All in the DETAIL

THE STYLE OF YOUR DOORS, WINDOWS AND TRIM FORMS THE BACKBONE OF THE LOOK FOR YOUR ENTIRE HOME

- JANE PARBURY

Choosing internal doors and windows is a vital part of any new build or renovation. Of course, windows frame views and let in light and air, while internal doors can close off rooms for warmth, noise containment and privacy. But they serve more than a purely practical purpose. Their style also helps set the design tone of your home and informs the other architectural details - skirtings, cornices, architraves and the like that complete the aesthetic of your home. "You want architecture and features to tell the story of the era or style you are hoping to achieve," says stylist Tilly Roberts. Of course, as with many aspects of architecture and interior design, there's no one size fits all approach and you can certainly mix and match different options within your chosen style.

Sound complicated? Not to worry. We've spoken to the experts and have everything you need to know, from a glossary of the most common terms to a breakdown of the options that suit popular interior styles. All you have to do is pick the one that suits your home.

GLOSSARY

Architrave Framing for doors and windows, commonly made from timber or MDF.

Ceiling rose Decorative plaster ceiling feature, often as the backdrop to a light fixture.

Coffered ceiling Beamed ceiling usually arranged in a grid pattern, often to disguise structural elements or services such as electric wiring.

Cornice Architectural trim that runs between the walls and ceiling; plain versions are sometimes referred to as coving.

Dado rail Decorative trim running horizontally around a room at chair height (also known as chair rail).