This week's Room to Improve question from The New York Times asks Is dark molding appropriate in a modern interior? We've covered this very question many times (and in many different situations) in our own Good Questions: Would You Paint the Molding a Dark Color?, Great White Wall Help? and Not The House Color, Just the Trim? For more from The New York Times, click below...
Other stories in this week's Home & Garden section:
You Might Move Out, but You Can’t Move On. The main feature looks at sellers who regret their decision to sell a beloved home. In one example, the couple bought it back a few years later!
Nesting With a Vengeance (and a Deadline). Hormonal home improvements initiated by pregnancy.
At Home With Mimi Weddell: A Place to Hang Her Hats.
(Pics: Greg Delves, Christopher Capozziello, Joseph J. Delconzo, Nicole Bengiveno)
Veronica & Keith's Handmade Chic 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Hunslet Dinner Plate
A Beginner's Guide to Superb Stir-Fry: Quick, Healthy Meals from a Wok
Easy Pitcher Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Comments (4)
I saw the article on dark mouldings this morning - and I love the illustration.
One would have to have heavy/wide mouldings (as shown) to carry off this look - thin/flat ranch mouldings painted dark would just look silly.
As long as it is cohesive throughout I don't think it matters whether moldings are light or dark, ornate or plain. We have a unique modern house, with modern art but plain moldings in a walnut stain.
I'm currently experimenting with this in my loft - installing 6" base throughout, painted a dark charcoal grey. Planning to also paint the cement beams/pillars throughout the same color to accent the architectural interest of the space.
So far seems to be working pretty well, providing some nice contrast with the white walls and light wood floors.
In my sister's last apartment, she painted the walls a pale mint green, and the heavy baseboards and trim a glossy black. It looked smashing, very chic, but I don't think I could have gone for the pale green and black on my own.