A dark and moody library made more interesting by a wallpapered ceiling – Interiors by Lisa Flake of Caldwell Flake
I recently had the great pleasure of assisting the super talented and very charming designer Elizabeth Hourihan of EBH Interiors based out of Connecticut on a photo shoot. One of many things that I found myself inspired by was her use of wallpaper on the ceiling. It doesn’t have to be something that looks model homey (my rap name) or even kooky – it can be subtle and sophisticated. I’m including some images to inspire you to think about how this could potentially work in your own home. It is an especially easy way to add some glamour to a dining room or a powder room.
A tray or framed-out ceiling is ideal for paper, especially if you just want a little bit of texture and pattern – this one adds texture, glamour and highlights the fantastic gilded sunburst.I love wallpaper in a nursery or children’s room! There are so many fun patterns out available and a pattern really helps cozy up the space and add a touch of unexpected fun. This room was done AE Design.Great color scheme and fun wallpaper on the ceiling add some playfulness to very formal architecture. Interiors by Carla Aston.Lovely architecture and color scheme – the entry is pulled together by the wallpapered ceiling.I love this silver leaf paper in a fairly traditional dining room – a bit of glamour for a New England style room!Here’s a really fun, young look showing how to mix wallpaper on the walls with a different paper on the ceiling – this is from the Kips Bay Showhouse 2010 by Eve Robinson.A warm and bright nursery with grasscloth walls and starry wallpaper on the ceiling.
F.Schumacher, Lee Jofa, Maya Romanoff and Osborne & Little are a few of my top go to’s when selecting wall coverings for clients. Think a bit creatively with it – you may want a wood ceiling, for instance, in your study – look at the wood veneer and faux wood wall coverings that are available now; there are some higher end products that are stunning.
Of course, wallpaper on the ceiling always reminds me of two things – the incomperable Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, with whom I was fascinated by as a child:
and Paul Simon’s “One Man’s Ceiling is Another Man’s Floor” – love the piano in this and, having lived in Brooklyn underneath children who loved to jump rope, it has always held a particular meaning for me.
Laura is a Denver Interior Designer who runs an Interior Design Studio based in sunny Colorado with a strong commitment to livable and interesting interiors. She also runs The Colorado Nest, a Denver blog about Design, Art and Life in the Mountain West and co-hosts the book podcast "The Inside Flap" on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.
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1 thought on “Your Ceiling is Your Indoor Sky: A wallpapered ceiling can be sophisticated”
The Colorado Nest 
Beautiful photos and great ideas!