Ceilings are almost always painted in a matte finish. Matte paint minimizes imperfections on the wide open plain. It diffuses light. It creates a sort of non-presence. But what about going glossy on the ceiling?
The picture up top is from the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in 2008. It's actually a stretched vinyl product called Extenzo. Below is a photo of a glossy painted ceiling by S.R. Gambrel. Notice it's not a white ceiling but actually is quite saturated in color.
So, some things to keep in mind if you want to go glossy on the ceiling:
- Gloss white will show every last imperfection. Perfect ceilings are key, or use a stretch material like the one at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House pictured up top.
- A darker-hued paint will show fewer imperfections. So if you're going glossy on the ceiling with paint, consider a bold color instead of white.
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I love glossy ceilings - but as you say, they need to be in really good shape to carry off the effect.
Looks nice. The ceiling in the second photo seems to play off of the shiny patent leather chairs as well.
In first photo, ceiling goes perfectly with the overall look of the room (1950's luxe?).
I painted my bathroom ceiling a semi-gloss white and came down about 12" on the wall. I really loved the effect. Not all of my ceilings are in such great shape though.
I don't want anything reflective on my bedroom ceiling. And it's not the imperfections in the ceiling that concern me.
On another note, having art leaning from the top of the narrow headboard doesn't seem like a good idea.
Wow this is stunning....it adds so much elegance, and seems to visually expand the room almost like a faux mirror ( but not so tacky as one on the ceiling! lol )
Heh. That first one looks almost like a classy version of a mirrored ceiling.
ha! to ngnerd's comment. Suddenly discovering a mirror-like ceiling in a guy's bedroom sounds like it should have been a Sex and the City plot line.
More than anything though, I'm imagining what would happen if I jumped to smack a juicy mosquito up there. Yuck :-P
@cdulude: exactly what I was thinking: kinky for those not wanting to be TOO kinky ;)
I have high-gloss paint on some ceiling in my house. My ceilings are generally 6'5" and the gloss makes the surface reflective and gives a lot of extra "depth" to it. The ceilings feel a lot higher than they do in the rooms with matte paint. In a room with painted beams, the beams are high-gloss and the rest of the ceiling is matte--that works well, too.
I like highlighting the "imperfections." The imperfections give the surface texture. That's part of the joy of plaster. If you want smooth and perfect, go with sheetrock.
"classy version of a mirrored ceiling" makes me laugh.
I purchased a house 3 years ago.. in the living room is a panel that is inset about 6 inches, and is square in shape, about 6ft x 6 ft. It is made of black glass. Previous owners had a (gag) brass chandelier.. For about $40, I replaced it with a white glass sphere pendant from Ikea. On a dimmer switch, you get the effect of a planet floating in space. Incredible. I hated it at first, but I wouldn't trade that feature now..
"If you want smooth and perfect, go with sheetrock."
Plaster can be mirror-smooth too - It's actually easier to get that finish with a plaster coat than with sheetrock & spackle.
It's all in the finishing of the material, not necessarily the material itself.
who cares if you dont have perfect surfaces? I have glossy ceilings, and the imperfections don't bother me one bit.
I, for one, would never paint my ceilings pure white, no matter the finish.
I have that gad awful popcorn ceiling in my bedroom and would love to use that Extenzo stuff to cover it. Does anyone know how much it costs to install and do you lose height? Anyone with popcorn ceiling would prefer a mirror instead, I'd think. Plus I believe there is asbestos in the popcorn as it's circa 19c, nasty stuff.
It really lowers the ceiling to my eye, especially the first one, but maybe you want that cozy feeling in a bedroom. With a large room or high ceilings, it might be interesting.
The horrible cottage cheese ceiling in my bathroom is starting to give way. What a perfect excuse to try this out!