how do you construct that "modern wall look" without baseboards?

Question

This is what I'm wanting to achieve, there is quite a gap between the wall and floor i would guess 1" to 1.5", I'm not looking for that much, maybe 3/8" also i would want to use wood flooring, which would require room for expansion. the area in question isn't large so a gap of 3/8" for the floor to expand will be adequate. im looking for a product to finish the edge of the drywall similar to a cornerbead but something that will look finished. I would assume that it would have to be rather ridigid as plastic and metal tent to have waves and bends in them. maybe something along the lines of a stainless steel angle?

http://design-eu.com/img/menos_chest_of_drawers_f.jpg
http://design-eu.com/img/menos_17c.jpg

Answer 1

If I understand what you are asking, all you need to do is to make sure that your walls are finished to the finished floor.

The normal area that baseboards would cover should look as good as the rest of the wall - both in texture and paint.

That is what you wanted? A clean looking wall without base boards. I usually work with older homes with "old-style" base boards or with standard base boards.

I hope this is the answer you were looking for. If not, I hope someone helps you better (and it will help to also for future reference).

Answer 2

Modern Baseboards

Answer 3

I just finished doing this in an lawyers office.

If this dry wall .

I cut it up 1 ft from floor and removed. I put small piece wood between each stud for backing Don't want it kicked in after all work).
Laid a 3/8 piece rip plywood on floor and cut dry wall to fit to it put j bead on bottom drywall . remove plywood tape and paint wall .

They tucked the carpet right under the drywall.

I did same to doors after the new jambs were installed. No trim.
For the windows I returned the drywall right back to window instead of having a wood jamb showing.
They wanted a modern look they got it.

Answer 4

You need an edge bead to finish the end of the drywall panels. There are many different brands and types.

Below is a link for one option. Look at the Mud On™ J Bead at the bottom - and click tips to see how it's installed.

Once you put it on to match the undulations of your floor, you use drywall mud to fill in up to the clean edge it provides.

Answer 5

I suppose it depends largely on how you define Modern? OR some explanation of some picture....TV show... or article you've seen.

It also depends on the type of flooring that Butts the wall. Certainly it can be done, and I'm sure has been, but base molding can be defined, and/or created in many ways.

I themed one bedroom in my house as a stuccoed/ adobe look for the walls and used faux brick for the base molding.

Molding need not be traditional or old fashioned looking, but in some sense it's also meant to HIDE certain types of flooring taken to the perimeters of walls, IE: no matter the type of flooring one chooses, molding is often used to hide spaces left for expansion possibilities and/or "OOOPS" cuts.

Certainly if the MODERN happens to look 22nd Century you might get away with butting the stainless steel wall panels to the Mirror finish floor, but still should consider some manner of sealing the Butt joint..