How to decide which molding treatments to use with your mural

How to decide WHICH MOLDING TREATMENTS TO USE With Your Mural Wallpaper

Photo by Susan Harter Muralpapers. Taken at Hedsor House in Taplow, Hedsor, Maidenhead UK.

Clients sometimes ask me about how to decide which molding treatments to use with a mural. I get it: I love molding treatments, and it’s always a joy to work with someone who understands how important it is to get them right. Especially when you’re dealing with luxury wallpaper!

In terms of how each trim options effects murals: I’ve noticed the murals that run floor-to-ceiling feel more atmospheric and enveloping, as if you could walk right into the landscape. Scenic wallpapers that are above a chair-rail have a more decorative feeling. If they’re mostly meant to be viewed from a seated height, like looking across a dining table at other diners, a mural above a chair-rail makes a lot of sense! Perhaps you’d like to consider framed wallpaper, which you could move around your house with ease. I’d like to show you a few examples of each, and give you a few resources to help you with your decision!

Floor-to-Ceiling Mural Wallpapers

These full-length scenics make you feel like you’re stepping into another world. 

Design star Rivers Spencer used the Barringtons Mist mural in her own home. The wallpaper was customized to wrap from her dining room to her living room. 
Modern dining room design by Oxford Design Studio. I love the cognac dining chairs and the angular light fixture with the soft Barringtons Grisaille mural. 
This enchanting jewel box powder room was designed by Lauren Haskett Fine Design. using our Pastoral Warm scenic wallpaper.

Moldings & Wainscoting

If you’re curious about proper trim placement in general, here are a couple of articles I’ve found helpful:

https://wilsonkelseydesign.com/blog/how-to-select-the-right-interior-trim-proportions-for-your-home/
https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2012/11/23/the-magical-entablature/

And, if you really love to learn about this sort of stuff, this organization is wonderful:

https://www.classicist.org/chapters/

A chair-rail usually about 1/3 of the way up the wall, so you’d need approximately 30% less mural if you installed wainscoting.

Mural Wallpaper
with Moldings

This curved entryway mural was custom-created for tastemaker Kathy Kuo‘s own home. The scenic panels wrap around along her hallway and into her office. Gorgeous!
Greystone Statement Interiors created this elegant minimalist dining room using the custom-fitted Calmsden Grisaille mural.
Our Aldsworth Faded mural wallpaper was customized for this living room’s high ceilings and architectural moldings.
This stately home’s sitting room seems to peer out into the Palm Beach scenery. The tropical mural is warm and relaxing, but still fits the elegant setting.

Mural Wallpaper
with Chair Rails

This is our Barringtons Rich mural over a hallway chair rail.
Our Calmsden True mural wallpaper surrounds a handsomely painted mantle and wainscoting.
Design by Joshua Pickering of Pickering House Interior Design. Photo by Stephen Karlisch. Mural is Barringtons Cool.
Aldsworth Natural brings warmth and joy to this simple and intentional dining room. I love the farm table!

I hope you found this helpful! My team is always here to answer questions and help you brainstorm how a mural wallpaper might fit into your home designs. To get the conversation started, click here. We’re looking forward to working together!

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