Looking UP

Shereen Lurie shares the latest ideas for sprucing up your ceiling

- Shereen Lurie

Commonly known as the “fifth wall”, the ceiling is often an afterthought in interior design. However, by incorporating it into your overall interior scheme, you’ll create a far greater sense of cohesiveness in the various spaces of your home. We discuss the various ways you can transform this blank canvas into an exciting design opportunity.

WHERE TO BEGIN?

With the materials available today and designers pushing the limits, your options are endless. Nicole De Freitas, director of Pudlo SA, in collaboration with Jason Courts from Plaster Art, says design trends have changed from minimal shadowline flush ceilings to highly decorative and ornate finishes and pressed and vaulted ceilings. “Ceiling options include pressed tin, coffered detailing and, a trend gaining traction, barrel-vaulted ceilings.”

Ceilings, bulkheads, metal strip ceilings and various lighting incorporated smartly into a ceiling system can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing in any space, says Barry Gould, managing director of Capco Ceilings and Partitions. “Capco offers many aluminium trims designed to enhance and highlight the aesthetics.”

De Freitas says regarding the style and design of your ceiling, you should be cognisant of the area it is in, as well as the height and size of the room.

“Consideration needs to be given to the services that may be necessary – for example electrical, air conditioning and networking – and planning and preparation should occur. The most important part of any ceiling is the lighting. This needs to be designed cohesively with the ceiling to ensure optimum accents.”