This a photo of my office, which has a vaulted ceiling that was previously white. This time I painted the walls and ceiling Prescott Green and I love how it opened up the room.
We recently had the interior of our home repainted and it’s so wonderful to see clean, fresh colors on the walls. So I chose some new colors…nothing too earth-shattering. I stayed with the palette I love….blues, greens and earth tones.The trusty Benjamin Moore Historical Collection has been my color home base for years.
First we had some prep work to do. The painter did a great job of repairing the cracked plaster on the ceiling which made a huge different. You see, we live in a Bungalow that was built in 1981 and by South Florida standards that is OLD! Now old is not a bad thing. I like old. I grew up in a house that was a Grist Mill built in 1840. Old meant original hardwood floors, exposed beams and a house that oozed character and charm. It also had lots of cool places to hide. But in this house “old” means quirky building details, odd-shaped rooms and every room has vaulted ceilings.
So the important changes I made this time around were with the ceiling colors. In most rooms we have vaulted ceilings….which means 2 things. A fifth wall that covers a lot of real estate and no crown moldings. I love this house, it just always requires a little extra imagination to pull it all together.
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Big deal, right? Well it is a big deal if you want a cohesive look and the ceiling is the crowning touch. So here are some tips on choosing colors for your ceiling:
Vaulted Ceiling – Without crown molding you rarely get a straight edge where the ceiling meets the wall which looks messy and distracting. A good solution? If the wall color is on the lighter side, I like to paint the ceiling the same color. It makes for a smooth transition and the room looks larger. I don’t recommend colors that are too dark for rooms with vaulted ceilings. If you paint the ceiling that same dark color and don’t have enough light in the room, it can really make it feel closed in. As human beings we feel most comfortable with darker colors below and lighter ones above….kinda like the ground and sky!
Flat Ceilings/No Crown Molding – You have a few factors to consider. If the line between the ceiling and wall is nice and straight, then you can certainly go with different colors. But choose a soft white rather than the chalky Ceiling White that most painters will automatically use. When you look at the whites side by side, you will see some are warm (pinks and golds) while others are cool (more blue or gray). Choose accordingly. You can also choose a lighter shade of your wall color.
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Our Living Room has a plank ceiling with a simple band of trim around the edge so it basically the same as having a crown molding. So we painted both Atrium white which has a ever so slight pink hue. It compliments the warmth of the Chestnut walls.
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Flat Ceilings with Crown Molding – Since you will most likely go with a white tone for your crown, it’s best to do the same with the ceiling. I often use the same color for the crown as the ceiling (but of course a satin or semi-gloss for the trim and flat for the ceiling). Don’t use the wall color on the ceiling. The crown is going to look like a big white stripe around the room.
Small Ceilings - In powder rooms and small laundry rooms I like to use the same color on the walls and ceiling. It makes the room look more unified. If you have wallpaper in a small powder room, wallpaper the ceiling or paint it the same background color as the paper.
I hope this helps you have more confidence when it’s time to paint. I am sure you will find that your newly painted (non-chalky-white) ceiling will give your room a light airy feeling!
At first glance, a well-designed bedroom allows you to just settle into the whole space. The colors, the furniture and the tiny details all work togehter harmoniously. Ahhhh, the cohesive loveliness! But as a designer, my next step is to start breaking it all down… the bed, the pillows, the window treatments and lamp. Why does it all work and how can I learn from this? I want to help you develop the same critical eye because this is the difference between a so-so decorating job and a room that comes alive.
I designed the room above for two teenage girls about 10 years ago. They liked feminine details but were growing up and did not want anything too cute. They loved horses but did not want the whole room to go “horsey”. It’s always a balancing act between “this” and “that.” So these are the steps I took to pull together this great little design without breaking the bank.
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Color – We went with a warm peach because it was feminine, bright and fun. It’s a more complex color than pink or purple which spoke to their sophisticated tastes (yes teenagers now have sophisticated taste!)
Beds – These iron beds are classic and budget-friendly. The choice of many finishes allowed us to select one that tied in our coral, ivory and green palette. (I don’t usually recommend iron beds for master bedrooms but for kids or guest rooms they do the job at a great price.)
Bedding- Custom bed-skirts and shams echo the colors with a designer look but we saved some money by using a matelasse coverlets. These could easily be replace by down comforters and duvets when it gets cold.
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Some Ladder Tape options from Smith + Noble. Simple wood blinds step up the style with this designer touch.
