Historically, ceilings were highly decorated, but it seems as houses have become more modern, they have become overlooked and often forgotten. Change is in the air and, once again, ceilings are being given the attention they deserve.
Take a look at some creative quick fixes and contemporary interpretations of ceiling décor that are sure to turn heads…upwards that is!
Patterned Wallpaper
Photo by David Duncan Livingston
Yes, you can put wallpaper on the ceiling to create unexpected interest in a room. I used a crackled linen by Jennifer LaPierre in my SF Decorator Showcase room. The subtly patterned, Old World effect draws the eye upwards and away from the small size of the room. And because it is a home from the early 1900s, it looks authentic, as if it had always been there.
Maps
Photo by Robert Stewart/Artseed.com
If you want to add bold interest and drama, put a map on your ceiling. Use wallpaper with a map design or actual maps (oversized or nautical). Consider a custom design (like the one Jennifer LaPierre painted) to add sophisticated elegance to an office or library.
Gold Leaf or Gold-leafed Paper
Turning your ceiling into gold creates a feeling of warmth and light…the space will just glow! This effect will be dramatic in any room, but particularly a small one like a bathroom or a passageway where there are no windows to bring in natural light. This ceiling was done with a custom faux gold finish, but wallpaper that looks like gold leaf (or even silver leaf) is readily available, easier to accomplish, and a bit less expensive to install.
Medallions
Image courtesy of Focal Point Architectural Products and White Brothers Mill
If wallpaper isn’t for you, try adding texture with molded medallions in round or decoratively shaped patterns. This is an elegant way to adorn overhead. Even in a modern setting, it’s nice to add something traditional…so why not through the room’s architectural detailing?
The Unexpected
Another way to bring in some texture and add a fun, quirky feel to your space is to take a cue from Antiquario, an antique store in San Francisco. This ceiling was created in the early 1970’s by a roaming hippy artist, who used concentric circles of exterior shingles in an interior space to create a very unusual, yet highly creative, impact. The use of unexpected materials in unexpected places is incredibly eye-catching.
Repurpose Materials
Adorn a ceiling with anything recycled, from old CDs to bubble wrap, labels or packaging, pieces of fabric, flower sacks… It’s about creating a ceiling that is different, yet appealing, and using repurposed or recycled materials in an affordable and eco-thoughtful way.
Whole Foods is a very environmentally conscious purveyor of health foods and they promote locally grown products in an effort to save energy in transport. Bravo! Their customers are health conscious and many ride bicycles, so they honored this by using recycled bicycle wheel frames to decorate the ceiling. By suspending bicycle wheels from their high ceilings, they’ve created the illusion of a “dropped ceiling,” which is textural, striking, and incredibly clever.
WOW! I loved this post. I just had a photo day that was all about shapes and I recently discovered I have a love for circles. So…bring those bicycle tires to me now!