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Original poster

Picture rails - to reinstate or not?

22 replies

linspins · 14/05/2011 23:09

What's the fashion with picture rails these days? We live in a 1930's semi, and are just decorating. Having stripped off the wallpaper, I can see there used to be picture rails. Would you put them back in...or not?

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Sinkingfeeling · 15/05/2011 00:40

I live in a 1930s semi too, and love my picture rails - they're, errm, very handy for hanging pictures without the need for nails :) Also help balance the proportions of the room - our walls are painted a lighter colour above the rails than below and that seems to make the ceilings look higher.

UrsulaBuffay · 15/05/2011 00:45

We did, they really make a difference to the dimensions of the rooms & are fab if like me you oft change your mind about where to hang pictures!

Original poster
linspins · 15/05/2011 10:05

I hadn't really considered putting them back until I saw the old lines where they were. The ceilings are at the moment Artrex...not for long! Can't wait. Would be nice to be able to make them a foot higher too at the same time! Grin

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UrsulaBuffay · 15/05/2011 15:39

They will look a foot higher if you paint white above the picture rail :)

manchurian · 15/05/2011 18:41

I think picture rails are fab. They mean you can be more bold with the colour of the main walls and as long as you keep it light above the picture rails the room wont feel small and dark.

UrsulaBuffay · 15/05/2011 19:02

I have, rather sadly, added 2 pics to my profile- before and after in our 30s semi, we ripped the vile decor apart when we moved in & could also see where the picture rails had been. Made a big difference, only one room to put them back in now :)

GrendelsMum · 15/05/2011 19:03

Gosh, that is quite a before and after, isn't it!

UrsulaBuffay · 15/05/2011 19:04

Yes the people before had an 'interesting' colour palette!

QBEE · 15/05/2011 19:11

Put them back.
Having just an hour ago hung a rather massive and fashionable picture and suspended it off the frame, I am very grateful for the picture rails I have. I did not have to fit rawl plugs and drill etc and in approx seven and a half months when I change my mind and take it down, no one will know that it was even there and there will be no need to redecorate the entire room.

LaWeasel · 15/05/2011 19:12

I like them, especially if there's no erm, what do you call it... coving? where the walls meet ceiling.

Ponks · 15/05/2011 22:50

They are also good to hang shirts on while you are doing the ironing .. Blush

We have just had a rear extension built on our 1920s house and have to decide what to do with the picture rail and coving in the room connected to the extension - builder says it will look odd to keep it as the extension is going to be modern vaulted ceiling etc - but am bit gutted as love having the rail & coving etc.

LankyLegs · 16/05/2011 09:25

I would put them back too. They add a lot more character to the room as well as making it look bigger if you chose your paint colours wisely.

Willowisp · 16/05/2011 21:57

Ooh, I am loving this thread !!

DH & I are having big arguments about the picture rails & how to paint our bedroom. We have eaves in the room (& did have originally) & now have eaves + dormer.

The question is, how to run the picture rails around the room ? I think white paint under the slopes, then continue the white paint + picture rail around the dormer....

(will try to post a couple of photos)

ursulabuffay love the new colour in your lounge, what is it please ?

UrsulaBuffay · 16/05/2011 22:02

Thanks :) It's just Dulux natural calico, it's my go-to cream! I have a different sofa & thick red & gold velvet Laura Ashley curtains now so it looks rather different again.

puffylovett · 16/05/2011 22:09

Put them back.

We put ours back in our bedroom and (shock!!) I didn't paint White above. I did duck egg below and cafe latte above with a feature wallpapered wall. I love my bedroom, it is like lying in a dish of ice cream :)))

WindUpBird · 16/05/2011 22:14

Ooh, a thread about picture rails! We moved into a 1920s semi last year and have just put picture rails back in to the box room. It has made SUCH a difference to the way the room looks. But the main reason was that the walls are so solid we'd need to drill a hole even for the tiniest picture. We're going to put them back into every room we can! I can't believe a previous owner has spent a fortune taking down picture rails, chimney breasts, covering the panelled doors...what a waste of time and money!

Eaglebird · 16/05/2011 22:34

Agree about putting them back.
DP & I are currently renovating our house (built circa 1890), and it's obvious that the original picture rails have been removed from the dining room. I can't wait to have them reinstated.

fizzyelderflower · 17/05/2011 11:55

Quick question for those of you who've reinstated picture rails - how did you do it?

We're thinking of putting them back in lots of rooms in our 30s house but have no idea how difficult they might be. Do we need a carpenter to do them?

UrsulaBuffay · 17/05/2011 16:43

DH is v handy and just hammered them up and filled the holes & painted.

Original poster
linspins · 18/05/2011 21:06

Mumsnet ladies, I love you all! I haven't been able to check in here for a few days, and find all sorts of lovely messages now about picture rails. I am keen now to put them back in, just gotta convince DH. Ursulabuffay, great photos. The 'after' pic looks all calm and stylish. A look I might strive for, probably ruined bu plastic toys!!
Good point Qbee about moving stuff around as the mood takes you.
Might have to go and look at google images of picture rails...mmm, interior design porn....

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UrsulaBuffay · 19/05/2011 21:07

Ah y'see that was pre-DD! Now we have the explosion in a toy factory look :)

Original poster
linspins · 21/05/2011 21:48

Ursula, I went to show DH your before and after pic and they've gone! Cute photo though btw of you and bubba.
I googled picture rails, to get some ideas etc, and got lots of pictures of... er..rails. Train rails. Hmm

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