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).
(Waterborne Ceiling paint has been specially formulated for an ultra flat finish. It absorbs light, and has the lowest reflective quality of any ceiling paint on the market, so it hides imperfections and prevents light from bouncing off in distracting directions, leaving you nothing but pure, beautiful color overhead.)
Contact pcdesign@mac.com to address the ceiling in YOUR Home.
Tags: Benjamin Moore, Ceiling Finishes, Ceiling paint, Ceilings, Decorative ceilings, hgtv, interior ceiling, Interior Design, Interior Design Tips, Jewelry for the home, Mirrored ceilings, Paint, Painted ceilings, Plaster ceilings, tin
A very affordable update is to replace your cabinet’s hardware with one of today’s popular options: vintage-look glass, burnished bronze, antiqued copper, pewter and shiny or matte nickel. This simple change can make dated cabinets look new. Tip: To ensure that new pulls and knobs match the existing holes, remove one of each type and take them with you when shopping.
Sink faucets have come a long way in recent years. Current models offer detachable sprayers, hidden soap or lotion dispensers and touch-sensitive, knob-free operation. Faucets also come in a wide variety of finishes and styles, from formal Victorian to ultra modern, making it easy to coordinate the faucet with your home’s decor.
Painting your existing cabinets is an inexpensive update that even a newbie DIYer can handle. Some sandpaper, paintbrushes and a few gallons of primer and paint are all you need to give your kitchen a fresh, new look.
Every kitchen could use more storage. This cleverly concealed drawer provides the perfect place to keep cooking necessities within easy reach of the stove. Built-in storage like this can be a costly addition. To keep costs down, check your local hardware store for pull-out storage kits and drawer organizers that will fit your existing cabinets.
In addition to improving the overall look, the right lighting also makes a kitchen more functional and appear larger. Brighten up by adding under-counter illumination, task lighting above work surfaces and ambient lighting, such as recessed lights. This kitchen uses all three to great effect.
Adding a tile backsplash, even trendy glass tile, is a relatively simple DIY project. Many home improvement and tile supply stores offer free, hands-on classes to teach you the basics.
New flooring can change the feel of your kitchen. Hardwoods lend a warm, traditional look while natural stone, such as marble or travertine, adds a polished vibe. This kitchen mixes the two for a modern finish.
An island provides additional cabinets, a handy location for a sink or stove and the perfect spot for a casual meal or keeping an eye on the kids while they finish up homework. This cottage-style kitchen beautifully combines vintage-style details with a modern, open-concept layout.
Appliances are more than just your kitchen’s workhorse, they also add to the overall look. Professional-grade stainless steel continues to be the most desirable. Also hot are retro-look appliances from the ’20s – ’50s.
Replacing the kitchen cabinets offers a great opportunity to customize them based on your lifestyle. This built-in hutch and buffet provides an attractive space for displaying treasured dishware in the glass-front cabinets while the countertop below can be used as a buffet when entertaining.
If your budget allows, a complete kitchen remodel is the way to go. New flooring, electrical, cabinets and plumbing allows the opportunity to create a more functional layout. Although it can be costly, removing walls separating the kitchen from adjacent living spaces is a popular option for those desiring an open floor plan.
http://www.hgtv.com/kitchens/kitchen-updates-for-any-budget/pictures/index.html?nl=HGDeco_v065_60
To read more stories related to this article by HGTV.
Tags: budget decorating, Budget Design, Decorate on a budget, design trends, hgtv, Home Improvements, Home makeover, ideas for kitchens, inexpensive tips, Interior Styles, Kitchen Updates, pc design
WHAT’S YOUR KITCHEN PERSONALITY?
Industrial?…Eclectic?…French Country?…Traditional?
Unsure???? Take this quiz to find out more…..Take the Kitchen Style Quiz by HGTV
Does this give you an idea of how your kitchen best suits you? Was it completely opposite of what you thought you would like? Are you still confused?
Take a look at some great Kitchens below and see which one catches your eye. Sometimes, your style isn’t what it seems.
Traditional
Traditional kitchens lend toward heavily wooded cabinetry & flooring. A Classical or Formal sense ties the design together and incorporates many aspects from other countries depending on your tastes.
Light mixed with darks are used to play off one another. Large scaled items, faux painting (including pastoral scenes) are often found. Leather, patterned heavy weight upholstery and grand lighting are often found as well. Appliances, often stainless (Depending on the budget) are used to give an updated feel to the kitchen.
Contemporary
Think sleek!!! Contemporary Kitchens are very popular in lofts, modern homes and city living homes. They are clean with no visible clutter on cabinetry. Many gadgets are often apart of this design theme, with hidden pop-up storage, slide out appliance stations and invisible lighting. Sleek surfaces (reminiscent) of gourmet Restaurants are used as a base idea incorporating, unique design shapes to the are (space allowing).
Cabinetry is typically white, black or an accent color and made of Formica or other laminate or solid surface. Rarely do they include wood. Think sleek!!!
Urban
Urban kitchens can incorporate many different styles, but always contains an open feel to the design. Surfaces range from stainless, granite, wood, corian or Eco-products. Space is limited, so maximizing storage is key. Stainless is almost always incorporated to give that “urban” feel as well as high-tech accents. Kitchens most often flow into other rooms of the “urban loft” theme so incorporating those elements is key.
Transitional
Think Pottery Barn. Transitional is that middle style that incorporates others. Don’t think eclectic, that would be mixing many styles together and that is not what is represented. Transitional is simple, with design elements that aren’t over the top. Sometimes a simple style, with little accents of character. You will find wood floors, painted or un-painted wood cabinetry, wrought iron, stainless appliances, wicker, little incorporation of a variety of colors and a few well placed greenery to soften the look of the area. There are no cold, or sharp looking items. It is a very welcoming environment with a few whimsical things placed here and there.
Industrial
When you think of industrial, think of any large Restaurant kitchen with stainless appliances and counters, clean, free of accessories, discreet lighting.
Very little things “cluttering” up the design of the area. You may find two colors, possible with a third as an accent.
It does give a very cold feel to the area, but that design is very popular in Contemporary design, or chef’s designing their own kitchens to be reminiscent of the one’s they cook in for a living.
IKEA Kitchen’s ” in-a-box”
Ikea has become a one stop shop for all. When you live in a home and are looking to update the kitchen for a very low cost with a contemporary/modern look…. Ikea is your spot. You can customize your kitchen with what you need and then have them or to save money, you can install this your self. It is a tedious project, but affordable and has many options to create a fun kitchen for your home.
Tags: Advice, Budget Design, cabinetry, contemporary kitchen, countertops, Decorate on a budget, Design Styles, design trends, Do's & Don'ts, hgtv, home depot, Home makeover, ideas for kitchens, ikea kitchen, inexpensive tips, Interior Design, kitchen personality, kitchen styles, Lighting, lowe's, modern kitchen, styles of kitchens, traditional kitchen
