How to Build ARCHWAY-101 For c. $594.26

Take a look through the archway at the original moldings in the foyer. That’s what this red living room looked like before Joe and Michelle let me loose with my miter saw and paint brushes.

Below The archway as seen from the foyer.

Below The foyer also received a grand molding makeover, but I have very few pictures left from that part of the project.

Below This is my favorite view into the room, where I can see the coffered ceiling and floor-to-ceiling window surrounds in one sweep of the eye!

Painted vs Stained Base Shoe

Below There is much discussion over whether or not your base shoe moldings should be stained or painted when combined with a stained wood floor like this.

I’m happy to report, that after researching historic homes all over the world — both grand and modest — for this same condition, I’m confident telling you that you can do either.

Neither is right or wrong; it’s a matter of choice.

Below The view from the upstairs landing onto the foyer archway.

Below I used what I’ve come to call architectural subordination when designing these two archways. But a design topic I’ve yet to write about that is just as important is the use of layers of detail to create a large architectural treatment.

For instance, I used two Flex Trim molding profiles — a wide casing and a backband — to create the arch in the foreground. But more often than not I see one wide, poorly defined, molding used.

It’s easier and less expensive to install just one wide, vague molding, than it is to create this buildup, but the effect is one of reduced impact.

You are creating a grand archway in your home. Don’t skimp for the sake of a little more work and a tad more money.

The flexible moldings, while not cheap, are not unreasonably expensive, either, especially when compared with the cost of other home improvements.

I say, skip the granite counter tops and spend more on your moldings.

Archway Installation Sequence

The only pictures I have from this project are the Flex Trim installation steps. But I’ll do my best to walk you though what I did to build the arch in the next post.