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L.A. Craftsman Style: Column Room-Partition and Picture Molding From "Restoration Realities" episode DRTR-203

(Continued from page 4)

Picture Rail Installation

The second project, though less ambitious than recreating the columnar room partition, is still one that will help add to the historic look of these restored rooms. To delineate and help highlight the visual separation between the walls and coved ceilings (which are to be painted in complementing shades), a wooden picture rail is hung.

Picture-rail molding not only adds a distinctive visual feature, but is also functional and beneficial in that it offers an option for hanging framed pictures and other wall décor without having to drive nails or hooks into the walls. To begin this project, the picture-rail is ordered, cut, sanded and stained. Since the room dimensions call for spans that are longer than the standard sizes for the molding, when they are installed, individual pieces of molding are joined together using a special cutting technique that conceals the joints. The basics steps for installation are outlined below.

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• Because the curve of the cove corners eliminates the definitive transition that is typical of ordinary walls and ceilings, the layout for the picture rail must be carefully planned out. Care must be taken to ensure that the molding is installed at the same level around the room. Use a carpenter's level to delineate the location of where the curve of the cove begins (figure U). Then, extending the level straight out from that point, use a tape measure to measure up to the ceiling beyond the upper edge of the curve (figure V). Make sure that the bubble in the level is centered, indicating that the level is positioned properly for an accurate height measurement. In this case, the overall height of the curve was determined to be 11-3/8".

  Figure U

  Figure V

  
  

  Figure W

• Repeat this step at different points around the room to get a uniform measurement all the way around.

• Once you've measured and marked the height dimension at several locations, use a ladder to access the height and snap a chalk line marking where the picture molding will be installed (figure W).

• Once you have your measurements, you can prep the molding by sanding and staining in the desired finish. (We opted for a dark brown mahogany stain.) You'll want to prep and finish the molding before it's installed.

• Sand with the grain, rather than across it, to avoid marring the surface and detail of the wood. After sanding, wipe the wood with a tack cloth to remove dust.

  Safety Alert: When working with stains, wood conditioners or other hazardous chemicals, wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your skin. Work in a well-ventilated area, and wear a respirator mask when working with hazardous chemicals that emit harmful fumes.

• Apply the stain according to manufacturer's instructions. You may need several applications to achieve the desired shade or degree of darkness. Allow the stain to dry according to the directions.
  

  Figure X

• After taking room measurements for the lengths necessary for the molding, miter cut the ends where the molding will meet at the corners. We also used a coping saw to finesse the fit since, in old houses, room corners and joints are frequently not perfectly square.

• Because the molding we selected comes in standard lengths, and one piece was not as long as the total span of the room, pieces had to be joined together to achieve the necessary length. A 10-degree beveled cut (figure X) helps the pieces fit together in a way that makes the joint practically invisible once the molding is installed.
  

• The molding can be secured to the wall using a brad nailer, with one person doing the nailing and another assisting to ensure that the molding is installed so that it's level (figure Y).

• Once the first piece is secure, install the adjoining piece (figure Z) making sure that the two pieces meet precisely to conceal the joint and make for a clean installation.

  C

• ontinue installing until the molding is complete, all the way around the room.

Figure Y

Figure Z

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