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dirtymartini_gw

do I need a crown molding or trim on my cabinets? (pic)

dirtymartini
12 years ago

what do you think? My ceilings are 8 foot and my house is a small, 1970s fauz spanish ranch, if that makes a difference in your decision. Thank you!

Comments (25)

  • Fori
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'd do a little very simple molding or trim to plug the gap I think I see. Can't tell the style of your cabinets though. I'm gonna have to ask for a less fuzzy picture. :)

  • dirtymartini
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    LMAO...I posted this super long disclaimer in another post with the same picture. It is the thread I posted asking for backsplash suggestions. I was embarrassed to post it again. Here it is...but anyway, doesn't matter, I need to figure out how to post pics. Don't understand why everyone else can do it and I can't! I mean...I am not tech savvy, but for heaven's sake...I should be able to figure it out!

    P.S. They are shaker cabs.

    disclaimer: This ends the question part of my post! The rest is just general blah blah blah. I try to keep my posts simple but sometimes get some negativity and I am trying to ward some of that off with my next few paragraphs...you can stop reading here and skip to the pics below if you are simply going to answer my backsplash question! :)

    I have never been able to figure out how to post pics. I have worked on it and tested on the test forum for about an hour, but I think my enlarged pics will be blurry. I apologize. They were too small before, but when I "resized" they seemed blurry, but I have been messing with it for far too long and I am getting tired of it!

    A few disclaimers...I am only asking a specific question here. I know the doors still need to be "shimmed" or whatever it is called, and there are some other tweaks that need to be done. That's why I wanted to wait to show pictures! I don't want to list all the things that still need to be done. My husband built this kitchen FROM SCRATCH. The boxes, the shaker style doors...he has worked so hard. He ran the electrical, did the gas line from the exterior of the house to the island for my cooktop, hung drywall, stained the island, painted the perimeter doors...he is wonderful and as far as I am concerned everything is PERFECT! So thank you for commenting on the backsplash ONLY! :)

  • cmm6797
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes I think a crown molding/ trim between the cabinets and ceiling would look great and finish it off. VERY impressed that your husband did all that himself. You must be very thankful. It looks fantastic.

    Regarding your backsplash, a glass tile, possibly iridescent, would also be a slightly reflective surface.

  • singingmicki
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I agree with the general consensus that a molding would finish it off nicely top and bottom. It looks good!

  • susanlynn2012
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I feel a small amount of molding would look nice! I would love to have cabinets that went to the ceiling without my soffit that I don't like.

  • htracey
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'd do molding... but then I ALWAYS want molding where I can get it.

    How are you trying to post pics. Maybe I can help! You've probably already got this instruction, but incase not:

    1. Save your photo as a .jpeg to a web-based source (I use photobucket).

    2. Copy and paste this in your message:
    img src="http://www.XXX/image.jpg";
    (note: you have to put "" at the end of that copy and paste. I left them out to trick gardenweb so it didnt think I was trying to post a picture)

    3.Go to your photo that has been saved online on another website. Right click on your photo, and click "properties"

    4. Copy all the text that is listed beside "Address (URL)". It should start with an http:// and end with a .jpeg

    5. Go back to where you posted img src="http://www.XXX/image.jpg";, and replace everything between the quotation marks with the address you copied from your photo address

    You should be good to go after that. Please forgive if this has been what you have been doing, but I thought I'd see if I could help! On the other hand I might have made it more complicated then it needed to be...

  • lascatx
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes, I would use a simple trim to fill the gap. That space is too small to be useful, decorative or to clean. A light rail at the bottom is optional as far as I am concerned --unless you have under cabinet lighting you need to hide.

    You can go a number of directions with your splash since everything else is so neutral. Since your home has a Spanish flair, I'd do a tile with some color. The painted tiles would do that, but I think I'd take some of the rich solid colors and mix them with as much or as little as you like. It could be all color or it could be something like the white subways with just a touch of color. The link below is to a recent thread that had a variation on that theme.

    Here is a link that might be useful: White Kitchen in Spain

  • Buehl
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The blurry picture is probably the result of enlarging a low-resolution picture (NOT b/c of the manner in which the picture was posted). Is this picture from a phone? If so, most do not have the ability to take higher resolution (i.e., larger MegaPixels) pictures.

    (It might also be the result of scanning a photograph...)

    Do you have a digital camera? If so, what is its resolution/MegaPixel (MP) rating? 5 to 7 MP would be the minimum I would recommend for posting.

    If you don't have a digital camera, do you have a film camera? When you develop your pictures, ask for them on a disk as well.


