Plaster work isn’t just limited to sheets of gyprock and jointing tape. While most homes and businesses install plaster walls because they look good and are cost-effective, plaster can be used to add a huge range of detail and interest to any interior design. One of the defining traits of any room is the cornice work. It’s common for builders to keep things simple and use simple curved cornicing (also known as cove cornices), but there are dozens of more interesting options available. Whatever look you want to achieve for your room – from clean and modern to detailed and classic – the right cornice work can make all the difference. To help you get started with your next project, our team of expert plasterers Sydney wide put together some of our favourite cornice designs that can be used to spruce up any room.
What Are Cornices?
Apart from looking good, cornices serve a functional purpose. Cornices are designed to hide the joint between the plasterboard on the wall and ceiling. They can be implemented after you undergo soundproof ceiling installation at your property. Not all houses are built perfectly square and level. And, while plasterboard has nice straight edges and square corners, it’s very difficult to get your walls and ceilings lined up to form a perfect 90-degree joint. Instead, many designers choose to install cornices. Cornices hide minor imperfections in the wall-ceiling joint, allowing plaster work to move along swiftly, saving time, money and labour that can then be spent elsewhere on the build or ceiling repairs Sydney wide.
Cove Cornices
It’s hard to go wrong with the classics! Cove style cornices are one of the most common choices in modern buildings. Featuring a concave shape, cove cornices effectively hide the joint between your wall and ceiling, and the gentle curve makes the transition look seamless. Cove cornices are available in a variety of materials (such as plaster and plastic) and can be found in different scales to suit your design.
Contemporary Cornices
If the cove isn’t your style and you’re looking for something a little more interesting, modern cornice options come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the most popular contemporary cornice designs, such as those supplied by Gyprock, feature more angular shapes and square edges. Where cove cornices create a smooth transition between the wall and ceiling, contemporary options are designed to create a clean, crisp edge. Contemporary angled and stepped cornices add definition and shape to a room that makes the perfect counterpoint to other interior touches like furniture.
Sculpted Cornices
Modern design trends are all about minimalism, but if that’s not your thing then sculpted cornice options might be more up your alley. Ornamental cornice work can be anything from intricate moulded profiles through to cornices with actual embossed and sculpted details. Popular with designers striving to achieve classic art deco or Victorian-inspired looks, sculpted cornices are the ultimate design statement.
Shadow Line Finishes
While shadow lines aren’t strictly a type of cornice, they’re a popular alternative to the other styles in this article. To create a shadow line, plasterboard is first attached to your walls. Then, the ceiling plaster is carefully attached to create a narrow, uniform gap between the wall and the ceiling. This gap creates a shadowed line all the way around the room which serves as a border and adds striking detail to the design.
High-quality shadow line finishes are especially difficult to achieve and are best left to experienced plasterers. Because of their difficulty, shadow lines are often used in builds where the owners want to showcase high-level craftsmanship and techniques.
Different Cornice Materials
Although it’s common for cornice mouldings to be made from plaster, they’re also available in a variety of other materials. In addition to choosing the right cornice profile for your room, the material you choose can also feature as a design element:
- Plaster. Similar to plasterboard and made from gypsum dust, plaster cornices are easy to work with, look good and can feature complex embossed or sculpted designs.
- Timber. Timber trims are an increasingly popular choice. Using a natural material like timber in your room is a great way to offset other design elements and add detail.
Polyurethane. Tough, lightweight and available in lots of different designs, polyurethane cornices are suitable for most properties. Its durability also makes polyurethane cornice ideal for outdoor and commercial applications.
Need Professional Plastering Services? Contact Sydney Metro Plastering Today!
The experienced team at Sydney Metro Plastering is available for all residential and commercial plastering Sydney wide! Whether you know exactly what you want or need a little bit of help choosing, we can design and install plaster and cornice work that makes your project stand out. We’re available for everything from cornice installs around the home to detailed commercial projects involving shadow lines and other unusual finishes. If you’re interested in finding out more about what we do then don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’d love to hear from you, so contact us today to make an appointment or to speak with our team about our other services such as soundproof ceiling installation or ceiling repairs Sydney wide.