Thursday, April 22, 2010

Two Simple Ideas to Add Character to Your Ceilings

One of the most under decorated spaces in houses tends to be the ceiling. Unless you live in an older home blessed with beams, tin and/or ornate moldings, it is rare to see anything today beyond white paint and crown molding.

Being a “detail person,” I am always looking for simple and inexpensive ways to add character to my house. I find it is the little things that turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. So I wanted to share two ideas – three projects – that we did in our house to add charm to our ceilings.

#1 PAINT
Bathroom Ceiling
One of the unique things we did in our house is paint the master bathroom ceiling blue.
When we moved into our house, the bedding colors in our master bedroom were white, yellow, and blue. In an effort to make the two spaces – bedroom and bathroom - coordinate we decided to add a touch of blue to the bathroom.
Instead of adding the color to the walls, we painted the ceiling. I love how this keeps the room light and bright but still adds the color we wanted. Although we have recently changed our bedding colors to a more neutral palette, the blue ceiling still remains.


#2 MOLDING
Foyer ceiling
The foyer in my house is fairly small - big enough for a 4’ x 6’ rug but too small for any type of furnishings. To help delineate this space from the hallway and create a sense of separation, we framed our light fixture with simple stock molding and wooden embellishments.
My husband cut four 4’ boards for the outside molding and four 3’ boards for the inside molding to create two frames. After nailing the boards and rosettes in place, the nail holes were filled and the space between the boards was painted the same white semi gloss as the trim. The trickiest part of this project is getting the boards straight and centered exactly even around the light fixture.
I love how this small touch of molding gives the foyer a sense of distinction from the hallway and sets the tone for the rest of the house.

Bedroom ceiling
Because I loved how the foyer ceiling turned out, I convinced my husband to do something very similar in my daughter’s bedroom. She has a pretty crystal chandelier (before shown below) but I wanted to make it stand out even more.
This time we used two different types of molding – a larger width piece for the outside frame and a smaller width piece for the inside.
The process was the same as in the foyer – cut the wood, nail in place, fill holes and paint. Below is the molding in place but unpainted.
Here is it is all finished. You will notice this time we decided to leave the space between the frames blank - no rosettes.


I am very pleased with how all three of these projects turned out. I am hoping our next attempt at embellishing a ceiling will be in the dining room. I am trying to convince my husband we need (and can make) a coffered ceiling! Wish me luck.

Linking up to these parties

72 comments:

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

I love the ceiling moldings...my head is spinning with ideas for our house! Thanks for the inspiration!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Nikki said...

We're trying to figure out how to use beadboard paneling on our ceiling to cover the popcorn. I'll let you know how it goes!

Kendall@ Finesse Your Nest said...

I just love the ceiling treatments with the moulding and embellishments! What a difference!

BellaLovesPink said...

These are great ideas! i need tools!

Ginger@cottageonrosewood said...

Looks gorgeous. I have been looking for some ideas to add interest to ceilings in our home without the expense or work of adding wood throughout (all 1900 sq feet).

My Dream Canvas said...

Thanks for a great post and lots of inspiration.

Two Shades of Pink said...

I would reach through this computer and hug you if I could! We have this wicked scary kitchen light in the house that we are buying and I want to knock it out and make it look kinda like a...quasi trey ceiling of sorts with recessed lighting (because we are poor). Not even sure if that is the right term but you would know, I am sure. So this has been enlightening! And funny enough, your blog has inspired me to start a new one about this house we are buying. I am no where NEAR as decor creative as you but I thought it would be fun to record our process. So thanks for the inspiration and your always amazing ideas.

Boxwood Terrace said...

Great ideas! I love the pop of the blue ceiling in your bedroom and the molding on the other ceilings really adds a lot. I painted my ceilings pale robin's egg blue when I bought my house years ago and am very happy with the result.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Wow, all three look really great! I would love to try something like that. I also want to try to put bead board on the ceiling.

Jane@Little House of Projects said...

I like all three ideas. Those are the kind of touches that make a home special.

Unknown said...

ok- are you staying at my house long enough this summer to do this in my foyer?? I will do all the prep work ahead of time if that helps!! Pretty please...

Lenore said...

The ceiling moldings are great and add a lot of character.
I'm happy to see someone else painting their ceilings any color but white....we painted our bedroom ceiling a shade or two darker than the walls to bring down the ceiling and make the room a bit cozier....we have a 15 foot ceiling in that room!

awal.ny said...

