inspiration · Geometric

SW Tricorn Black Staircase Geometric Wall Molding

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

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 geometric pattern shows only through its shadow lines.

Geometric 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 55.27 m of 2.5 cm molding, or 24 sticks of 240 cm, including 10% waste. Frames follow the stair angle: keep the bottom rail parallel to the stringer.

Building the geometric pattern

Fix the outer frame, then run diagonals corner to corner. Each diagonal end is cut at the frame's angle; measure it once per frame size and reuse the cut.

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, geometric 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: geometric 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 in32.55 m141
12 ft431 in50 / 21 in55.27 m242
16 ft533.6 in50 / 21 in71.88 m302

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
Frame sides (upper row)850 in
Frame top and bottom (upper row)831 in
Diagonal pieces1637.4 in
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.

Geometric Asymmetric Wall Molding Kit, Easy Installation for Living Areas | Pre-Cut & Primed01 / KIT

Geometric Asymmetric Wall Molding Kit, Easy Installation for Living Areas | Pre-Cut & Primed

From $202.00

View kit
Geometric Chevron Accent Wall Molding Kit, Pre-Cut  | Easy Installation02 / KIT

Geometric Chevron Accent Wall Molding Kit, Pre-Cut | Easy Installation

From $232.74

View kit
Modern Geometric Wainscoting Design Wall Molding Kit, Ready to Assemble | Pre-Cut & Primed03 / KIT

Modern Geometric Wainscoting Design Wall Molding Kit, Ready to Assemble | Pre-Cut & Primed

From $103.00

View kit

Questions

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

About 55.27 m (181 linear ft) including a chair rail and 10% waste, which is 24 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