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Before & After: Jude's Impromptu Molding Treatment

082608_molding4a.jpgApartment Therapy reader, Jude, emailed us her gorgeous house makeover. We wanted to share the molding treatment that she created on one wall in her living room. Jude has slowly been making over her house for the last 3 years and has finally finished this pretty space. Read more about her inspiration and how an impromptu design decision helped to create this neat look after the jump.


 
 

082608_molding02a.jpgWhile the trim crew was at Jude's to install the crown molding, she decided to spontaneously add an additional trim design to the wall in the 10.5 x 15.5 room. Inspired by the design of West Elm's daybed, Jude quickly sketched the overlapping square design and they went to work. Initially, Jude had thought the squares would be the same size. However, the trim installer ended up varying them a bit by making some smaller then others and it worked! The trim pieces were attached simply by a nail gun and Jude couldn't be happier!

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[The molding adds dimension to the space]

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[Here's another shot of before and after in Jude's living room.]
We love the look too and find Jude's positive attitude about design a pleasure. Overall, the project was quick and affordable. It took two days to complete the trim cutting and attachment. Supplies were only $80 and labor was negotiated to a nice price. If you are interested in this semi-DIY, check out more of Jude's creative and inspiring makeover right here. (We love the Kelly green accent wall in her other room.)


Here are more wall treatment ideas:
Top 10 Affordable Wall Treatments

  • Inspiration: Wall Treatment Made of Wood Disks
  • Look! IKEA slat wall inspiration

  • Tags

    living room, design, before and after, molding, wall treatment

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    Comments (55)

    I love the lighting and the candles
    Beautifully done overall!

    posted by mansi on August 26th 2008 at 6:32am
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    It's funny that at first glance I thought about the west elm furniture.

    It's a beautiful room, but what really caught my eye is the color of the floor with that wall color. My floors are the same color, so it will be hard not to head back to homedepot (the day after I just went) for different paint chip colors now!

    posted by iheartmini on August 26th 2008 at 6:36am
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    ive always wanted a green room with zebra chairs!

    posted by Enamorada on August 26th 2008 at 6:38am
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    beautiful work! it feels innovative and very fresh looking! can i ask what color you painted the walls?

    posted by claudianyc on August 26th 2008 at 6:38am
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    I'm lucky enough to have a trim carpenter for a dad, so this will be his next project! haha.
    I love it!

    posted by Hailee on August 26th 2008 at 6:40am
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    that is beautiful. what a well designed and coordinated space.

    posted by Pistachio on August 26th 2008 at 6:44am
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    WOW that looks awesome!!! I thought it was a West Elm photo shoot at first glance!

    posted by Erin Lang Norris/Yellow Canoe on August 26th 2008 at 6:50am
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    wow! it's not my style but i have to appreciate the impact that wall has... it's quite the commitment (too much for me considering i love rearranging everything...) but it's stunnnning. and i never use that word! ;)

    posted by kdkaboom on August 26th 2008 at 6:50am
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    nice work with the molding.

    the room as a whole feels a little over-designed to me though. i'm getting nervous just looking at it!

    posted by misslyss on August 26th 2008 at 6:51am
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    I think the framed photos in the latticework is too much. Generally, there's too much going on here. Pared down a bit, I think the space could be fantastic. But edit, edit, edit!

    posted by frontiersperson on August 26th 2008 at 6:52am
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    that is GORGEOUS. i just did moulding treatments in my new condo but it makes me want to take it down and do this!
    LOVE IT!

    posted by Bobbycat5 on August 26th 2008 at 6:55am
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    WOW - I love it!

    posted by bepsf on August 26th 2008 at 7:01am
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    It's a neat concept, but I think that wall is too busy. Incredibly busy. I'd remove the framed pictures and lighting to tone it down a few dozen notches. My eye doesn't know what it should be focusing on...

    I would also like to see some color pop, it's kind of monotone.

    And to cover up that gorgeous floor! Oh, no! (Forgive me, in Florida finding laminate/hardwood in a home is a gift from the Heavens! haha)

    posted by Kimber on August 26th 2008 at 7:02am
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    It's a stunning transformation... but I don't want to think about all of the coping and cutting involved!

    I think it makes a strong statement all on its own... I think placing all of those picture frames in the cavities was not a good idea.

    posted by hejiranyc on August 26th 2008 at 7:02am
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    It looks cool but something I could never live with - way too busy for me.

    posted by superchou on August 26th 2008 at 7:03am
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    Overdone. I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time but with pictures, it's just too, too much.

    Love the colors though.

    posted by LBhirise on August 26th 2008 at 7:07am
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    My fiance just installed a very nice and basic chair railing in our new guest bedroom. I begged him for it, and he was so nice to do it. Looks great. It was definitely a project though (he had never done one before).

    So I just showed him this and was like, "At least I didn't ask you to do this dear!"

    He staggered away and quietly went back to his computer.

    Nice job - can't imagine the work!!

    posted by faith on August 26th 2008 at 7:07am
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    What a transformation!

    posted by ChrisToronto on August 26th 2008 at 7:07am
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    wah! too much!

    posted by amt230 on August 26th 2008 at 7:08am
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    I like the pillow on the side chair. Anyone know where I can get one?

    posted by SourApple on August 26th 2008 at 7:15am
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    That's a big transformation! Looks like a showroom. That being said, it feels staged and not very personal, though very well put together. Maybe some more personal items could be incorporated. Also, I find the lattice wall, which is already a statement in itself, a bit busy. I would take the pictures/artwork off that wall.

    posted by reb on August 26th 2008 at 7:16am
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    Not at all my style - but very beautiful and impressive!

    posted by twenty twenty-one on August 26th 2008 at 7:26am
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    Someone loves their nail gun! :)

    posted by kellylc on August 26th 2008 at 7:30am
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    I love it, but for the record, this must have been the furthest thing from impromptu

    posted by ce_pelle on August 26th 2008 at 7:38am
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    Great creativity but a little over the top for my taste.

