Picture rail

[chyna]

Does anyone here know the proper placement for a picture rail? Obviously it is close to the ceiling but I was wonder how far from the ceiling? I would like to install a rail in my livingroom but there are some oddities in there that have me wondering what the answer is. Like I have an arch between the "library" and the livingroom. One side actually has a run of say 2" of wall before it starts and has the trim and bump out of sorts but the exterior side just arches into the wall with no divider. I was thinking the rail should be at the height it runs into the wall and sounds like a good idea. Buuuuttttt, on the wall the staircase runs up what do I do with the rail then? Just continue across the wall until it runs into the staircase? Or do I stop where the ceiling slopes up the stairway? That seems rather abrupt in my mind but having trim at foot level sounds pretty dumb too. Truth be told that wall is sheetrock so putting holes in the wall isn't a problem in the least but what plaster I do have I'd like to preserve which means, picture rail.

At least the library portion will be easy to figure out. It is all plaster and no oddities. :o

[cheapdiva]

How high are your walls? We have 9' ones and our crown molding has the built in lip for hanging pictures - it's at 8'. I've seen it at other heights, though. It should depend on a variety of factors but ceiling height is a big one.

[chyna]

Mine would be 9' also or maybe they are 10'. Can't remember what I measured them at when we moved in. :o There was a discussion about this on the American Bungalow forum but that was years ago and let's just say searching out past topics is not a walk in the park. :( Figured I'd just start anew and ask different people so they wouldn't know I was rehashing. :D

[WannaBHomemaker]

I am no expert but I would think you might want it about 6' high so that it's near eye-level and people can see what is up there. I saw a photo yesterday of a nursery with a 3" rail/moulding all around the room and it looked like it was about 5' up from the floor. It was really cute and I told DH I want to do that in our future nursury too!

as far as the stairs - I'd just keep going with it until you hit the stairs, you can always find some cute little something to put in the smaller space!

[chyna]

The picture rail does open up a can of worms because then I need to get the rail hooks and then either chain to hang the pictures with or enough cording to hang the pictures at a good height. Guess since the majority of the wall I would hang pictures on are sheetrock (which I'm not thrilled with the loss of my plaster) the cord or ribbon would be purely decorative. It is the library area that still has all the plaster that I would need to outfit with hanging cords.

I may use it though on the wall where the old mirror is hung. Then I don't have to locate the studs and can just hang it where I want it. Now that is a plus! :)

I've thought of a plate rail in my kitchen but they just make me nervous. I get images of my dd jumping around and plates falling all over the kitchen. :o I do still plan on having one in the hallway but will probably only have a picture or two leaning on it while still securely attached to the wall.