Wall-ceiling gap

Rox24734622
by Rox24734622
In our 1920's era house, there is a picture moulding along the joining of the wall and ceiling. The ceiling is not very straight, so the moulding is lower than tight against the ceiling, leaving a gap that has a shadow, making the ceilng appear dirty along the moulding. Any ideas of what we can do to eliminate this shadow? I was thinking of stuffing the gap with rope putty...

  5 answers
  • Barbara Barbara on Dec 22, 2017

    Is it possible to “build-up” the mouldimy by adding more, to make the molding larger?

  • Bijous Bijous on Dec 22, 2017

    Paint the moulding a slightly darker color than it is now. And make sure the gap is the same color as the ceiling. This is a problem with older houses, but the color change will help optically.

    • See 1 previous
    • Bijous Bijous on Dec 23, 2017

      Then how about reverse? Paint the gap the same color as the moulding. It can't hurt to try...

  • Sharon Sharon on Dec 22, 2017

    I would add a thin moulding trim to the picture rail so there is a gap behind, and then for some real wow .... add LED strips for a warm glow of cove lighting. PS paint the back of the moulding strip bright white.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq85-5W069Q see not hard a kid can do it

    Mouldings... https://www.homedepot.com/s/wood%2520trim?NCNI-5

    • See 1 previous
    • Sharon Sharon on Dec 23, 2017

      Maybe its time to rip that old picture rail off.

  • William William on Dec 22, 2017

    You are correct that it is a picture molding. Back in the day pictures were hung from the molding, long strings/wire, since walls were plaster and lathe. Hence the gap for brackets. Easier to hang and move pictures around than nailing into walls a crumbling the plaster. Stuff the rope caulk or anything else into the gap as a backing, then caulk with regular caulk and use a wet finger to smooth it out! Easier fix than adding, fitting, and painting molding.

    • Rox24734622 Rox24734622 on Dec 23, 2017

      Thanks... this is what I was thinking, but it's a relief to have someone affirm that it's a reasonably good idea. And I will try to keep enough space for the picture hanger to slip in, too.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 04, 2021

    Hello there,

    You could always disguise the gap by adding a coloured border to the ceiling.