Ceilings with Feelings.
When you crave more character above you than just pocket lights and white drywall—your guide to ceilings and vaulted ceilings.
I wear my heart on my sleeve just as much as I wear my obsession with a good ceiling trellis or beam
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When I was diving into my Guide to Feng Shui book, my heart nearly stopped when I read that exposed beams are a big no-no in Feng Shui. Apparently, energy bounces from one ceiling to the next, and an exposed ceiling keeps you unbalanced (at least in the Feng Shui world). But maybe that’s exactly why beams work for me! I’m so unbalanced in my day-to-day cycle that the feeling of imbalance somehow makes me balanced.
Either way, I LOVE AN EXPOSED CEILING. Sorry, Feng Shui—at this point, I need to do me.
Let’s dive in. I think this was a huge discussion with my husband—or maybe more of a begging session—but either way, I did have a beam account set aside so I could personally do whatever I wanted with the ceilings in our home. I had to be mindful of costs, so I found ways to achieve the look without breaking the bank
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And YES, YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
The funny thing is, my architect told me the only thing he doesn’t like in my bedroom is the 2x4s—because he knows they’re 2x4s. Yes, I used 2x4s as faux beams in my bedroom! But guess what? If you’re not in construction (or even if you are), you forget about it and realize they actually fit the space. Who needs expensive barn wood shipped from some chapel in Paris when you have Home Depot 2x4s, folks? My secrets are not so secret anymore!
You can incorporate beams in so many unique ways. And sure, it can get expensive if you want it to—but let’s dream a little here, okay?
I love built-in carpentry square ceilings. I know there’s a word for it (and I could Google it), but honestly, I’m too lazy. Either way, it’s so pretty.
I also love when beams run in the opposite direction of a vaulted ceiling—like I did in my own home
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Notice the depth of these beams? They extend down into the space and have a larger width. Really love this
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There’s something undeniably charming about a rustic ceiling. It exudes history and gives me the same cozy feeling as a fireplace
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A chevron ceiling like this? Spectacular
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And this little beam moment in a kitchen banquette seating area? Genius. It adds so much interest to the room.
So there you have it, folks. Ceilings do have feelings! As you can see, they come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, and you can adjust them to your liking. Don’t be shy when it comes to your ceilings! Lately, I’ve seen a lot of vaulted ceilings that feel unfinished with just drywall—so take that as your cue to have fun with them!
XO JM