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Windows - Simple 2″ wood blinds. The big slats work with the scale of the large windows. A color-coordinated ladder tape covers the strings that hold the blinds together (the ladder). Now instead of plain old blinds that control light they ARE the window treatment. Plus Ladder Tapes cover route holes so sunlight won’t poke through when blinds are closed.
Chair – We bought this wicker chair new but any old wicker chair can be painted for an instant face-lift. You can also just wrap the fabric around the cushions and safety pin them on the back if you are a not a seamstress.
Lamps – Two simple and affordable lamps that could be found at a local home store.
Artwork – I love to use colorful and interesting artwork in kids rooms and posters are an easy answer. The pieces in this room are prints of famous horse paintings. By going with more modern art, it gives the room a more updated feel and the white frames are simple and fresh.
I hope this helps you see, once again, that good design results is more than the sum of its parts. Consider the look you want and then approach it one step at a time patiently and thoughtfully!
Let me know if I can help you with any design dilemmas by commenting below or contacting me here!
Do you have a wall that is just crying out for something special? Well, instead of just painting it with an accent color, you can really give it some style with the fantastic giveaway we have today! The folks at Architexture have a unique solution for you! Tattoowall is a revolutionary, image transfer technique that allows you to install beatiful murals, frescos, and artworks onto your ceilings and walls.
These photos just give you a taste of what they have to offer. The video below has a lot of great information and shows the installation of a large Tattoowall. Whether it’s fine art, photography, a cool pattern, or one of their many featured artists, I guarantee that you can find something that suits your style. And as an added bonus… Tatoowall is completely customizable. ANY image can be used. You can even even submit your own!
So start thinking where you could use a Tattoowall and follow the directions below carefully for your chance to win!
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Would you like to win a Tatoowall image from Architexture?
To Enter Simply…
1. Visit the Tatoowall Image Gallery and choose an image from one of the following categories: fine art, decorative art, illustrations, patterns, or photography.
2. Leave me a comment below letting me know where you plan on using the image in your home. *Please include the image code that corresponds with your choice (*the four digit image code can be found just below each image).
I started My Design Secrets more than a year ago with one goal in mind: Help people who love home decorating by giving them professional advice and easy access to the best online interior decorating sources. After receiving a lot of wonderful feedback and learning that close to 100,000 people visted the database last year, I realized that My Secret Database was the answer to many of your decorating prayers! So, I was determined to continue sharing my interior design advice and resources.
A couple of months ago, I announced that we would be making some upgrades to the website. Now, the time has come! We wanted to make My Design Secrets even more useful, interesting, and fun for all of you decorating enthusiasts. (And for those of you who don’t know, my husband, Tim, is the what turns “me” into “we”.)
So, here is what’s in store…
Improvements to My Secret Database *
The new database is PHENOMENAL.When it comes to home decorating, My Secret Database blows any search engine out of the water. Take that Google! Here’s why:
Search through hundreds of online retailers for the product(s) you need and in the specific style you want.
View a wide assortment of photos of specific products from the vendors in My Secrets Database.
Check out the the handy $-$$-$$$! These icons will help you stay within your home decorating budget.
*While we wanted to keep doing all this for free, a girl has got to make a living! With all these great new features, we are confident that you will recognize what a great value it is. So starting this Wednesday at noon, My Secret Database is going to become a membership only site. We are sure you will agree that the nominal charge of $9.95 per month is a fair price for access to this incredibly valuable, time-saving database.
Hot New Topics and Inside Tips in the Blog (Free)
The blog will continue to be free of charge and will offer my professional design tips as well as introductions to some of the hottest new decorating sources on the web. I have lots of great ideas for new topics and, as always, you are welcome to make suggestions. Feel free to search my existing blog entries covering over 350 decorating topics!
Great New Giveaways
We know you all love a Great Giveaway, so those are definitely going to continue. We have some great ones lined up for high quality paint, gorgeous home furnishings, and fabulous interior decorating/design books. And remember, your paid membership will automatically enter you into the giveaways.
Thank You…Thank You…Thank You
I have appreciated your support over the last year and sincerely hope that you will find these upgrades very helpful as you continue to put your personal decorating stamp on your home.
A British company named "olli & lime" created the "George" pattern you see above. It's meant for kids, but with a color described as "milk chocolate", I have decided it's good for adults too! It's printed on paper made from sustainably harvested wood.
