The 5th Wall - the art of ceiling design
For centuries ceilings have been an important design element. Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel, Marie Antoinette used mirrors, the romans constructed amazing stone groin vault ceilings. All these are examples of how past ideas can influence future design. Ceilings that demand you look up can impact how we feel in a space.
Throughout my career I have always known that adding architectural details in unexpected places added a special layer to a design scheme. Some of the ways I love to highlight the 5th wall is through Millwork, paint, wallpaper and architectural beams and elements. These I consider statement ceilings which is anything going above and beyond the boring white ceiling.
Millwork-
Millwork is a great way to add accent and custom interest to ceilings in your space. In this contemporary home we added beams to match our window treatment fabric. Inspiration can come from anywhere.
Photography by Jessie Preza. View more in our gallery.
This French country home had wonderful dormers designed by architect Kevin Gray. Adding a faux painted wood stain and wash to the T&G boards gave a sense that the home was old and added a level of patina to the design.
Wallpaper-
Wallpaper is a great way to add pattern and texture to a space. Now a days this is not the commitment it used to be. Companies such as tempaper.com have so many options that are easily removable.
Here is a great example of one of their papers that would work well on a ceiling since it has no clear direction. Because of this it will look great from all viewing directions.
Here is an example where we added wallpaper to a dining room ceiling. It reflects a bit of sparkle which is a perfect balance to the metals and fabrics in the space.
A closet doesn’t have to be a boring! This client got the customized treatment when we added wallpaper and a special chandelier to her dressing area.
Paint-
Painted ceilings can help balance a design scheme and also can make a space feel more inviting and cozier. Rooms with really tall ceilings may benefit from a darker color that brings the scale of the ceiling height down and add an intimate feeling.
In this example we painted the ceiling blue to accent the color we had placed in the backs of the built ins and the accent chair.
See more of this project in our gallery.
In media rooms we often choose to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls to give the room a dark and cocoon feeling for movie watching.
Adding a sheen to ceilings is another great option. By adding a high gloss finish often called a lacquer finish to a ceiling the light is reflected and brightens the space with a glamorous result. The lacquer also brings out the best in colors. I love this application in dining rooms and bathrooms.
Painting details such as stripes and accent colors can be fun for kid spaces to add a whimsical detail without the permanent commitment.
Credit Curlsandcashmere.com
Credit Alexanderinteriors.net
Architectural Detailing-
Some rooms need something extra. Here we had our cabinet company custom make wood ceiling panels to match the kitchen cabinets.
Adding a custom plaster option is an ornate and special detail that would work in any design scheme wanting an old-world craftsman feel. You can pick from many designs and paint the plaster any color you would like. A custom CAD drawing layout is made of the ceiling before it goes into fabrication.
Credit Crownplaster.com
Credit Crownplaster.com
We suggest you implement a statement ceiling into your environment. These are just a few examples but I can assure you anything you do will add character to your room and design scheme.