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8 Alternatives Beyond the Boring White Ceiling
Embrace ceilings that are dynamic, creative and make your rooms stand out
All too often clients, architects and designers are faced with budget and building constraints that limit opportunities for ceiling features. This story looks at alternatives beyond the flat white ceiling that may give the wow factor you are looking for and, in some instances, satisfy both budget and building limitations.
Complement the found object/recycled look by using standard grade boards for walls and ceilings. If you are looking for something that is sleek, specify select grade boards, which will eliminate any material inconsistencies including knots and odd colours. If you are concerned about any boards make sure you give clear instructions to your builder on the standard you are looking for.
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See more of this house
2. VJ (vertical joint) timber lining
VJ timber lining is a beautiful alternative that finishes off a certain beachside and homely appeal. Bought in panels or individual boards, it can often be an economical alternative to plasterboard.
VJ timber lining is a beautiful alternative that finishes off a certain beachside and homely appeal. Bought in panels or individual boards, it can often be an economical alternative to plasterboard.
3. Bring back ply
Popular in architectural icons of the ‘70s, the ply ceiling is making a comeback with the necessity for more affordable options, and just because they can look great, like in this Sydney home by Watershed Design. Whether natural or limed, ply panels add interest, warmth and can also complement the rake of the ceiling.
Popular in architectural icons of the ‘70s, the ply ceiling is making a comeback with the necessity for more affordable options, and just because they can look great, like in this Sydney home by Watershed Design. Whether natural or limed, ply panels add interest, warmth and can also complement the rake of the ceiling.
Consider staining the boards in an alternative colour. The grain will still visible and it allows you to play with colours that expand and contract a room.
This house at Hanging Rock, Victoria, by Kerstin Thompson Architects was recently short-listed in the National Architecture Awards.
This house at Hanging Rock, Victoria, by Kerstin Thompson Architects was recently short-listed in the National Architecture Awards.
4. Black is back
Have you considered an alternative colour on your ceiling? The experts at Steele Associates used a dark ceiling above exposed timber rafters to achieve height within the room of this home.
Have you considered an alternative colour on your ceiling? The experts at Steele Associates used a dark ceiling above exposed timber rafters to achieve height within the room of this home.
Alternatively, create a classy space with a black ceiling. Interior designers at Etica Studio drew on the black features within this Western Australian bathroom, including the claw-foot bath enamel and grouting to tie the room together.
5. Tin is in?
As an architect working in inner-city suburbs, I am often having to deal with pressed metal ceilings. The ceiling my firm designed for this South Melbourne house master bedroom was made the feature of the room and painted gold. It’s very luxurious and not to everyone’s taste, but it is certainly a conversation starter.
As an architect working in inner-city suburbs, I am often having to deal with pressed metal ceilings. The ceiling my firm designed for this South Melbourne house master bedroom was made the feature of the room and painted gold. It’s very luxurious and not to everyone’s taste, but it is certainly a conversation starter.
Pressed metal has become widely available so perhaps introducing it into a period home as a feature adds a sense of nostalgia. Interior designer Camilla Molders used pressed metal on the ceiling and face of the bulkhead of this kitchen to great effect.
6. Sculpt it
The sculpted plasterboard ceiling of this suburban Melbourne home is simple and elegant, but rarely seen these days. The ceiling form can easily follow the structure of the roof design.
The sculpted plasterboard ceiling of this suburban Melbourne home is simple and elegant, but rarely seen these days. The ceiling form can easily follow the structure of the roof design.
The architects at Mihaly Slocombe used the ceiling to direct light to the living areas, create intimacy in others and provide a blank canvas for moving shadows, depending on what time of day it is.
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Concrete can be finished in myriad ways. The ceiling of this home has a slight sheen that complements the floor and kitchen finishes. The room is warmed by the timber eaves and brickwork which create colour and pattern in the background.
Exposing the details of the concrete structure, including off-form concrete, adds an extra level of fine and considered detail in this inner-city home in Sydney’s Glebe.
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See more of this home
8. Expose the truth
The beams of this warehouse conversion in Richmond, Victoria, may have always required exposure to create the light-emitting clerestory window, however the husband and wife team at K+ARchitects have cleverly specified the rich timber beams, drawing on the industrial heritage of the warehouse.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you have any ideas of ceiling treatments other than a white plasterboard ceiling? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
14 Ceiling Treatments That Will Make You Want to Look Up
Vaulted Ceilings: Are They Right for Your Next Home?
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
The beams of this warehouse conversion in Richmond, Victoria, may have always required exposure to create the light-emitting clerestory window, however the husband and wife team at K+ARchitects have cleverly specified the rich timber beams, drawing on the industrial heritage of the warehouse.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you have any ideas of ceiling treatments other than a white plasterboard ceiling? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
14 Ceiling Treatments That Will Make You Want to Look Up
Vaulted Ceilings: Are They Right for Your Next Home?
Black Ceiling: 11 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Go
This home on Victoria’s Mount Martha by Bower Architecture is an elegant example of playing with form by using timber for the external surfaces as well as the ceiling – the exterior clad in tongue and groove boards and the ceiling lined with veneered panels. Note how the veneer used inside allows downlights to be installed easily without the limitations of joints in the boards.