Question: Can you tell us how we might make an impact with architectural elements without remodeling the entire house? I'd love to re-size windows, raise the ceiling, etc ... but it just isn't possible due to time and budget constraints. Are there any shortcuts?
Phoebe's Answer: There are certainly some things you can do without major construction. Something we always consider in a project is the moldings. If it makes sense for the room, we always add them or improve on what is there if needed. Many homes built more recently have dinky moldings, and the room is the poorer for it. Ours are custom designed, but they don't necessarily need to be ornate. Thick, beautiful moldings (and door frames, window frames, etc) go a long way to changing the look and feel of a room by adding more architectural integrity . Here are some close ups on some of the moldings we have designed and used in our projects:
