Looking Up: Exploring Painted Ceilings

Painted Ceilings
Inspiration Gallery









When contemplating a painted ceiling, it seems like there are two distinct directions to head in: continuing the wall color upward for an "infinity effect" or making the "5th wall" a color accent all its own. Either way, it's a bold decorating move, creating a huge impact for the cost of a gallon or so of paint (and maybe some aspirin for the stiff neck afterward!).
A few things to consider:
1. If you are isolating a unique color for the ceiling, make sure to test it generously there first in all light conditions (color often appears darker on a ceiling surface than on walls).
2. Rooms with architectural details like paneled ceilings, crown moldings or tray ceilings provide the easiest canvas for color.
3. Ignore what you've heard about the perception of size: a painted ceiling can actually make many rooms feel bigger by diminishing breaks between horizontal and vertical surfaces or drawing the eye upward.

1 Interior by Liz Williams Interiors

2 Decorpad, photo by Sarah Dorio

3 Canadian House and Home

4 Houzz

5 Interior by Christi Holcombe via Charm Home

6 via hamptons.com

7 via The Lennox

8 via Casa Sugar

Monday Color: Lavender

I recently noticed that my Monday Color blog posts have yet to feature any tones of purple which is not a surprise given my personal aversions to the hue. Even though purple has been revered in royal and religious traditions throughout time and its paler counterparts are stunning when found in nature's blossoms (think: lilac bushes, fields of lavender, patches of tiny violets), it's never been an easy color on my own eyes. But through the course of my vigilant sleuthing for this post I must admit that I have softened, coming to the conclusion that lavender IS a great color. With just the right amount of gray in a lavender wall, it can read almost neutral. It can live in balanced harmony with wood tones and its more serious color cousins, but can also have a glamorous, red-carpet persona when paired with the right accessories. Take a look at the many faces of lavender that have changed my mind for sure.....



























Images above:

1. This clean white and lavender South Hampton bedroom scheme mixes traditional elements with modern accents (found in House Beautiful, interior design by Kim Coleman and Michele Green, photograph by James Merrell).

2. A sophisticated cool palette of white and blue, with perfect symmetry to spare, gets softened by the oversized lavender modern art piece above the sofa in this beautiful living room.

3. The paneling, crown moulding, lavender walls and lush ultra suede settee all ooze with opulence, but when mixed with more casual contemporary pieces, the look remains balanced yet interesting. (Dining room designed by Eve Robinson Associates Inc, found on Be Interior Decorator).

4. Lavender walls are easy on the eyes with gray undertones, an abundance of white, and dark purple accents (found on decorpad.com).

5. You barely notice the bold lavender walls in this pattern-heavy, eclectic living with pops of spicy orange-red (found on the blog, The Desk of Annie).

6. These lavender walls almost read as a neutral when playing a supporting role to a bold mix of art and collectibles (found on Eclectic Revisited).

7. Glam accents, black upholstery, and citrus orange pair powerfully with lavender in this room designed by Anne Coyle.

8. The living room of Jessica Stam's Manhattan apartment (from elle decor 2008) is pure perfection - much like the model herself - especially the combination of the warm wood of those giant carved doors against the ladylike lavender walls.

9. Lilac Chi Chi Kari rug from Madeline Weinrib.

10. The Classic Duvet Cover with lavender trim from Pottery Barn Kids is a non-frilly way to bring the hue into a bedroom.

11. Lavender Ceramic Table Lamp from Victoria Lyon Interiors.

12. Lavender Cotton Linen Tea Towel in a stunning ikat fabric designed by Michelle Smith.

13. The Mirage wallpaper from Graham & Brown in Damson (on fireplace wall) features a hazy forest silhouette in a light purple palette that works surprisingly well in a multitude of decor styles.