    In answer to your molding questions...yes, I would add crown molding to the ceiling to close the gap. I would also add a light rail on the bottom of the upper cabinets. The combination of these two types of molding will give your kitchen a more "finished" look. The light rail will also hide your under-cabinet lights (assuming you have them...and I highly recommend them).

  • suzanne_sl
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Another help on the photo thing: My "how to" is much like htracy's, except for her #3 (I have a Mac and my mouse doesn't right click) - I do it a little differently, but go with whatever works for you and your computer set up. Also, I found a script on somebody's website which allows me to display the exact code you need without GW thinking I'm trying to show a photo.
    ___________________________________
    1. Open a Photobucket or Flicker or whatever freebie photo storing site you like. I randomly chose Photobucket and it's really easy to work with.

    2. Load your photos from your camera onto your computer. From Photobucket (or wherever), hit the "upload" button and follow the directions.

    3. When you mouse over one of your stored photos a box comes up with a list of things like "direct link," "html code," and "image code." The one you want to click on is "direct link." It begins with "http://"; and ends with ".jpg"

    4. Whenever you want to place a photo in a post, you type in this script:

    <img src="Your URL location here" </img>

    Paste the direct link address you copied from your photo between the quotation marks (replacing "Your URL location here").

    5. If you want to use a photo from somewhere else on the net, click on the photo and a list comes up which includes "copy image location." Click that to copy and proceed as above.
    ___________________________________________

    On the blurriness issue, I think it's probably because you had a small photo to start with and when you made it bigger it didn't have enough "info" to fill in all the new pixels in the larger size.

    Back to your original question: I agree with everyone that you need to put a filler molding of some sort between your cabinets and the ceiling. My new cabs are in just about the same state as yours at the moment with that little bitty space left above them and a list of "things" that still need to be finished off.

    I can't believe your husband made all those cabinets!! I've taken just enough woodworking classes to be really impressed by what that takes. Eagerly awaiting the final pics.

  • biochem101
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    If this is a camera, they have settings for the number of photos you can take.

    Less photos = Better photos

    If your camera has a choice of setting for 500 or 3000 pictures, reset it to 500, or whatever the smallest size is.

    This will make them better.

  • kitchenkelly
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    How about something simple like this? Even just the top two pieces would look good with shaker cabinets.

  • blubird
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    suzannesl,

    Of course your mouse has a right click! Open your System Preferences (in the "Apple" menu) and select MOUSE. Set your right click preferences.

    Helene

    I have a Mac and my mouse doesn't right click

  • _sophiewheeler
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You didn't leave much room for molding, but you do need something there. Most everything everyone has pictured will be too large for the gap you've got. You need to research specialty moldings available at a lumber supply house. You want one with minimal rise, but with a lot of extension. Crown molding has both height and width. You don't have room for a lot of height. So, to make up for that, you need something with more width.

    You also need a simple light rail molding. It not only hides the absolutely necessary under cabinet lighting, but it provides a stopping point detail to the eye that makes the cabinets seem more finished.

  • Buehl
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The "Read Me" thread has a lot more help than what's been mentioned here for posting pictures - including a step-by-step how-to for several different photohosting sites as well as for those GWers who have a PDF or who just have a link to their photos without HTML code (it shows you how to build the correct HTML code to post the picture).

    At least in the Kitchens Forum, there is no blocking of images unless you've posted them in the Picture Gallery - then you can no longer post them here using the same link. If that happens, make a copy with a different name and then post the copy.

    Here is a link that might be useful: New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!

  • dirtymartini
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    First of all, I appreciate all of the sweet comments regarding my husbands work. This has been SUCH a labor of love. We have been in this house for 2 years with disgusting, original 70s cabinets and NO DOORS. I did not even store anything in the cabs, because they were so gross. I fashioned some pitiful "curtains" (basically panels of material velcroed to the openings) to cover the nasty looking innards of the cabs.

    We priced cabinets and got depressed. Some basic, china made cabs at Panda would have been minimum 12k. My husband has a woodworking shop in the upstairs area of his warehouse/office. He is great at making simple furniture and things. At first, he was going to make the boxes and we would buy the doors. Well, even THAT was expensive. I don't care for fine jewelry, we do not take exotic trips, I am not a "shopper" and I am not into fashion. However, I have always wanted and deserved a dream kitchen. My husband wanted to make sure it happened. We absolutely LOVE our house and plan to be here a long long time.

    We own a small business and he works 6 days a week. He started planning, measuring etc probably a year ago. We kept tweaking, and he started cutting and making cabinets, a little at a time. I saw nothing of this work, he would come home and tell me he was excited for the kitchen but to me it still didn't seem real.

    There are a few "flaws" that might not be fixable, but because they are small and also because they are from my husband's hands, I do not mind them at all.

