Those of you who follow our updates on Facebook and Twitter might have wondered why we slept in the guest bedroom for a few nights last weekend. The reason: we painted the master bedroom ceiling.
One of the best parts of blogging about home projects is that we’re always learning. We haven’t mastered every decorating trick, and when we discover something that truly changes a room for the better, we love sharing it. This was one of those times.
We’d lived with Glidden’s Gentle Tide on the bedroom walls for three years and loved it. The room already felt polished and luxurious thanks to floor-to-ceiling curtains, breezy blue tones, and crisp white trim, but the bright white ceiling and matching crown molding felt a little flat. The ceiling was acting like the neglected “fifth wall,” and it didn’t highlight the crown molding the way we wanted.
We solved it with two $7 quarts of paint. First we taped paint chips to the ceiling and observed them throughout the day to see how the light affected each option. Taping swatches to the ceiling is essential because light hits that plane differently than the walls; a shade that looks light on a wall can read dark on the ceiling and vice versa. With the swatches in place it was easy to eliminate ones that were too purple, too gray, too dark, or too odd, until we found the right balance.
We chose the swatch that felt like a lighter, fresher version of the wall color with a hint of celery green. Instead of mixing a lighter version of the wall color (the safe route), we picked a swatch with a touch more green to subtly layer in a beachy blue-green tone without being obvious. In photos the green is subtle, but in person it brings a soft, unexpected depth to the ceiling.
We used two quarts of flat paint: Glidden’s Cool Cucumber. The shade is a super soft green—think the inside of a cucumber—and while the swatch doesn’t read blue, it picked up cool blue tones from the room for a lovely effect. We chose quarts because we didn’t want to store a full gallon for a small job; two quarts were economical, provided enough coverage, and left a manageable amount for touch-ups. We also picked flat finish because it hides imperfections better than eggshell or satin and gives the ceiling a smooth, seamless look. Here’s John rolling the paint (he’s our roller pro while I cut in):
The instant we put paint on the ceiling we knew it was the right choice. The crown molding went from blending into the background to becoming a standout architectural detail. The new ceiling color doesn’t scream “green ceiling” — it reads like a soft piece of sea glass with just a hint of celery. It layers with the greeny-gray-blue walls for a look that feels fresh and dimensional rather than overly matchy.
Most importantly, replacing the blinding white with a pale celery tone made the room feel airy and more expansive. The white ceiling had actually made the ceiling feel closer; the softer tone helps it recede and gives the impression of greater height.
Our capiz chandelier also interacts beautifully with the new ceiling color. The light bounces around and creates a soft glow, like the inside of a seashell, making the room feel both refreshing and cozy. The crown molding now reads as a lively design element that frames the room rather than disappearing into the background.
We completed the project in under three hours for less than fifteen dollars. We slept in the guest bedroom for a few nights afterward to limit our exposure to paint fumes—Glidden’s low-VOC formula helps, but we prefer to be cautious—while keeping the master bedroom windows open and a fan running. Now we’re plotting to paint the ceilings in our guest rooms, living room, and sunroom, and we can’t wait to try more subtle ceiling colors around the house.
If you’ve had any decorating lightbulb moments lately, tell us about them. A few months ago we would never have considered anything other than crisp white for a ceiling, and now we’re hooked on the subtle depth a soft color can add. We’d love to hear what discoveries you’re making at home.