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?
MelanieO says
Chair to Lamp: “You might want to rethink that outfit. I can see right up your shade from here. Just sayin’…”
Beth@Just{Heart}It says
Caption:
Lamp: Hey, Chair, wanna dance? I’m pretty light on my feet.
Chair: No thanks. It seems that every where I turn I’ve got two left feet.
Alina says
Casa de Petersik, where time out meets style
Alina says
I’ve had the time (out) of my liiiiifeee..
Ashley says
Chair to lamp…”don’t get any bright ideas, bulb, I have you cornered”.
Lindy says
We used the Valspar metallic wash atop flat paint in our dining room-there is just enough sheen without looking like we tried too hard. :) Next time I will use a sponge and apply it by hand in a circular motion (rather than a roller) for the metallic coat because if I look reaaaaally close I can see a few light but unfortunate roller lines.
I can’t wait to see what you do! I love the grey beams and the texture your technique lends.
Marlenda says
Great post – we are building a home and are starting to choose paint/wall covering/tile, etc… Painting the ceiling with a metallic finish has been something I’ve been considering for quite some time. However, I’ve been seeing some great stenciling done on ceilings also. So many choices …
Dayna says
“I vant to read ahlone…” All I know is I love metallics as accents. I was recently in an office and they had a curved, copper accent wall and it was awesome!
Misty says
Sherry’s “tool time-out”… for those days when she just can’t stop herself!
Letia says
How do you all feel about wallpaper? You mentioned it as an option but I see that you are committed to no VOC if possible. I have two babies and I was going to wallpaper but I read that the glue and the process has so many chemicals. I was bummed because I love the affect but did not want to risk it. I found a few green options but they were very limited and very expensive.
YoungHouseLove says
We have a local green store called Eco Logic that sells green wallpaper and glue, so maybe that’s an option for you? At our place the paper was expensive (as is most wallpaper that we love) but the glue was something like $20 a gallon- which seemed like it would be enough to do the whole job. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
heyruthie says
The old house just wasn’t quite big enough for Burger to have his own “time out” chair. All that’s been resolved now.
Gina M. says
“That’s me in the corner, that’s me in the spotlight, losing my religion…”
May have been covered already – didn’t read through all 400 comments.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, I actually think you’re the first one to go that route!
xo,
s
kyla says
Nice Reference!!! LOL.
Erin M says
As a nod to “Catalog Living”…
Sherry: Yes John, I know you like the lamp, but really…I think this is going a little overboard.
Brandy says
Growing up our living and dining rooms had high, peaked ceilings that were wallpapered and beautiful wooden beams. The wallpaper was a light red with a small medallion print and it worked. Everyone that came into our house commented on its uniqueness because it was so unusual to wallpaper such high ceilings, especially since there was no wallpaper on the actual (wood paneled) walls.
20 years later, I had the chance to revisit my childhood home and although the current owner has redone everything else in the house, she left the ceiling’s original wallpaper and she said people still comment on how great it looks and I have to agree. With the resurgence of wallpaper’s popularity, I think if you found a metallic wallpaper with a subtle print to it, you would fall in love. Be brave, go with wallpaper!!!!
Obsessive Siren says
The Martha Stewart metallic paint actually does read as metallic with 2 or more coats…nothing over the top but a very pretty sheen. As for the comment contest, I was going to say “Nobody puts baby in a corner”, however, Maggie beat me to it. So I vote for her :)
Misty says
I know this is totally off topic, but…
Would you guys consider throwing us a “Burger Bone” and maybe adding a new post to Burger’s blog just once in a great while??? My son who just turned 10 loved reading his blog – and still asks to check it “just in case” there’s a new post!
YoungHouseLove says
Burger is leaning towards a spring/summer comeback when the weather is nicer and he’s out and about more- but we do try to work him into blog posts over here as much as possible! In fact we have one devoted entirely to Burger that’s in the hopper (all the places in the new house where he likes to hang out) and he was recently in posts like this one about his new ram friend. He definitely worms his way into YHL regularly! Maybe convincing your son that he may be back over on his blog in a few months, but in the meantime YHL is where he pops in and out like Waldo will help?
xo,
s
Misty says
Will do, for sure. In fact, on Sunday, he asked me to find the video of Burger messing up John’s made bed (in your old home) during the “bed-making month”. He LOVES that video and watches it often. How cute is that?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s adorable! Tell him I just told Burger that story and he wagged his tail. Really! It was very cute. Apparently Burger’s as much of a fan of your son as he is of Burger.
xo,
s
Marcia says
“When the decorator said that this furniture arrangement would make a statement, this is not what I had in mind.”
kim says
Hi guys I’ve left the link to hgtv canada hope you can watch it. Go to Marriage Under Construction: season 4, episode 3 “A Master that Rocks”. they put a wall paper on their ceiling that was metalic and in a basket weave design.
