Rosette Molding Styles

Rosettes

• Rosette moldings are commonly used as decorative accents at the top of window and door frames. Although some design purists define the rosette as a round architectural accent, the term “rosette” is usually applied to both round and square rosettes. The rosette forms a corner without complicated mitering and changes the direction of same-size molding running around doors or window frames. Rosette molding is made from many materials, including wood and plaster. Modern materials include resin and urethane. Rosettes may be hand-carved or mass-produced and painted or stained in any color or finish.

Classical

• Classical rosette styles are from Greek and Roman cultures. The Greeks first used a square rosette that was a basic corner block used to transition from the tops of casings to the sides. The rounded rosettes have distinct floral patterns that radiate outward from the center. The designs are ornamental and intricately carved, often with turned rosettes or complex three-dimensional designs.

Victorian

• Victorian design style, described as ornate and excessive, borrows from classical design and adds decorative elements, such as gingerbread trim. However, the typical Victorian corner block or rosette is a simple square with a bull’s eye design. The design is usually one or two circles with or without a raised dot at the center.

Modern

• Modern rosette styles, like revival styles, draw from the classical styles while adding modern design elements that are less ornate. For instance, an art deco round rosette displays a stylized, almost graphical representation of the rose while keeping the basic classical design. Modern rosette designs also replace the rose with other flowers, such as the dogwood or the sunflower. Rosettes may depict shapes, such as stars, instead of flowers.