A dramatic ceiling brings décor to new heights
You can't say the room in our feature photograph isn't dramatic. The ceiling design catches your eye immediately and adds loads of personality to this space. Painted ceilings are not for everyone but they really can enhance a room when included as part of the overall decorating plan and colour palette.
A master bedroom and/or ensuite is a great place to add a touch of drama with a painted ceiling. A room like this is separate from the rest of the home and can afford you the luxury of going over the top design wise. If you consider the use of each room, you do spend a fair amount of time looking at the ceiling either in bed or in a luxurious bubble bath so why not make the most of the view?
A master retreat that is different in design and feel than the rest of the home can provide a true oasis at the end of the day. Including a painted ceiling into the mix will add a touch of grandeur. Who doesn't deserve a little indulgence now and then?
For the less adventurous, simply adding a colour to the ceiling might be enough to give your room that extra oomph. The pink and white colour scheme in our feature photograph, which is courtesy of Benjamin Moore, would look wonderful with a pale mauve ceiling versus the standard white, for example. The flat ceiling colour would be calming yet still provide that extra something most rooms don't have via the ceiling colour.
A pattern on the ceiling, like the one in our photograph, has a lot of visual movement and could be unsettling for some, especially in a bedroom. This particular pattern is set on an angle, which doubles the visual movement in my opinion. A similar pattern set on the square is more traditional and would be more conducive to a calming room. More visually energetic patterns can be great in a playroom or rec room.
Traditional painted designs like a coffered or tray ceiling add a sense of elegance, which can be perfect in a bedroom, dining room or even a living room, depending upon the layout of the space. Although ceilings are difficult to paint at the best of times, a couple rolls of painter's tape and a lot of patience can turn a plain ceiling into something truly unique.
If you're considering attempting a ceiling treatment it might be a good idea to start in a small powder room. Smaller rooms can be greatly enhanced by over-the-top design. As well, a smaller work surface can be painted over fairly easily if the project doesn't turn out as planned. If it is a success then you can proceed to a larger project in another room.
There are lots of options for painted ceilings, from a plain colour to a wildly geometric pattern that includes several colours. The sky is the limit along with your time and patience.
Kids' rooms are another great place to play with a painted ceiling. A ceiling painted as a tent top is a popular design but there are many other options. Create a theme that will take you in a design direction, like a jungle, fairyland or beach-inspired room with a sky blue ceiling with white puffy clouds. Accessories like brightly colour sand pails and shovels, kites and beach towels will add to the theme.
There are a lot of other ceiling treatments that don't involve paint. Glow in the dark stickers in the shapes of stars and moons can be a fun bedtime display. A stencilled pattern around a center ceiling light fixture can add a sense of whimsy to a plain ceiling. Fabric can be used to create a soft tent-like ambience, which can be romantic in a master retreat.
Wallpaper or borders can be used to enhance ceilings. Consider cutting out the pattern in the wallpaper (flowers, for instance) and using them in a desired pattern rather than trying to hang a full sheet on the ceiling. These cut-outs are easy to put up and easy to take down so they afford you lots of options. Also, if you have a single roll or wallpaper remnants kicking around the cut outs will take you farther than a remnant could.
Decorating ceilings can be a bit tricky but well worth the impact that they will have on your décor. Consider adding a little something overhead to take your décor to the next level.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