As I start using more eco-friendly paint on my projects, it has really gotten me thinking about wallpaper, too. Unfortunately, many wallpapers are vinyl and can off-gas harmful compounds into your home for years to come. Plus the adhesives, inks, and finishes can be hazardous as well. The good news is that fantastic eco-friendly wall-covering designs are popping up every day so you can have the beauty of wallpaper without the concern of harmful chemicals in your home.
How to choose and eco-friendly wallcovering:
Look for wallcoverings that are printed on paper instead of vinyl. Vinyl not only emits harmful gases in your home but the chemicals it is made with can harbor mold. And once it gets to a landfill the problems continue. Also, it is best if that paper is FSC certified. This means that the Forestry Stewardship Council has approved the forestry methods used by the company that harvests the trees that eventually become paper.
Make sure the company uses natural water-based paints and dyes so you are not adding VOC’s to your environment. You might be surprised at how beautiful vegetable dyes can be.
I hope you consider an eco-frendly wallcovering when your walls need sprucing up. These great options will show you that they are short on harmful chemicals but long on style.
I LOVE these wall flats from Inhabit, but I am not sure why they are called wall flats when they are full of texture! They are made from 100% molded bamboo pulp, come 10 panels per box, and come in 5 textures. They an also be painted!
This beautiful wallpaper from Graham & Brown has a modern and classic feeling, all at once. The textural pattern is created from the bird feather patterns. All papers from their Eco Collection are printed on paper from managed timber sources and are printed with only water-based inks.
Mod Green Pod designs and sells beautiful eco-friendly wallpapers and fabrics. They use water-based inks on a cellulose paper and give the paper a water-based glaze that can tolerate light wiping.
While I was spending some time with my nephew Tommy, I had the pleasure of meeting one of his friends. His name was Patrick. Patrick had a Fathead. It was approximately 80″ tall x 50″ wide and was stuck to the wall. Well, ten minutes later I met Patrick’s father and he had a Fathead too. His was approximately 39″ high x 91″ wide and you guessed it, stuck to the wall. You would think that this would be devastating for the family, right? It was just the opposite, they were down right giddy about their Fatheads! And I was jealous! But let me explain.
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Fathead is the #1 brand in Sports and Entertainment wall graphics with hundreds of licensed products. In addition to NFL, College, MLB, NASCAR, NBA, NHL, Action Sports, Soccer, Boxing and Tennis; there is also a great lineup of Disney products including Hannah Montana, The Jonas Brothers, The World of Cars, Pirates of the Caribbean, High School Musical, Princesses and Tinker Bell. The Entertainment offerings include Star Wars, Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, The Incredible Hulk, Wolverine, The Thing, Family Guy and The Simpsons. They even have some great military insignia and vehicles.
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The wall graphic is easy to install but does require a little preparation and four hands. Rough or textured walls are not friendly to Fatheads. Fatheads are very friendly to walls. The special low-tack adhesive does not leave any residue and will not pull off paint so long as the paint is in good condition and isn’t already peeling.
You can currently receive free ground shipping on the Real Big Wall graphics by using the following code during check out:
This giveaway has ended but keep your eye out for new giveaways every week! ~Lorrie
The winner of this giveaway is:
Kenna Rogers
Congratulations!
I talk about it all the time…how paint can instantly and dramatically transform your room. I have shown you the new color palettes and guided you through sampling and selection. Just purchase a few gallons, add some elbow grease and you are off and running. Well, now I am going to make things even easier for you by giving you the paint! Yes, you heard me right. And this is not just any paint, it’s…
Mythic Paint puts their money where their mouth is. Some companies say low VOC’s, well Mythic saysNO VOC’s.So it’s a great option when you are painting kids rooms, nurseries or just about any other room in your abode. Not only is it healthier but the paint is durable and easy to clean…added bonus! Of course it’s better for all of us, but children and pets depend on us for a healthy environment, so why not start there?
Mythic is offering one of our lucky readers a Fantastic Paint Package!
2 gallons of multipurpose primer $116
2 gallons of eggshell $100
1 gallon of semi-gloss $54
So the total package has an MSRP of $270!
And do not think for a moment that you are going to have to sacrifice on the color palette because you are choosing a safer paint. Their colors are amazing! From Whispering Wisteria to Australian Adventure there is a rainbow of colors from brights to earthtones and everything in between. They can also match any competitor’s colors if you already have a favorite.
So, get environmental without sacrificing color or quality. Hop on the Mythic bus!