    I can't wait to show you the interior of the cabs, and all the bells and whistles in this kitchen. That will have to wait, though!

    The pictures are dark because my kitchen is dark. I hate not having a window. We may add one of those "solatube" things eventually...I found out about them on the home decor forum here on GW. Hubby is adding some hi hats in the kitchen, plus we will have a light fixure over the peninsula (which is barely visible in the picture...it is jutting out at the bottom right.) We are getting a island hood vent (which I will start another thread about eventually, I am overwhelmed) and I am bummed because it is going to cause some of that "openess" to disappear, but I *need* an island hood vent!

    We are going to cover the gaps below and above the dbl wall oven.

    We are putting a curtain under the SS farmhouse sink, to hide all those cleaning products you see. Haven't decided the color or look just yet.

    Yes, that is a wood trim where the countertops meet the wall. My husband is going to stain it the same color as the countertops. You see...the counters...they are PLYWOOD! yes, PLYWOOD! We are eventually doing butcher block on the perimeter, and something different on the island (haven't decided yet) but the plywood looks so darn good, I told him let's just keep it until it falls apart! He rounded the corners and put a band on the edges, also. So, the wood trim you see, the backsplash will stop there for now and when the permanent countertops come in, he will finish the backsplash.

    We had discussed some sort of trim on the lower part of the cabs, but he got some undermount lights to put under the cabs that will not show at all, so we decided to skip it. Now I am wondering if maybe we should go ahead and do it.

    I am glad to see everyone was in agreement about needing something at the top of the cabs! I want to add that the ceiling is REALLY uneven so that is why you see such variations in the cab heights. I am worried that is going to make doing a trim even more difficult. My hubby curses the builder of this home every time he tries to do something to the house. He is sure he was an alcoholic, and says if he ran into him on the street he would punch him! lol. Walls are uneven, floors uneven, ceiling uneven, pitiful rigging of electricity, plumbing...you name it!

    As far as the help in posting pics...THANK YOU for taking the time to type that out and/or provide helpful links. I know how time consuming it is to explain these things (heck, I have already been typing this post WAYYYY too long, lol)
    so I appreciate the help. I think the problem is in the resizing, not the posting. Maybe it is indeed the picture quality as a few of you have suggested. When I see the pic in photobucket, it looks crisp and in focus, but when I try to resize it, it gets blurry. I will keep trying! Oh, and I do use a digital camera, a canon elph 7.1 megapixels purchased several years ago so I will see if that is the problem.

    thank you buehl, biochem, suzanne and htracey for the picture help!

    hollysprings-I will mention those terms and your suggestion to my hubby. Yes, def agree that undercab lighting is a must! still need our glass insert in the door of the corner cab...and shelves, also. Have 2 other cabs that have interior lights across from the island, not visable in this pic. But all cabs will have under cab lighting, for sure! And they will be on dimmer switches!

    kitchenkelly-thanks for the picture. Of course I need something smaller, but that look is very pretty!

    suzannel-my husband said if he knew how much work these cabs were going to be, he would have never been able to psyche himself up for the job! He also said he does not want to brag, but he even impressed himself! LOL!

    lascatx-I remember seeing that kitchen! Love it. I am not crazy about those tiles, but def considered something more "spanishy". BTW, my grandfather was born in Spain, and my husband is of Cuban descent so we do feel like we want to play up the spanish flair in our home.

    htracey-I *love* molding in general, but in this house, I wanted to stay away from it. Mainly because I grew up in a florida ranch home in the 1970s...and so did all of my friends, and I NEVER saw decorative molding EVER. I am trying to stay somewhat "true" to the era this house was built in. It's one of the reasons I don't want granite counters. I know might sound like a joke to some, not like this is a historic home from the 1800s or anything, lol. However, I have a "thing" for the 1970s...I just can't explain it! Of course, no one I knew had a double oven, or SS appliances for that matter. The other thing about crown molding is the ceilings are SOOOOO uneven it would be a nightmare for DH to install. So, in general I am NOT a molding fan (again, FOR THIS HOUSE) but I do see now that everyone agrees I need molding in this situation! Thank you again for your help.

    lynn, singingmicki, cmm and green-thank you for your input! And yes, I am definitely thinking something shimmery for the backplash. I don't think I want subway tiles, tho. Or glass. Maybe something mother of pearlish?

    Ok, I really like this...saw it at Home Depot and loved the sample, but after doing research, I am scared the product that gets shipped to me will not look like the sample. I know this is a marble and not sure how "70s" marble is...but I think it LOOKS very 70s. The 6x6 tile at HD was tubled and had a rough texture, which I really liked.

    here is *kind of* the antique mirror look that I like.

