Millwork might seem like a small detail \u2013 the trims, door casings, baseboards, and panels can feel like minor players when you’re focused on the bigger decisions like color palettes, furniture, and layout. But according to designer Leigh Misso, founder and lead designer of River Brook<\/a>, it’s precisely these smaller elements that have the biggest impact. In fact, custom millwork plays a central role in all of her projects. It’s what gives her spaces that classic, timeless feel \u2013 the sense that they\u2019ve stood for decades, even when the home is brand new.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n When Homes & Gardens recently toured River Brook’s Brentwood project<\/a> in Nashville, the impact of the millwork was impossible to ignore. In every room, it played just as crucial a role as the furniture choices and color scheme.<\/p>\n \n In the dining room the walls are painted in Studio Green by\u00a0Farrow & Ball<\/a>, while the ceiling features Cloud Toile wallpaper by\u00a0Schumacher<\/a>. The custom burlwood dining table is from\u00a0Oyster Creek Collection<\/a>, and the Talia chandelier is by\u00a0Visual Comfort & Co.<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Laurey Glenn)<\/p>\n \u2018Custom millwork instantly elevates a space and adds that tailored, timeless feel,\u2019 Leigh explains. ‘When we talk about millwork, we\u2019re really talking about the artistry of the home, the things that are built in, not brought in. From beams to cabinetry to custom trim, millwork creates rhythm, warmth, and a sense of permanence. It\u2019s what makes a home feel truly tailored.’<\/p>\n The Brentwood project was a new home, the architecture inspired by old European styles from Greek to French to Italian. So the interiors needed to reflect this tension between old and new. Despite the grandeur and size of the rooms, Leigh wanted the spaces to feel more intimate and warm, and the custom millwork played a key role in achieving this.<\/p>\n ‘Custom millwork brings soul and craftsmanship into a space,’ explains Leigh. ‘It\u2019s one of the few elements that bridges architecture and interiors, shaping how a home feels, functions, and endures. A well-designed built-in or panel detail can instantly add permanence and a sense of belonging. It turns a room into something layered and thoughtful rather than something simply \u201cdecorated.\u201d’<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Laurey Glenn)<\/p>\n ‘Every inch of the millwork in our Brentwood project was designed and fabricated to feel architectural, elevating functional elements into sculptural details that add warmth and authenticity,’ says Leigh.<\/p>\n ‘In the entryway<\/a> (pictured above), the wall paneling is fully custom, proportioned to the scale of the arched steel windows and softened by an upholstered sofa. The millwork frames and defines the room, creating a moment that feels tailored yet collected.’<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Laurey Glenn)<\/p>\n ‘One of my favorite pieces of custom millwork in the Brentwood project is a hidden door in the foyer that leads to the powder bath<\/a>,’ says Leigh. ‘We designed it to appear as continuous wall paneling<\/a> with seamless trim and integrated reveals, so the transition is completely concealed until you open it. It\u2019s a small detail, but it changes the entire experience of the entry; it keeps the architecture clean, balanced, and uninterrupted while adding an element of quiet surprise.’<\/p>\n If you\u2019re considering custom millwork but aren\u2019t sure where to invest, Leigh recommends the entryway. As the first space guests see, it sets the tone for the rest of your home and offers the perfect opportunity to make a lasting impression. Often one of the smallest rooms in the house, the entryway doesn\u2019t need unique furniture to feel special \u2013 bespoke millwork adds personality, elegance, and style without taking up valuable floor space.<\/p>\n ‘If the budget allows, I always recommend focusing on millwork in the foyer and main living spaces, the areas that set the tone and are seen most often,’ suggests Leigh. ‘The foyer is a guest\u2019s first impression and an opportunity to establish the home\u2019s architectural language, while the living spaces are where you spend the most meaningful time.’<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Laurey Glenn)<\/p>\n Hardworking spaces like pantries and powder rooms can also benefit from going bespoke. These rooms need to work hard, and like an entryway, there is often not much floor space to play with, so you can add character and style through millwork and joinery.<\/p>\n With its moody hues, the pantry of the Brentwood project feels elegant rather than overly dramatic. Even as a practical space housing most of the kitchen appliances, it remains as beautiful as it is functional, thanks to the custom joinery and millwork<\/p>\n ‘In the butler\u2019s pantry<\/a>, all cabinetry was custom-built and hand-finished in a deep, desaturated charcoal with inset doors and solid brass hardware. The millwork extends to the ceiling, integrating paneled refrigeration, a marble backsplash, and mirrored glass uppers that reflect light. Furniture-style detailing at the toe kick and crown gives the space a refined, architectural presence.’<\/p>\n \n The bathroom features a custom vanity and Hackney sconces and a Strie Buffet lamp, both from\u00a0Visual Comfort & Co.<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Laurey Glenn)<\/p>\n Leigh mentions that she wanted the lofty rooms in this home to still feel cozy and welcoming, and in the bathroom, this intention is clear. The paneling might be subtle, but the visual effect of the taller panels topped by shorter wainscoting \u201clowers\u201d the ceiling without affecting the elegant proportions of the room. And note how the millwork really highlights the window, maximizing the light.<\/p>\n![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bBMEostLSvLGAVQJgb7RZS.png\")
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