Dado dilemma

[Manks]

Hi All

We are now nearly finished with our new extension and I am considering how the lounge will be finished.

We are having a dado rail round and ogee profile coving. We are also fitting some built in cupboards either side of the fireplace. One will hide the TV and the other the music system, whatever that might end up being.

Anyway, my dilemma - I am intending that the cupboards will reach the ceiling and the coving will continue round their top. I had intended that the dado would continue round the cupboards too. However, Mrs Manks frowned when I told her.

I think the dado rail SHOULD continue all round the room and only stop at the fireplace, however does anyone have a view on this?

Manks

 

[Schoolmarm]

I think it should stop at the cupboard. It is to stop furniture marking walls and you wouldn't normally have furniture that close to the front of the cupboard. I am joining Mrs Manks with a frown.

 

[alice]

Ditto. I think a dado on the cupboards will look odd and serve no function.

alice

 

[Ian Bond]

Agree about the Dado - stop at the cupboard.

It will look great with the coving continued around - part of the room, and properly finished.

Just a thought with the lower panelled doors on the cupboards. The bottom rail would look good if deeper than the top rail, and all the better if it matched the height of the skirting.

 

[Penners]

I agree with everyone else. A dado running across the cupboards would look very odd, IMO.

Please remind Mrs Manks whose side I was on, next time she's making chocolate cake.

 

[biffvernon]

I think the dado rail SHOULD continue all round the room and only stop at the fireplace, however does anyone have a view on this?

I'd be inclined to stop it at the door.

 

[Nemesis]

I actually would suggest that a dado might not be appropriate at all, but that's another issue entirely!

Why install one?

 

[alice]

Well, if the dado is used the way it was intended, it can be handy. This month I'm going to have to repaint my kitchen and the walls would be in better shape if I had a dado on them to prevent the scuffs from the chairs I have in there.

From a purely aesthetic point-of-view, I like them. I like the way they can break up the wall and add texture and interest to a room. But I also understand they don't belong in every house and they can make a room with a low ceiling look even shorter. I think they look best in rooms with high ceilings.