Call me crazy, but I wasn’t really on board with Sherry’s latest “furniture arrangement” when I saw it in the corner of our living room. I know she enjoys lighting as much as the next gal, but a chair dedicated to staring at a lamp seemed like something straight out of Lovely Listing.
Once I looked up I realized that my wife still has most of her marbles (key word: most). She just put the chair there so she could stand on it and tape some paint swatches to the ceiling. Whew. Not so weird after all. Well, she’s still über weird, but for a host of other reasons.
We’ve been debating what to do with those large white ceiling rectangles (between the grey-washed beams) for the past few days. From wallpaper to bold color and everything in between, we’ve pretty much considered it all. Anything dark or too saturated was quickly nixed since we worry that our standard height (8 foot) ceiling just can’t handle it without feeling like it’s closing in on us. And going with an even softer platinum gray than the color on the walls is a nice safe backup idea, but we’d love to do something a bit more fun. Which is when the concept of bringing in something metallic (either paint or even wallpaper) could potentially luxe up the whole room while reflecting lots of light (so the room still feels airy and open). So we grabbed a few swatches from Martha Stewart’s new Precious Metals paint line at Home Depot:
We were both quick to eliminate the two swatches on the left (too dark) and aren’t quite sold on the other two lighter metallic swatches on the right (they actually don’t seem to read as metallic enough from a few feet away, perhaps because they’re on a ceiling and not a wall). Does anyone know a faux finishing technique to create a glossy champagne or eggshell colored metallic ceiling? I know the term faux finish can strike fear in anyone who has ever watched Trading Spaces (me included) but there have to be some good techniques out there… right? Maybe? We’d also love to hear if you have any other metallic paint experience (any specific brands you recommend?) or even if you’ve come across some metallic wallpaper that you love.
As for what we’ll ultimately go with, we promise to spill more details when we actually make a decision and have some progress to share. Maybe it’s smarter to wait to see what we’ll do in the way of art and curtains and then pick up a light tone from one of those things for some subtle fun when you look up. Like a super soft silvery celery color if we go with a green rug or bold curtain panels that include some green…
We’re clearly still in “think on it” mode. But at least we’ve got a good spot to sit down and be alone with our thoughts. And that lamp.
Update: A commenter mentioned a caption contest and it’s so on. Feel free to leave ’em in the comment section. Here’s the pic again for ya. Captions. Go.
The prize is 500 points and comment o’ the day status. You know you want that. Or do you?
Nicole M. says
Chair: “You light up my life”
Elyse says
i immediately thought of metallic tiles too… they sell a small variety at home depot, as backsplash tiles. could get really pricey for such a large room though. (I found one I personally really like on google images, page 4 ‘metallic tiles backsplash’, but the link is messing up when i try to click on it)
DJ says
Just read this post, maybe it’ll help.
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/02/a-closet-makeover/
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah we love that project! It’s definitely a possibility!
xo,
s
Tiki says
Chair: “I’m keeping an eye on this guy. He looks a little shady.”
Beylah says
Good one!
Ashley says
hilarious!
Christy G. says
LOL
Debra says
Saw this picture on centsational girl’s blog and thought of you. This would look awesome on the ceiling in your color of choice.
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/allover-stencil.jpg
YoungHouseLove says
So gorgeous! Love that project so much!
xo,
s
Amy G says
We just redid our kitchen backsplash using these: http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=240793-82801-B50-21&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=1068567&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=sim&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
The nice this is that, unlike tiles, you don’t have to use an entire square. You could cut them off and make it look as if the beams are on top of the tile! That way no one will notice that the beams aren’t spaced evenly :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the link! It’s definitely a possibility!
xo,
s
Sara VT says
“Waiting for a BRIGHT idea…”
Stacy says
I was thinking that doing a moroccan stencil (or some other kind of design so it doesn’t look like a net was casted on you) on the ceiling with the wall color diluted with 75% white and then a glaze over the entire ceiling would be neat.
Yep, definitely a project that is easier said than done. Maybe use butcher paper to create a large stencil???
[The chair was unsure of its next move againt the shady suspect in the corner. Afterall, it was unarmed.]
