How to Create a New Old House Look

Designing a new old house—a home that feels authentic, timeless, and rooted in architectural history—requires more than surface-level details. The proportions must feel right. The profiles must be correct. And the materials must perform and age gracefully.

One of the most effective ways to achieve this look is through historically accurate interior trim. Kuiken Brothers Classical Moulding Collection makes it remarkably easy to recreate the character and craftsmanship of homes built 200+ years ago—without the uncertainty, cost, or lead times of custom millwork.

Start with Architecture, Not Decoration

True historic homes were designed from the inside out. Their mouldings weren’t decorative afterthoughts—they were architectural components that reinforced symmetry, scale, and hierarchy.

To recreate that feeling today, moulding selection must align with a defined architectural language. That’s why Kuiken Brothers organized its Classical Moulding Collection into six distinct architectural styles, each with curated profiles that work together seamlessly.
Instead of guessing which crown works with which base or casing, builders, architects, and designers can specify complete, historically grounded packages with confidence.

Six Architectural Styles That Make Specification Effortless

Early American Moulding

Simple, restrained, and honest. Early American profiles reflect early craftsmanship with minimal ornamentation and strong shadow lines—ideal for saltboxes, farmhouses, and early colonial-inspired homes.

Georgian Moulding

Defined by symmetry and proportion, Georgian mouldings are refined without being excessive. Balanced casings, classical crown profiles, and substantial baseboards help create a sense of order and permanence.

Federal Moulding

More delicate and elegant than Georgian, Federal-style mouldings introduce softer curves and refined detail. Perfect for homes seeking sophistication without heaviness.

Greek Revival Moulding

Bold and architectural, Greek Revival profiles emphasize strength and structure. Tall bases, wide casings, and commanding crowns echo the temple-inspired design language of the era.

Colonial Revival Moulding

A thoughtful reinterpretation of early American styles, Colonial Revival mouldings offer flexibility while maintaining traditional character—making them ideal for historically inspired new construction.

Each collection is designed so the profiles belong together—eliminating mismatches and elevating the finished home.

Why Poplar Is the Secret to an Authentic Look

Primed Poplar- A hardwood which machines extremely well to create intricate moulding profiles. Fine, uniform grain allows for exceptional paint surface. The gold standard for paint-grade moulding. Typically priced on the higher end, but can be extremely competitive when milled in larger volumes. Finger-jointing also reduces cost as yield is maximized, defects removed, more stable than raw. Domestically produced in USA, allowing pricing to remain more stable.

For paint grade applications, historic homes achieved depth and shadow through built-up moulding assemblies—multiple layers combined on site by skilled craftsmen. Reproducing that look today often leads people toward MDF or imported softwoods, but those materials fall short in both appearance and performance.

• Kuiken Brothers specifies high-quality, paint-grade poplar for its Classical Moulding Collection because:
• Poplar machines cleanly, allowing for crisp edges and precise profiles
• It holds paint exceptionally well, producing a smooth, furniture-grade finish
• It resists swelling and edge failure far better than MDF
• It provides the density and weight needed to mimic historic built-up assemblies

When layered correctly, poplar mouldings deliver the look and feel of handcrafted trim found in 18th- and 19th-century homes—without the fragility or inconsistency of lesser materials.

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)- Soft corners, dull shadow lines. Budget friendly option, although at times can increase in cost as it is an import and transportation/ freight costs can increase to be closer to pine, even poplar in some situations. Simple moulding patterns and designs which are typically thinner than wood. Stable, doesn’t expand and contract as much as wood. Engineered wood product prone to swelling when exposed to moisture, not easily repaired.

Authentic Results Without Custom Millwork Headaches

Custom millwork is often seen as the only path to authenticity—but it comes with long lead times, unpredictable quality, and limited scalability.
Kuiken Brothers has built its reputation by offering:

• Extensive in-stock inventories of historically accurate profiles
• Direct-to-jobsite delivery, reducing handling and delays
• Consultative support to help teams specify complete trim packages
• Operational precision that keeps complex projects moving

For homeowners and builders seeking true traditional craftsmanship, this means no compromises—and no waiting months for custom knives to be ground.

Service, Supply, and Operational Excellence

What truly sets Kuiken Brothers apart isn’t just the moulding—it’s the infrastructure behind it. From coordinated deliveries to knowledgeable specialists who understand classical architecture, Kuiken Brothers functions as an extension of your project team. That level of service, paired with reliable supply and logistical expertise, is why builders and designers choose Kuiken Brothers over custom mill shops time and time again.

Build Something That Will Still Matter in 200 Years

A new old house isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about permanence. By combining historically grounded design, curated architectural styles, premium poplar mouldings, and best-in-class service, Kuiken Brothers makes it possible to build homes that feel authentic from day one and endure for generations. When authenticity matters, and details define the outcome, the choice is clearly Kuiken Brothers poplar moulding collection.

About Kuiken Brothers Classical Moulding

Kuiken Brothers’ Classical Moulding Collection is one of the largest in-stock collections of classic American moulding profiles in the United States. Featuring over ninety historically-inspired moulding profiles, The KB Classical Moulding Collection represents classic American moulding profiles milled and installed in Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, Craftsman and Shaker style homes, many from over 200 years ago. Readily available, these profiles are not only designed to simplify installation, but provide a truly custom look, unachievable for most until now.  The collection includes a range of crown, casing, base, chair-rail and panel moulding. We ship these moulding profiles anywhere within the United States.