I don’t really like the room not my style but the wall paper was really nice.
http://www.hgtv.ca/video/
or read here
http://www.hgtv.ca/ontv/titledetails.aspx?titleid=260415
or see wallcovering company here
http://www.newwall.ca/collections
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Thanks for the links!
xo,
s
Celestte says
I’ve been painting my ceiling for years when others only did white. But I’ve always painted the ceiling the same color as the walls; which are not always necessarily light. I find that the ceiling color always appears lighter even without lights on. But I once heard the night sky referenced when considering a darker paint on the ceiling by a designer I watched on HGTV. They said dark recedes; does the night sky seem to hover over you and crowd you? The opposite – it seems to go on infinitely. I also saw a salon with a black drop ceiling. It was gorgeous and did not feel small in the least. I’m not saying go black. But just my 2 cents. You guys have done an amazing job with your home(s). And your blog posts are very well versed. I enjoy reading them each morning.
Robin says
Caption: Sherry has now ventured into dunce corner chic with ample task lighting.
adrienne says
YHL Trying to get their vitamin D from a lamp
Michelle Ritchie says
The chair knew it was his only chance to propose to the light of his life!
Susanna says
The chair patiently and eagerly awaited Clara’s first “time out.” One day, one day……
Deana says
It would be labor intensive, but what about a tone on tone stencil, with the stencilling done in a metallic paint?
caroline says
Having honed her telekinetic abilities on the chair, Clara was ready for her next challenge: getting the Boppy back from its Rubbermaid prison in the attic.
Amy in rva says
“Recently having issues with her body image, Chair was unable to recognize her elegantly sleek and minimalistic physique that others would die for. Until she met Lamp. Being around Lamp has changed everything and he always has a way of making her feel lighter.”
Ami says
Hey there! How about adding a metallic craft paint to the interior paint. Centsational Girl did this to add stencils to her bedroom wall that look just like metallic wallpaper. Just a thought. (Oh, and the chair caption….’I’VE SEEN THE LIGHT!)
Chrissa says
“So, do you come here often?”
I know, I know, it’s too easy.
Jessica says
Of all the floor joists in all the world, you had to be placed in the corner of mine…Here’s lookin’ at you, lamp! ;)
(please use a Bogart-esque voice for that dark, handsome leather chair)
Patti says
Chair to Lamp: Not sure if you know but I’m a pretty big deal around here.
Shannon says
Caption: Chair: I couldn’t help but notice you here in the corner all by yourself. Are you here alone?
Sandra says
I just wanted to let you know about a metallic paint. I worked in paint store for a year, and got to try some different ones, including Ralph Lauren, Modern Masters, and Martha Stewart.
I HIGHLY recommend Modern Masters Metallic Paint. They have lots of in stock colors (as opposed to mixing, which creates variations) and it covers EXTREMELY WELL for metallic paint. Ralph Lauren and Martha Stewart both took 4-5 coats for a solid coverage and it wasn’t all that metallic. Modern Masters takes 2-3 (depending on the color) and it’s water based, easy cleanup, and looks beautiful! You do have a retailer in Richmond, at Virginia Paint Company. Look into it!
Nancy says
“See how we rate! The new kids (Karl, Woody) get prominent places in the new house AND names, to boot — and we get stuck in this corner. What did you say your name was? Oh, yeah, we don’t have names!”
Sarah says
Lamp, I wish I knew how to quit you.
Shauna says
Nobody puts baby in the corner.
Melissa S says
Hi guys!
I love Valspar’s Brilliant Metals line, and used it to paint a very dramatic Copper wall in my living room…maybe this could be an option since they offer it in lighter colors too?
One thing though, I’m not sure if they’ve got a No-VOC option for this since it involves a glaze?? In any case, I get lots of compliments!
