Custom Beginner

Its back to work on the trim project, and Ive finished the crown molding in the bathrooms.
Ive moved into the dining room, where Im installing shadowbox trim below the existing chair rail. This trim has the same profile as the trim used below the crown in the bathrooms. Its mitered on a 45 at the corners, laying flat on the saw.

Here are some before and after photos of the work I accomplished today. You can see what a nice addition this makes to the look of the room!

My technique is this: I begin by making a layout on paper, and transferring this to the wall. I leave a 3" space all the way around the shadowbox. Having a 3" wide block of wood with reference marks on it makes it easier and quicker to do your layout. Then, I hold each piece in place with blue painters tape (wont pull the paint off upon removal). This allows me to fudge in the corners to fit perfectly before I nail it secure. After all corners of a box are secure, I then locate any available studs, and put in additional fastners into the stud locations to further secure the trim. The end result will be a perfect rectangle with perfect miters!

Since the miters are a good fit, I only need to fill the nail holes. Touch up paint will complete the job. Here are the pics...

Here are the newest pics of the arched valences going in!
With the finish done on the valences, Ive installed each one in its respective location. It really is starting to take shape now. With the valences in, I can put in the surrounding flat and fluted trim also, and this will finish it out. Its really becoming a beautiful piece now, and I just love this cherry!

Im on the final touch up coats on the mantle, but here are some pictures of the backside of the mantle and the corbles.
You can see that the backside of the mantle is unfinished, but I have the french cleat installed. You can now better understand how this cleat works. The opposing piece will be screwed to the wall, and will provide a good amount of support for this heavy piece! The corbles will do the rest of the support work, and the mantle wont move.

The mantle is scheduled to be installed tomorrow!