Mission: Finish installing crown molding around the rest of the house (with the nursery done, we still had the guest room, the playroom, and the hallway on our list).
Status: Complete.
And thanks to the magic of the internet, something that took us about two weeks on and off, will appear to have been done in two seconds. Behold.
Yep, as I mentioned in this post about hanging crown in Clara’s nursery, it ignited a burning desire to install crown in the other main areas of our house that were oddly missing it (our bedroom had it but the other bedrooms didn’t, one hallway had it but the other one that was connected to it didn’t, etc).
So we finally got it done in the guest bedroom (see above), Clara’s big girl room (see below)…
… and even the recently-board-and-battened hallway that connects them all (which was especially helpful since it leads to another hallway that has crown already).
Although it took us about five days of on and off work to install, once we got the hang of it, it wasn’t nearly as mentally strenuous as it was physically (arms over your head holding an eight foot board up for a few days in a row = tired). Our total cost for all four spaces (guest room, Clara’s nursery, playroom, and the hallway) was $218, including the pack of nails for our nail gun, which breaks down to $54 per zone, although some areas like the hallway were cheaper than the bigger rooms.
And while it’s kind of hard to illustrate the difference in pictures, in person it’s easy to see that all the time, arm-fatigue, and loot was worth it. Every room looks noticeably more polished, but in that “I can’t really put my finger on what’s different” sort of way. In fact you saw a lot of the molding installed in our recent house tour video, it just wasn’t painted yet, so we finally got around to that. Which involved a lot more of the whole arms-over-our-heads things, but it looks great now that it’s done (we used Benjamin Moore’s Decorators White in a semi-gloss finish).
Since we already did a photo tutorial of the crown installation process, we decided to use this portion of the project to make a video for you guys (sometimes DIY videos can be less intimidating than trying to digest typed out words and pictures that can’t always show every last angle like a video can). We tried to cover every single step and cram in as many little tips and tricks as possible along the way for you guys. Seriously, you can do this. So from measuring your angles all the way to caulking the gaps, it’s all here:
Does anyone else smell Oscar? No? I’m not talking Best Picture – I mean Best Supporting Actor for the role of “intense bird screaming in the background while filming” during the outdoor sequences. Ah, spring.
Looks great! Crown molding is one of those things that is a pain in the butt, but once it’s done, it elevates the entire house! Congrats on finishing it!
I’m curious as to why you didn’t paint before installing?
We just thought that cutting it and nailing it in would create a lot of dings (it did) that we’d have to touch up anyway, although it probably would have made it easier and faster in hindsight. Next time!
xo
s
I have bookmarked this bad boy because that video ROCKS! (Bird and all!) I know we’re going to venture into doing crown ourselves when we finish the basement and I’d like to do it ourselves. Our friend did the rest of it and while I’m so thankful, I think there are a lot more joints than there should be because of miscalculations. Your vid makes me feel like we’ve got a good shot and I’ve wishlisted the dohicker from Lowes. (Dohicker IS the proper term, yes?) :)
Thanks Anele! I really think anyone can do it, and I hope the video helps.
-John
I fondly remember helping my parents paint and hang crown molding as a teen. They were elated when it was done.
Ah, good times…
Oh yeah, it feels like there should be a parade or a dance party when it’s done. Or at least a giant platter full of tacos.
xo
s
Haha, completion of crown molding = giant platter full of tacos.
I. Love. It.
If any of you came and installed crown molding in my house, I’d make you as many tacos as you wanted! Sounds like an awesome deal to me! :)
I am so glad to see that installing crown is not hard. We just finished new baseboards and not we need to start on crown.
ps Clara’s room makes me happy:)
http://thedomesticlady.com/2013/04/17/home-improvement-stenciling-the-great-wall-before-and-after/
love the difference in makes!
Tot has that alligator too. Only his face just fell off. Distressing!
Also, the crown looks great. :)
Oh no! I won’t even ask how that happened…
xo
s
I never thought crown molding would make such a difference, but wow!
I’m so jealous of your guest room… I think it’s my favorite room so far.
Aw thanks Carla! Come over and stay :)
xo
s
This video is a great how to thank you! I am off to pin this post!
So glad! We tried to cover every last detail for ya :)
xo
s
Thanks for the video! We are just getting ready to put down some baseboard … Love the colors in this room!
it looks awesome, you guys!
man i always love that wall color in the guest room… and everything else about the room too. so great. and now the crisp, white crown against the peacock blue wall?! glorious!
BEAUTIFUL! Thanks so much for the video!
I love all the crown moldings added! Very nice. It does make the rooms seem more finished. We want to do this to our home but it’s going to be put on hold for some time. You know, I’m looking at Clara’s new room (aka the playroom) and maybe this is stupid to even bring up but that darker birdcage (is it ORB maybe?) would look so pretty in a lighter pink that’s in the bedding. Just a random thought. Lookin’ good, good looking!!!
Ooh that would be fun too!
xo
s
We so need to do this to our house. It really completes a room.