To paint our wooden ceiling or not?

4 years ago

We have moved into a 70s split level bungalow. The lounge has a high wood clad ceiling paired with a slate fireplace. I wont tell you too much about my feelings about the ceiling but I would love some opinions. We have already removed some round fluorescent tube lights and replaced them with sputnik style lights. We want to keep the fireplace in some form (perhaps reduced to the section in the middle and with a contemporary stove?)

Featured Answer

Sonia

4 years ago

Hi, if it was mine I would paint it. It will then blend into the walls and not be so oppressive. I actually like wood cladding as long as it is painted. I like the slate fireplace too.

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Comments (24)

Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
I can’t seem to see the photos I posted so here they are
minnie101
4 years ago
It depends what you like really :) I think it sits well with the style of the fire and Sputnik lights although it's bringing out the green in the slate. Plasterboarding may be a cheaper option if you wanted to get rid completely (if you don't like it) Or just tone down the orange a bit. It would be good to see the whole of the fire from the front but from what can be seen the shelf looks nice and useful. Maybe you could get rid of the niche using the slate that's on the other wall?
Alison Oliver thanked minnie101
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Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

Thanks. I think what we are struggling with a bit is the fact that we would love to do parquet on the floor but we don’t want the place to start to look like a sauna. We like mid century style but I think the ceiling as gone a bit dark....we’re not sure how to make it lighter without painting. It does however feel cosy in the evening. One idea we had was to have a grey toned herringbone parquet on the floor but then it might all be a bit grey.....
Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago

Photos don‘t seem to want to post! The door to the left of the fireplace will be going as that leads to a bit of a dark corridor which is surplus to requirements- we plan to use the space inside the master bedroom and create an en-suite. With that in mind I felt it was probably better to get rid of the lower slate bits of either side of the Chimney breast....but it may be tricky, it’s v well put together!
Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
Another view
PRO
Kerry Bryan Interiors
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Hi Alison

Your taste and preferred style is quite a huge factor on how I'd advise you to keep or change the ceiling. Are you looking for a contemporary/modern design, or a cabin/rustic type style, maybe even a scandi/minimal look. Once I know the type of look you like or roughly the style you'd like to achieve, I'd be happy to give you some ideas on how you can change the ceiling or make the most of it's current look. :)

How I'd work this space...

I'd remove the extra shelving additions to the fireplace (left and right), fill in the shelf within the fireplace wall, and change the material of the fireplace to something like the image below (stone). The paneling on the ceiling I'd either sand right back to a light sandy colour and or paint white to brighten the space, but keep the character, while painting the surrounding walls white to help reflect light throughout the space.

Let me know what you think! And feel free to get in touch if you need any help. :)

- Kerry

Ceiling Idea

How the white walls will help

Flooring

Fireplace idea (but you could keep your slate fireplace minus the sides)
Alison Oliver thanked Kerry Bryan Interiors
Daisy England
4 years ago
It has to go. Either paint it white or replaster.
Alison Oliver thanked Daisy England
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
Please do paint it !
Alison Oliver thanked OnePlan
Juliet Docherty
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

The Greenhills House · More Info

I love it and I would keep it for sure. I also wouldn't have a wooden floor, maybe a slate floor would be good. If you do keep the ceiling, then I would keep all other colours in the room very muted and balance it with lots of cream or white.
Alison Oliver thanked Juliet Docherty
Jonathan
4 years ago
If it were mine I would have no hesitation in stripping off the wood and then having the ceiling overboarded or skimmed.
Alison Oliver thanked Jonathan
tamp75
4 years ago
Paint it. It will help to make the room much lighter.
Alison Oliver thanked tamp75
Juliet Docherty
4 years ago
It's probably down to if it feels oppressive or not. If it does then lose it, if it doesn't and you like it then keep it but pare down other elements. Im not sure I would paint the wood, it would be so much work. Over boarding it would make more sense. Either way, a fantastic property.
Alison Oliver thanked Juliet Docherty
Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for all the suggestions. I really like mid century so initially thought we'd keep the ceiling and pare down the rest (similar to that photo colourhappy)- white walls, less slate, some simple Danish teak furniture. Thanks for all the ideas Kelly Bryan!

I don't think the ceiling feels particularly oppressive as it's open to the kitchen (which we have overboarded). The ceiling is causing a bit of controversy with the family though and it's good to get some opinions from outsiders! Overboarding and plastering is definitely an option we could do as my husband used to be a plasterer but I don't want us to regret it!
PRO
Brandler London
4 years ago
This type of ceiling was often installed by a keen DIYer and is cheap and cheerful and easy to install

Personally as a lover of wood I would either remove it and replaster the original ceiling or paint it. If your husband is a plasterer then perhaps get him to remove a small section and have a look at the condition of the original ceiling before making a decision.

Obviously paint the existing wooden ceiling is going to be a lot less disruptive than plastering the original.

Best of luck with your project.
Alison Oliver thanked Brandler London
Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Brandler! Having removed quite a large section of the cladding over the kitchen portion of the room, we actually believe it is original to when the house was built- there was nothing but unplastered boards underneath. Our surveyor seems to confirm this as he said the house was actually built by his uncle and he remembers it from when he was a child, in exactly the same deceorative state as when we bought it (it was a bit of a time capsule!). The bathroom was almost completely covered in the stuff (apart from where there was sunflower tiles). I think we really need to have a think good think about it as it obvilously influences what we put on the floor....
Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
I just wanted to thank everyone who have given their vote :). Definitely food for thought! Will update the thread when we eventually get round to this room (bathroom first! We are currently showering outside! :))
Carolina
4 years ago
Hi, I thought that maybe a visual will help you decide, so I did a quick mockup for you
Alison Oliver thanked Carolina
Anthony (Beano)
4 years ago
Dam tricky one, super mid century which I love and the picture that colourhappy posted is a cracking setup with the leather sofa and colours

Saying that, I can see the want to have it smooth and white! Either way your not going to go wrong in my eyes if that makes sense!
Alison Oliver thanked Anthony (Beano)
Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Carolina! That's really helpful.
obobble
4 years ago
With limited exceptions (mountain chalets etc) I prefer wooden ceilings like this to be painted. However, it’s a lot of work and if your husband can plaster that might be the most efficient way to turn it white or whatever other colour you choose.
Alison Oliver thanked obobble
rinked
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Personally I'd remove the slate (even though it looks amazing) and work with the pine ceiling. Some inspirational images (hopefully). Either embrace the dark or add plenty of light surfaces and furniture.

Perhaps adding white beams like in the last two images would visually 'lift' the pine?
rinked
4 years ago
Love those sputnik lamps by the way!
Alison Oliver
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Rinq. Some great ideas there!