Ceilings
" Showstopper ceiling. These Boston homeowners wanted their designer to add more interest to the boxy dining room in what was originally a contractor’s model home. To create some drama in the space, designer Michael Carter added a geometric plaster ceiling and textured wallpaper. “Hands down, the ceiling detailing was truly transformative,” he says. Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries"
"1. Polka-dotted kid’s bedroom. A child’s room is a great place to try out a ceiling treatment, and decals make it easy. In recent years, decals have surged in quality, variety and popularity; they make a wonderful alternative to investing in full rolls of wallpaper. Here, gold polka-dot decals add whimsy and style. A sputnik light fixture echoes the round shapes. Investing in a designer will ensure a professional execution, but you can add decals to a ceiling yourself — at least if you’re comfortable going up and down a ladder. However, I recommend this project only for people who have excellent balance and a healthy back. And it’s wise to have someone on hand to spot you on the ladder as you work."
"Beams and Coffers While some homes have beams built into the ceiling for structural support, others have beams simply for decorative purposes, often constructed from trim and wood planks, and often largely hollow inside. Coffered ceilings use these beams to create a network of squares, or sometimes other more complex shapes in very fancy installations. This gives a home a regal and historic quality, recalling the architectural style of old palaces and churches. It is in no way a low-cost installation and requires a great deal of material and labor to complete, but some of the cost can likely be recouped as added value to the home because the look is timeless."
"That being said, ceiling moldings can look grand and very high-end in a modern home as well. Even just a few strips in a simple shape or pattern can beautifully frame a ceiling light and bring a sense of polish. Generally with thin moldings like this (2 inches wide or less) I would recommend painting them the same as the rest of the ceiling so the moldings remain a subtle element of architectural texture."
"Kaplan continued the use of Stikwood on the ceiling and added beams throughout the main floor. She had to painstakingly plan where the beams would go before the renovation construction began. Not only did they need to work in an aesthetically pleasing way, but they also needed to accommodate the chandelier and the existing sprinkler system. The orientation of the beams and Stikwood changes over the kitchen and dining areas, which delineates the spaces from the living room. Kaplan also had a custom room divider made to separate the two. “I had seen an iron-and-glass French room divider in a small hotel the last time I visited Paris, and my clients loved the idea,” she says."
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