From Ancient Greece with Love

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines a cornice as "the decorated projection at the top of a wall," but that bare definition fails to conjure up the elegance that a well-carved cornice can add to a building. A better introduction is to think about the etymology of the word cornice, which comes from the Greek word for "curved" and also gives us the English word "crown." A cornice is the decorative carved stone that sticks out from where the wall and the roof meet. In many ways, it's the crown of the building.

When it comes to ceilings for older and modern home design, most are designed with gypsum wallboard applications. Drywall provides a quick and durable way to cover framing inside of a house and is the most common construction material for walls and ceilings.

Rustic was the norm for decades and then modern life came along. But more and more people are going back to the rustic look. Rustic beams inside that run along the ceilings can be quite lovely. The wood look adds warmth and personality to even a modern room. With our quality, affordable material it is easy to add the look to any room in the house but it looks particularly nice in kitchens, great rooms or dens. That same rustic look can travel outside to your porch with our custom rustic columns. Here are some great reasons to consider adding faux wood columns to your porch.

Cooking outdoors is a great way to get out of the kitchen and out in the fresh air. Plus, nothing tastes better than a perfectly grilled steak, juicy hamburger, or kabobs. The only problem is that you can't always use your grilling patio because of the weather. Some days the sun's just too intense. Other times a light rain keeps you inside. Adding a pergola to your grilling patio is a great way to solve these problems and you'll also benefit in a few ways you might not expect.

When friends and family stop by to visit your front door and entry way are the first impression they have of your home. You want that impression to be something that says quality and beauty and leaves them with a sense of luxury. Worthington Town Entrance Systems are the perfect solution and can provide the look you are striving for. A front door entrance system combines pediments and pilasters to create the perfect look for your home. The system takes your existing door and entry way and makes it a thing of beauty. There are also other benefits to adding a Worthington Town Entrance Systems entrance system to your home as well. Consider the following.

The architectural style of your home will determine the type of deck, porch or patio that is the finish to your building. A rustic style home with open beam ceilings and wood walkways needs wood posts and railings for decks and stairs. A traditional home will likely use a variation of the carriage style railing and decks to complement the architecture.

Al fresco dining isn't just for Europeans anymore--outdoor seating is practically a requirement for bistros and white-tablecloth establishments alike these days. Patio seating lets you maximize your space with a minimal investment, but there's always the question of how to ensure that your patrons are the only ones enjoying the breeze from your tables, and you're not providing a sidewalk rest stop. You've got to find the balance between inviting customers and rebuffing passersby, the idea being to turn the passerby into a customer.

A century ago, detached garages were common. Although today most people have their garage as part of their house, an increasing number of homeowners are converting their garages into offices or bedrooms and building separate, detached garages. Besides giving your house more living space, a detached garage can make your home more secure from intruders. This is because burglars who break into a detached garage are less likely to get inside your house.

Do you have a beach house with a raised deck? On the hand, maybe you're a real estate investor wanting to renovate and sell beach houses with raised decks. If either of these situations describes you, then you probably know how strong winds, excessive moisture and humidity can affect decks located next to an ocean. Here are six of top benefits of lining your beach home's raised deck with aluminum railing, along with the advantage of powder coated paint on railings.

For the Art History majors among you, please feel free to skip ahead--you already know all about Greek architecture and math and the ubiquitous acanthus leaf. But for the rest of us--who don't know our Corinthian from our plinth--here's a translation of the language of architectural columns, so that you can talk to your carpenter about why your preference is for a Doric capital and an Ionic shaft.

Are you looking for an easy way to add more character and "pop" to your home without breaking your budget? Many homeowners, besides architects and contractors, are discovering the advantages of using polyurethane beams. Here are a few of numerous benefits of polyurethane beams, along with some creative ideas on how homeowners are using these products in their homes. 

Basic Benefits of Polyurethane Beams 

One of the most varied and creative options for enhancing your property's landscape is the pergola. The definition of this outdoor living beauty is simple: An open-roof gazebo with slats across the top. From there, though, pergolas offer endless opportunities for personal expression.

Artisan home builders and homeowners both have a deep appreciation for fine products. But for all the artisan building products that exist, there are plenty of knockoffs with poor quality and construction. Worthington Millwork delivers on its promise of modern, stylish architecture and durability. Here's why you should consider Worthington Millwork products for your next artisan building project:

One of the best ways to beautify a yard and make it more functional is by adding a patio pergola. Basically, a patio pergola is an outdoor living space that consists of cross rafters and no walls. it's an outdoor room that provides a pleasant place for relaxing, dining or enjoying a yard. Besides serving as a patio cover, a pergola can be used as a garden trellis or provide shade for walkways. In some cases, a pergola is built simply for decorating a lawn. Here are five patio pergola ideas, along with a few considerations and warnings.

The problem with most houses these days (like since the 1980s) is that, for one reason or another, they all look pretty much alike. So you can rant at the real estate fairies about why can't you have an English country home on two acres with a lily pond or a tennis court, when in reality you've got a third of an acre and the only way you know it's your driveway is because you recognize your kid's bicycles. Settle down, and get thinking about ways to customize your entrance--and go back thousands of years to ancient architecture for your inspiration.

It's no secret that the floor plan of a home can make it or break it for many people. They have something in mind when it comes to the layout of their home and this is either what they envision when creating the blueprint or what they look for when viewing homes that are already built. One thing that may not be thought of as commonly, is just how important it is for the architectural millwork to be customized along with the floor plan. Good architectural millwork can make all of the different in the world when it comes to improving a floor plan and really catching the eye of a potential buyer. Here are some great ways to improve your floor plan design with architectural millwork. 

One of the great things about living in the United States is the huge variety of choices you have in the marketplace. You have almost unlimited option when it comes to picking out cars, and clothes, and your choices say a lot about who you are, what your taste is, and how you spend your money. The one big purchase where your options are the most limited is in your home--unless you can afford a truly custom build, the details you get to choose in your home are in inverse proportion to the money you spend. It's a little unnerving when every house on the block is so similar you're not entirely sure which driveway is yours. 

If only you could wave your magic hammer and give your home a facelift--change up some details and add some architectural interest to the facade and the interior--without raiding the kid's college funds.

When you're ready to renovate, the exterior of your building can matter just as much as the interior. There are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to exterior appeal, including color, style, material, and architectural elements. An exterior cornice is one such element, which can be added to the outside of a building for an immediate and long-lasting impact.

There are few architectural styles that are more distinctly American than that of Craftsman style homes and bungalows. Since the beginning of the 20th century when Craftsman style homes were introduced, they have been the most popular style of home for working-class homeowners. Let's take a brief look at the history of this unique form of architecture, what makes a Craftsman home a Craftsman home, and why they became so popular.

Most people don't think of decorating their ceilings--but maybe they should. Or you should--start a trend.

If you're looking to make some changes to your house, install some decorative ceiling beams--they're dramatic and impressive addition to your home's architecture. For hundreds of years, beams were exposed--both the wall supports and the roof trusses. As building methods and materials improved, walls were plastered over, and eventually the roof beams were also covered by wood or plaster.

If you think that exposed beams are not for you--your ceilings aren't high enough, your house is too modern, beams are too rustic--think again. You can source beams in a variety of materials, colors, and finishes, and integrate them into just about any home's architecture.