Category: News

Door casings are a detail in the home you won’t want to miss. Easily fitted and installed, door casings add a touch of elegance and structure to the home. With material options ranging from wood, styrofoam, LDF, or any combination, you can add door casings on any door with a variety of styles that fit your home’s aesthetic.

A Little History

In the 19th century, a plethora of ornate homes and federal buildings were fitted with door casings to show the authority and distinction of the institutions. A great example of this would be in any government building in Washington D.C. Door casings were also a popular option in many colonial-styled homes as a way to introduce dimension into the architectural interior of the home.

Nowadays, people everywhere install these simple pieces as a finishing touch on their room designs. Consisting of only 3 wooden pieces, two elongated side panels, and a top (head) panel, door casings can be customized as simply or as complex as the homeowner desires.

Technical Differences

There are also two different ways a door casing can be cut to create different styles. Mitered casings consist of panels cut at a 45-degree angle and pressed together with other panels to create the 90-degree corner angle of the door frame. Butt casings are similar, however, they are cut evenly and consist of two even length straight side panels and a larger overhanging head panel that rests on top. Butt casings are great for showcasing high ceilings as they draw attention upwards when looking at the door.

If you are wondering which door casings best suit the style of your home, here are some tips worth considering to help you make a decision.

Style

Keep in mind the current style of any crown molding or base floor trim. Matching the door casings with these facets will create continuity in all of your rooms and be a seamless tie-in with the rest of your home. If your rooms have complex or intricate base molding, try and match the door frame with the same complexity.

Another aspect to consider is the thickness of the door casing. It should match the base molding to keep the look harmonious. Most people can point out inconsistencies when it comes to dimensions, it makes the room feel unbalanced if the base molding and door casings are not the same width. So make sure you measure!

Themes

Try and stick with a general theme for door casings that will match the style and aesthetic of your home. If your home is more contemporary, a simple, flat door casing may add additional clean lines for a more subdued look.

Elegant, victorian styled homes can get away with a more intricate and ornate style, consisting of ripples, bevels, and grooves with additional design patterns. Either way, sticking with one theme will bring more continuity to the look of your home.

Add a Personal Touch

Lastly, try adding a personal touch to your door casings. If you’re creative, you might want to paint or add a design to the door casing to put your personality into the motif of your home. Maybe your home consists of earthy textures and you want to stain the door casing a color differing from the other wooden features, creating an eclectic atmosphere. Whatever, you choose, make sure the style is your own and is something you can enjoy.

If this still seems overwhelming to decide which door casings suit your home style, Smith and DeShields is here to help. With over 60 years of supplying homes across Florida, we look forward to assisting you with your selections.

When you’re in the Naples area be sure to visit our 4000 square foot showroom at 2360 Trade Center Way, Naples, FL 34109 if you are interested in our grand selection of door casings, millwork, and hardware. Do you have a question about our offerings? Call 239-591-2224 for additional information.

Crown moulding, although an enhancement in many homes, is still considered the best way to add detail and bring an elevated sense of luxury to your home. Its natural way of lifting your eyes toward the ceiling to tie in elements of the home is oftentimes underrated.  Here’s why crown moulding will breathe new life into your home.

Color theory and design state that contrast brings depth and dimension to a subject. The value of a color and its differentiation from neighboring colors can bring the illusion of depth, allowing the viewer to distinctively visualize and interpret the subject with a better understanding.

In conclusion, depth and dimension will make the subject “memorable”.

Crown moulding utilizes this theory through the use of curves, channels, and playing to light and shadow. The channels in crown moulding will create sharp shadows (ambient occlusion). The S-curves create gradation, bringing dimension and depth where the wall and ceiling meet. These notable properties can emphasize the height of the room when moulding is implemented.

In order to turn any room from a “box” to a room fit to be designed a chateau, crown those barren walls and line them with perfectly crafted mouldings to suit your tastes. There are a plethora of styles and designs to choose from, which make crown moulding an important and understated custom home feature worth looking into.

Modern designs of crown moulding call for fewer grooves and curves, thereby creating a sleek, yet classic look. While more intricate designs complete with varying degrees of dimension leave a lavish impression and contribute to the room’s character.

