up!
I really believe you should put a lot of thought into your flooring and buy the best you can afford. Buy well and buy once, as they say. Real timber is beautiful but it isn’t the most practical choice for every home. Do your homework, save up, and your new floor can really transform your home. Read more about why I chose the floor I did.
Doors
Doors (and their hardware) can really date a home. Replacing them can make a huge difference and doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We recently replaced all our internal doors and our front door with beautiful panelled ones from Corinthian’s MODA range (photoshoot coming soon).
The barn door our carpenter created for our laundry is again one of the most commented-on features of our home, and our recent wardrobe door upgrades by Sydney Doors were the icing on the cake of our bedrooms, really finishing them off.
Our carpenter created this barn door from the kitchen to the laundry
Our new wardrobe doors
Don’t forget doors and windows! Our windows aren’t the prettiest but you’d never know because the plantation shutters we have throughout do a great job of disguising them!
I hope this article has given you some reno inspo. What would be your top tips for adding some wow factor to your reno?
When it comes to redecorating your home, skirting boards, architraves, handrails and the likes don’t get much attention. Let’s be honest, choosing soft furnishings seems a lot more exciting. But the right architectural mouldings can, for a relatively low price, transform your home.
Intrim Mouldings is a leading manufacturer in finely crafted, quality timber mouldings. With options to suit any style or design, you can get trimwork that is quintessential Hamptons to Victorian heritage and everything in-between. They’re particularly ideal if you want to refresh an old home or add some character and period details to a new build.
It truly is bang for your buck. One Intrim customer recently bought a home for $930,000 and spent $4,367 on bespoke timber mouldings (they also repainted the walls and put in a new carpet). Refresh done, and the home was valued at $1.275 million! You can’t argue with that return on investment.
Let’s take a closer look at the design options:
The Hamptons style is defined by casual, relaxed beachside living but done in a classic and very sophisticated way. The look is bright and breezy, featuring high skirting boards with big rounded profile features and beautiful wall wainscoting.
The French Provincial style combines fanciful furnishings with fine linens and gentle tones. Very ornate and decoratively detailed mouldings are showcased around fireplaces, on walls and as beautiful cornice and skirting boards.
The Edwardian/Georgian look is all about coordination! These styles rely on straight lines, symmetry and finesse to achieve a clean look. Skirting boards, chair rails and picture rails are typical of this style with textiles and tapestries hung as features. Timber mouldings are stained or painted in similar tones, and furnishings blend perfectly with the walls.
“More of everything” is the trademark of the Colonial/Victorian era, with homes incorporating various styles ranging from classic facades to extremely ornate and decorative embellishments. Highly detailed dado rails, wall panelling and skirting boards are synonymous with the look.
Interior mouldings in Modern homes often use a minimal shadowline skirting or a smaller profile with sharp, hard lines. Timber trimwork is painted to cover the natural grain or is used as a contrast to more artificial shapes and materials such as concrete.
Once you have picked the look you like, the Intrim Room Styler is your next port of call. Super easy to use, it helps you visualise your chosen mouldings in your home. Simply choose one of the room scenes based on your preferred interior style and quickly find the perfect trimwork to create the exact design you want. You can then request a sample and once you are sure on your decision, the final mouldings will be dispatched within five days from order.
Intrim manufacture in Picton, NSW, and deliver Australia-wide.
