Professional Documents
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cornices
friezes
cornice:
a projecting moulding located where the ceiling and
wall meet; in classical architecture, the projecting
top of an entablature; any projecting, ornamental
moulding along the top of a wall, arch, etc. that
finishes or “crowns” it; from the Latin corona.
cornices
The cornice is used as a transition between the and complex mouldings on both ceiling and
wall and the ceiling. It celebrates a high ceiling, wall. A figured cornice exhibits motifs or figures
and makes a low ceiling less oppressive and (e.g. egg and dart, dentils, scrolled leaves, swags).
more interesting. Cornice moulding perfects and A cove cornice may be figured, but the cove
completes an interior, introducing a dramatic appears as its principal aspect.
interplay of changing light and shadow. Just as
As in most other interior design decisions, the
a frame draws our focus and attention to the art
choice of cornice depends, in the end, on personal
it surrounds, a cornice frames and enhances
preference. A very general rule in relation to
the room it finishes. There are three types of
ceiling height would be a maximum measurement
cornices to consider. An architectural cornice uses
of 4" down the wall, with a 4" ceiling projection
a combination of simple (fillet, astragal, torus,
for an 8' ceiling; a 5"-7"x 5"-7" cornice for a 9'; and
scotia, ovolo, cavetto) and complex shapes (ogee
an 8" x 8" or larger cornice for a 10' plus ceiling.
and reverse ogee) in order to produce a lineal
The size of the room must also be considered,
cornice without figures. A cove cornice presents
along with the depth of the relief: a smaller
a substantial concave surface which spans the
moulding may do for a higher ceiling if it has
intersect of wall and ceiling, flanked by simple
heavy, bold relief.
cornice selection
In order to choose cornice moulding for any room, combination. If you have not seen a certain
a few particulars of the space should be considered. moulding or combination of mouldings used,
These include size and style of the room, ceiling whether in our showroom, in a magazine or in
height, furniture to be placed in the room, etc. other homes, it does not mean that it cannot be
In the end, however, your final choice should be constructed. Imagination is the only limit.
a matter of taste.
Any custom moulding can be created, and any
Cornice moulding may be installed on new style of moulding can be reproduced.
plaster, drywall, wood or most other surfaces.
Curved walls are a specialty. Any chosen cornice
A number of mouldings can be used together in can be produced for installation on a curved surface.
i n s t a l l at i o n i n f o r m at i o n
Mark the wall and ceiling projections given for the will be necessary. The mouldings are rigid and must be
cornice by chalking those measurements on the wall installed in a straight line, so any deviancy in the walls
and ceiling. or ceilings can then be filled with the compound in
order to give the appearance of a straight surface.
Mouldings are cut bottom side up with any fine-toothed
Mouldings are often used in this way to “straighten”
handsaw in a mitre box. Cut the first length of moulding
uneven surfaces.
with a 45° mitre on one end to begin in one corner of the
room. If a larger box is built to accommodate a larger Set a couple of finishing nails on the bottom chalk line
moulding, spacer blocks can be used to position the to rest the moulding upon after the moulding adhesive
ceiling and wall dimensions of the given moulding. has been applied to the back of the moulding.
If the moulding has a long repeat pattern, consider Apply moulding adhesive to the bottom and top edges
beginning in the most conspicuous outside corner of the of the moulding and lift into place, resting it on the
room and proceed to the most inconspicuous inside finishing nails. Set a couple of finishing nails on top of
corner, since the pattern may not match exactly in all the moulding (angled downwards) in order to hold the
corners. Remember that a considerable amount of piece while finishing the edges and joints.
wastage may occur with longer repeat patterns.
Edges and joints are filled with compound, which oozes
Chip and scratch the wall and ceiling between the chalked out along the edges when moulding is pressed into
measurement lines every 8 to 12 inches to assure a good place. This excess can then be wiped off.
bond between the surface of the wall and moulding.
When joining two lengths of moulding at a butt joint,
Mix the Dura Bond 90™ or equivalent plaster glue to assure the two faces are flush by wedging one piece or
a thick creamy consistency as per instructions. shaving the other piece on the back of the moulding. The
seam is then filled with compound and wiped smooth.
