Window Casings

My 'beefed-up' window trim.

All of the seventeen, operating, sash windows of Merriman Park are standard Houseworks stock components.  I chose 'ready-made' windows as opposed to custom-built because (A).  I don't own the necessary tools to fabricate custom mill work and (B). Did I mention there are seventeen windows?  I'm pretty happy with my 'stock windows' --except for the included interior casings.  Here's why:

First of all, I should preface this post by admitting that I come from a very long-line of skilled, finish-carpenters, so I grew up watching how interior 'RL' (real-life) windows and doors are properly trimmed.  (Thanks, dad & grandpa)! A few years ago, we added a master bedroom to the back of our tiny, 1908 bungalow and I had the opportunity to test my own meager, finish-carpentry skills, by completing all of the interior mill work in the new addition (which I meticulously matched to the original house, naturally)!

So anyway, I guess what disappointed me about my Houseworks interior window casings is that they do not install like a RL window. Especially a RL 'period' window. Color me OCD, but does this bother anyone else?

Here is the interior side of a standard,  Houseworks window, untrimmed:

And here is the same window with the stock, included interior casings installed:.

What is incorrect is that the trim butts up against the window frame.  But in a 'RL' window, the casing should slightly overlap the window frame and not merely butt up against it. Yeah, guess I am OCD!

In a 'period' room setting, it gets even more complicated:  the window casing would most likely not be cut in a 45 degree miter at the four corners, (which is what is included in the Houseworks window package, above).  Rather, a sill would be built out and the casing would rise from it, as I did here in the Music Room, (left).  At the top of the window, I added a wide header on top of a head strip, all capped with a crown molding.  Beneath the sill, an apron would be used to finish off and help support the sill, (but in my Music Room  the sill matches up with the chair rail and so an apron is not needed).

...But downstairs, in the Dining Room, (right) the window sill & apron are seen discreetly behind the blue-green, striped silk curtains. (Here, shown for some reason, in earthy sepia tones, thanks to my crap camera skills)!

Of course, I suppose none of this extra work is even warranted if the window casings are to be completely covered over with fanciful draperies   In which case, only you, gentle Reader,  will know what lies beneath... You --and anyone who dares to peek behind your Pretty-Pleated curtains! ...Pretty Pleater...still cracks me up, I think it would be a formidable drag name, but I'm afraid that the nom de drag, 'Miss Pretty Pleater,' has lately been utterly usurped by my new, fave drag-name:  Miss Wilma Ballsdrop!  LOL!



UPDATE!  I no longer have the saddest life, you guys!  I found my Titian reclining Venus!  She did not, apparently, fall into the oblivion of my duct-work, but merely rolled under the cabinet of my antiquated stereo equipment.  (Aren't CD's  très pittoresque)?  

'Venus, Reclining,' reinstalled above the door.

I mean, really, I might as well have a Victrola with a huge, brass horn, as a friggin' stereo system, n'est-ce pas?