Our Forgotten Ceilings

Why do we often choose to paint our ceilings plain white and seldom remember them as candidates for decorative treatments?

Our Forgotten Ceilings

Why do we often choose to paint our ceilings plain white and seldom remember them as candidates for decorative treatments? Ceilings don't have to be boring, and if you'd like to try something new, here are just a few of your decorating choices:

• Paint the ceiling a lighter version of the wall color. One easy way to do this is to add about a cup of the wall paint to a white ceiling paint to make them harmonious.
• Stencil the ceiling. The design can be simple or complex. Copy a motif from your fabric, or echo a theme or design from elsewhere in the room. Many large scale stencils are now available at craft stores or on line to make the job easier.
• Add architectural details like a medallion, composition ornament or crown molding.
• Use border wallpaper around the perimeter of the ceiling.
• Create one or more bands of accent color around the perimeter, making sure the scale is appropriate to the size of your room. Create a sample using blue masking tape to be certain the proportions work, and do a sample board to be sure you like the color(s).
• Cut out motifs from regular wallpaper and create your own design to decorate the corners or around a light fixture.
• Cut out motifs from light weight fabric. Iron on backing paper such as WonderUnder to prevent fraying, cut out the designs, then attach them to the ceiling with starch right out of the bottle. You can remove them easily; just dampen and peel them off when you want to make a change.
• If you're artistic, paint an original design. Again, scale is important, but the design needn't be elaborate.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking about your forgotten ceilings. Even the simplest technique will have a major impact, so try one. If you'd like us to create one for you, just call.