Cornerstone of elegance
| On how a cornice gives an altogether a new dimension to the walls,
ceiling and the very look of your house. |
ORNAMENTAL MOULDING: A cornice is used to lend a traditional look to houses,
apartments and office buildings, both inside and outside. - S. Mahinsha
Enhancing the looks of a blank wall is seemingly a difficult
proposition from the architectural point of view. Yet, almost all classical
styles of architecture have gone to great lengths to achieve this objective.
Greek, Italian, French or Indian style, the cornice is an
element that has lent itself very well to this challenge. And now, it is
emerging from the realms of traditional architecture into the modern era.
Generally, the word cornice describes the ornamental moulding
around the wall of a room just below the ceiling. Some varieties are used to
accentuate the junction of the wall with the ceiling or to conceal lighting
fixtures.
Enhancing
beauty
They can be made of wood, Plaster of Paris, gypsum or
polysterene. Traditional cornice designs employ ornate, classical details.
Cornices contribute to interior decor in a quietly unobtrusive manner, even
while enhancing the beauty and finish of the walls and ceiling. They also help
to conceal cables, cracks and imperfections.
Once used to embellish the interiors of sprawling bungalows,
the cornice is today used to lend a traditional look to houses, apartments and
office buildings, both inside and outside. They are generally classified into
border cornices, round ceiling cornices, beadings and corners for the walls and
profiles for exterior facades. Speciality shapes include brackets and pillars,
door dressings, arches and wall niches.
Variety of
designs
Cornices are created in a wide variety of designs - plain,
floral, motifs or geometric to match the overall theme of the room. Big cornices
work well in large rooms. Plain suits a fussy décor whereas ornamental is
preferred for that opulent look. Border cornices are fixed along the line
connecting wall to ceiling and can be in plain, parallel lines or different
designs. Ceiling cornices are usually a hollow circle on the ceiling, defining
lights and fan at the centre. Ceiling circles are usually elaborately designed
plates, leaving a small hole in the centre for the fan or light to be connected
to the ceiling.
Corners are available in intricate and delicate styles while
brackets and pillars impart a classical Greek look. Panels and door dressings
help to define and adorn a wall or doorway.
Hard
process
Creating cornices is a laborious and time-consuming process.
So when imported prefabricated cornices entered the market, they created a
flutter. It was only a matter of cutting the cornice to the required length and
pasting it. But supply and technical problems ensured that the initial
enthusiasm soon wore out. Many dealers and builders who stocked the extruded
polystyrene varieties found that the special adhesive tends to solidify in the
tropical heat.
Plaster of Paris and gypsum cornices are still used but only
as ornate embellishments for the interior because they tend to crack or crumble
during fitting and do not last when exposed to the elements. Reinforced with
polyurethane, the gypsum variety is stronger and easier to cut and drill. POP on
the other hand, is cheaper but lacks the finish of gypsum mouldings. Most
builders prefer to create border cornices in cement plaster, notwithstanding the
time, effort and skill needed for the job.
Generally, the tasteful decoration of a cornice is preferred
for the living room but it is welcome even in the dining room. Apartment
builders have started advertising cornice work in their projects.
Cornice work is done after plastering. Architects and
interior designers advise plain cornices in rooms that will be heavily furnished
or decorated. They advice choosing the designs to suit the overall theme:
geometrics for a smart look or motifs and figures for an ethnic look. The choice
of cornice should also ensure some kind of continuity from one room to another.
T. NANDAKUMAR
Courtesy: Property Plus, The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/pp/2006/03/04/stories/2006030400770400.htm
