Don’t forget the ceiling…..
After reading a recent article Benjamin Moore published on their website, I began to think how many homes I’ve been in that had “Ceiling White” on the Forgotten 5th Wall.
Too often, little thought is given to a ceiling’s contribution to the overall room design, which is typically just coated in some ubiquitous white paint.
Look at your ceilings from a new perspective. Color, sheen, pattern, and texture (not the stipple or popcorn texture that contractor’s use because they are too lazy to finish a ceiling properly) on the ceiling can transform the entire look and feel of a room.
Create a warm… cozy environment…
If you have a large room with high ceilings, consider using a darker, deeper color up there. Use this theory if you have a lot of darker furniture and need to balance out the “bottom” of the room – considered the floor, with the top, so it creates a balanced effect.Take a look at all the furniture that occupies the floor and the fact that there is nothing to draw your eye upwards. By creating a darker ceiling effect, you are giving your eye a smooth transition from top to bottom.
Adding Jewelry….
Most women won’t leave the house without their “face” on. Why would you leave the ceiling, or the “5th wall” bare as well? Just because the 5th wall is located up from the other’s doesn’t make it any less important. Remember…. you want to consider the whole room from TOP to bottom!
When you add a chandelier, think about adding architectural details around like a double crown moulding,
or add a ceiling medallion situated around the chandelier mount that is proportionate to the size of the chandelier and the room.
Keep in mind that these can be painted to match or coordinate as well.
When choosing a paint for the ceiling, keep in mind the finishes that are offered. Most paint companies offer: Glossy, Semi-gloss, Satin/Eggshell/Pearl, and Matte. Typically a “Satin” finish is used on the walls and a semi-gloss on the trim, if it’s painted.
Try using a a glaze mixed with the ceiling paint.
You can create a metallic/pearlescent finish and a nice design element by adding this to the paint and a little bit of “Sheen” to the ceiling as well (which will also draw your eye upward).
Plaster is also something you could add, but consult a professional before trying this yourself, the experiment could turn out horribly wrong if not applied correctly.
Some other options:
Wallpaper
Tin
Fabric
Mirrors (venetian, colored, distorted)
And lastly…..If you are looking to “Open Up” the ceiling… consider using a lighter tone of the wall color on the ceiling (think of a sunrise).
