Craftsman Trim

This week we are excited to feature a very special guest posting by two friends who specialize in the restoration and design of Craftsman homes. Ellen Mirro and Howard Miller are both associated with The Johnson Partnership, a local Seattle architectural firm noted for their architectural, historic renovation, and low impact “green” services. They have graciously written a short piece for us on Craftsman trim, a very distinct and traditional style of trim found in many Seattle homes of the early 1900 vintage. We hope you enjoy it!

Ellen Mirro– Designer, LEED AP                                                                                 Howard Miller– AIA, Associate, Project Architect, NCARB, LEED AP

As architects specializing in stewardship and historic renovations, we at The Johnson Partnership see a lot of Craftsman trim. We have studied, repaired, and recreated all kinds of Craftsman houses and their trim work. Craftsman window and door casing is always simple, using flat stock with butt joints. Craftsman trim is not usually mitered, and emphasizes either a horizontal or vertical aspect. In situations where two wood members meet, they are rarely the same thickness, creating shadow lines. If the head trim is not thicker than the standing trim, then a parting bead is used as a break. Sometimes the standing trim will taper at the outside, becoming wider towards the floor, emphasizing the horizontality of the head trim and celebrating the wood material.

Parting bead used as a break in the horizontal header.  Standing trim tapers

Vertical “ear” is added above the head trim and built in cabinetry

Other times a vertical “ear” is added above the head trim, emphasizing the vertical trim, or the standing trim will be thicker than the head trim and extend past it. Openings are always cased, and in a stereotypical case, a tapered column in the opening will land on a bookcase or glass fronted cabinet, acting as a room divider.

Standing trim is thicker and extends beyond the head trim

Tapered column ends on bookcase or glass fronted cabinet, acting as a room divider

The trim often works its way into a wainscoting pattern or other built-in cabinetry, seating, or inglenooks. The upper parts of the walls are usually flat but beamed ceilings are common. Embellishments will appear as brackets on mantelpieces, doors, plate rails, and even in some instances, on the door and window casings supporting a cap at the head trim. The beauty of Craftsman trim is that, although it is simple, you can use a lot of it, and the simplicity of the style showcases quality wood materials and expert joinery.

Beamed ceiling, inglenook, mantle with subtle brackets, wainscoting

Decorative brackets at the head trim. Notice how the brackets span the variation in thickness between the head and standing trim..

All photos used with permission of Ellen Mirro and Howard Miller

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Installing Door Trim

Craftsman Bathroom Remodel