The Crowning Touch Crown molding is a visual treat that adds a touch of elegance. Crown moldings made of wood come in hundreds of profiles and can be stained, painted, or left natural. Because wood tends to expand and contract with changes in humidity, use flexible caulk at joints and seams.   Coolest Crown Not all crown moldings look like they came from ancient Greece; these jazzed-up plaster moldings are completely contemporary. In rooms with ceilings 8 feet high or...

Anything that gives a house a more stylish or elegant appearance will raise its appraised value. Simple, inexpensive additions like crown molding can add dollars when an appraiser walks through your house — but only if the crown molding is done correctly and tastefully. You can put crown molding in almost any room, as long as it's appropriate to the space. Get the Style Right You have to use the right style of crown molding. A very ornate molding in a modern living room will not only look ou...

Crown moldings decorate the stark angle where the ceiling meets the wall. Available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, crown moldings attach to both the wall and ceiling, adding architectural interest. An elegant touch, they can soften and enliven an otherwise boxy room. Typical costs: • Standard crown molding professionally installed costs around$8-$12 a foot or about $300-$500per 10x10-foot room, according to U.S. News & World Report. • Elaborate designs, heavy or exotic woods, th...