picture frame moulding – tutorial

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Ok guys, I finally got around to getting a tutorial put together for the picture frame moulding I put up in my dining room!  And, I decided to go with “moulding” instead of “molding”.  I still don’t know which is correct, but the U just looks a heck of a lot fancier now doesn’t it 😉
Supply List:
  • Trim moulding.  I used a larger trim piece for the picture frame, and a smaller trim piece for the accent along the top.
  • Compound miter saw (or) miter box and hand saw
  • Liquid Nails (make sure it’s the type that bonds wood to other surfaces)
  • Nail gun and nails (use protective gear)
  • Tape measure
  • Painter’s tape
  • Wood filler
  • Sand Paper
  • Paintable caulk
  • Caulk gun
  • Primer and paint (I went with a semi-gloss paint to tie in with the existing trim)
Here we go!
STEP ONE:  Prime and paint the bottom half of the wall, below the chair moulding.

STEP TWO:  Measure out and mark the placement of the moulding.  I recommend measuring down from the existing chair moulding instead of up from the baseboards to ensure proper spacing.  Our floors are not even and this was really noticeable when I measured up from the bottom.

STEP THREE:  Cut the moulding according to your measurements using either a compound miter saw or a miter box and hand saw.  You’ll want to make sure you get nice even 90 degree angles for the best fit.

STEP FOUR:  Attach your larger cut moulding pieces to the wall using Liquid Nails.  Run a small bead along the back for your trim piece and press it firmly against the wall.  Then pull the piece back off of the wall.  Wait about 30 seconds to a minute before placing it back in the same position.  This helps with the adhesion.  Place strips of painters tape over the trim piece to keep it positioned correctly while drying.  NOTE:  I did not use Liquid Nails on the smaller trim piece that ran just below the chair moulding, as it would have squished out the back side.  That piece was attached using the nail gun.

STEP FIVE:  After the Liquid Nails has dried, you’ll notice some parts of the trim didn’t stay flat against the wall.  Go over these areas with your nail gun to get them to lay flat.  Now you can attach the smaller accent trim piece to the wall using the nail gun.  Fill in your nail holes and the sections where your 90 degree angles meet with wood filler. Once dry, smooth out with sand paper. 
STEP SIX:  Apply caulk where the trim pieces meet the wall for a seamless look.  Wipe off any excess and let dry.

STEP SEVEN:  Prime and then paint all trim pieces.

STEP EIGHT:  Step back and admire your work!!! 
And, here’s a little before and after action for ya.

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I’ll be linking up to these fab parties:

Comments

Newest
  1. Andrea Avatar

    Gosh, you made this look so easy (even for a pregnant woman)!! I don't know if my skills can handle it, but I'm pretty sure my handyman can. I'm dying to add some moulding to our foyer.

  2. Becky {This Is Happiness} Avatar

    Wow Shelley, that looks amazing!

  3. Silver Jewellery Manufacturer Avatar

    Hello there, I found your site by way of Google at the same time as looking for a related topic, your site got here up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked to my favourites|added to bookmarks.

  4. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper Avatar

    i am pinning this! i may do it in the DR one day!

  5. Jessamie {Bird and Branch Redesign} Avatar

    LOVED it. PINNED it. And I will be trying it one day!

  6. Tiffany Avatar

    Awesome instructions! I want to do this in our dining room…eventually

  7. Jenna at Homeslice Avatar

    It looks beautiful! I wasn't sure what you were talking about when you mentioned the small trim piece, but now that I see it, it makes a huge difference! I'm considering picture molding in our home, so this is great to see a little of what I'm getting myself into!

  8. Mel Avatar

    This looks so great, it just amazes me every time I see what looks like a few pieces of wood, completely transform a room. This is really beautiful

  9. Emily Avatar

    this is amazing! and he u makes it more european! lol, pinning!

  10. Harps and Ollie's Mom Avatar

    I love it! You did an awesome job, as always! 🙂

  11. Shiloh Avatar

    Beautiful! I love that paneled look.

  12. Green Willow Pond Avatar

    Great job on the trim! Such a rich look for so little money!

  13. Judy Avatar

    You made this look so easy. I would love to do this in my downstairs family room. We had a professional do this on the top level of our home years ago, but I would love to try this ourselves. I am pinning this one. I would love for you to come and link up to my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST tonight. Hope to see you there.

  14. Honey at  2805 Avatar

    You really added great dimension to your paneling! Lots of bang for the buck!

  15. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    So fabulous!How much did you spend for the whole room?

  16. LidoGirl Avatar

    where did you get your trim pieces? Do you know what they were actually called? I can't find anything low profile like yours, they all have huge rounded bumps to them. Love how it came out!!

  17. Shelley {Crazy Wonderful} Avatar

    Thank you! I'm not sure what the name is of the trim, but I picked it up at Lowes. I would take in a photo to your local home improvement store and ask them if they can locate it for you.

  18. Michelle Smith Avatar

    Well, that's excellent article! I enjoy reading the articles that have good information and ideas to share with each reader.
    Hunter Douglas

  19. m2c Avatar

    Please please please, I HAVE to know where you got your light fixture!

    1. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful Avatar

      I love that light! We took it with us when we moved 😀 It's from ZGallerie, but Ballard Designs carries it as well.

  20. bright and beautiful Avatar

    nice work! thank you for sharing!

  21. Camille Avatar

    Thanks for the tutorial! We just got all the chair rail cut and ready to install tomorrow and then it's on to the picture frame molding.:)

  22. Jacy Thomas Avatar

    Hello,Thank you for this post. I really impress with your tutorial about picture frame moulding.Thank you for this post.

  23. ante drazina Avatar

    What were the dimensions of your squares?

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Unfortunately, we no longer live in this house and I cannot remember. If this helps at all, I think they were about 2 inches from the bottom of the upper trim piece, about 2 inches from the top of the baseboard, and two inches in between each square.

Meet Shelley

Hi, I’m Shelley! My belief is that with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can make your home look like a million bucks without spending it.

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