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Interior paint opinions -- walls vs. ceilings crabshell 09-02-2006
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Posted by jeffreydesign on September 3, 2006, 1:37 am
The best thing I can tell you is to just try it. It looks GREAT... and
everyone, I mean EVERYONE, that sees it loves it. What's most important
is that you learn how to use a paintbrush properly (if you don't
already know how.) Load it with paint only on the first inch or so (use
a 2 1/2 or 3" brush) and tap off the excess (don't use the edge of the
paint can or tray to scrape it off.) PUSH the paint up from the wall
towards the ceiling until you get a nice straight start about 1/4" (or
3/16" if you prefer) from the ceiling. Then move the brush (SLOWLY)
laterally pulling the paint in a straight line across the wall in line
with the ceiling. I suppose you could use tape and make a line, but I
just do it by hand - it comes out better. It's a nice touch that shows
quality and has a custom look. You'll see!

Jeff



jeffc wrote:
> > Darker on the walls, however a white ceiling isn't always the best idea
> > - you may want to consider a complimentry color (several shades
> > lighter) for the ceiling. It really depends on your room, the lighting,
> > etc.
> >
> > One thing I do when painting walls/ceilings that always gets positive
> > comments is I cut the wall color in about 1/4" below the actual ceiling
> > line. The reason this is done is that the actual line is RARELY
> > straight and if you have a lot of color difference between the walls
> > and the ceiling you don't want a jagged line (it will show.) I cut it
> > in slowly by hand and the results are spectacular and really worth the
> > effort.
>
> OK I'm intrigued. You seem to know what you're talking about but I remain
> skeptical and would like more convincing :-) But I have done a little
> professional painting myself and your technique about painting a line with
> tape was correct, so you have some credibility with me.
>
> When you say the ceiling line is rarely straight, do you mean the drywall
> guys didn't leave a perfectly square and straight angle to work with?
> That's usually true. But I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're
> talking about. But I want to learn new techniques. It seems that 1/4"
> extra space would look goofy. As you know, shadows and contrast change
> right at the angle between walls or wall and ceiling. That's why you can
> use a *slightly* off shade of paint on one wall, and no one will ever know
> if you paint the line accurately in a good line at the corner. The color
> always appears to change at the corner anyway. So won't it do the same
> thing on the ceiling corner if you paint white down 1/4" onto the wall?
> Please explain more, and thanks for bringing this up.


Posted by jeffc on September 3, 2006, 1:28 pm

> The best thing I can tell you is to just try it. It looks GREAT... and
> everyone, I mean EVERYONE, that sees it loves it. What's most important
> is that you learn how to use a paintbrush properly (if you don't
> already know how.) Load it with paint only on the first inch or so (use
> a 2 1/2 or 3" brush) and tap off the excess (don't use the edge of the
> paint can or tray to scrape it off.) PUSH the paint up from the wall
> towards the ceiling until you get a nice straight start about 1/4" (or
> 3/16" if you prefer) from the ceiling. Then move the brush (SLOWLY)
> laterally pulling the paint in a straight line across the wall in line
> with the ceiling. I suppose you could use tape and make a line, but I
> just do it by hand - it comes out better. It's a nice touch that shows
> quality and has a custom look. You'll see!

Yes, I know how to use a brush properly. So you find you're able to keep
this line a consistent 1/4" (or whatever) from the ceiling? Sounds hard to
do (I've only done it with a corner, whether the corner be at the juncture
of 2 walls, wall and trim, wall and door frame, etc.) But I guess I'll give
it a try.



Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on September 2, 2006, 1:22 pm

> Should I use a darker white on the ceilings and a bright white on the
> walls
> or would I be better off using the bright white on the ceilings and a
> slightly darker white on the walls? Yes, this question may strike some as
> ridiculous but it's driving me crazy.

To most people, darker on the bottom, lighter on the top seems more natural
and pleasing. This is true of contrasting as well as complimentary colors.
Bright white walls will probably look like a sterile operating room, but if
that is what you like . . . . .



Posted by TakenEvent on September 2, 2006, 3:14 pm

> I want to paint most of my interior walls bright white but I'm not sure
> what to do about the ceilings. My ceilings have the identical texture as
> the walls so the only way to create some contrast is by varying the color.
>
> Should I use a darker white on the ceilings and a bright white on the
walls
> or would I be better off using the bright white on the ceilings and a
> slightly darker white on the walls? Yes, this question may strike some as
> ridiculous but it's driving me crazy.
>
> -crabshell
>


There is nothing wrong with using a darker color on the ceiling. If you get
the right color, it's much nicer than simply using white. Just know that
any color you use on the ceiling will reflect down onto bright white walls.
A soft pastel wouldn't look too bad or reflect too much, depending on the
sheen of your wall paint. I've seen blue, brown, and dark green ceilings
work out just fine. Dark green with stained crown molding looks nice.

If you're crazy over this, just go to a paint store and buy whatever ceiling
paint they offer. It is usually just a cheaper flat paint that's a tad
grayer than bright white, and will look fine.




Posted by rick m on September 2, 2006, 8:08 pm
Another idea: I live in an old house that has a fairly thick molding
(3" thick, it's 9" from the ceiling). I painted my ceilings white. The
walls I painted a light shade of whatever color the room was to be. The
area between the molding and the ceiling I painted a dark shade of what
I went on the wall. The molding I painted a white (along with the
trim). It makes the ceiling looks like it's floating a bit and they
seem higher. It's a nice effect.

crabshell wrote:
> I want to paint most of my interior walls bright white but I'm not sure
> what to do about the ceilings. My ceilings have the identical texture as
> the walls so the only way to create some contrast is by varying the color.
>
> Should I use a darker white on the ceilings and a bright white on the walls
> or would I be better off using the bright white on the ceilings and a
> slightly darker white on the walls? Yes, this question may strike some as
> ridiculous but it's driving me crazy.
>
> -crabshell


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