Ceiling Colors & Painting Ideas One of the most difficult tasks is to get a ceiling to tone in properly with the paint of the woodwork and wall surfaces. Painters have never outgrown the time when a pure white ceiling, well kalsomined, constituted all that was required of them. Yet there is practically no room where a pure white ceiling is desirable. The ceiling should be toned to match the wall surface. The higher the ceiling, the deeper the tone should be, in order to bring the ceiling down. In a north room as much warmth of color as permissible should be used to give a good effect. A very delicate light tone should be used in a room where we wish to heighten the effect of a low ceiling. Or, the finish of the ceiling may be brought down the width of a frieze which will tend to lower the appearance of the room. By these simple methods the appearance of the room can be changed by the ceiling. In the case of an old or very badly plastered ceiling, ceiling paper may be used. This should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, as a papered ceiling is apt to show cracks and to peel, especially in an over-heated house. In a room where there is a great deal of smoke, the ceiling may be painted and kept in a clean sanitary condition by occasional washing. Paneled ceilings have the effect of refinement and restfulness that is concomitant with paneled walls. The strips of molding may be applied in the same manner as to the walls, or else laid on in stucco. Patent stucco ceilings are excellent in a room of some pretensions. A good workman and a design suitable to the architectural character of the room are obligatory, however. Beamed ceilings are such an architectural feature that they should only be used in rooms where they are architecturally permissible. In early English, Italian, early Colonial and in camps and bungalows where a certain sturdi-ness of detail is evident, these ceilings which frankly show the constructive form are appropriate. They also "carry" best in a large room. A small room with large beams is overpowering and out of all proportion, and small beams in such a room would lack an effect of fitness to the true use of their being. The beams may be stained or painted to match the rest of the woodwork. Staining, however, is more desirable as this will show the grain of the wood when a strong light is shed on the ceiling. In an Italian room the beams may be decorated in a flat color design in deep blue, reds and, gold. This may be painted on with a stencil, but the design should be a copy of one originally used successfully in such a position in an Italian villa or palace. When toned to harmonize with the side walls, the space between the beams will give a room a pleasing harmony. Left white (while this is true to tradition), they will appear too glaring. Sheathing may be laid between the beams, which will make a heavy looking ceiling, but one of singular richness. Ceilings are one of the elements of a room that are unnoticeable if properly done. When not done properly they detract visibly from the interest of the interior. Pretentious ceilings should be used only in pretentious houses and simple ceilings in simple houses. As in everything else, the rule of the fitness of things applies here. Next: Window Curtains & Window Coverings | 