| Many of today's larger homes have wide | | | | or rec. room now. There are dozens of patterns |
| expanses of white and off white ceilings that | | | | of recessed lights that are trimmed with ornate |
| overwhelm the room and destroy the decorating | | | | metals to enhance ceilings that are less than 10 |
| style. This is most apparent in homes with | | | | foot. These include baffles. Baffles are similar to |
| ten-foot ceilings, and cathedral ceilings. | | | | recessed lighting, but are more ornate. |
| Most home decorators are unable to see beyond | | | | Ceiling art is the most overlooked aspect of home |
| the smooth white or stucco decorated ceiling. | | | | decorating. Most rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, |
| While stucco decorations are popular, and can be | | | | and dining rooms, do not need ceiling art. |
| quite artistic when done properly by a | | | | However, ceiling patterns can change the entire |
| professional, their only aesthetic aspect is the | | | | look of a foyer or a long hall, bringing symmetry |
| relief. | | | | and beauty to the entire area. |
| For hundreds of years, decorating did not stop at | | | | Another type of ceiling treatment is dropped |
| the top of the walls. Many artists expanded the | | | | ceilings. There are two types of dropped ceilings, |
| elements of ceiling art to include plaster designs, | | | | those that hang on racks, and ceiling panels. Plane |
| murals, recessed light mounts, trims of highly | | | | ceiling panels are perfect for low basements. |
| polished wood, ornate tin panels, and glass. | | | | They still have metal seams dividing the panels, |
| There is no reason why some of these elements | | | | but they are more decorative than the panels |
| cannot be added to today's suburban homes. | | | | made for offices. |
| When compared to the price of flooring and | | | | The second type of panel, the English or Coffer, |
| window treatments, ceiling tiles and decorations | | | | are shaped like puzzle pieces. There are no |
| are not expensive. | | | | seams, but they must be laid on-top of another |
| Some of the most beautiful ceiling treatments are | | | | ceiling. They are far too ornate for a rec-room or |
| English and Coffered designs. Many of today's | | | | common room, and too expensive, but they are |
| patterns rival those found in England's most | | | | perfect for a dining room, or a large common |
| beautiful manors. | | | | room. |
| A more cost effective alternative are ceiling | | | | Dropped ceilings and ceiling panels offer no sound |
| patterns. These are very ornate and decorative | | | | barrier or heat retention value. Their only purpose |
| designs made to look like wood relief patterns. | | | | is aesthetic. |
| These are not made to cover the entire ceiling, or | | | | These alternatives to stucco give rooms a degree |
| cover flaws, but to add a decorative and artistic | | | | of beauty and elegance that cannot be achieved |
| aspect to the room. | | | | by the quality of flooring, the home decorating |
| Many ceiling patters can be used to trim the | | | | style, or even the quality of the home. All home |
| ceiling, not between the wall and ceiling, but right | | | | decorators need to take time to study ceiling |
| on the ceiling, about 10" back from the edge. | | | | decorations before they start decorating the rest |
| Recessing the lights is not only for the basement | | | | of the room. |