"Wow, You Have Amazing Woodwork!"

Amazing Woodwork "Wow, you have amazing woodwork!" I hear it every time I take someone to visit my grandparent's centennial home. Built shortly after the Civil War by a skilled trim and finish carpenter, my great-great grandpa, the home boasts its original wood paneling; trim boards and solid wood doors. There is something more to this home than just space, shelter, and light... These friends don't have any sentimental attachment when they enter and utter the now expected, "Wow! Amazing woodwork." Trim carpenters will tell you that great woodwork is not a thing of the past. Restaurants know woodwork will set the atmosphere in their dining rooms. Hotels use woodwork to enhance the substantial feeling their interiors invoke. Homeowners can enjoy these same advantages. You don't have to live in a mansion to enjoy the enduring beauty and atmosphere created by quality woodwork. Nor does great woodwork need to overburden your budget. You can enjoy beautiful woodwork right where you live. Trim is Everywhere Woodwork or trim is part of every home. Trimming doors, windows and around floors is not optional. Your option is the trim you choose. Realizing that mouldings exist has forever changed the way I look at rooms. I was shocked to see the generic primed 2 1/4" colonial casing in a showcase home set in a beautiful and exclusive neighborhood. The home is beautiful. Almost no expense was spared. But I was left wondering how much nicer it could have looked, with little added effort, by choosing to upgrade the mouldings. When I eat at a steak house I don't expect to be served a fast-food style sandwich, yet so many gorgeous homes of distinction are outfitted with 'fast-food' woodwork. The landlord needs to trim a door he just repaired; he buys the cheapest trim to do the job. The Do-it-yourself-er has only this afternoon available; he buys what is offered in stock. The contractor has a bottom line; he selects an economy grade because the homeowners did not say the selection mattered to them. The natural result is that the rental, the back closet and the show house all have the same trim. Strange, but very often true. Inside Information Nearly everyone would enjoy distinctive woodwork, but candidly, what does it cost to have it? These tips allow me to help clients upgrade without sticker shock. Fancy does not necessarily cost more. Millwork shops price mouldings based on the type of wood selected and on size. The profile (design) does not generally factor into the price at all. Some woods are more economical than others. Red oak (FAS or S&B grade) is the hardwood standard for top quality moldings. But, the most economical hardwood is poplar. Have you considered poplar? It's not just for painting; is humble and economical place in the hardwood family has caused many to overlook poplar's appealing qualities. The common misconception that pine is the