Obsessing over Picture Rail

 

All the picture rail in the Cross House was removed, I think, in 1950. There was never any question that I would recreate this feature.

I found some large-scale picture rail, ordered it, and was quite excited when it arrived.

Then, after talking with Bo, I realized that I had…was really boring picture rail.

What? You mean that there was such a thing as cool picture rail?

 

Yep. THIS is cool picture rail. And this is, likely, what the Cross House originally had. Or something sorta kinda like it.

 

Which means that what I ordered was not right. Oh, what to do? What to do?

 

Decorators Supply to the rescue!

 

My thought was that these decorative lovelies could transform boring into kinda cool.

 

Well….wadda ya’ think?

 

Success?

 

 

 

36 Comments

  1. Bo on May 24, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    Nice job Ross.

    • Ross on May 25, 2017 at 3:36 pm

      Thank you, Mr. Bo!

  2. B. Davis on May 24, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    That adds a unique layer and depth to the whole statement. Well done!

  3. Julia on May 24, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    Hmmm… I’m kinda on the fence. I agree that the picture rail definitely needed something but I’m finding the leaves kind of busy. Maybe it’s the contrast in color with the rail?

  4. Kerri on May 24, 2017 at 7:57 pm

    LOVE it, Ross!

  5. farlena on May 24, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    It definitely ‘belongs’
    nice..

  6. pk on May 24, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    I’m crazy over the leaf motiff on the picture railing- It just looks as if it has always been there. Just beautiful!!!

  7. SEB on May 24, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    I like it! I think the fine scale of the leaves helps the picture rail get along with the slim ridges and fine details of the door trim.

  8. Jim on May 24, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    I can’t wait to see your parlor finished. I’m loving what I see now. I wasn’t sure about the individual parts but waited till now to comment. I can’t believe how great it is coming together. Wizard Ross is in control!

    • Ross on May 25, 2017 at 3:38 pm

      There is no certainty about that control!

  9. Seth Hoffman on May 24, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    I really like the leaf appliqes, but would be curious to see how they look in the same or similar color to the picture rail itself. The green contrast does look good, and ties in well with the rest of the decorating theme, but is rather bold. That may be what you’re after, though 😉

    • Ross on May 25, 2017 at 3:39 pm

      You are looking at close-up images. The effect in person is not bold.

  10. Mike on May 24, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Definitely a success!

  11. Gia on May 24, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    I like the texture and contrasting colors. Great idea!

  12. Sandra Lee on May 25, 2017 at 1:02 am

    Love! Love! LOVE IT! It is so unique and lovely with the chartreuse leaves. The walls with stencils and the ceiling and ribbon frieze are so unique! This is an obvious Ross genius decorating motif!!

    You have outdone yourself!!!

    • Ross on May 25, 2017 at 3:41 pm

      ‘Tis be said there is a fine line between madness and genius.

      Only time will tell which side of the line I lean towards.

  13. Wanda on May 25, 2017 at 1:45 am

    I love it!

  14. Pamela on May 25, 2017 at 5:19 am

    I think…..WOW!!

  15. Mary on May 25, 2017 at 6:03 am

    Can you update us on the squirrels?

  16. claude cipresso on May 25, 2017 at 6:04 am

    c’ est beau, c’est beau, c’est beau.

    • Ross on May 25, 2017 at 3:03 pm

      Je vous remercie!

  17. Sharol on May 25, 2017 at 7:05 am

    Great idea and choice of design. I really like how this looks.

  18. Gail M. on May 25, 2017 at 7:45 am

    This works. It really pulls it together.

  19. Jennifer on May 25, 2017 at 8:59 am

    Ross!!! That looks fab!!!!

  20. Shelley on May 25, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Golly, that’s lovely!

  21. Californianinkansas on May 25, 2017 at 10:39 am

    I love it!!!!

  22. Carole Sukosd on May 25, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    Of what are they made? How are they attached? Is the picture rail painted gold or antique gold. My tablet makes it hard for me to detect actual shade. Or maybe my eyes or the both. I’m trying to set the colors in my minds eye. Your progress is simply amazing!!

    • Ross on May 25, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      The vines are made of some sort of composite. They are just glued on the rail.

      The picture rail is painted bright gold. But it looks like a dull gold.

  23. Jeff B. on May 25, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    …I like it! What about shellacking the leaves to better tie to the trim?!

    • Ross on May 25, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      It seems that picture rail in the 1890s was meant to complement the decorative wall treatments rather than the trim.

      So, I deliberately have not matched the rail to the trim.

  24. Bethany Otto on May 25, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    I absolutely love and admire your commitment to making this house as fabulous as it can possibly be, while still totally historical. Well done! I adore it!

  25. JET Texas on May 25, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    That did it! Now your walls and ceiling look complete. Completely awesome. Well done.

  26. Brendan on May 25, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    Success? Absolute Success!

  27. Francesca on May 26, 2017 at 6:08 am

    Nice, I think the small pattern of the leaves adds a balancing element to all the large patterns on the wall and ceiling. Texturally I bet it looks gorgeous in person.

  28. mlaiuppa on May 2, 2021 at 12:38 am

    I have picture rail through my 1922 house except for the master bedroom added on in 1949. I did add a rail in there for continuity. I also have the hooks that go on the rail. I wondered why the ones I have are curved but my rails are not. Now I know. they were made for the kind of rails you have. I used them anyway and do put a screw in to secure them.

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