Dear Leanne: I was in a restaurant recently and loved the ceiling effect. They had painted the entire ceiling silver, and I would like to try that in my dining room. Are there any tricks that I should be aware of for painting with metallic paint? Also should I consider other metallic colours? My furniture is dark wood, and the chairs are cream velour.
ANSWER: This sounds like a magnificent idea. There are certain rooms in your home that can afford to be expressive and dramatic. The dining room is definitely one of them.
Often people stop at selecting a wall colour and do not consider the impact a ceiling can have. Restaurants and hotel lobbies are fantastic sources for creative design ideas that, with a little ingenuity, can be incorporated into our everyday lives.
There are a number of ways to adorn your dining room ceiling with metallic glamour. Paint is an obvious option. Benjamin Moore carries a line of metallic and pearlescent tones that could work beautifully for this project.
If you wish to lend a translucent quality to glimmering colour, add a glaze to the paint. Video instructions are available online at benjaminmoor.com to help you with this application.
Another option for your ceiling is to cover the surface with a metallic wallpaper that resembles silver or gold leaf. Visit your local paint and wallpaper store for patterns and options.
A third consideration is to apply metallic-finished panels to the ceiling. These lightweight polyvinyl panels are pressed into intricate patterns that mimic the tin ceilings designed in the Victorian era. The panels adhere to any surface with caulking and overlap to provide a continuous pattern. Since they are crafted from polyvinyl, they are easily trimmed and shaped to fit any nook and cranny.
Regarding colour, I believe any of the aged metals would work well with your furnishings. I would caution the use of verde gris panels as the bright green veining may be too strong to complement your existing decor. The aged effect will suggest a patina and will minimize any glare that may result from light hitting an excessively shiny surface.
Dear Leanne: Is nailhead trim in style for headboards? I am currently building a headboard for my king-sized island bed. I am creating an oversized headboard that is 2.1-metres high and am using black silk taffeta for the covering. I thought the nailhead would give it a neat effect, but I don't want it to be dated either.
ANSWER: I get a lot of questions about nailhead trim. Whether it is with regard to a sofa, chair or headboard, it seems people are intrigued with the look but hesitant to commit to the design.
First off, nailhead is a design element that will not go out of style. It was introduced to the interior decor world in the mid-1500s and became popular under the design influence of Louis XIII of France.
Trims had a very practical origin. They secured leathers and heavy fabrics to wooden frames, while providing a neat finish that masterfully hid imperfections.
The fact that the heads offered an ornate touch -- not unlike jewelry -- made them popular simply as a decorative feature, as they could be positioned to create interest and patterns to plain surfaces.
Your project has the potential to have impact, but a solid black headboard could also be very daunting as a design element in your room.
I believe a nailhead trim would add a stunning and interesting effect. This could be applied as a simple edging around the perimeter of the headboard or in a more intricate pattern that is artistic and eye-catching.
For a contemporary style, apply the nailhead in a grid pattern providing a simple, geometric, square-diamond effect. If you feel more creative (this would require planning), you could draw out a paisley, leaf, floral or free-flowing pattern onto the fabric and use it as a guide to create an artistic effect.
If you have access to a projector, shine a pattern onto the fabric and draw the image with a thin piece of chalk or soap. When you add the decorative nails, ensure you have ample fabric to accommodate the batting between the fabric and the backboard.
Starting in the middle and working out will help you manipulate the fabric without causing stress. The more nails used, the more fabric you will need, so make your final cuts after you have secured your pattern. Once you have trimmed your fabric to size, you can add your final nail edging around the perimeter.
-- Postmedia News
Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton interior design consultant who welcomes your questions at leannebrownoff