Place lengths of moulding against the surface. If the
walls or ceilings are not straight or square, some fitting
6 1/2"
30"
20"
331 LARGE COVE CORNICE
8 3/8"
1"
4 3/4"
339 SIMPLIFIED GREEK KEY CORNICE
1 1/2"
4 5/8"
345s CORNICE WITH UNDULATE
BAND OF BEADED ORNAMENT
1 7/8"
5"
8"
5"
4 Cornices
4 3/4"
5 1/4"
348 ACANTHUS LEAF CORNICE
3 3/4"
1 5/8"
1 3/8"
1 3/8"
1 7/8"
1"
3 1/4"
9 1/8"
4 1/2"
5"
363 ARCHITECTURAL DENTIL
CORNICE
Cornices 5
2 1/2"
5 3/4"
364 GRAPE AND VINE CORNICE
2 1/2"
2 1/4"
7 1/2"
5 1/4"
367 S - SHAPED ARCHITECTURAL
CORNICE
8 3/4"
8 3/4"
367l ARCHITECTURAL CORNICE
6"
8"
12"
12"
6 Cornices
5"
7"
8 3/4"
10 1/4"
369l STEPPED ARCHITECTURAL
CORNICE WITH PROMINENT TORUS
5 1/2"
5"
7 1/2"
2 7/8"
Cornices 7
8 1/2"
6"
5 1/2"
3"
11"
2"
11 1/4"
3 5/8"
8 1/4"
8 Cornices
14 3/4"
14 3/4"
396 DEEPLY COVED ACANTHUS LEAF
CORNICE WITH EGG AND DART
6 1/2"
7 3/4"
6 3/4"
12 1/2"
8"
7"
5 1/2"
8"
Cornices 9
8"
9 3/8"
5 3/4"
7"
14 5/8"
14 3/8"
6 1/2"
3 1/2"
9 1/2"
10 Cornices
4 5/8"
8 1/4"
5 1/4"
7"
5 1/2"
7 3/4"
2 1/2"
8 1/2"
5 1/2"
8"
12 Cornices
5 3/4"
3"
5 1/2"
5 1/4"
416 ARCHITECTURAL CORNICE
WITH EGG AND DART
AND DENTILS
4 1/4"
4 1/2"
417 EGG AND DART WITH
DENTILS
4 1/2"
5"
418 COVE CORNICE WITH SHELL
AND LEAF DETAIL
2 1/4"
2 7/8"
4 3/4"
8 3/8"
5 1/2"
5 1/2"
420 ACANTHUS LEAF CORNICE
Cornices 13
7"
10"
5"
5"
422 EGG AND DART, BEAD
AND BARREL
4 1/2"
6"
5 1/2"
423 CONTEMPORARY CORNICE
9"
7 1/2"
3 1/2"
6"
7"
14 Cornices
3 1/4"
5 1/4"
426 ELONGATED EGG AND
DART CORNICE
6"
6 1/8"
427 FLUTED MOTIF COVE CORNICE
3 3/4"
4"
428 BRACKET CORNICE
3 1/4 "
2 3/4"
429 PLAIN CORNICE
4 1/4"
3 1/2 "
3 1/4"
431 PLAIN CORNICE
3 1/4"
6"
7"
3 3/4"
8"
Cornices 15
2 1/4"
2"
3"
437 DENTIL CORNICE
3"
3 1/4"
438 ACANTHUS LEAF CORNICE
4 1/4"
2 1/2"
1 3/4"
1 3/4"
3 1/4 "
444 EGG AND DART CORNICE
3"
3 1/4"
446 CORNICE WITH PEARL
1 3/4"
4 3/4"
448 ROLLING WAVE CORNICE
1 1/4"
8"
9"
16 Cornices
2"
7"
9"
2 1/4"
2"
4 1/2 "
455 ACANTHUS LEAF CORNICE
1 1/2"
3"
456 DECORATIVE CORNICE
7 1/2"
6"
457 SWEEPING COVE CORNICE
WITH PEARLS AND LAMB ’ S
TONGUE
5"
3 1/2"
3 1/2"
Cornices 17
4"
9 1/4"
6 3/4"
2 1/2"
2 1/2"
480 ACANTHUS LEAF CORNICE
7 1/2"
14 3/4"
6 1/4"
7"
2"
6"
491 FRUIT AND FLOWER CORNICE
18 Cornices
1 3/4"
5 3/4"
493 SALAMANDER , GRAPE AND
LEAF CORNICE
3/4"
3 1/2"
495 FLUTED MOTIF CORNICE
6 1/2"
4"
9"
8 1/2"
8"
11 1/4"
5 1/2"
7"
CORNICE
Cornices 19
7"
1 1/4"
4"
2 1/2"
1 3/4"
5 3/4"
539 CORNICE WITH ROSES
AND LEAVES
3 1/4"
4 1/4"
4 3/4"
20 Cornices
5 3/8"
8"
6"
8 3/4"
8"
549l COVED CORNICE
9 1/2"
4 1/4"
6 1/2"
22 Cornices
7 1/2"
5 3/8"
552 LARGE PLAIN CORNICE
5 1/2"
6"
5 1/4"
553l COVED CORNICE FLANKED
BY MANY REVEALS
6"
4 3/4"
554 PLAIN CORNICE
7"
8"
7 1/2"
4 1/4"
4"
556 CONTEMPORARY STEPPED
CORNICE
5 1/2"
Cornices 23
