Maximalism 101: Don’t Forget the 5th Wall!
Photo by Donna Griffith
Bored of your own four walls? No surprise if you’re only thinking within four walls! Here’s the deal and I want you to help me scream this from the rooftops: “The ceiling is your fifth wall!”
Once you see some of these ideas, you’ll understand why I live for a creative ceiling. From wallpaper to trim to paint to pattern, things instantly look up when there’s some fun above!
So let’s raise the roof. Here are some of my tried and true tips for taking your ceiling from so-so to so-so stunning.
All the Trimmings
Photo by Donna Griffith
I absolutely adore a well-trimmed moment! At Project Cheltenham, we ended up finding this gorgeous starburst light fixture by Visual Comfort that served as our North Star. With its brass rays and celestial vibe, we created an octagonal trim pattern that drew the eye upward as if towards the stars! Painted in all white, I loved how it was an understated, yet impactful detail that took the room to new heights!
It’s Getting Hot (Pink) In Here
Photo by Donna Griffith
As a Maximalist, I love drama. I love layers. I love impact. At Project Cranbrooke, there are so many quiet corners to get lost in, but the loudest part of the room was definitely the hot pink ceiling! We covered it in this beautifully textured Philip Jeffries wallpaper called Manila Hemp in Honeysuckle. It was a dramatic contrast against the blue hue on the walls and is quite literally the crowning glory of the room.
Matchy, Matchy!
Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs
On the opposite side of the spectrum is playing the matching game. I love a paired-up, pared-down moment where the painted colour bleeds beyond the trim and pools onto the ceiling. It brings a whole new meaning to breaking the 4th wall and putting a lid on things!
Pattern Play
Photo by Donna Griffith
Solid colours are a solid decision, but I can never conceal my passion for pattern! Whether it’s plumes in the dining room or stripes in the bedroom, pattern always finds a happy home on the ceiling for me. I also find it’s the perfect way for people to play with wallpaper if they’re a bit timid of splashing pattern on all the walls. As the 5th wall, feel free to consider it your accent wall!
Whether it’s textured or flat, patterned or solid, in or out, the amount of creativity and beautiful layering you can have with a statement ceiling is endless, so I say go for it! The sky's the limit, after all!
XO,