Need suggestions on crown molding for old door head board.

Question

I recently purchased this old five-panel door to use as a headboard. I like the color so I don't want to paint it. I would however like to add crown molding and a flat shelf board. The door is well worn and the coloring varies from area to area. I'm concerned that I'm not going to be able to match the crown molding color to the door. Any suggestions? I also have two end tables that I plan to use for nightstands. I'm going to refinish the tops, stained to match as close as possible to the door. The rest of the stand will be painted very dark gray and then distressed. If I can't match the crown molding close enough to the door would it look bad to give the molding the same treatment as the base of the nightstand? One last question. The legs of the nightstand have metal bands at the top. Would you paint over the metal or leave it as is?

Building Moxie · Answer

2c There are a few paint stores in my region that I trust and you likely have a few too near you. I have no problem heading to them when I need to match even an aged finish. My guts says though... path of least resistance - use the paint from the legs on the crown to tie them together. Sounds like you have a good plan - good luck. ~jb

Jenny · Answer

I agree with Building Moxie. Beautiful night stands and door. Love the color.

Moxie · Answer

That is going to so amazing...my thoughts if you are going to paint the table legs dark grey you could also paint the new trim...maybe even just the raised panel area of the door...would seriously set it all up to put up a few pics ...you might want to look at dentil trim and a shelf in lieu of crown mold to keep with the shapes in the raised panels..maybe you could paint just the dentil trim a metallic copper like the leg metal and the shelf the dark grey and tie it all together??? (then you don't have to match) -- you could paint up a piece of cardboard cut the size of the door panels and tape one in place to see how you like it...I think I would run with that copper band...just love copper. Just my thoughts, all boils down to personal preference and how you want your space. Would love to see after pics! Good luck with your project!

Brian S · Answer

For the night stand my plan was to paint everything except for the flat top piece, not just the legs. Moxie, I like the idea of dentil trim instead of the crown molding.

Nancy Gramm · Answer

You've had some great responses, but I want to weigh in on not painting over the metal band. It doesn't stand out greatly with the wood finish--at least not in the pics--but I think it would make a great statement with the gray.

Sally · Answer

Most of the name paint stores are able to match stain and do a wonderful job. I wouldn't try to be too exact each piece. That gives each personality. For oodles and oodles of ideas and how-to's for crown and other ideas, check Pinterest.com

Brian S · Answer

I'm going to tape over them and then see what they look like after the charcoal paint goes on.

CapStone Home Renovations · Answer

That door looks like pine or fir. If you do decide to stain it, make sure that the crown is the same material. You could get pretty close with the stain.

Lynn5280 · Answer

This door is going to make a beautiful headboard! Good for you

P.j. C · Answer

I wouldn't paint the metal gray, but you if you don't like the final product you could always use another color of metallic paint on the trim & hardware. Most companies that make stains provide brochures with color charts to show how each stain looks on different types of wood. It's hard to tell from your photos, but most of the 5 panel antique doors I've seen.are oak. Oak usually takes stain well without getting blotchy, but if you use another type of crown molding like fir you should use a wood sealer on it before staining--otherwise it may not stain evenly. As for molding, this is a similar door made into a headboard.(https://www.facebook.com/TheReardanPlowboy#!/TheReardanPlowboy/photos/a.675111639189209.1073741828.674927285874311/758792827487756/?type=1&theater). Might be able to enlarge the photo & take it to the millwork department for advice on which moldings to use together to get a similar effect. (I also like the idea of adding some gray to the headboard to coordinate with your tables. If you decide to paint the crown molding gray, consider painting the inset areas too, leaving the frame in woodgrain.)

Hamtil Construction LLC · Answer

As others have suggested, I think you could get close with a stain. Just don't use off the shelf pine from Home Depot. You'll need a fir or a species of pine to match close to the old yellow pine that much of this millwork was made from. A paint store might steer you toward a 'shellac' finish. That would be appropriate for a match. However, as JB Building Moxie suggested, the path of least resistance would be to paint in the same dark grey. I like the sound of that unless you are up for a stain matching challenge. If you do paint it, possibly consider 'framing' the sides of the door with a 3/4' flat board and painting it as well. Might add a bit of consistency. For crown under the shelf board, you might also try a bed mold profile. Most doors of an older era have a bed mold as a crown at the top of the head trim.

Yvonne Day Aka Miss Ruby · Answer

Have you thought about doing it with old tin? You could do a couple of brackets and a shelf but putting some old tin would be cool. Also may I suggest you leave enough area behind the shelf to put in a electrical plug incase you ever want to put a lamp on the shelf this way the cords are hidden.

Brian S · Answer

Thank you everyone for the feedback and great ideas. @Yvonne Day Aka Miss Ruby could you explain what you would do with tin?

Yvonne Day Aka Miss Ruby · Answer

Hey Brian S, The old tin can be used as a crown molding under the shelf angled like crown molding would be. You could also use the newer tin that Home depot has now as back splash material. You would just cut it and either angle it or make a fake apron for your shelf. When you do this it creates a separation of materials so if your stain does not match perfectly , you would not know it. my email is dayandcompany@yahoo.com I will try to find some pics of what I am talking about for you.

Yvonne Day Aka Miss Ruby · Answer

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=shabby+ddor+mantles&qpvt=shabby+ddor+mantles&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=6C89DFB574C7FDC126B34816B0FF93CC527F25AC&selectedIndex=34

Yvonne Day Aka Miss Ruby · Answer

Go to that site and there will be a lot of pictures that will give you an idea of what I was talking about. Please post your pic when you are done, I love to see cool doors repurposed. Hope this helps

Diana Deiley · Answer

I love the door and tables. A wonderful find. Wood trim painted in a satin black, and the top and drawer fronts also painted black would be a perfect look.

Georgia Foam Design Inc · Answer

Foam Crown Molding is great way to redecorate your door head board because it will provide your home door’s longevity and stunning look also. I m sure it will be affordable enough.

Need suggestions on crown molding for old door head board.

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Need suggestions on crown molding for old door head board.

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