Crown moulding is even more exceptional since it comes in many materials, sizes, shapes, and colors. Moulding cannot be undervalued as it can be the difference from a detailed interior to an outdated space.

Darker colors like gray, brown, and black on the trim of a room make the ceiling feel closer and sometimes closed off. Some people prefer the look of this contrast, as it adds an accent to their homes – making the room unique. Using lighter colors, the most popular being white can give the illusion of raising the ceiling by diminishing or blending the sharp 90-degree angle where the ceiling meets the walls.

Crown moulding is notoriously used on the upper segments of a room, however, there are plenty of other creative opportunities to use moulding throughout any space. You can use it on benches, or even detailing underneath your countertops. You can line doorframes, storage containers, closet spaces, wine cellars, a mantle for the fireplace. You can even line it under shelves or paintings for a regal look.

Breathe new life into your space by adding crown moulding to your home. Some consider it the fifth wall in your rooms.

After nearly 65 years of being in the crown moulding business, these are frequently asked questions that we as industry professionals answer regularly.

What materials are mouldings made of?

Materials can range from plaster to polyurethane, or foam with a plaster coating. The most popular and most requested are wood mouldings. Smith & Deshields is a distributor and buys from four prestigious wood mills with the highest quality pine wood moldings. We also offer LDF or Low-Density Fiberboards for those who want to install their own moulding.

How long does moulding last?

Crown moulding is built to last and is often sealed with primer and paint. It is also sturdy with some degree of flexibility for easy and malleable installation!

Smith & Deshields

Smith and Deshields offers only the highest quality selection of crown moulding from multiple distinguished manufacturers and mills. Crown moulding only scratches the surface of the supplies and elements for the home that we offer. Doors, handles, hardware, and commercial-grade fixtures are among some of the many things you have to choose from at Smith & DeShields.

Whether you’re looking to add special touches to your new home, or fixing up an older home, Smith & Deshields is dedicated to giving you the best customer service along with the products that fit your needs!

If you’re interested in looking at our catalog visit our website or in person at any of our locations.

One of our four showrooms is located at 11790 Metro Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33966. Feel free to call us at (239) 337-2224 for additional information.

The modern farmhouse aesthetic is timeless. Neutral tones, wood accents and furniture with clean lines all come together to create “farmhouse chic.” Hardware is the finishing touch your project needs to bring it all together. Here are four pieces of barn door hardware that are perfect for achieving the modern farmhouse aesthetic in your home.

Emtek Bronze Rustic Modern Rectangular Sectional Hardware

Dedicated to bringing your personal style to life, Emtek’s bronze rustic hardware is perfect for achieving the modern farmhouse aesthetic and is also available in a bronze patina finish to give it a weathered look. If there’s a need for additional hardware that might complement a different area of your home, customers can mix and match accordingly.

Omnia’s Elite Collection of Cabinet Pulls

The Elite Collection of cabinet pulls from Omnia offer the clean lines perfect for the modern farmhouse aesthetic. Offered in a variety of finishes, the pulls are made of forged solid brass and built to last.

Ashley Norton’s Square Knob

If you want to think outside the box, Ashley Norton’s square knob in walnut may be just right. Produced from real wood and larger than traditional knobs, this product features natural grains and creates a modern, bold look for your cabinets.

Rocky Mountain Hardware Products

Rocky Mountain Hardware offers hardware expertly crafted in America using only the finest art-grade bronze and precision-quality mechanisms. In fact, all products are backed by a lifetime guarantee. They offer a number of products from various RMH collections, including their Olympus levers and grips, which create a unique modern aesthetic.

You will find a wide selection of hardware perfect for your modern farmhouse aesthetic at Smith & DeShields. We offer you competitive pricing and best-in-the-industry experience. Because quality matters to us – and to our clients – we proudly note our top-quality vendors.

Smith and DeShields, Inc. is a family-owned business that has proudly served the South Florida building industry for over 60 years. For more information, contact us.

At Smith & DeShields, Inc, we have been helping our community find the right products — such as cabinet knobs — for their homes and pulls for over 60 years. Some of the most common questions our associates hear when it comes to cabinet door hardware are “What size do I get?” and “Where do I put them?”

