Painting your ceiling with a complementary color can be a subtle and intriguing detail! Our front hall in Palm Beach has the same pink color on the ceiling as on the walls of the adjoining living room. The Venetian Murano chandelier contributes to the pink and green theme.
Think of ceilings as your fifth wall! Most guests rarely look up to the ceiling until they begin to feel notably comfortable in their surroundings, so something other than white can be an unexpected treat for your guests’ eyes to discover.
Historically, grand ceilings painted by extraordinary artists were meant to impress. This brings back a fond memory of the Baroque ceiling by Francis Hayman in the Music Room at Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey). The original canvas, from the 1730s, was cut to fit the ornate ceiling plasterwork design. Photo credit: Chris McLaughlin
I honor the tradition of a white ceiling for historic or classically designed houses. When the trim is white, I will specify the same white color on the ceiling (versus an ordinary “white ceiling” paint). My wood trim color of choice is Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 semi-gloss, and then I use the same color, but in a flat finish, for the ceiling.
Another option, especially for a resort house or a 21st-century interior, is to consider painting your ceiling the same pastel color as the walls, or another color.
The ceiling and walls are the same pink. Note how the semi-gloss on the trim adds a lovely hint of sheen against the flat finish on the walls.
My secret pink recipe is Ben Moore Pink Peony # 2078-70, cut in half with 50% white, with a flat finish!
Remember, you can ask to have any paint color on your walls cut in half with 50% white (or more) for your ceilings. Cutting the color in half will soften the color considerably for the ceilings.
A ceiling can also become the perfect canvas for clever and whimsical art. See the artwork on our daughter Caroline’s bathroom ceiling here, which has a “blue sky with puffy clouds” at Fox Hall.
Grandmillenial Tips:
-A flat finish is my first choice for walls. But if you have children, an eggshell finish is a bit more forgiving for wiping away those “darling” little fingerprints!
The soft blue walls and ceiling in our former Palm Beach bedroom are Ben Moore Winter Ice #866, cut with 25% white in a flat finish. The trim and lacquered furniture are in BM White Dove OC-17, semi-gloss.
When choosing any color, order large paper paint samples and place them on various walls during the day and night. The light in a room changes during the day and at night, so the hue of the paint color will change, too. Or, try painting actual color samples on the walls.
-Remember that your furniture, art, and curtain colors may also have a reflectability on your walls, so consider that too.
-My dear friend and talented designer in Palm Beach, Katherine Shenaman, recommends “Sherwin Williams Mountain Air 6224 cut by 25% white for ceilings or walls, and it looks nice with Chantilly Lace (Ben Moore-OC 65), a soft cotton white; a happy pairing!”
So, are you inspired? What will you do with your 5th wall?!
Xx
Holly
PS I am so honored that my "Private Luncheon" at Fox Hall on September 20 filled so quickly, so I am hosting another one the next day on September 21. The last few spots are open. I hope you can attend! Please email whitney@hollyholden.com if you are interested in attending on September 21 and she will provide all the details!