Etsy Love: Georgia Varidakis Jewelry

I know I created my Saturday Etsy Love post to highlight the abundance of awesome eco-friendly housewares found on Etsy, and I've accomplished that mission so far with many a featured shop to come. But I stumbled across a line of jewelry so beautiful, so unique, and so 'me' yesterday that I just had to share. Shelves and lamps are great but sometimes a girl's just gotta blog about jewelry!! And for argument's sake, 'handmade' and 'locally produced' are key green qualities, and Georgia Varidakis' line of jewelry gets checkmarks for both. Here's my drool-enducing shopping list:




Attention future husband: I'd prefer this Double Bird Ring over a diamond engagement ring any day (available in sterling silver on Etsy and in yellow and rose gold through Georgia's website)!


A precious pair of Little Sterling Heart Earrings.


For the man who can pull off a 3 piece suit, but not without a little humor and style: Cow Head Cuff Links.


Every seafarer like myself needs a little nautical accent in their jewelry box, such as this tiny Anchor Necklace.





A few of my other favorites found only on Georgia's website: Fan Coral Brooch, Crystal Necklace, and Sword in the Stone Necklace.

Purge, Save and Do Good....at the Gap until 5/29

The purger and bargain-lover in me is psyched about this promotion that the Gap is running right now: take your gently used, unwanted garments to any Gap store between now and May 29th, 2011 and they will donate them to Goodwill AND give you 30% off your purchase! Grab a trash bag, open that closet and start tossing!!!

Monday Color: Orange

Was it the bright citrus hued robes that I encountered in my search for a Dalai Lama image to use in yesterday's random post? Or perhaps it was the torn magazine page featuring vibrant orange dahlias that is pinned to my bulletin board? Or possibly the orange-tinged sky at sunset tonight? Whatever it was....I tried to turn to other hues for today's post, but no. Orange seemed to be calling me everywhere I turned. So here's a tribute to one of the happiest decorating colors in existence; as an accent or spanning a whole wall, it has the power to energize a space and lift drooping spirits, monkhood not required.














Images above:

1. This orange kitchen found on Mod Res Des is beyond bold.

2. Orange walls don't overwhelm above classic white beadboard (found on elledecor.com).

3. Orange and gray pair harmoniously in this unique bathroom from apartmenttherapy.com.

4. My favorite color wheel opposites - orange and blue - come alive in shades of citrus and turquoise in this show-stopping living room, found on Coastal Living (photo by Annie Schlechter).

5. & 6. Orange paint makes the perfect accent on the walls of this striped nursery and tucked inside this little girls closet, both of which I designed for New York City area clients.

7. A pop of color perfect for sepia toned or color portraits. Jonathan Adler Enamel Curve Frame

8. Bungalow 5's vibrant Jacqui Side Table.

9. The awesomely punchy, yet sophisticated Quatrefoil Table Lamp in orange from Shades of Light.

10. Outdoor Dining Chair in an unexpected transparent orange finish.

11. Duc Duc's Austin Bunk Bed in white and orange, available through Clever Tomato.

A little sunday evening wisdom...

I don't have any interior design inspiration to post or ecological advice to wax on about today, just this beautiful profound quotation from the Dalai Lama that I pulled from - where else? - a facebook profile.



"The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered, 'Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. He is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.'"

Etsy Love: YAVA Glass

Happy Saturday to all!! I've been neglecting my regular Baby Green blog posts this week because it was my little guy's 6th birthday. After all, he's the motivation, inspiration and reason for everything I do here on this blog and in life in general, so he's clearly a worthy distraction.

Anyway, back to blogging......staring with my weekly Etsy Shop favorite: YAVA Glass. Recycling and upcycling glass beverage containers is not a unique concept but YAVA selects bottles with a rare, almost vintage-y flair, resulting in a collection that is ecologically responsible and pure fun. Plus, I love everything about Sedona, AZ, the place where these Etsy purveyors and creative glass recyclers call home.


The Leninade glass is my favorite.


A set of 4 recycled IBC Root Beer bottle glasses. Mmmmm.....I'm suddenly craving a plain slice and a root beer.


Dry Soda bottle glass in Cucumber (other colors available).


Recycled Coca Cola bottle glasses - set of 4.