The story behind image rails and why so many San Francisco houses have them

There are usually many conditions attached to a San Francisco apartment lease. You may need to carpet 75% of hardwood floors, or burn candles, or be unable to accommodate a pet that weighs more than 30 pounds. But perhaps the most common warning is to drill holes in the walls, a decision that could result in a break in your deposit if you ever move out.

But for those in older buildings, there is usually one simple workaround that you might not even have realized existed – image rails.

What you might initially think of as crown molding is likely the splint molding running horizontally in space. It’s usually located about a foot and a half from the edge where your walls meet your ceilings, and this molding is specially provided so you can hang artwork or whatever your heart desires on it. With the right hooks, you can easily attach your item to cords hanging from the hook that rests on top of the rail.

Image rails are also useful for heavy old mirrors. pic.twitter.com/nip3jXtUrW

– Rachel Bennett (@mckosky) March 16, 2021

Americans began using picture rails around 1840, and the indispensable home decor remained in vogue for about 100 years. You were born for practical reasons, said Bonnie Spindler, a real estate agent and “the Victorian specialist” of San Francisco, like so many features of the time. Prior to 1940 and the invention of drywall, most of the walls were made of plaster of paris and laths, which can easily crack if someone puts a hammer and nail on the wall to position a painting. Repairing these cracks has been and is difficult and costly, which is why your landlord wants to make sure you don’t.

“Plaster and lath are quite a sturdy form of wall construction, but are prone to the loss of cleaning keys (the cleaning pears that they attach to the horizontal wooden lathes that are lined up between the wall posts) through knocks like a hammer driving in a nail”, said Rob Thomson, president of the San Francisco Victorian Alliance. “Picture rails allow decor to be installed without damaging the walls. They are richly decorated, plain, and everything in between. “

The middle class of the time still wanted well-equipped houses, so residents used picture rails to make their homes look more affluent. “In the Victorian era, these bourgeois people wanted to look like an upper class so they would decorate and make things look like they had a big mansion,” Spindler said. “… They put up portraits, tapestries, large mirrors, framed works of art, and even plates and china. And they didn’t want to screw up their walls. “

Typically, the 1.5 “to 2” molding strips are placed at the junction where the wall ends and the ceiling begins. In homes built in the 1900s, it usually aligns with the top of a window. The rails themselves are sturdy and can be repositioned along the wall.

The construction of these items quickly developed into its own industry, in which craftsmen specialized in various shape patterns as well as hooks for hanging.

Today, San Francisco residents looking to restore a home or stay true to its original design have only one place to find original picture rails. Lorna Kollmeyer, designer, sculptor and mold maker, has owned an ornamental plaster shop in Hunter’s Point for more than 37 years and has an extensive collection of stylish picture rails. If a picture rail in a home gets damaged or someone needs extra, he can bring a piece of his current style to Kollmeyer and she will try to adjust it and make a whole new shape if she can’t.

Image rail exhibited on Lorna Kollmeyer Zierputz in Hunter’s Point.

Lorna Kollmeyer

“It’s a very interesting collection. We tried to create an archive, ”said Kollmeyer. “I’ve come across a number of patterns over the years, but people keep popping up with new and pretty ones.”

She said she was always impressed with how uniquely people use her.

I love her!! Especially for hanging up album covers. pic.twitter.com/owouQPTdIr

– Nikki Collister (@ncollister) March 16, 2021

pic.twitter.com/ZbmntcR717

– Jeff Wozniak (@wozlaw) March 16, 2021

While Kollmeyer’s store supplies ornate and historic moldings, basic versions are sold at your local Home Depot or Lowes and are usually easy to install.

Despite her long history, Spindler said she met a lot of local residents who have no idea what the rails are, even though most houses still have a picture rail. “Very few homes in San Francisco are missing picture rails, and those who do look like someone with their eyebrows shaved,” Spindler said. “You can see that the picture rail is missing.”

Wait is this what this is for? I just moved to SF a few months ago and learned new things every day! pic.twitter.com/6PH00pqv0a

– Josh Jacoby (@xJeebs_) March 16, 2021

Is that a picture rail? Cool … I learned something new today.

– Siva Raj (@jaravis) March 16, 2021