The caveat is that your ceilings have to be absolutely perfect. The gloss highlights any imperfection.

Lisa - that's why the stretched vinyl works better than paint.

It's simple: You get your plasterer to skimcoat the ceiling so that it's smooth, then the painter rolls on a couple coats of gloss paint.

I did a similar thing to an old apartment years ago (didn't have to worry about the ceiling since it was a re-enforced concrete building) and it was a great effect.

I used high-gloss paint on my ceilings, which are very low and highly imperfect. It looks great. It is by far the best thing for low ceilings since the reflection of the light gives the ceiling depth and makes it feel much 'lighter' and far less oppressive. As for seeing the imperfections--that's called character. Every dip and bump adds a little something.

I agree with djs--imperfections add character as far as I'm concerned.

The glossy ceiling is an interesting idea. I'd have to live with it for a week or two before I could really weigh in on it though. What I REALLY would like is that new "printable light" fabric that you can bend and use like wallpaper--just imagine that cut into interesting shapes and attached to the ceiling to light the room.

Another approach that would give both depth/height and interest is to add a glaze of metallic paint. If you have a light ceiling, try using the clear pearlized paint. For deeper colors, try golds or coppers. Nothing like a little shimmer to lift the room.

I love this!

I've been trying to figure out how to do this in my bathroom. Unfortunately there are large "scribbles" of wallpaper glue on the ceiling that have been painted over many times now. Right ow it's very unsightly.
Any tips on what I can do?

But "glossy paint" is not the same thing as epoxy. It definitely won't look the same with just glossy paint becuase you want a mirror finish.

IF you want a mirror finish...

You can get the effect of spaciousness and light-reflecting qualities of a glossy ceiling with the full range of finishes, from mirror-smooth to "character"-imperfect.

If you're going to use paint for as smooth a finish as possible, you'll also want to use a foam or short-napped roller and try to keep a wet edge. Coarse naps leave texture, and a dry edge can leave visible lap marks.

I have painted my low ceiling with metallic paint from Ralph Lauren. Everybody's noticing it and my room seems a lot bigger!

Just be sure the ceiling is very even, gloss reflects light, which makes it easier for us to spot imperfections.

I love the idea of the metallic paint.... something I may try once I'm an owner, not a renter.

Emily

I like metallic paint on a ceiling, like a HH Richardson interior.

High gloss on the ceiling makes more sense to me than high gloss on the floor, with respect to upkeep.