There’s no true right or wrong location for your knobs and pulls, but the general guidelines below will ensure your knobs and pulls are placed proportionally and in a way that “makes sense.” Here’s how to size cabinet knobs and pulls and additional advice from the best-in-class associates at Smith and DeShields.

Knobs or pulls?

Another question Smith & DeShields associates often get asked by homeowners is whether or not they should use knobs, pulls or a combination of both. There are a number of options…

• All knobs – More subtle and small, all knobs are a great option when you have stunning cabinetry or a backsplash that might steal the show
• All pulls – Slightly easier to use than knobs, they are preferred in the homes of those with weak or arthritic hands. They’re also typically available in a wider selection, providing more options for a homeowner
• Knob & pull combinations – When you can’t decide or want the best of both worlds, go with a combination. One option is to have knobs on the upper cabinets and pulls on lowers or knobs on your cabinet doors and pulls on drawers

Sizing knobs and pulls

When it comes to sizing knobs, 1 ¼” is a safe bet. If you’re going for a more minimalistic look, size down. Want to make an impression? Choose a larger-sized pull.

Pull sizes get more complicated because there are many options for sizes and configurations to choose from. The biggest thing to keep in mind is the longer the pull, the more contemporary they feel. Here are some additional stylistic choices you can make when sizing your cabinet pulls:

• Choose a consistent size throughout
• Opt for longer lengths on longer drawers
• Full length pulls create a modern look

Hardware is the finishing touch for your project and you will find a wide selection of well-known manufacturers from which to choose at Smith & DeShields. We offer you competitive pricing and best-in-the-industry experience. Because quality matters to us – and to our clients – we proudly note our top-quality vendors.

Smith and DeShields, Inc. is a family-owned business that has proudly served the South Florida building industry for over 60 years. For more information, contact us.

If you own a home in Florida, there are many people who would consider that the same as winning the lottery. As lucky as we are to live in the Sunshine State, the year-round sun and threat of hurricanes can be tough on homes. Here are four homeownership tips from your local Naples hardware store to keep your home beautiful for years to come.

Give your home a fresh coat of paint

Adding a fresh coat of paint to the interior of your home can instantly brighten up the space and refresh its look. If your home’s exterior has dulled due to years of Florida’s sun, a fresh coat of paint on the outside is a great way to add some curb appeal.

Upgrade your moulding

If you were to get down to your mouldings level and take a good look at it, chances are it’s time for an upgrade. Upgrades can come in many shapes and sizes, or from simply touching up the knicks and scratches with paint to replacing it entirely.

Choosing to replace your moulding entirely? Read more about how you can personalize your home through architectural millwork with expert help here.

Consider a bathroom remodel

Did you know the average return on resale for a bathroom model is 102 percent? Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, upgrading the most minute details of your bathroom can improve your home’s overall aesthetic. You don’t need to hire a contractor to perform these simple homeownership tasks like…

• Recaulking the tub
• Removing dated wallpaper
• Adding new cabinet hardware

If you opt for new cabinet hardware, the experts at Smith & DeShields, Inc. are happy to help you choose from their wide selection of well-known manufacturers with competitive pricing.

Install a new front door

Installing a new front door to your home is a fantastic way to keep your home safe and add a small upgrade. Not only does it add curb appeal but upgrading your front door can protect your home from would-be intruders and storms that threaten our Florida homes during hurricane season every year. In fact, picking a door that’s Florida building code compliant and hurricane-rated is a Sunshine State must.

If you’re looking for more homeownership tips from Naples’ experts, visit Smith and DeShields, Inc., a family-owned business that has proudly served the South Florida building industry for over 60 years. We pride ourselves on the quality of the products we offer in door, hardware and moulding lines, which is why we only work with top-quality vendors. For more information, contact us.

Finished millwork finishes a room. If you’re looking to understand more about millwork — which is otherwise known as crown moulding, baseboards or casing — here’s some advice on its pros and cons from the Naples millwork experts at Smith & DeShields, Inc. 

Con: Unfinished millwork will add hours to your project

As Naples’ millwork experts, Smith & DeShields recommends that you purchase prefinished millwork. For homeowners, prefinished millwork comes in a variety of sizes, styles and materials to complement your home. Unless you’re a skilled woodworker, buying unfinished millwork will add hours of work to your project and is frankly, not worth the hassle.

