When it comes to giving ceilings in the home a special treatment there are generally two camps: those that love it and those that don't. To be honest, I am not one that usually goes for the look unless a subtle contrasting paint color is used and even then only in certain rooms and spaces. Unless a ceiling is vaulted, a fussy ceiling often brings the height of the room down. That said, I have amassed a collection of images some of which might just cause me to change my tune.
Reed Krakoff used a high gloss lacquer in the living room of his New York apartment. I love that the ceiling is still white which give the space an airy feel, but the glossy finish adds glamour and dimension to the modern space.
J. Crew's President Jenna Lyons, used bold yellow stripe to add a handsome, fun flair to her son Beckett's nursery. I think a child's room is the perfect place for this sort of ceiling treatment.
John Willey used a pale green and graphic trim to tie this bedroom's palette and structure together.
Kelly Wearstler took this room to the next level by covering all five walls in this trellis paper. It definitely makes a bold, graphic punch but it may be a bit much for me. What do you think?
Steven Gambrel used a yellow lacquer in this striking, modern study. The glossiness of the paint reflects light which helps to balance out the dark color palette of the room. I am really loving this lacquered look, how about you?
Bunny Williams used intricate wood work to add dimension to the fifth wall of this dining room. A dining space is a great place for ceiling treatments as so much of the activity in the room remains at eye-level. An interesting ceiling draws the eye up-ward. That said, this look is a bit much for my taste.
David Netto used paint to give this dining space architectural interest. Instead of coffering the ceiling with wood trim, he just painted "coffers" in a geometrical grid.
The raw wood planks applied to this kitchen ceiling definitely add an element of warmth to the architecturally clean space.
Suzanne Kasler knocks it out of the park in this beautiful entry with a wallpapered ceiling. It helps that the ceilings are quite high and there is plenty of natural light.
Do tell, are you a fan of decorating the fifth wall? Do you have a ceiling in your home to which you have applied a special treatment?
9 comments:
Great post!
This is something I consider all the time. I think it can look amazing in some cases, but gaudy in others. Definitely think it's acceptable in a child's space practically everytime.
Love the idea of a high gloss!
Also, really like the wood planks.
Happy September!
I have been thinking of doing something funky and cool like this to my dining room ceiling but have been scared of taking the risk. Great images. Love the kitchen with the paneling.
Great roundup of images. I'm not against it but haven't done anything beyond a lighter shade of wall color. I do, however, LOVE the white high-gloss and wallpaper a la Suzanne K.
the planking on the ceiling of that kitchen is divine!
You featured two of my favorites - because I also love "treated" ceilings - the Bunny Williams architectural one and the Steven Gambrel!
This is a very interesting topic to me. I actually do believe in the 5th wall, but I think it can be a fine line. I've had a coffered ceiling in an 1905 brownstone and that was gorgeous. In my last house, I had very high ceilings so we painted a couple of them the same color but varied the wall colors. It tied things together without being bland. In my current house, I actually have lower ceilings. But the ones in my youngest son's room and our room are a faint blue....and it gives it an airy etheral quality. In fact, I'm thinking about painting some more ceilings!
More than you were asking for!
xo Elizabeth
I like the 5th wall concept. The high gloss concept is brilliant. I have had some pretty dark spaces and converting the ceilings to reflective has been successful. In the 80's it became contrived, with peach ceilings etc.. but dark ceilings work to add height. Blue porch ceilings bring the out doors--in. It is a neglected topic. If you have no moldings, beams can make a room!!
Thank you for always making us think,
Liz
I am a hug fan of things that cause one to look UP!
My sons room's ceiling is painted an orange = but I am loving that white high gloss laquer.
Great images!
Happy weekend to you.
pve
I love these images. I just have the ceiling of my dining room painted a shade lighter than the walls. It was mainly to repair some crazy treatment the people before us had done with tissue paper. Wish I was kidding.
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