You have convinced me, I am definately going to try painting a ceiling. I would like to try to do the wood on the ceiling but I am not too sure if I can talk husband into it. Thanks for the ideas.

beckaboots said...

This is awesome! I never realized how awesome it looks to paint your ceiling a bold color! I might have to try it in a room.
-Bekah

Olivia said...

Oh my your ideas are fabulous and oh so inspiring, makes me want to jump up and paint and frame...ok well the house is dark and still asleep and this is my only mommy time ...LOL! Your painting looks so neat, I am a bit sloppy and impatient with my painting and it turns out a bit wonky, anyway, stop by and say hi if you get a chance. I am giving away a pretty rose tea pot for the month of April.

Hugs,
Olivia

Katie said...

Girl! You are now one of my favorite blogs. I have been wanting to paint my ceiling for a while but haven't yet convinced the mister. I'm going to take both these ceiling ideas and do them both! Thank you for the inspiration. :)

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Love everyone of these ideas. How lucky you are to have a husband who can interpret your dreams! The molding around the chandy is stunning!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

I have enjoyed dropping by to see your home, it is just beautiful. Love these projects, those small touches DO make a huge difference. Thanks for stopping by!

Mrs. Jones from the Circus said...

My neighbor gave me a super ugly chandelier that I plan on making super adorable... tried to convince hubby to hang it in the dining room... he vetoed and I don't do electricity so I have decided to hang it in my laundry room... I hate laundry so if I have a super fab light, who knows?? And your ceiling molding will set it off PERFECTLY! Thanks for sharing; I love your blog BTW.

Cindy said...

Beautiful! What great ideas, thank you for sharing them with us. Have a wonderful day.
Hugs, Cindy S

Joy said...

Your ceilings are beautiful!!! Thanks for the inspirational post. Now you have me thinking where I could give my ceilings a little lift.

And may I add that I love the makeover you gave the metal top table! It has such great character now.

Sarah @ Hennessey House said...

!!!!!! this post is SO awesome! i want to copy all of these ideas RIGHT NOW.
:)

Regan said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the molding treatment around the chandeliers!! I must do that in my house!!

Crystal said...

I know what you mean about the ceilings! I love what you did, it looks so good. I'll put that on my to do list, thanks for sharing.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Love the moulding on the ceilings!

Susan Freeman said...

I have a ceiling medallion which I love, but I also like your trim on the ceiling. Trim can make such a difference on walls and ceilings too. My husband is installing a coffered ceiling in our living room. I hope you can convince your husband to do it for you too!! I am your newest follower.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Both of these ideas are great for that overlooked fifth wall.
Pamela

Anonymous said...

Love the blue ceiling!! It's a great idea.

Karena said...

I adore the blue ceilings how perfect! The trim design is also a dream!

Karena
Art by Karena

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Very clever with the mouldings, that looks great! And a painted ceiling is wonderful, loved seeing yours! :) Have a fabulous weekend!!
Blessings,
Stacey

Lara Harris said...

Beautiful job! :)

awal.ny said...

Thank you for checking out my painting. It made me laugh when I read the comment and then went to where the comment came from. I can only imagine how long each of your projects took. Other people have yoga to relax, I paint.

Unknown said...

This looks awesome. Love the idea!! Thank you so much for sharing this!

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

I love this idea! It turned out beautifully in both rooms! Great job!

Katie said...

Love it!

Kristi said...

Great idea!!! I think I am going to have to steal this idea in our new home!!! What a difference! :)
Kristi

Lia at Petite Little Bee said...

How very gorgeous. This looks so elegant. I am a new follower and will be back soon. Hope you have a chance to come say hello.

Cheers,
Lia

Francy said...

So pretty.

Can your hubby come to Oklahoma?
:o)

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Brilliant! Your ceilings look great. I am so glad that you shared. Thanks.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Cindy said...

What a difference! I would be doing that if I didn't have ugly cottage cheese ceilings! Maybe someday...

Heather said...

The paint and molding really did add so much! I especially love the color! Gorgeous.

You have such a great blog here! I'm lovin' it. So glad I stopped in from Lady Bloggers tea party.

New follower!! http://www.gerberdaysblog.com

Heather said...