Pro: The Naples millwork experts at Smith & DeShields offer hundreds of products

Luckily for homeowners who are looking to add architectural detail to their homes, Smith & DeShields offers hundreds of millwork products at their Naples location as well as other locations throughout South Florida.

They work exclusively with top-quality vendors and their full product catalog can be viewed online here. Should you not find what you are looking for in their extensive in-stock selection, they are happy to order it for you.

Pro: Work with the best in the business

Smith & DeShields prides itself on hiring best-in-class associates that are experts in their fields to ensure the millwork job at hand is done correctly. Each and every one is more than happy to help in any way they can.

Proudly serving Southwest Florida for over six decades, Smith and DeShields has four locations in Naples, Jupiter, Boca Raton and Fort Myers. For more information, visit smithanddeshields.com.

Smith & DeShields, Inc. has long been known as the premier provider of Fort Myers millwork options to Southwest Florida. Serving their customers for over 60 years, Smith & DeShields offers a vast selection of mouldings to complement your home décor in many sizes, styles and materials. 

What is millwork?

According to the experts at Smith & DeShields, millwork is often referred to as crown moulding, baseboards and casing. Millwork can easily add a personal touch to your home, all while playing a large role in your home’s aesthetic and improving its overall appearance.

Styles to complement your home

In today’s trendy designs, millwork can oftentimes be overlooked or even completely eliminated. However, the millwork experts at Smith & DeShields know that millwork can actually add value to your home and should not be overlooked. Styles such as crown moulding and wainscotting are timeless and can add dimension to your living space. Read more about the various styles here. 

Extensive millwork options

Smith & DeShields offers an extensive amount of Fort Myers millwork options in a variety of styles, sizes and materials to complement your home’s décor. Should you not find what you are looking for in their extensive in-stock selection, their experienced associates are happy to order it for you. Their product catalog can also be explored conveniently online before visiting our store.

Work with high-quality vendors and associates

Smith & DeShields prides itself on the top-quality millwork it offers to take the guess work out of your project. You’re also in good hands with best-in-their-class Smith & DeShields associates who are happy to help in any way they can.

Proudly serving Southwest Florida for over six decades, Smith and DeShields has four locations in Boca Raton, Jupiter, Naples, and Fort Myers. For more information, visit smithanddeshields.com.

Whether you’re designing a home from scratch or giving your home a makeover, getting the job done is not as easy as opening a catalog, especially when it comes to picking the right doors. Adding the right doors can make or break the look and function of your home. 

There are many options to consider and there are several types of doors, including solid wood, solid core, and hollow core doors to choose from, making the whole decision much more complicated. If you live in Southwest Florida, the Fort Myers door experts at Smith & DeShields, Inc. are here to help you make the right choice and understand the difference between solid and hollow core doors. 

Solid Core Doors

Solid core doors — like its name suggests — have a heavy, solid interior made of wood and synthetic composites and have a wood veneer exterior. Solid core doors provide the durability, sound proofing and look of a solid wood door without the high price tag. 

Solid wood doors tend to expand and shrink because of moisture and temperature fluctuations. A major selling point for solid core doors for Floridians is its ability to resist fluctuations due to these factors, which is extremely important in our humid and hot environment. 

However, the Fort Myers door experts at Smith & DeShields also encourage customers to understand the cons of the products they’re considering. According to them, solid core doors tend to be heavier than hollow core doors, making them more difficult to repair, can be more difficult to install and have less style options. 

Hollow Core Doors

Unlike their name, hollow core doors are not completely hollow inside. They have a honeycomb cardboard interior that’s wrapped by veneer or fiberglass. Hollow core doors have the benefit of being lightweight, easy to install and cost-effective — perfect for those looking to do the work themselves or for those with many interior doors to replace. 

However, hollow core doors do not insulate sound very well and aren’t very durable if damaged, typically needing to be replaced if that occurs. Because hollow core doors are more affordable, a common practice or option is to use both solid and hollow for your home projects depending on the location. 

At Smith & DeShields, we have a wide variety of doors to suit all your needs, whether it be interior or exterior doors, simple or fancy, impact-resistant and more. With your safety in mind, our exterior doors are Florida building code compliant. We pride ourselves on the quality of products we offer which is why we only work with top-quality vendors.

