The Overlooked Art of Millwork Restoration

Since my return to the remodeling field after a long detour, I've noticed that more than a few things have changed. Take battery-powered tools, for example — a total revolution and a true game changer compared to the days of always being chained to an extension cord. One thing that hasn't changed is my love for restoration work. Taking an old building and modernizing it while staying true to its character and history is one of my favorite challenges.

The Piece Most Remodels Get Wrong

One thing that's often overlooked is the impact of millwork — all the moldings and trim around doors, windows, and baseboards — in an older home. I'm not talking about anything you'll find at Home Depot. These are often elegant, detailed profiles that were of a specific time, sometimes even custom-made for the house, and typically aren't available anywhere off the shelf.

Sadly, some remodels update with whatever's available and miss the opportunity to maintain the spirit of the house alongside modern upgrades like new doors and windows. It doesn't have to be this way.

---

Enter OB Williams

OB Williams is a Seattle company that traces its origins back to 1889. As a custom architectural woodwork firm, they're the go-to source for restoration work in the Pacific Northwest. As I discovered on a recent project, they've produced more than 13,000 unique molding shapes over the years.

Custom-milled profiles, sanded and primed — matched from scratch after the original wasn't in OB Williams' existing catalog.

When faced with matching some very elegant moldings for a Queen Anne client, I was hopeful OB Williams would have produced them at some point. After leaving samples with my contact there, Matt, he messaged me later that day to say I'd stumped him — this exact profile wasn't in their archive. Not to worry, though: they'd craft new knives to match it at no extra charge, and have the moldings ready in about two weeks, sanded, primed, and ready for paint.

Amazing, honestly.

---

Cutting and Fitting

Cutting the new profile to fit — matching angles and reveals to the home's existing trim.

Once the custom stock arrived, the work shifted to the miter saw and the walls themselves — cutting each piece to fit the specific geometry of this hallway and matching the reveal and proportion of the original trim, so the new work reads as though it was always there.

Worth the Investment

I should note that custom hardwood moldings aren't inexpensive, but they're essential to making a remodel look right when off-the-shelf products don't fit the bill. I really enjoyed working with OB Williams and highly recommend their services to anyone restoring an older home in the Seattle area.

---

Crest & Level provides finish carpentry and restoration work across Seattle's Queen Anne, Magnolia, Wallingford, Fremont, Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Bryant neighborhoods. Have a historic home that needs matching millwork? Get in touch.