apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I am trying to get ideas on what to do with my kitchen ceiling. My house is old and has plaster walls and ceilings, most of which are in decent shape. However, the kitchen ceiling has quite a few deep cracks and crinkled paint in areas. Also, the kitchen was renovated at some point and there is a visible seam where they tried to match sheetrock up to the plaster. We will eventually (2-3 years) gut this kitchen and start over, but in the meantime, does anyone have ideas for covering the ceiling or making it look better for the time being?

If it's a temporary solution you could just paper over the ceiling to hide the cracks - either in a plain white to give the appearance of a newly plastered ceiling or, alternatively, in a patterned paper to make a bit of a statement. If you're intending to do the kitchen from scratch in a year or two avoid doing anything to the ceiling that's going to be a pain to remove later on.

How bout tin ceiling tiles? Or Lincrusta paper, which is heavy weight and could be finished to approximate a tin ceiling.

Sadly, this is exactly why popcorn ceilings were invented, but off course, everyone hates them. Even though I actually like mine...

Speaking of tin ceiling tiles, they have this great wallpaper that has the texture of tin tiles and then you can paint it metallic, or whatever colour you want. Regular latex paint works. I've used it as a backsplash with metallic paint, and as the lower half of walls with off white paint. I believe I picked it up at Home Depot.

And I believe it is called Lincrusta.

If this were a long-term solution, I'd say tin ceiling, but that's a lot of expense and trouble for 2-3 years. Go with the lincrusta-type paper and think about painting it with a two-layer "aged" finish -- even if it's off-white on white -- so that the light and shadow in the pattern distract the eye from any bumps that are still visible through the heavy paper.

Not related to ceilings, but as I read AT poster comments, I try to disregard some of the more obvious "endorsements" by people who are scamming for their product. Why are some names not clickable and most of the normal cast of characters, are? What does the non-clickability feature mean? If I don't recognize the name, I try to see what other comments they've made to make some guess as to if they have just joined to push their product.

Ignorantly yours
Lisa in Austin

Non-clickable names mean one of two things:

1. These are old comments from a "classic episode" post, dating from before the registration period.

2. The commenter no longer has an active account. The spammers do get banned as soon as someone catches them.

Lisa2,

I think those unclickable names are from the re-posts. They're older posts that were made before AT set up their new profile system.

At least that's what I think.

Lisa--

I think the non-clickable names are on older or reposts.

I have been searching the Internet for an informative site on mid century furniture. All I have come across are merchants. I just want to identify a few pieces of furniture I have. I've noticed a few good books on this subject at the Strand but I'd love a web resource so I could send links to friends and family (e.g., "look Aunt Violet, that chair in your woodshed is an original Platner stool" [I wish]). Thanks.

I would live with it for 2-3 years. I hate spending time/money on something I know I will be tearing out, but I digress...

The cheapest thing may be having someone put a new layer of sheet rock on the existing ceiling. It would be a quick job.

Or texture paint.

I'm looking for a really simple mcm (style) or organic modern coffee table in either a teak color or white. I'd love to have something that's a bit long and narrow, close to the shape of a console table, only shorter. I haven't managed to find anything even close. Any suggestions for retailers to check?

Thanks.

Wowee, thanks for all of the good suggestions. I had thought about tin ceilings, but yes - cost temporary aspect kept me from going that way. But Lincrusta might be just the solution (I had thought of some type of wallpaper, but couldn't work out in my head the idea of wallpapering the ceiling). I searched Lincrusta online and like some of the patterns, so I will look for somplace to see it in person.

P2, I have seen the photos of your home, and I am certain that no one is looking up at the popcorn :)

Thanks for the clue. I had none.

:)

On occasion, people *are* looking up at the ceiling.

But I'll leave it at that.

Anyone have rec for good beaches in the area for someone without a car? I'd like to not go to city beaches ( like Long Beach SI, Coney Island or Brighton Beach) which are cool but not what I am looking for this weekend. I have heard of Ocean Beach on Fire Island and Jones Beach on Fire Island and these seem to be between 1 to 2 hours trip from Brooklyn. Anyone one have a preference or other rec?

Oops I meant Jones Beach on Long Island

1 question, 1 comment:

First - The comment:

Maxwell, AT, et al: I just wanted to point out that you guys should really be crediting the photographers of the images you use on the site. The picture heading the "book collection" thread is by Abelardo Morell, and he is a talented artist, who works hard on his images. Not crediting him is contrary to what I would have expected from this site. I've noticed such non-crediting happening more often, too.

Second - Question regarding the O-Mop:

I have the swiffer, but the positive reviews of the O-Mop make me interested in trying it....but I would rather not buy a whole new handle setup, just to switch to another cloth. That seems wasteful. Do the accessories from the OMop work on a swiffer handle? Anyone?

Thanks!

In case anyone here remembers that I was working on this Art Deco/Oriental wall treatment on the Upper East Side, and in case I actually mentioned how I was kind of trying to figure out how to hang an Oriental screen in front of a mirrored wall there, here's how it turned out.

This shows the screen in place:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artycurtis/843032790/in/set-72157600170975527/

This shows the wall treatment:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artycurtis/540082839/in/set-72157600170975527/

And here's a link to the whole set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artycurtis/sets/72157600170975527/

It was kind of tricky reconciling the pink formica radiator cover and the screen and the dark blue-green side tables, but I'm happy with the results, and so is she.

Is it possible to hire a decorator/designer/architect simply for discounts on furniture or access to furniture? Are there people or businesses that will do this for a nobody like me? How much does the service cost?

everyone is probalby going to tell me to shut up but:

what does everyone thing about an AT:Pet - it had been mentioned earlier in the week and I really need some advice on how to keep the dogs out of the kitty poop box - i.e. how to block off a section of the house so the dogs can't get in, but the cat and I can, without it looking hideous - what kind of catbox to get so it's not hideous....etc....

*but i have no where to ask it* got left off for some reason

I would love AT: Pet.

me three.

yay! - let's start a petition.

everyone sign your name here:

..........................................

Has anyone ever used FlatRate Movers? I searched the archives, but didn't have any luck. And the most recent feature on movers from a couple of months ago did not seem to mention them at all.

Cutis, holy cow! I can't imagine the patience it takes to paint a wall treatment like that. Please, please tell me your secret! While Ms. G's style is very different than mine, your artistry continues to amaze me.

And I can't believe how my typing skills continuously fail me. Of course that comment was directed to Curtis, not Cutis.

PATRICK!!!

I'd really love an AT:pet. I don't have a pet, but I'm always interested in the pet decor tips!

It was kind of tricky reconciling the pink formica radiator cover and the screen and the dark blue-green side tables, but I'm happy with the results

Am I the only one who gets little shivers when Curtis says things like that?

elizabeth--

That's what they yell at the time!! How did you know??? ;)

shut up

!! i'm sorry but you are HI-larious! like i said, you are my favorite!

I would love an AT:Pet, too!! Count me in!

p2- you are way too funny!