Danielle Fernandez says
I suggest Rustoluem’s new metallic paint, formerly Modern Masters. My husband and I just painted a wall in our bedroom – it’s a lot more of a job than regular paint, shows EVERYTHING, so make sure you follow directions on can (i.e. do not paint in a “w” like with normal paint.
Here is a picture of our wall:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lPqZf6eQmW4/TUeY_6Mj5UI/AAAAAAAAAew/2dxXesUhMfE/s1600/1.31.11+014.JPG
Loving everything you’re doing to your new home!
Cheers!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that looks awesome! So glossy and luxe!
xo,
s
Kelsey says
“The break-up was made especially awkward when Lamp and Chair had to endure several post break-up hours together in the corner, waiting for Sherry to pick a ceiling paint color, while Chair’s new girlfriend Daybed peered in the window.”
Brittany says
The chair says to the lamp:
SO…you come here often?
Meghan says
Caption:
John sent Sherry to time out to “think about what she’d done.”
Secretly though, Sherry had been dying to sit in the corner to ponder her new lighting options.
(a la Catalog Living, ya know?)
megan says
I love the idea of wallpaper!
RM says
I agree with what a couple other commenters said – since you have to save up for more furnishings and paint is cheap, it would be easier to deal with the ceiling now; but since we already know from Sherry’s post that the beams were a painful and long process, I would personally wait to see how the rest of the room comes together. I think it will be easier to pick a paint color/finish once you decide on a rug, entertainment unit, etc. than the other way around.
But whenever you decide to do it, I actually think some fun wallpaper would be cool. Not necessarily too loud, but something with some pattern could be amazing. Have you seen the dining room in this post?
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/sneak-peek-john-vivian-of-square-feet-studio.html
Aubrey says
Caption: The game’s up, Lamp! I’ve got you cornered, and your shady business ends here. Now, don’t you get any bright ideas…I’m the fastest draw this side of the side of the sun-room.
Emily says
I tried to post all the links to my favorite wallpaper website. It doesn’t seem to have been posted. Maybe all the links sent it to spam?
I’ll try one more time.
Sandra Blackburn says
What about galvanized steel sheeting? I have NO idea how to do it, or how it would look, but the muted metallic color seems like what you are describing wanting, and it’d definitely be unique!
Valerie says
I’ve used the Benjamin Moore product and it works great. I also did a ceiling for a client using metallic wax- no burnishing necessary. I troweled it on with a plastic trowel. http://www.fauxeffects.com/Products.shtml. All water-based products.
carrie c says
Caption idea “if the lamp jumped off the bridge would you jump off the bridge? No? Well then you are both in time out!!”
Beylah says
“Sherry felt lucky. Despite painting the lampshade bright turquoise while John was out running, she was able to avoid an hour in time out. At least for today…”
Emily says
Here are my go to wallpaper sites. I love some of the big beautiful prints – and there seem to be plenty of metallics to choose from!
http://www.hyggeandwestshop.com/wallpaper/
http://www.timorousbeasties.com/
http://www.grahambrown.com/us/index
http://us.farrow-ball.com/pws/Home.ice
http://www.walnutwallpaper.com/
http://www.fermlivingshop.us/wallpaper/
http://www.flavorleague.com/wallpaper/traditional
http://www.yorkwall.com/static/products/main
Aubrey says
Caption: The game’s up, Lamp! I’ve got you cornered, and your shady business ends here. Now, don’t you get any bright ideas…I’m the fastest draw this side of the sun-room.
miki says
Awesome! Love this one!
Amanda Z. says
I always tell my family: If we weren’t weird, we would be boring.
I am proud of my long heritage of weird! Sherry should be too!
Amy says
Use a metallic glaze over whatever color you desire. My sister does a whole lot of faux ceiling treatments and that is what she uses.
mary says
Sherry’s time out chair…hehehe! JK!
Sarah@grownupnow says
Lamp: Hey guys, I’m feeling a bit cornered over here.
Erinn says
Caption: “I love lamp.”
