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SW Tricorn Black Staircase Arched Wall Molding

SW Tricorn Black Staircase Arched Wall Molding: wall elevation, color data (LRV 2.9), staircase layout for 8, 12, 16 ft walls, cut list, calculator and pre-cu

Catalog snapshot View 2 sources ↓

Project calculator

Wall molding linear-foot estimate

Estimate for rectangular molding frames.

Estimated quantity97.53 linear feet

Divide by 7.87 ft (240 cm stick) and round up for the number of sticks.

Formula & assumptionsframe_count * 2 * (frame_width_inches + frame_height_inches) / 12 * (1 + waste_percent / 100)

Assumes identical rectangular frames. The waste allowance is editable. The estimate does not optimize cuts or include separate rails, baseboards, or other trim.

Overview

SW Tricorn Black is a very dark black with a neutral undertone and a calculated LRV of 2.9. Against white trim the contrast ratio is 12.04:1, which gives strong, graphic contrast; painted tone-on-tone, the arched pattern shows only through its shadow lines.

Arched layout on a 12 ft staircase wall

Molding over the full wall height, upper and lower rows divided by a chair rail. On a 12 ft wall with an 8 ft ceiling this gives 4 frames per row, each 31 in wide, with 50 in upper and 21 in lower frames. The layout uses about 32.26 m of 2.5 cm molding, or 14 sticks of 240 cm, including 10% waste. Frames follow the stair angle: keep the bottom rail parallel to the stringer.

Building the arched pattern

Arched tops are pre-formed in MDF; the straight sides and the bottom rail are cut to the same width as the arch. Fix the arch first, then hang the sides from it.

Painting molding in SW Tricorn Black

Near-black walls turn molding into pure relief; use a satin or semi-gloss on the trim so the profile catches light.

Wall elevation

SW Tricorn Black wall, tone-on-tone trim, arched layout on a 12 ft wall. Colors are screen approximations.

Color data

ColorBrandCodeHexCalculated LRVUndertoneDepthContrast vs white trimContrast vs black trim
SW Tricorn BlackSherwin-Williams#2F2F302.9neutralvery dark12.04:11.23:1

Trim color pairings

PairingTrim colorHexContrastEffect
tone-on-toneSW Tricorn Black#2F2F301:1Trim painted the same color as the wall
matching whiteF&B All White#FBF8F412.63:1White with the closest undertone
contrastWhite#F4F3EE12.04:1Light trim for crisp contrast

Staircase wall sizes: arched accent wall layout

Wall widthFrames per rowFrame widthFrame height (upper / lower)Molding incl. 10% waste240 cm sticksChair rail pieces (300 cm)
8 ft242 in50 / 21 in19 m81
12 ft431 in50 / 21 in32.26 m142
16 ft533.6 in50 / 21 in41.96 m182

Cut list for a 12 ft wall

Planning cut list
PieceQuantityLength
Frame top and bottom (lower row)831 in
Frame sides (lower row)821 in
Arch frame sides (upper row)834.5 in
Arch top + bottom rail (upper row)431 in span
Chair rail2300 cm lengths

Pre-cut kits for this wall

Pre-cut kits that fit this project. Open a kit for photos, options and pricing.

Arched Accent Wall Trim Molding Kit, 3 Widths | Pre-Cut MDF01 / KIT

Arched Accent Wall Trim Molding Kit, 3 Widths | Pre-Cut MDF

From $58.40

View kit
Arch Molding Kit, 3 Widths | Flexible Pre-Cut MDF Arch Trim for Accent Walls02 / KIT

Arch Molding Kit, 3 Widths | Flexible Pre-Cut MDF Arch Trim for Accent Walls

From $58.40

View kit
Flexible Arched Wall Molding, Paintable MDF Wall Trim, Pre-Cut Arch Decorative Wall Panels | Picture Frame Molding, Accent Wall Trim03 / KIT

Flexible Arched Wall Molding, Paintable MDF Wall Trim, Pre-Cut Arch Decorative Wall Panels | Picture Frame Molding, Accent Wall Trim

From $73.60

View kit
Flexible Arch Trim Wall Molding Kit | Pre-Cut MDF Decorative Wall Panels04 / KIT

Flexible Arch Trim Wall Molding Kit | Pre-Cut MDF Decorative Wall Panels

From $83.40

View kit
Arched Decorative Wall Molding Panels, 1 to 5 Arches | Pre-Cut MDF05 / KIT

Arched Decorative Wall Molding Panels, 1 to 5 Arches | Pre-Cut MDF

From $146.40

View kit
Double Arched Wall Molding Set | Pre-Cut MDF Decorative Wall Panels06 / KIT

Double Arched Wall Molding Set | Pre-Cut MDF Decorative Wall Panels

From $133.60

View kit

Questions

How much molding do I need for a 12 ft staircase wall with arched frames?

About 32.26 m (106 linear ft) including a chair rail and 10% waste, which is 14 sticks of 240 cm. That assumes 4 frames per row, 31 in wide, on an 8 ft ceiling.

Is SW Tricorn Black warm or cool?

SW Tricorn Black has a neutral undertone and reads as a very dark black. Its calculated LRV is 2.9, so it absorbs light, so tone-on-tone molding reads as deep relief.

Should trim be the same color as SW Tricorn Black walls?

Painting the molding the same color gives a modern, tone-on-tone finish where only shadows show the pattern. White trim adds strong, graphic contrast (12.04:1), and black trim gives 1.23:1.

How high should the chair rail be in a staircase?

About one third of the ceiling height: 32 in on an 8 ft ceiling, 36 in on 9 ft and 40 in on 10 ft. Frames follow the stair angle: keep the bottom rail parallel to the stringer.

Trace the details

Sources & dates

Prices, options and photos come from our product catalog on the date shown. Layout tables are planning estimates; measure your wall before ordering.

  1. Paint color dataset (screen approximations; LRV calculated)Recorded November 11, 2026
  2. DecoMoldings product catalogRecorded November 11, 2026