Ready to Paint? Here’s how…
If you would like to win the Mythic Paint Package worth over $270 this is what you need to do:
Step 2: Leave me one comment below telling me what color is your favorite and where you would use it. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter. Replies by email will not be accepted.
One entry per person. You have until 11:59PM EST on Monday, February 2nd to enter. One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.
This giveaway has ended but keep your eye out for new giveaways every week! ~Lorrie
The winner of this giveaway is:
Katherine Frazier
Congratulations!
Our Goals for My Design Secrets 2009:
Share more great decorating ideas that are super-affordable; and
Introduce more Eco-friendlyproducts and vendors
Our giveaway today hits both of those points! Nouvelles Images are thefirst paper wall stickers that I have seen. There have been a lot of vinyl versions out there but these feel more like pieces of wallpaper than stickers. They have a more permanent look even though you can take them down quickly and easily!
Available in various styles, designs and sizes, Home Sticker packs contain two sheets with stickers to reproduce the model shown in the instructions or to make a personalized creation. From Parrots and Bamboo, to the New York Skyline and Toy Trucks, you are bound to find something great.
Home Stickers can be applied to any clean, smooth, dry surface and are non-damaging whether affixing or removing the stickers. Furthermore, the adhesive used for Home Stickers is guaranteed non-toxic. Nouvelles Images has also committed themselves to Sustainable Development which is one more feather in their cap!
Where would I use these? Kitchens, powder rooms and bedrooms come to mind. Really anywhere you would like to add a little pizazz or artwork, it’s the perfect solution.
Ready to Create some Wonderful Walls?
Here’s how…
If you would like to win a set of Nouvelles Images Wall Stickers worth $30this is what you need to do:
Step 2: Leave me one comment below telling me which Wall Stickers are your favorite and where you would use them. If you are receiving this post via email, click here to comment. Replies to the email will not be accepted.
One entry per person. You have until 11:59PM EST on Monday, January 26th to enter. One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.
Truer words have never been uttered! A 28" wide message is only $29 and you can choose your colors.
There is a certain degree of comfort and nostalgia that accompanies the holiday decoration boxes as they float their way from the attic to your living room. But honestly, do we really need to use that dusty garland from 1983 again? I vote for some creative change and I’ll get you started with an idea that you will love. Express yourself in words and images this season with Wonderful Graffiti. It’s cheap, it’s easy and you can choose a message that will last well past the holidays!
Your mantel will get a second look with some words of warmth and wisdom.
They have a wonderful selection of creative quotes and images but you are also welcome to come up with you own. The Playroom is extremely user friendly so you can fool with fonts, colors and layouts until your heart’s content. You can even create a room that replicates your own with flooring, paint, windows and furniture so you can get a feel for how it will look.
Peace, Love and Joy are always available. Truly.
When you receive it, you wash your wall and then apply it to the the wall, peel the plastic away and voile, you are done! When and if you decide to take it down just peel it off or use a hair dryer for a little encouragement. It is not reusable. They also encourage you to send a photo in with your final results to inspire others.
This is an example of their Graffiti 3D with an appropriate year-round message!
Make sure to order soon because they get back-logged during the holidays and they were on Rachel Ray the other day and you know how that goes.
A few years ago chalkboard paint was a cool, new idea. Allow your kids to express their creativity without indelible results! But after the initial novelty wore off you were stuck with a green or black wall and a heck of a lot of dust. That’s why chalkboards have fallen by the wayside in most schools and been replaced with the whiteboards you see in offices. You can write smooth as silk and really get your inner Picasso going with a wide array of colored markers.
Well, now you can do the same thing on any wall in your home. Idea Paint is an innovative new finish that makes any wall into a white board. It recently won awards for Innovation, Best Wall Treatment and Unique Solutions at NeoCon, the largest trade show for interior design in North America. It is being used in offices, schools and residential projects. The thing I love about it is that it invites collaboration. I know you can type at lightening speed on your Blackberry but have you ever had the pleasure of seeing a piece of art or an idea come together with a group? It’s definitely one of those situations where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
I firmly believe that allowing your creativity to flow in even the smallest way releases a bit of the stress that builds up each day from multiple responsibilities, snarled traffic and not enough yummy chocolate. Personally, I would love to paint a wall in my home office to organize my overflowing supply of ideas. Add one in the kitchen to keep track of the groceries (or lack there of). Pick a spot in your home for some Idea Paint, it might open up a whole new world.
But in this house “old” means quirky building details, odd-shaped rooms and every room has vaulted ceilings.
