At Designer Builders we have a saying, details matter, design matters.
Millwork is a detail that is not to be overlooked—it’s like jewelry for your home, a well-placed accessory.
Merriam Webster defines millwork as any woodwork manufactured at a mill. This includes doors, molding, trim, flooring, wall paneling and crown molding. Molding and flooring are often produced in mills and are therefore considered to be millwork.
Today’s blog focus is on interior doors, window and door trim, and wainscoting. The style and intricacy, as well as the finish and wood species of each dictates how the room feels—formal or more casual.
Perhaps the best place to start is with an understanding of the parts that make up the whole. This diagram from The Family Handyman, clarifies the parts that make up window casing:

And this image further details other parts of interior trim details:

The only limit to creativity with interior trim is the imagination—and maybe how to use a coping saw! Imagine how a single panel door or a two-panel like these might change the feel of a room:


The stained finish on these knotty alder doors surrounded by floor-to-ceiling raised paneling and grounded with heart pine floors creates a masculine, refined library with a cozy, warm vibe perfect for snuggling up with a good book.

Painted tongue and groove shiplap contrasts with a stained tongue and groove ceiling and heart pine floors in this casual, comfortable country retreat.
The creative use of wainscotting in this dining area shows a playful use of proportion. The simple applied moldings here mimick raised paneling and produce an impactful, dynamic aesthetic.


Visual interest was achieved through the use of applied moldings in this entry hall. Plinth blocks, multi-layer chair railing and deeper base boards wrap the cased opening into the formal dining room.
The five-panel door in this kitchen, with simple trim evokes a country charm.
Check back next month for information on base and crown molding, ceiling treatments, and fireplace mantles and surround.
