dark picture rail

[plasticpigeon]

I painted my middle room when still with my partner hence the woodwork is white. I would have chosen dark wood (and wallpaper) but I can't face repainting it all. However I really think it would look good with a dark picture rail, either black or dark brown. Does anyone have any pictures of a room painted with a dark picture rail but otherwise light woodwork please? Is there any precedent for this? I know it doesn't matter if there isn't but it is nice to know. I know I am in danger of boring people with pictures, but here are a couple of recent ones.

 

[Gothichome]

PP, I often seen dark picture rails, usually done in stain though. My thoughts on your quandary, making the rail dark would draw the eye up, and above the rail I see just empty white space just screaming for for a fancy corner treatment or at least some sort of decoration. But that’s just me, I have trouble co ordinating my shirt to trousers.
By the way, your China cabinet you got a while ago looks great all loaded up with fancy plates ect.

 

[Owain]

I think if you want dark picture rail you'd also need dark skirting, mantel, apron and pilasters etc on the fireplace to match, and possibly also a dado rail (and definately a cornice and maybe even a frieze), which might all look a bit heavy, albeit authentic.

If you want to add a little interest and definition could you coach-line along the cornice in a contrasting but not too strong colour - pick up the pale blue of the plates, perhaps?

 

[Abi Cott]

I think it would work, the floor is very dark and I think that would balance it, even with the other mouldings in white.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I'm not very good with graphics packages but I've managed this!

 

[CliffordPope]

I'm not very good with graphics packages but I've managed this!

Horrible, in my opinion

I think emphasising the picture rail highlights the lack of a cornice - is that original, or have you reconstructed the features in a previously blank room?
Even having a strip of border wallpaper at picture rail level in a room with no cornice draws attention to the lack.

 

[malcolm]

I love the dark picture rail. White one looks rubbish - pictures need to hang from something.

I love your attention to interior design. I'm more of a bare bricks and woodchip wallpaper person right now but do keep on posting the photos for inspirations for when I get out of that. PS - all curtains should be either dark green or dark red. It is the only way!

To be fair cornices would perfecxt the look.

 

[Bogart]

In my opinion looks nicer than the white.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I'm not very good with graphics packages but I've managed this!

Horrible, in my opinion

I think emphasising the picture rail highlights the lack of a cornice - is that original, or have you reconstructed the features in a previously blank room?
Even having a strip of border wallpaper at picture rail level in a room with no cornice draws attention to the lack.

I have had the room plastered but there was no cornice before, and the room was totally original save for a 50s fireplace. None of the houses on my road have any ornament other than a ceiling rose in the hall. I suppose they were cheap houses made at a time (1903) when the fashion was heasing twards less ornament.

 

[steveb]

Maybe consider whether it would look odd with one room with dark rail and the rest not.

Does the rail go over the door frame, or become part of it?

 

[LadyArowana]

As I was reading through the thread I thought I would hate it, but seeing the picture I don’t. It made me notice the plates!

 

[CliffordPope]

, but seeing the picture I don’t. It made me notice the plates!

Yes, there's another thing - dangly plates!

 

[88v8]

The vibe you're gradually creating is perhaps more formal and dense than would have been when the house was new. But it's fine. Not just a few token features in a sea of bland.
And furnishings which are gradually drifting towards the Gothic. In which context that picture rail is surprisingly effective and integrates the room well with the furniture. A period house need period furnishings, and you're making a good blend of furnishings and décor.

Black might be a bit ott I think. And really not period. As mentioned, would have been stained & grained in period. So brown perhaps.

Hmm, is there another element in the room that could be painted the same colour, so it isn't just the picture rail? Not the skirting as the floor is dark, maybe a window surround? Or an architrave. Nothing much. Again, for integration, so it isn't only the picture rail that colour.

Ivor

 

[plasticpigeon]

Yes, there's another thing - dangly plates!

Glad you approve!

 

[plasticpigeon]

The vibe you're gradually creating is perhaps more formal and dense than would have been when the house was new. But it's fine. Not just a few token features in a sea of bland.
And furnishings which are gradually drifting towards the Gothic. In which context that picture rail is surprisingly effective and integrates the room well with the furniture. A period house need period furnishings, and you're making a good blend of furnishings and décor.

Black might be a bit ott I think. And really not period. As mentioned, would have been stained & grained in period. So brown perhaps.

Hmm, is there another element in the room that could be painted the same colour, so it isn't just the picture rail? Not the skirting as the floor is dark, maybe a window surround? Or an architrave. Nothing much. Again, for integration, so it isn't only the picture rail that colour.

Ivor

Hello Ivor. Thanks for the kind words. I've no doubt you are right that the decor is not a recreation of what might have existed circa 1900, but it is probably all from around the era of my house, but I suspect a little more fancy. I asume the fancy pieces survive a bit better, and also much of what I buy is driven by price!

Not sure I'm trying for Gothic, though I do like the dense look. The plates were inspired by this picture of what I thought was an aesthetic movement room I saw which was encrusted with chinese and japanese porcelain but perhaps the room in the picture is a bit gothic and I'm just not up to speed! That look is quite dense too. I'm not sure I have the confidence for all the crazy dark colours and patterns yet, though I would like patterned walls.

 

[a twig]

100% yes to dark rail, turns a bland transition into a bold one and will make the room feel loftier. Make sure your luminaire is throwing plenty of light up as well as down and it will be a triumph

 

[plasticpigeon]

100% yes to dark rail, turns a bland transition into a bold one and will make the room feel loftier. Make sure your luminaire is throwing plenty of light up as well as down and it will be a triumph

Thanks, I think I will go for it. I have been inspired by Mr Parrs house in Cambridge, which is a similar size or maybe even smaller than mine. I certainly can't hand paint the walls with such detail, but there is definitely scope for pattern and colour in a small room.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-47552856

https://www.cowpergriffith.co.uk/david-parr-house

 

[88v8]

Although ironically and unusually there is no picture rail in that lovely room.

...scope for pattern and colour in a small room.

As regards pattern and colour I was always a great fan of wallpaper and regret that in our wobbly-walled C17 cottage there is no possibility of using it, with the possible exception of the loo

Ivor

 

[Zebra]

I was always a great fan of wallpaper and regret that in our wobbly-walled C17 cottage there is no possibility of using it, with the possible exception of the loo

I'd stick to toilet paper there, Ivor, wallpaper's not really soft enough, you know?

 

[Feltwell]

Come come Zebra, this is PPUK. Surely to be true one must use squares of newspaper hung from a bit of string punched through one corner?