The use of the "Vs." above is quite intentional. Many of our clients ask how we intend to run the new cabinet crown in to the existing house crown molding as if they are going to fight. It's a logical question due to the fact that the two crown molding profiles and colors will not match - Often, not even close. So we have a battle on our hands… Unless you treat it like I believe it should be treated -Don't even try.
There are a few older techniques that were used to blend the two crown moldings together. Transition blocks were used back when people enjoyed seeing more traditional, decorative items throughout their home. This has definitely changed recently as we've all been migrating to the "less is more" mentality with cleaner lines. In my opinion, transition blocks look frivolous and outdated.
If you have two different crown profiles coming together at a transition block it doesn't look half as good as the one below. Either way, this method tends to draw your eye to it, giving it more attention than it deserves. Not a fan.
Another method is called coping. This is where one crown is cut to the profile of the other crown. It's a bit of a risky maneuver even when you have someone highly skilled doing the cutting. There are lots of little cuts that can end up looking messy. Even when cut very well, like the picture below, it draws more attention to it than may be desired due to to multiple lines not in sync.
What do we prefer? Thank you for asking. We like the house crown to be house crown and cabinet crown to be cabinet crown not one in the same. It looks best where the two moldings are turned back into the wall just before they hit each other. They may actually touch slightly at the very top. This forms an "A" shape with a bit of wall between. See the two pictures below:
What you may notice is that the crown transitions are minimized, not really an issue in the space. This is the reason we prefer the "don't even try" approach. In this case, the simplest method is also the best. It ties the two moldings together without tying them in at all allowing the two moldings to be what they are without conflict. There are so many topics to discuss and think about throughout a remodel, I believe this is one you can check off the list.