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Decorative Caulking at Cynthia Rowley's Townhouse
Elle Decor October 2008

0917_rowley1.jpg

We love to see original detailing like plaster scrollwork inside of old homes. Have you ever wondered if you could achieve the look quickly, and on the cheap? Here's how Cynthia Rowley did it in her home...

 
 

The decorative scrollwork on her daughters' bunk bed, pictured above, is actually caulking! It's been piped onto the bunk bed in scroll patterns, then painted white along with the bed's woodwork. It's definitely not crisp and precise. But it's whimsical and has humor. We're thinking it looks more like cupcakes and clouds than architectural trim, but it's a sweet embellishment for a child's room.

What do you think? Would you use caulking like this in your home? See more of Rowley's townhouse at Elle Decor.

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Blogging..., inspiration, Elle Decor, Cynthia Rowley, Montreal

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Comments (19)

Um, No

posted by bepsf on September 17th 2008 at 9:39am
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Why does crappy stuff with Cynthia Rowley's name on it somehow always get a pass, usually with the word "whimsical" attached to it?

posted by diyordie on September 17th 2008 at 9:46am
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I think nailing fake decorative molding from Home Depot and panting it white would look much nicer.

posted by first5times on September 17th 2008 at 9:52am
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ugggh. not for me.

posted by fizzyizzy on September 17th 2008 at 9:52am
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er... painting, not panting.

I do like the bunk beds in an alcove, though.

posted by first5times on September 17th 2008 at 10:01am
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amen, diyordie. if one of us regulars sent in something like this i doubt it would even be posted. and if it were...i can't imagine the reader outrage.

posted by Pistachio on September 17th 2008 at 10:11am
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I love the alcloves, but yeah... home depot yo

posted by DahliaCactus on September 17th 2008 at 10:15am
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I like the alcove beds and I can see her idea, but I don't care for it.
The alcove beds are nice though.

posted by creolesugar on September 17th 2008 at 10:22am
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i dont think it is as god-awful as everyone else does, but won't it just peel right off like caulking usually does? especially with little hands that like to pick?

posted by dosergirl on September 17th 2008 at 10:33am
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It looks like vaguely aesthetic bird shit.

posted by edieb on September 17th 2008 at 10:41am
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Ewwwwww

posted by revolution9 on September 17th 2008 at 10:41am
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LOL Right on, edieb.

posted by moetbubble on September 17th 2008 at 11:07am
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I'm not loving it.

posted by Cassis on September 17th 2008 at 11:31am
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I think it's not half bad, actually, especially since I'd do a better job than that.

posted by Shae on September 17th 2008 at 11:34am
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I have a feeling the post work on this image makes it look even better than it does in real life.....which is not saying much. What was she thinking?

posted by amiencc on September 17th 2008 at 11:36am
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Actually, I think this is really cool. I wish the pictures where better. But I think this might be a great solutions for some loft doors in my place (although executed a bit differently). Hey, if it looks like crap, I reckon I can just peel it off.

posted by kimdog on September 17th 2008 at 1:00pm
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Fug.

posted by otis on September 17th 2008 at 1:42pm
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I'm one to love Cynthia's work, and even like her as a judge on Design star but this....I despite (Sorry Cynthia!)

posted by Yolanda P on September 18th 2008 at 4:56am
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Awful.

posted by madampince on September 18th 2008 at 2:41pm
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