AT Europe: London Close-Up - Colman's Mustard-Inspired Ceiling

When Chris decided to paint the living room ceiling in her colorful Gothic family house in North London, she just grabbed a tin of Colman's Mustard and took it down to the paint store.

This would be a bold move for most of us, but it works like a charm in this free-spirited, colorful, happy house. It's a nice reminder not be afraid of putting bright color on the ceiling. For the full tour (including the master bedroom that Chris decided to paint goldfish orange after spotting a brightly hued fish in a pond outside the window on a gray day) go here.

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. She can be reached at kristinh @ apartmenttherapy . com

Comments (18)

i dig this place. i love that it is so homey and kid-friendly. of course i love the look of modern, crisp, young urban professional spaces, i dig seeing family-friendly spaces, too!

posted by closertotheocean on May 14th 2008 at 4:29am
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That works really well because of the other furnishings in the room, and the details of the ceiling, and the fact that they must be 12 feet high or greater. My ceilings are, at 8'10" a little higher than standard, but a little too close to me to be painted like mustard. It's a great looking effect in this room.

posted by K T G on May 14th 2008 at 4:53am
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It screams cheap garage sale. I do love painted ceilings, but this one tried but missed.

posted by plain jane on May 14th 2008 at 5:19am
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Maybe it just doesn't translate in the photo but I don't think the color works. Mustard rarely works. Silver is my color of choice but then that misses out on the bold paint color theme. If I could wave a magic wand, I would get an off-white slip-cover for the couch, pull the carpet and replace it with a multi-colored rug, and introduce some red to the room. No mustard!

I do love the color choice of the kitchen though.

posted by Jessica in Brooklyn on May 14th 2008 at 5:58am
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I hate yellow, and I REALLY hate mustard yellow, so this gets a thumbs down from me. And I don't think it works with any of the other colors in the room. I don't think a ceiling should be a focal point, but with this color, that's all I would be looking at.

posted by jooly on May 14th 2008 at 6:13am
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I am such a chicken when it comes to color on the ceilings. I sort of dig this though. I admire your bravery.

T8
www.strangeclosets.com
When design takes priority, the result is often strange closets.

posted by t8 on May 14th 2008 at 6:17am
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LOVE it. Love love, love.

posted by mjr on May 14th 2008 at 6:41am
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love this! i'm sure it's much more vibrant and "pulled-together" in real life. even in these pictures, though, you get a great sense of the colors singing.

posted by selena on May 14th 2008 at 6:49am
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I think the ceiling is ok but doesn't work well with the other colors in the room.

posted by pantzini on May 14th 2008 at 7:24am
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yes. love it.

posted by sherry2 on May 14th 2008 at 7:26am
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Ooo...I really love it. Also love that green tiled fireplace. Neat!

posted by Nevis on May 14th 2008 at 11:48am
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How much do they pay people to write "love it"???

posted by bettina playa on May 14th 2008 at 12:03pm
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Nope - don't like it - don't really like the decorating in this house at all. Would make me nuts to have so much colour and so much clutter.

posted by Gallivant on May 14th 2008 at 12:17pm
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Totally, instantly loved it. Especially that color couch.

posted by Pixie on May 14th 2008 at 12:45pm
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Painting the ceiling is a great idea!

I am also a big fan of the accent wall. Sharing my article The Wonders of Paintable Wallpaper on this very topic.

Thank you,
Crystal D.
Sparkleizer and Home Organizer
www.sparkleize.com
E-mail crystal@sparkleize.com

posted by CrystalD on May 14th 2008 at 2:34pm
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oh, no - not this house again!

posted by *heather leaf* on May 14th 2008 at 2:52pm
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i might be able to deal with the boldness of this ceiling if it wasn't for the weird textured walls. whats up with that. what about a crisp white. it makes the whole thing seem muddled to me.

posted by decordecor on May 14th 2008 at 3:30pm
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I like yellow but this doesn't work, especially with that pink.

White walls are dreadfully depressing. On top of that it says that you are either lazy or don't care what your home looks like. I was told to repaint my entire home white before selling it by several sources including experienced realtors.

posted by Cally on May 14th 2008 at 3:56pm
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