2"
3 1/2"
3 1/2"
559 PLAIN COVED CORNICE
4 1/2"
5"
559l PLAIN COVED CORNICE
3"
3"
560 PLAIN CORNICE
3"
2 1/2"
561 PLAIN COVE CORNICE
2 1/2"
2 1/2"
562 SMALL STEPPED CORNICE
3 1/2"
4 1/2"
563 PLAIN CORNICE
3 1/2"
2 3/4"
564 PLAIN CORNICE
2 1/2"
2 1/2"
565 PLAIN CORNICE
2"
3"
566 STEPPED CORNICE
24 Cornices
1"
4 3/4"
4 1/4"
5"
4 1/2"
577 COVED CORNICE
6 1/2"
3"
5"
5 1/4"
585 ARCHITECTURAL DENTIL
CORNICE
11"
Cornices 25
5"
4"
5"
593 DECORATIVE INDIRECT
LIGHTING CORNICE
6 1/2"
5"
4 1/4"
5 1/4"
598s WALL MOUNTED INDIRECT
LIGHTING CORNICE
5 3/4"
7 1/4"
7 1/2"
4 3/4"
599 UNDERMOUNTED INDIRECT
LIGHTING CORNICE
26 Cornices
6 1/4"
4"
4 1/4"
6 1/2"
9 1/2"
7"
12 1/4"
6 1/2"
7 1/2"
Cornices 27
9 1/2"
10"
10"
627 LARGE EGG AND DART,
DENTIL AND ACANTHUS LEAF
ARCHITECTURAL CORNICE
5"
6"
8"
4 1/8"
10 7/8"
3"
28 Cornices
frieze:
the middle section of an entablature;
the decorated band along the upper part
of an internal wall, immediately below
the cornice.
frieze
A frieze moulding unifies the room, in addition We may certainly do without a frieze…but
to controlling a high ceiling with artistic muscle. interior space is so much more interesting and
Frieze mouldings may be used to accentuate a enriched by having one!
particular motif found in floorcovering or fabric,
A frieze can be used as an accommodating
as well as indicate the function of a room. It can
element, especially if a single cornice style and
reinforce a particular period of design or evoke
size is to be used throughout a project that has
a particular spirit of place. A frieze personalizes
differing ceiling heights. In this case, it becomes
the cornice. Friezes are an architectural hook
expedient to vary the frieze in order to change the
leading to features like coffers or skylights. There
flavour of each room.
are friezes appropriate for public rooms, friezes
for the kitchen, and friezes for more intimate When deciding upon a frieze moulding, keep in
areas. Friezes may be formal or whimsical, mind the height of your ceiling and the clear-
archaic or contemporary, masculine or feminine. ance above window and door casings.
332 FLORAL AND LEAF
LINKED FRIEZE
12 1/2"h x 1 5/8"p
Friezes 31
340 SIMPLIFIED GREEK KEY FRIEZE
3 3/4"h x 1/2"p
32 Friezes
383 ACANTHUS LEAVES FLANKING
CENTRAL MOULDING
6"h x 1 3/4"p
Friezes 33
461 DECORATIVE LEAF AND
SCROLL FRIEZE
12"h x 1 1/4"p
34 Friezes
471 DECORATIVE LEAF AND
SCROLL FRIEZE
12 1/2"h x 1"p
Friezes 35
600 EGYPTIAN LEAF FRIEZE
11 1/8"h x 2"p
36 Friezes
Head Office / Showroom:
226 Toryork Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada m9l 1y1
Showroom: West Palm Beach, Florida
Toll Free: 1-866-745-5560 Fax: 416-745-5566
CLASSIC MOULDINGS INC. www.classicmouldings.com info@classicmouldings.com