(Sorry if it has already been used. I didn’t read through all of the pages first. And sorry if you’ve never seen ‘Anchor Man’ because you don’t get this if you haven’t.)
Alisha says
I am usually a Behr paint user. (go with what works for you, kind of gal) But I recently was in a pinch and went with Benjamin Moore paint and I was NOT disappointed. it is a great paint!! The metallics are beautiful and have great coverage!!
Caption: Chair to Lamp- “Your two “wired” and I am going to “sit” here until you “lighten” up. :)
j says
I picture Clara sitting there as a teenager rolling her eyes saying “are my parents really thinking about moving again just to have NEW projects to DIY”
The Distressed Mother says
Sherry decided a time out corner was in order, for the next time John decided not to help with ceiling painting projects.
Christina Marie says
“Nobody puts baby in a corner.”
Aly says
Look on the bright side, lamp. You won’t be in the corner forever.
Shannon says
“Mommy, where do chair lamps come from?”
nell ann says
I Love Lamp!
: )
Nadia says
“Poor Clara was sent to the timeout chair for bringing daddy a flat head screwdriver instead of a philips.”
Angie says
“Preparing for Clara’s first in the corner time out early with an almost comfy chair & a lamp to read by. Mommy & Daddy can use it until Clara is ready.”
Michelle says
Love everything you guys have done! What color paint is on the wall behind the floor lamp? I love it! Our house gets alot of light like yours and i’ve been looking for a good neutral color.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s Moonshine by Benjamin Moore color matched to Olympic’s No-VOC paint. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Anna M says
CAPTION: Hey, there. You probably get this a lot, but are you a floor model?
Aimee says
They said you’d be working this corner, and here you are.
Shannon says
I’m at work and don’t have time to read all the comments to see if someone else already said this, so sorry if I’m repeating. I painted a wall of my living room metallic gold and it was awful! The lap lines were terrible and it came out far darker and greener than the swatches. Plus it wasn’t shiny once it was up on the wall, possibly because we have textured walls…? It is an awesome concept, but we had trouble executing it and maybe we were doing it wrong, but it was a huge waste of time and money as the metallic paint was kind of expensive. Sadly I don’t remember the brand but we got it a couple years ago at Home Depot and it was in smaller than average cans. Good luck, I’m sure if you do metallic it will turn out better than ours, it would kind of have to!
Erin B. Inspired says
Chair to Lamp: “Sooo… you come here often?”
Kevin Seay says
If loving you is wrong I dont wanna be light…
G says
I’d suggest waiting until you bring other color into the room such as fabric and rug before picking a color for the ceiling. As for faux-finish, a subtle technique is a tone on tone rag application where the base is flat and the glaze is satin or semi-gloss. Subtle sheen and reflection in random patterns that could trick the eye into thinking it’s wallpaper, but it’s not too busy b/c it’s tone on tone color-wise. I’ve done it before and it is STUNNING.
Jaclyn says
Caption:
Vampire Time-Out Chair
Maggie says
“Oh Lamp, how do you do it? You’re so tall and thin and I have these huge legs. How could you possibly be interested in me?” “Chair, baby, you look great, really – don’t be so hard on yourself. I love you just the way you are!”
cappy says
Burger finally finds the perfect spot to escape and reflect on his deep thoughts in his man cave corner.
Heather says
“I love lamp”
Jennifer says
caption: this is where sherry goes to get all of her ‘bright ideas’
Candie says
We’re just too different. You’ll never turn me on.
Callie says
You may look into a glaze. I’ve used one by Valspar. We actually just rolled it on over a regular old coat of paint, to give it that shimmer.
Here’s a link: http://moourl.com/geqxg
It comes in a few finishes.
OR! You could always add a really fine glitter to your paint. They did it on The Antonio Treatment once (Said it “kept the ghosts and monsters away!” It was a boys room). Turned out pretty cool. And you could add it to any paint.
http://www.hgtv.com/video/less-talk-more-rock-video/index.html
Worth a thought.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, we randomly caught that episode. Loved that he convinced that boy that he was a ghost hunter and had used the glitter formula for years to keep ghosts at bay.
xo,
s