Traditional Style
If you’re looking for a door trim pattern that won’t go out of style, then this eared architrave should meet your needs — it’s been around for 2,500 years.
I’ve seen eared architraves in historic homes all across North America, both in grand mansions as well as humble farmhouses.
And while it’s usually assigned to the Greek Revival period, I’ve seen it in Georgian and Victorian homes as well. (See Moldings, Beautiful Even in Decay.)
This pattern also goes by shouldered or lugged architrave, but i use the term eared architrave on the Joy of Moldings.
Posts in This Series
- How to Make an Eared Architrave Part 1: Materials inventory & prices and how to make the plinth blocks.
- How to Make an Eared Architrave Part 2: Layout and how to cut and put all 18 of the pieces together.
- How to Paint an Eared Architrave: I used this sequence to illustrate our main How to Paint Moldings page.
- DOOR TRIM-103.1: This is the same door trim installed on our smaller doors in the kitchen.
[This installation sequence is part of A Kitchen Molding Makeover series.]
This is the eared architrave in its simple, white paint version. But once I discovered how Robert Adam used to paint them, well, I just had to try it for myself.
And I loved it! See below.
You can build a beautiful door surround like this with materials from your local lumber yard.
Porch door in the kitchen leading to the patio.
Before & After Door Trim
At first I were concerned that the dark blue border would be too busy for the small kitchen and dining room.
But since I’d never pained door trim moldings this way before, I just couldn’t know until I gave it a try.
It turned out that it does not feel busy at all. It’s a very calming detail, in fact. Your eye has a path to follow as it roams around the room looking at the moldings.
