DR ceiling treatment

16 years ago

I've been thinking about installing box beams painted white like the ceiling. I love this look plus we could add can lights without tearing into the ceiling (we'd install the cans in the box beams). This would be a plus because the DR chand elier is only 150 watt max. I love the chand elier so I don't want to change it and it's perfect for romantic meals but not so great at other times.

And then a recent thread posted by willowdecor about pale blue ceilings in kitchens (see link) reminded me that the other idea that has rattled around my brain was to paint the ceiling a pale blue. The upper 2/3rds of the DR are painted a deep red (Burnt Peanut) and the lower 1/3 is a soft caramel. The LR is painted BM Buxton Blue with red and soft go ld accents. I'd go with a paler version of the same blue.

What to do, what to do?

Could I do both? White box beams and blue ceiling? Is this a totally wacky idea? Would it look like I couldn't make up my mind (never mind that it's the truth)?

If I could combine both looks, I'd only do 4 beams, one along each wall about 1' or so out with cove molding where wall and ceiling meet.

Whether I do box beams solo or combine the two, would I need to eliminate the ceiling texture (currently a knock-down finish)?

If anyone has images of such a combination, please post or direct me to the links.

TIA!

Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Ceilings

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Comments (3)

amysrq
16 years ago
The box beams are an interesting idea and could certainly work with pale blue. What I don't like the sound of is cans recessed into the beams. Do you have a pic of this? I think it will detract from the beams. JMO.

Is there a way to bring light to the walls in the form of sconces? If you must have recessed lighting, I'd tear into the ceiling and do some wall washers.
lisa_a
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, amysrq. Glad to hear that I might be able to mix the two looks.

Most of the time I see cans placed in the ceiling between beams but I have seen cans in beams a few times on design shows on T*V (and yes I know not all things shown on T*V are good ideas ;-)) when it was impossible or difficult to add can lights into the ceiling.

The only show that I can recall is Divine Design but danged if I can find photos of that episode. It was an att*ic bed*room owned by a young couple and done in soft colors but that's all I can recall. Candace Olson uses smaller can lights (3" or 4", not sure) instead of the usual 6" can lights and I'm sure that helped the cans blend better.

I like the look of wall sconces but the location of doors and windows in our DR makes balancing placement to evenly light the room difficult. For this reason, ceiling light is the way to go.

But you did give me an idea. Perhaps I could do cove lighting instead of putting cans in the box beams. I'd really rather not tear into the ceiling (more $$$) if possible.

I'm going to make time to visit my local light*ing st*ore soon with my DR plan in hand and see what they suggest.

In the meantime, I'd still love more feedback (and photos if possible) about my idea. TIA!

Blast these stupid ad links! I hope I outsmarted all of them.
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lisa_a
Original Author
16 years ago
Found a site showing how to install can lights into box beams so even if it's not the norm, it can be done and often enough that people want to know how.

However, a Google image search for this in action wasn't successful (but that could be the search words I used and not necessarily the idea in general).

And that blasted ad link in my OP? Wasn't there when I previewed. Hate these ad links!

Here is a link that might be useful: Installing recessed lights