The paint and molding really did add so much! I especially love the color! Gorgeous.

You have such a great blog here! I'm lovin' it. So glad I stopped in from Lady Bloggers tea party.

New follower!! http://www.gerberdaysblog.com

Jenn said...

Stopping by from Lady Bloggers Tea Party - I LOVE the blue ceiling, that is SO pretty! Great job! :)

You have some really great ideas here, love it!!

Roeshel said...

You know I'm a huge fan of your creativity and inspiration and your ideas are just genius! Gorgeous ceilings! Thank you so much for sharing in the DIY Project Parade! ;)

Roeshel

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

That is awesome! I love both of those tips! The molding around the chandelier is amazing and looks like a million dollars!

Sylvia (at) Lily's Pad and Petals said...

Fabulous, just gorgeous!

Holly Lefevre said...

I LOVE the blue ceiling. Funny enough I was just thinking about painting some of our ceilings. Great inspiration. I do love the molding...maybe we'll add some when we redo parts of our house...such a nice feature.

DesignTies said...

Terrific looks! I'm a firm believer in thinking of the ceiling a fifth 'wall' in the room... in most cases, I like to be sure that it receives some kind of treatment. In fact, the post I published tonight shows my dining room's faux coffered ceiling. I like your ideas and will keep them in mind for future projects!
Victoria @ DesignTies

Allison Shops said...

Great idea. Both look very nice! Dropping by from BNOTP, #7.

Allison
AtticMag

Jen@Notes From the Heartland said...

Your ceilings are SOOO pretty. I love the blue on the bathroom ceiling...so soothing! And the mouldings around the light fixtures...perfect!!

Unknown said...

Great ideas! I love the blue ceiling!

Thanks for linking up!

Kristi said...

I'm back! I just realized you are in upstate NY also! I'm right near Albany! Nice to meet a "local" fellow blogger :)
Kristi

Kathleen Ellis said...

Great ideas and very well done! I agree, the details make the difference! Great job!
Have a beautiful week!
;-D Kathleen

Unknown said...

I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button. These are simply gorgeous!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

I love the molding, makes all the difference to the ceilings! Janell

Marianne said...

I love that frame aroung your daughter's chandelier. I'd love to do something similar in our bedroom. Here's to hoping I can convince my love of that idea.

Josje said...

Great ideas. Love the ceiling molding!

Josje said...

Great ideas. Love the ceiling molding!

Linda Q said...

Great blog, glad I found you! We are redoing our master bedroom in June and popcorn ceiling ( ick) is going and I want to do this to our ceiling and then hand the chandelier from it above our bed. So hopefully it is ok, I saved a couple of your photos to my photo file for reference, so my carpenter aka hubby will get what I am trying to achieve here! Yours looks great, now I am so inspired, thanks!

Linda

Jess said...

Oooh I love the molding you put on the ceiling! That is so pretty. Thanks so much for posting this on Favorite Things Friday!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

The blue ceiling is stunning! All of the details in your room make it so interesting and beautiful!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

LOVE the blue ceiling.... gorgeous and your molding is just dreamy! GREAT tips.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I know I am flabbergasted, this looks totally awesome! The blue ceiling is perfect but I am blown away with your idea to frame the light fixture! Bravo!

Mayra said...

That looks absolutely gorgeous!!

Love it that I stumbled upon your blog.

Great inspiration ideas!! =)

Pamela said...

Love it! I was trying to think f how to hang a frame on the ceiling in our dining room without taking the fixture down. I now might just try molding!

Sarah Davis said...

I was thinking of doing this exact thing in my dining room, but I love the idea of doing it in the foyer as a means to break up a long hallway. Genius! Thanks!!

xoxo
-sarah

Anonymous said...

New follower, here - love the color blue...would you still happen to have the brand/color name?
-Gabby

Red Door Home said...

So glad you liked the blue ceiling. The color is called Twain Blue and it is by Sherwin Williams. I am not sure if it is still available as our house was built almost 9 years ago.

Anonymous said...

Great post and I linked it to my ceilings project post too, thanks!!!

nicole said...

Hi! Can you let us know what paint brand/color blue you used on the bathroom ceiling? I love it!

nicole said...

Hi Stacy, I got your note about the paint color -- thanks so much! :)

blindWolf said...

thanx, i was just looking for ideas of how to color my ceiling in bathroom

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