Decorating and Design - Color for wood ceiling?
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s2srea
10-21-09, 10:13 PM
Hi all; we're finishing escrow on a our first house. This is my first house so I'm trying to gather as much info as I can. I know there'll be mistakes, but hey that's the fun in it... right?:rolleyes:
If you look at the pictures here...
Living room view picture by s2srea - Photobucket (http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu286/s2srea/?action=view¤t=image003.jpg)
... and...
Loft picture by s2srea - Photobucket (http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu286/s2srea/?action=view¤t=image007.jpg)
... you'll notice the ceiling is very dark. Sort of gloomy. I want to paint it, but am undecisive on a color. Obviously white comes to mind. We were thinking of giving the walls a coat of a light beige or even light grey/blue.
Can anyone offer any suggestions?
If you look at the pictures here...
Living room view picture by s2srea - Photobucket (http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu286/s2srea/?action=view¤t=image003.jpg)
... and...
Loft picture by s2srea - Photobucket (http://s656.photobucket.com/albums/uu286/s2srea/?action=view¤t=image007.jpg)
... you'll notice the ceiling is very dark. Sort of gloomy. I want to paint it, but am undecisive on a color. Obviously white comes to mind. We were thinking of giving the walls a coat of a light beige or even light grey/blue.
Can anyone offer any suggestions?
marksr
10-22-09, 05:03 AM
Welcome to the forums and congratulations on becoming a homeowner!
Personally I'm not that fond of painting a wood ceiling. IMO the stained wood looks better... but that's me and I won't be the one living there :D Lighting may help to brighten up the room where you can keep the wood as is.
If you do paint, you'll need to use an oil base primer to seal the stain and promote adhesion. I'd recomend a latex enamel [maybe satin] for the top coats - it will help to highlight the wood and wouldn't be as prone to attract dirt like flat paint would.
I'll move your post to the 'decorating and design' section where I believe you will be better served for your color selections.
Personally I'm not that fond of painting a wood ceiling. IMO the stained wood looks better... but that's me and I won't be the one living there :D Lighting may help to brighten up the room where you can keep the wood as is.
If you do paint, you'll need to use an oil base primer to seal the stain and promote adhesion. I'd recomend a latex enamel [maybe satin] for the top coats - it will help to highlight the wood and wouldn't be as prone to attract dirt like flat paint would.
I'll move your post to the 'decorating and design' section where I believe you will be better served for your color selections.
pmgca
10-22-09, 10:25 AM
Hi s2srea,
I'd agree with marksr regarding the wood ceiling--> it is very nice ;) don't paint it! this is what you can do
Sand the wood and stain it with a very clear color. Then paint the walls with a not too light tan color
Two suggestions--> these are Sherwin Williams colors, just as guide)
SW 6080 Utterly bege
SW 6087 Trusty Tan
In this way, the ceiling will appear as "lighter" , but keeping the beauty of the wood
I'd agree with marksr regarding the wood ceiling--> it is very nice ;) don't paint it! this is what you can do
Sand the wood and stain it with a very clear color. Then paint the walls with a not too light tan color
Two suggestions--> these are Sherwin Williams colors, just as guide)
SW 6080 Utterly bege
SW 6087 Trusty Tan
In this way, the ceiling will appear as "lighter" , but keeping the beauty of the wood
marksr
10-22-09, 05:24 PM
Using a higher gloss poly will help the ceiling look lighter/brighter because the gloss will reflect more light.
Annette
10-23-09, 06:56 PM
i like the wood! but i can see how they might be too dark. instead of painting them, and covering the wood completely, i vote for lightening them. either strip them of the dark stain & reseal them (a lot of work!) or just whitewash/pickle them (painting them with a very watered-down transparent paint). that way, you still get the wood grain, but they're not so dark anymore.
that said - they seem dark now because they're in such stark contrast with all that white woodwork & white walls. if you incorporated some dark wood pieces of furniture, and toned down those white walls to something warmer, you might not want to change the wood ceiling at all. see how nice the ceiling looks with the rock around the fireplace? i think i'd paint the walls first & get some decorating going first and then see if you really don't mind the ceilings as much as you thought you did.
that said - they seem dark now because they're in such stark contrast with all that white woodwork & white walls. if you incorporated some dark wood pieces of furniture, and toned down those white walls to something warmer, you might not want to change the wood ceiling at all. see how nice the ceiling looks with the rock around the fireplace? i think i'd paint the walls first & get some decorating going first and then see if you really don't mind the ceilings as much as you thought you did.