Architraves | Skirting | Cornice

Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park Architect Holland Park & Interior Designer Holland Park

Architraves | Skirting | Doors

architecture

Amari | Insight | Architraves | Skirting | Cornice

Architraves, skirting boards, and doors are essential architectural elements that contribute significantly to the style, function, and finish of any interior space. These details, while often understated, provide a polished and cohesive look, tying together different aspects of a room’s design.

When selecting architraves, skirting boards, and cornicing for your home, attention to detail is crucial for achieving a harmonious and stylish interior. These architectural elements might seem secondary compared to walls or furniture, but they play a key role in defining the character of a room. Here’s a guide on how to choose the right options for your space.

Understanding Each Element’s Purpose

Architraves: Architraves are mouldings that frame doorways and windows. They serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, concealing the gap between the door or window frame and the wall. Their design often dictates the style of a room, as they draw attention to structural features.
Skirting Boards: Also called baseboards, skirting boards are installed where the wall meets the floor, protecting the lower portion of the wall from scuffs, furniture damage, and wear and tear. They help define the junction between the floor and the wall, ensuring a neat, polished look.
Cornicing: Cornices, or coving, are decorative moldings installed where walls meet the ceiling. They soften this transition, adding elegance and grandeur to a room. Cornicing can range from simple, modern designs to more ornate, classical styles, depending on the look you're after.

Choosing the Right Style

Your choice of architraves, skirting boards, and cornicing should be in harmony with your home’s overall style, whether it's traditional or contemporary.

For Traditional Homes: Opt for more intricate and detailed moldings. Victorian and Georgian styles, for example, feature elaborate profiles with curves, steps, and ornate detailing. These types of homes often benefit from wide, bold skirting boards and deep cornices to enhance the period character.
For Contemporary Homes: Simplicity is key. Modern spaces typically work well with clean lines and minimalist profiles. Choose flat or subtly grooved skirting boards and architraves, and consider using cornices with straight edges or even going without them for a sleeker look.
Period Homes: If you're restoring a period property, it's important to match the architectural details as closely as possible to the original design. This can help maintain the historical integrity of the space.

Considering Proportions

Proportions play a significant role in creating a balanced look. The size of your room will largely dictate the size of the skirting boards, architraves, and cornices. In larger, higher-ceilinged rooms, wider and taller profiles make a bold statement and suit the scale of the space. In smaller rooms or homes with low ceilings, thinner and more subtle designs prevent the room from feeling cramped or overwhelmed.

Skirting Boards: The height of skirting boards can vary greatly, from as little as 70mm to as tall as 400mm. Taller skirting boards are more suitable for grand rooms, while shorter ones suit modern or smaller spaces. However, a minimum height of around 120mm is often recommended for a balanced look.
Architraves: The width of architraves typically ranges between 50mm to 100mm. The key is to ensure they’re proportionate to both the door size and the room's skirting boards, creating a cohesive look throughout the space.
Cornicing: Cornicing should be proportional to ceiling height. A deep cornice might overwhelm a room with standard ceiling height (2.4m), while shallow cornices may look underwhelming in rooms with taller ceilings.

Material Selection

Materials matter both aesthetically and practically. The most common materials for these features are wood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), and plaster. Wood offers a timeless, natural appearance and can be stained or painted. MDF is a more budget-friendly option that can be easily painted and works well in contemporary settings. Plaster is often used for cornices, especially in period properties, as it allows for intricate designs.

Colour Choices

Finally, consider how your skirting boards, architraves, and cornicing fit into your color scheme. White or off-white is the most common choice, as it helps accentuate the architectural details while blending with most wall colors.

For a bold, modern look, some opt to paint these features in contrasting colors or even match them to the walls for a seamless appearance.

In summary, choosing architraves, skirting boards, and cornicing requires a balance of style, proportion, and materials. Whether you aim for traditional elegance or modern minimalism, these elements contribute significantly to the overall feel of your space.

Amari | Insight | Architraves | Skirting | Cornice | Architecture | Interior Design