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

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.

Comments (19)

Why does crappy stuff with Cynthia Rowley's name on it somehow always get a pass, usually with the word "whimsical" attached to it?

I think nailing fake decorative molding from Home Depot and panting it white would look much nicer.

er... painting, not panting.

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

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.

I love the alcloves, but yeah... home depot yo

I like the alcove beds and I can see her idea, but I don't care for it.
The alcove beds are nice though.

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?

It looks like vaguely aesthetic bird shit.

I think it's not half bad, actually, especially since I'd do a better job than that.

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?

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.