Style Report: Dark Window Trims and Contrasting Hues

For the past five years, you may have been seeing more dark trim and casings around windows, both on the exterior and interior. Part of the popularity comes from the visual interest created with contrasting hues around windows. All white kitchens are as hot as ever, but adding a darker window trim or casing provides a punch of unexpected pizzazz. 

Companies like Pella, Anderson and Marvin offer a range of styles in black and dark green that have taken off like episodes of Game of Thrones. Whether your style is traditional with layers of moldings or minimalist modern, there are options to fit your aesthetic and budget. 

Whenever we design spaces, we always pay special attention to the windows and doors. They are a motif element: color, scale, and style all play into the overall design scheme. 

Window Types

Speaking of windows, you might be interested in learning more about window styles, too. Traditional double hung windows are also called 6 over 6, that in older homes are definitely old school. That is, each window has 2 rows of 3 in the lower sash and 2 rows of 3 in the upper sash as seen in the image below.

Natural light is essential for our well-being and newer windows are more likely to be 4 over 4 or 6 over 6 per sash. There are many different types of windows: double and single hung, picture windows with large expanses of glass, and custom windows in a variety of shapes. Some have arched tops like Palladian windows. There are windows that crank out like casements while others slide open.

Modern windows tend to have fewer or no mullions - the wood piece that separates the panes. Mullions can be plain or decorative, too. In Gothic architecture the mullions were often on crossing diagonals made of lead. In the 1980s, stained wood trim was all the rage but that tends to be a more rustic look. Floor to ceiling expanses of glass are often used in contemporary architecture. 

In the Wayland kitchen shown below, the dark windows contrast with the marble countertop and creamy white cabinetry.