Get the Look: Marvelous Millwork

The vaulted wood-paneled ceiling in this master bedroom is painted the same pale blue-gray as the walls to gently scale down the room’s volume. Pilaster break up stretches of wall, imparting a sense of formality that’s echoed by a lofty four-poster.

Stunning Library

A hand-carved limestone fireplace created by a local artisan anchors the library of this home on Minnesota’s Lake Minnetonka. Built-in bookshelves above the windows and below the bench seating preserve lake views. Look up to notice the gorgeous octaganal design of the ceiling.

Simple Statement

A lofty ceiling lined with dark-stained wood provides a striking counterpoint to beefy white trimwork in this breakfast room. Bamboo-style chairs gathered around a large 1970s linen-wrapped dining table repeat the overhead contrast between light and dark in simple yet dramatic fashion. 

Formal Detail

A plaster-look, wood-ornamented ceiling and a 19th-century rug dress this living room from head to toe in quiet luxury. Linen-and-silk draperies and a neutral color palette delivered via texture-rich furnishings and accessories reinforce an air of casual elegance.

Suite Dreams

A partial wall with built-in bookcases and detailed millwork anchors the bed at the middle of the master suite while separating it from the entry behind it. A shagreen-covered cabinet at the foot of the bed elegantly accommodates a television.

Dining in Style

In interior designer Hillary Taylor’s dining room, blue walls punctuated by beefy moldings showcase 1930s Louis XVI-style chairs and an antique table. Hillary’s mother bought the table for $50 decades ago. 

Beautiful Details

This main-level master suite is dressed in soothing hues. Molding with a sunflower relief is just one of the little details that brings in a happy vibe.

Gorgeous Living Room

In this living room, the elliptical curve of the ceiling beams is reminiscent of the ribs of an antique ship while the fireplace and surround are battened out like the interior of its cabin.

The design for the living room was inspired by the bottom hull of an antique Chris Craft. Eighteenth-century oak beams salvaged from a Virginia sawmill are hand-crafted to match the radius of the ceiling while keeping the integrity of the mortis and tenon joinery visible. Vintage Antwerp cabinet towers, a wormy chestnut mantel, and down-filled furnishings with washed linen slipcovers foster a refined yet relaxed aesthetic.  

Lovely Study

Stunning millwork is the star of this home’s cozy study. Residential designer Jeff Murphy created built-in bookcases, overlay paneled walls, and a raised ceiling with corbels and supporting beam details to lend distinction to the space. With walls and ceiling bathed in a steely gray, the room feels fresh yet masculine.

White Kitchen

The kitchen has strong architectural elements—recessed-panel custom cabinetry, oversize moldings, and an intricate beamed ceiling. “The ceiling defines the space,” the interior designer Melinda Grubbs says. “It has this finished/unfinished look, as if the skeleton of the house is showing through.” In a bold move, the range is placed directly under a window and the hood is tucked into an arch above.

Detailed Entry

Leaded, beveled-glass transoms and sidelights in the entry are traditional in nature but nod to contemporary style by creating the appearance the front door is floating in glass. White paneled walls brighten the gracious space.

Gray-and-White Delight

To lend tactile interest to this master bedroom’s monochromatic palette, interior designer Stephanie Wohlner paired crisp white wainscoting with gray linen wallpaper hung from wall to ceiling. The bed’s towering posts draw the eye up to the ceiling while its plush tufted headboard anchors the space. 

Elegant Kitchen

The homeowners of this Chicago home sought elegance with an edge for their family kitchen. To wit, interior designer Stephanie Wohlner injected the classically appointed space with youthful flourishes, such as counter stool upholstered in faux snakeskin and punctuated with polished-nickel nailheads. 

Custom millwork frames the range and brings the traditional elegance the family was seeking.

Striking Stairway

Paneled walls lend subtle distinction to the curved staircase anchoring Gloria and Mike Masterson’s entry. Rectangular sconce shades and a chevron runner strike a modern note.

Study with Distinction

Like most rooms in Carrie and John Browne’s home, the study is anchored by an antique. Reupholstered in velvet, the sofa provides a bridge between the formal paneled walls and spunky orange draperies. A brass light fixture strikes another contemporary note.