    Let's see if those S.O.B.s post, dang it! Ok, thanks again, everyone. I have neglected my family for far too long this afternoon, but I am so grateful for all the help, I need it!

  • taggie
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    dirtymartini, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your description of how the cabs are being built over time and am in complete AWE. Your kitchen looks amazing!

    I agree that molding, something with some extension to it, would give it the finishing touch.

    And I LOVE the antique mirror look above and think it would look spectacular in your beautiful kitchen.

  • dirtymartini
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    thank you so much taggie! I am so very excited!

    ok, lemme see how this pic looks as I post it...

    damn! why can't I make the picture big????? why?

  • dianalo
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The tile from HD looks like onyx to me.....
    I'd do minimal moldings to hide the unevenness only.
    Your dh is doing great and the kitchen will be a better one for having been made with love ;)

  • suzanne_sl
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Do you have a photo manipulation program like Photoshop or something similar but simpler? I always manipulate photo size before I upload to Photobucket.

  • dirtymartini
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Ohhh, suzanne...just hearing the words "photo manipulation program" makes me tremble with fear! I know when the kitchen is DONE I am going to have to suck it up and figure it out because I am going to want to share every last detail with good quality photos. I will keep that in mind. To answer your question, I do not have a program like that and I don't even know what one is or how to get one. Do you download it? Or simply sign up? Thank you (and others) that haven't given up on me. At this point, if I were you, I would probably be thinking "geez, this chick is a mess, she ain't ever gonna figure this out, so let me not waste any more time here!"

    dianalo- good eye! You are right...it *IS* onyx. It is dark green onyx from pakistan. On Monday, I am going to call local marble/granite/onyx suppliers and see if anyone has this in stock that I can actually SEE instead of ordering from HD and hoping for the best. My problem is, I think I want them all like the 2nd on the top row. and the 8th. And the 12th. I like the green with lots of swirls of brown in it. I don't like the plain pieces. Are they from the same batch, do you think? Or are those completely different types mixed in?

    Yes, the kitchen is so special to me. My DH has already told me, "By the way, honey...we are NEVER selling this house!" lol. He has put sooo much time and effort into it. We are in our 40s and have a 12 year old daughter and we have already said we want our grandkids to visit us in this home. Oh, and I must tell you...I thought of you when I was straining my bacon grease today!!! I really did! :) Thanks again for the kind words regarding our kitchen.

  • lascatx
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Of course you could never think about leaving that kitchen -- mine is all purchased cabinets and there are precious few kitchens on the market I could seriously look at trading it for now that I've had a kitchen work the way I need it too. I've only come close once before.

    In your shoes, I'd be tempted to do come handmade tiles for your splash. Find a potter or ceramics place that can fire them for you and the tricks will be learning how to keep air bubbles out of the clay (they can explode during firing) and playing with glaze colors.

  • dirtymartini
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    that is not a bad idea. I am just soooo "uncreative" that I need some choices presented to me, I can't just "conjure" stuff up. It would be wonderful to have something very personalized.

  • RRM1
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Drymartini,
    It looks as though your husband made European-style cabinets. If I'm seeing correctly, it looks as though the doors cover the entire box and that what we see at the very top edge of the cabs. is, in fact, the door. If this is the case, you cannot add a crown due to the lack of space at the top. If there is nothing to affix a crown to, then that could be a problem. Plus if there isn't enough room to adjust the reveal, there is no easy way to fit to the uneven ceiling. I'm afraid the only way to install a normal crown would be to lower the cabs to give enough space for the install.

    However, If your "woodworker" has the patience, he can custom fit small strips of flat stock flush to the box fronts that match the contour of the ceiling. There will still be a space above each door, but if painted the same color as the door, it should mostly disappear. It's done all of the time vertically when scribing cabinets to uneven walls. It's not going to be easy for him, but there are some tricks he can use when scribing to the ceiling. If this is the route he decides to go, get back to me and we can discuss the method.

  • dirtymartini
    Original Author
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thank you RRM. Yes, the door covers the entire box. Just yesterday, I opened a cabinet door and asked my DH "so, you will put the trim on the actual box, obviously..." and he said yes. He did not seem to concerned, I may have been using the terms "crown molding" and "trim" here interchangeably but I guess I should have just been saying "trim."

    I also want to add that the largest gap, above the double oven, will disappear a bit because that upper cab will be raised. That piece of white wood you can see jutting out from on top of the oven, that will actually go under that top cab, raising it to be even with the other cabs. He wanted me to add that to this conversation!

    So I will definitely be looking for you when I discuss this with him again! Thanks!

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