Be warned that the glaze goes on like a Pepto-Bismol Pink (quite alarming!!) but slowly transforms before your eyes to the correct color :) You can image what the hubs was thinking as I was tolling it on!
http://www.valsparatlowes.com/en/find-the-right-product/interior/decorative-paints/faux-brillant-metals-glaze.html
Melissa S says
Make that “rolling it on” :)
Katherine says
Here is a link to paintable wallpaper used on a ceiling with metallic paint:
http://www.grahambrown.com/us/product/13946US/Victorian+Effect+Paintable+Wallpaper
tricia jones says
i love the look of the faux tin ceiling for a dining room…and when done in a metallic finish, it really adds a bit of elegance. here is a great site for very reasonable faux tiles.
http://www.talissadecor.com/catalog/glue-up-pvc-ceiling-tiles/antique-finish
i have antique brushed nickel tiles in my bathroom from this company and i love them. also, you can paint them any color you want…even do a pearlized finish for some shine. have fun looking!!
here are some pics of the ceiling in my bathroom.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19243&id=1588251839&l=8cb6065e6a
Roshni says
Chair: I got you cornered!
Lamp: Oh, lighten up, will ya!!
Kristina Kainz says
” I swear Janice, round tops and pedestals do nothing for me! Your the one I really love!”
Amy says
I’ve been dying to try out this new Temporary wallpaper that I saw online a few months ago (post-it note for your wall? what’s not to love?) I think the GIO in silver would be beautiful with your walls and beams…but the pattern may be too bold. Depends on your accent colors and accessories for the room.
http://www.tempaperdesigns.com/patterns.nxg
Corissa says
Is this the time-out chair for DIY’ers, who have over stepped their parameters.
Kerry says
Traditional painters (as in, fine artists) use something called mica powder (or flakes) mixed directly into their paints to create a metallic sheen. It’s great, because you can use as much or as little as you want to make it as shiny as suits you. You could also mix it in to a clear coat, allowing you to layer it on (so you don’t wind up with WAY to much metallic first time ’round.
That said, have you considered (crazy, I know) silver (or gold or bronze or something) leafing your ceiling? I think that could be pretty damn awesome.
YoungHouseLove says
We thought that would be insanely hard and expensive- but it’s still a fun idea!
xo,
s
megan e says
caption:
“So, we’re both working the same corner again…”
Amanda says
I know this would be a lot of work but I think a trellis design stenciled on your ceiling, subtle thought, say flat paint and the design in a high gloss or with a bit of metallic added to it. It would really draw your eye up to your ceiling & gorgeous wood beams :-)
Jane in STL says
If you think your neck and shoulders hurt now, just wait til you start stenciling or faux finishing a ceiling. “Agony” (the voice of experience)
Kristin says
The obvious (and probably already mentioned) caption is, “I love lamp.”
As for metallic paint techniques, I do know you can buy additives to your paint that give it more sheen but not in a semi-gloss type of way… maybe that’s what you’re looking for? Or paint it the base color then add the additive to the remaining paint and dry brush it so it’s got more of a streaky metallic thing going then a smooth, iridescent type finish? No idea, but just some thoughts. :)
Centsational Girl says
Hey J&S, love your idea ! Yup, mixing in opulescent paint with reg latex paint works like a charm! You could use the Metallics line:
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGBrand.asp?bid=24
The Pratt & Lambert Ovation line, they have a nice ‘pearl’ color that mixes well with cream colors:
http://www.prattandlambert.com/products/homeowner/faux/interior/ovation-opulence/index.jsp
Ralph Lauren and Valspar also have metallic paints that mix well, but you could also use craft paint! Fo reals.
Can’t wait to see what you pull out of your bag of tricks!
xo
~ Kate
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much for stopping in with advice Kate! You’re the pearlized queen fo sho!
xo,
s
Centsational Girl says
Might be nice if I could spell. Opalescent. :) But then again, I meant ‘metallic’. I better just go have a cup of coffee now. Bye. :)
Kathe says
Another vote for Modern Masters, although I’m fairly certain this is not a Benjamin Moore company as a previous poster stated. Although it is probably sold at many of the same stores. The website is modernmasters.com I just picked up the brocure a couple of days ago. They’re metallic palette is pretty extensive. As far as I can see, the colors come premixed, so it’s possible retailers can’t stock everything. Some colors are probably available by special order or online. The paints come in 3 varieties, sheer, a translucent overcoat, semi-opaque which requires 3 coats for coverage and opaque which requires 2 coats for coverage. The cheapest solution would be to base coat in a color you love and go sheer metallic over the top.
I can’t wait to see what you decide!