Smith & DeShields has four locations to best serve you in Boca Raton, Jupiter, Naples and Fort Myers. For more information, visit smithanddeshields.com.

The doors in your home see a lot of wear and tear. Whether it be because you’ve kicked it open for years while your hands were full of groceries or your toddler used it as a canvas, time after time, the doors in our homes could use an upgrade. Replacing them is a great way to add a new and refreshed look to your home.

If you live in Naples or in Southwest Florida in general, the Naples door experts at Smith & DeShields, Inc. are here to give you the pros and cons of prefinished doors to help you upgrade your home.  

Pro #1 – Prefinished doors are more budget friendly

If you’re on a tight budget, prefinished doors are more budget friendly and have a few that unfinished doors do not, which leads us into con #1.

Con #1 – Unfinished doors require more work

According to the Naples door experts at Smith & DeShields, unfinished doors have no finish features such as pre-cut holes for hardware and locks, there are no recesses for hinges and they are not painted, stained or weather-treated for Florida’s elements — meaning you’ll need to undertake this work yourself or you will need to seek a professional out to assist you.

Pro #2 – Unfinished doors are more customizable

If DIY is an attractive thought for you, then unfinished doors may be just what the doctor ordered. Coming in as a blank slate, you’re able to customize the hardware, paint and stain to perfectly match your home and fit your unique aesthetic.

Con #2 – Prefinished doors must be handled with extreme care

It’s all in the installation when it comes to prefinished doors. They must be handled with extreme care to avoid scratches. Despite being solid wood, they are very delicate so don’t lose the touch-up kit the door comes with.

Pro #3 – Both prefinished and unfinished doors come in a variety of quality, durable materials

The good news about prefinished and unfinished doors is that they both come in a variety of durable materials like oak and pine.

Oak looks gorgeous in their natural state and requires little finish work. If you’re a Southwest Florida homeowner that wants to go with an unfinished oak door, consider staining or coating the door, as it can warp in our humid environment.

Pine is less durable than oak, but more budget friendly. In this humid environment, homeowners may want to consider going for a hollow wood door that’s reinforced from within to withstand the elements.

At Smith & DeShields, we have a wide variety of doors to suit all your needs, whether it be interior or exterior doors, simple or fancy, impact-resistant and more. With your safety in mind, our exterior doors are Florida building code compliant. We pride ourselves on the quality of products we offer which is why we only work with top-quality vendors.

Smith & DeShields has four locations to best serve you in Boca Raton, Jupiter, Naples and Fort Myers. For more information, visit smithanddeshields.com.

Smith & DeShields, Inc. has been serving the Southwest Florida building industry for over 60 years. If you’re searching for products such as moulding or cabinet and door hardware, here are four reasons to choose them as your Fort Myers hardware store.

You’ll find high-quality products here

At Smith & DeShields’ Fort Myers hardware store, the company has taken the time to select high-quality products from quality vendors thereby taking the guess work out of things. Unlike that of big-box stores, where the focus is on quantity and not quality, the goal of Smith & DeShields is to ensure you leave with a quality product that you love.

The knowledgeable associates make for a personalized and enjoyable experience

If you do find yourself unsure of what products are right for you and your home, the knowledgeable associates are more than happy to help you find what you’re looking for. The Smith & DeShields associates are best in the business and experts in their craft. If the right product for you cannot be found in their store, they are happy to order it for you.

Their Fort Myers location features extensive displays

The Fort Myers showroom, which opened in 2017, is well appointed with an extensive number of displays. This affords you the opportunity to touch and feel many of our hardware products. A large inventory of in-stock mouldings is also available for your convenience.

Smith & DeShields is a family owned, small business

When you shop at Smith & DeShields’ you’re supporting a small business. By purchasing from a local, family owned and operated hardware store, you’re getting all of the benefits listed above while also supporting a small business in your very own community.

Smith & DeShields, Inc. prides itself on the quality of the products they offer in door, hardware and moulding lines, working solely with top-quality vendors. Smith & DeShields has four locations to best serve you in Boca Raton, Jupiter, Naples and Fort Myers. For more information, visit smithanddeshields.com.