Picture Moulding

They call me Jen-na-na, I'm back, I'm back.

Hello inhabitants!  If you have been reading our blog you would have noticed that, well, it has been neglected.  But today is a new day!  We are dusting it off with another short and sweet DIY project.

Raise your virtual hand if you have ever lived, seen, or currently reside in a split level home- or any home for that matter- where a long and very awkward wall stands at attention.  Do you know what I am talking about?  You know, that wall that connects the living room and that tiny-ass "so-called" dining room?

Do you find you have a million little holes in your wall from trying to hang pictures in various locations on this particular wall, trusting you will get it right someday, but it always comes out looking rubbish?

There is a solution, people!  It's picture moulding! (or molding-- the "u" makes it fancy)

We have seriously done EVERYTHING to this wall before trying out the moulding.  We have had floating shelves, shelves with brackets, big pictures, little pictures, a giant hutch and bookcases against the wall trying to break up the room, added the fireplace bookshelf (seen here), painted and patched it a zillion times... on and on...  My type A misery was quite endless.  Because we have such a small space, we needed to try and utilize every last shred of square footage, which meant that prized furniture finds found their way to the basement. No worries, I still stop down to say hello.  The hutch understands that I would do it all over again if it meant that I could walk around my dining room table comfortably... and guess what?!  I can!  Eeeeeeh *giddy!*

With the furniture gone, we were left with a wide open space.  We already tried the whole shelf thing, so we knew that idea was shit, if I'm being honest.  That only left one thing.  Art.  Because I love to create art so much, I have the tendency to switch my pieces around.  The downside of new artwork? Holes. Holes flippin' everywhere.  I'm talking holes on top of holes, man.  The hubs can vouch for that.

Back to the picture moulding, aka molding, aka picture rail--

I initially came across this idea after seeing it in my sister's artist loft in St. Paul.  The tenants display their craftsmanship in the hallways.  This system is perfect for them to replace their pieces once they are sold. One strip of picture moulding, some wires, a hook, and no nail holes?  Um, SOLD.

Here is some picture moulding eye candy:

I picked up two 6 foot pieces of picture moulding (picture railing) at Lowes for a little over $7.00.  After doing a little research the best standard height to hang your moulding is 6-8 inches below the ceiling.  For reference we hung ours at 6".  Food for thought: Make sure to keep the no fail 57" rule in mind when hanging your picture moulding, so you can really show off your (or others) creative works of art.  I am gifting you a very helpful link from Apartment Therapy (57" Rule).  You are welcome!

The first step in putting up your picture moulding is mark how far down from the ceiling you want your rail to go.  Things to consider:  Do you or will you have crown moulding?  Do you have a vaulted ceiling?  Keeping those in mind you may want to adjust the placement of the railing accordingly.

Once you have measured 6" (or another figure) all the way down the wall, marking in appropriate areas, get a large level and connect the marks.  Even though marks were created, it doesn't necessarily mean it is automatically level.  Make sure to watch the level line.  Run a pencil between the markings so you end up with something like this:

Hopefully you have purchased enough moulding to cover the length of your wall.  We took one six foot piece and cut the end that will connect with the second piece of moulding at a 45 degree angle.  We used the pencil line as a guide to get our moulding right where we wanted it.  Make sure to hold a level on top of your moulding while it is being secured.  Watch that stinkin' level line!  Also, be sure to attach your moulding with the rounded side on top. We put a few brads in the wood with our nail gun to loosely secure it.

Next we measured the rest of the railing-free wall and marked it on our remaining six foot strip.  Keep in mind you will have to cut another 45 degree angle the opposite way than you did the first strip of wood.
These 45 degree angles should butt up against one another.  Saw off any additional length on the end with a straight cut.

Secure the second piece of railing on your wall with brads.  Grab a stud finder and mark lightly in pencil on your moulding where the studs are.  You can either secure the moulding with additional brads or you can use screws.  If you are using screws, make sure you pre-drill first.

**If you do not have a nail gun, you can also temporarily secure the moulding by putting wood glue on the back of your moulding and fixing it to the wall.  It should hang out there until you are ready to stabilize it.

Here is the hubs being all sorts of manly.  Check out that fine piece of a$$.

Patch the holes with wood filler.  After the wood filler has dried, sand that mother.

When it comes to painting and treating the wood, the options are endless, really.  We didn't necessarily want the moulding to be a focal point, so we painted the moulding the same color as our wall.  This has been by far the easiest project we have done.  No swearing involved!  We think it is awesome-sauce.  What do you think? Are you a fan of picture moulding?

The moulding in all it's glory

I know our home is ever-changing... but I'd like to think of it more as ever-improving.  Check back soon for more quick DIY ideas. Tootles.