    Props for being brave and trying something like this!

    posted by Laura on August 26th 2008 at 7:53am
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    you must have a really grey and dull job to want to come to this excitement and visual overkill. personaly i prefer my home to be much more paired down, but if it's your style, impressive.

    posted by aad on August 26th 2008 at 7:55am
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    I love the look, but agree with others - it would look so much better without the picture frames.

    posted by first5times on August 26th 2008 at 7:59am
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    too busy, do not like.

    posted by writous on August 26th 2008 at 8:09am
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    Great job! Total moulding commitment!

    posted by jen_g on August 26th 2008 at 8:11am
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    "That's a lotta look."

    posted by tallguylehigh on August 26th 2008 at 8:12am
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    I like it, but a little bummed to find out someone was paid to do it. Sure, $80 for materials, and then another $40/hr for the labor... all those cuts, that measuring?! that adds up to a ton of money...

    posted by Imblebee on August 26th 2008 at 8:19am
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    wow, this is amazing

    posted by hanako66 on August 26th 2008 at 8:42am
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    dizzy, overdone, pretentious, one-sided. half of those mouldings, would make it interesting and elegant and if placed classically in tall rectangles would elongate the walls. there are so many other great details in that room, furniture, display items, art, photos but the eye just get trapped in that spider web wall.

    posted by Astrid Vladi on August 26th 2008 at 8:48am
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    ...I am printing to add to my inspiration board:)

    posted by hanako66 on August 26th 2008 at 8:50am
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    I agree with Astrid, I would have opted for the tall rectangle look, for sure!

    posted by Kimber on August 26th 2008 at 9:07am
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    I don't think it has to add up to all that much. Trim's not expensive, and those cuts aren't dovetailed. Got a mitre box?

    I love the look, think one huge picture would be better than all the ditsy ones.

    And you don't have to have a grey, dull job to want a stylish home. What a bunch of sourpusses.

    posted by Palmetto on August 26th 2008 at 9:19am
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    Lord. Dusting nightmare.

    posted by Voodoo on August 26th 2008 at 9:25am
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    Major points for the craftiness of this, but I'd personally prefer to live in the 'before' pictures.

    posted by Kris on August 26th 2008 at 9:34am
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    This is what a before and after should be. The attention to detail is impeccable and well executed.

    Contrary to what others say, this does feel personal because clearly this is the style and items that Jude likes, which is all that matters.

    It's a breath of fresh air to see a home alive with color, texture and flair. Thanks for sharing with us, Jude.

    posted by Seaside on August 26th 2008 at 10:18am
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    Imagining the math involved makes my brain hurt.

    posted by That70sHeidi on August 26th 2008 at 10:54am
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    Suffocatingly crowded.

    posted by sarahisaghost on August 26th 2008 at 11:13am
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    I absolutely LOVE Jude's living room. The molding is so impressive that one day I hope my living room will look half as good as her space. Beautiful home, Jude!

    posted by kylie of bandelle on August 26th 2008 at 11:56am
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    While I appreciate the effort, the style isn't for me - I think I'd get a headache if I stayed there too long. Still, it's an inspiring project!

    posted by DCE on August 26th 2008 at 12:02pm
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    Gorgeous, amazing transformation!

    posted by annieo217 on August 26th 2008 at 12:25pm
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    I love it.
    It's absolutely gorgeous. If I thought for a second that it would work in my space, I'd copy it and swear that it was my original idea.

    posted by OnlyMe on August 26th 2008 at 1:08pm
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    whoa.. so crowded. i dont think i would enjoy actually being in the room

    posted by bluetoes on August 26th 2008 at 1:24pm
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    I think painting the molding the color of the walls would help a lot to make it a less dizzying effect. As is, in my opinion, it's some what exhausting to the eye.

    posted by Garrett on August 26th 2008 at 1:50pm
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    Brilliant idea, but this is going to be dated very soon.

    Another fifteen years after *that* however, and it'll be a gem.

    posted by john m on August 26th 2008 at 1:56pm
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    amazing but not for me. loving the pairs of smaller pics.

    posted by Jennyb on August 26th 2008 at 2:56pm
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    Yuck.

    posted by sfdoddsy on August 26th 2008 at 7:24pm
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    Garrett has a good point.

    And why on Earth have I commented thrice on this topic?

    posted by Kimber on August 26th 2008 at 7:31pm
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    Pretty colors!..but def. too busy to look at...but pretty things as well...!

    posted by keeks on August 27th 2008 at 2:34am
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    Jude dear, this is shockingly beautiful...

    posted by tulpoeid on August 30th 2008 at 1:58pm
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    um please take down all those baby sized frames, its way too fussy. Try putting a large gold or silver framed mirror above the credenza. Tone the lightong down and put a lamp on one end of the credenza. I think the wall is stunning just clean it up a bit.

    posted by superrenee on August 30th 2008 at 6:11pm
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    very neatly done, and it certainly is a very personal room and style. far too much for me, i do prefer calmer spaces, but as this is not my room … :-D

    posted by maike on August 31st 2008 at 11:23am
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