Happy Monday, friends! Today I want to share with you a few ideas on how to use ceiling medallions in your home. Medallions were originally called, “centers” because they were located in the center of a room above a chandelier or light fixture. Who knew? Come see some beautiful ceiling medallion ideas!
Let’s face it, the ceiling, or 5th wall as some call it, is often the most neglected part of a room. Most builders routinely paint walls and ceilings with a generic white paint and it’s up to the buyer to add interest and color via wallpaper and/or paint. Some designers use wallpaper or contrasting paint on ceilings for a dramatic touch. But there is another way to add interest to a ceiling by way of ceiling medallions and lighting!
Ceiling medallions have been around for hundreds of years, growing in popularity in the 1800’s. If you’ve ever toured older homes, often they have the most elaborate and gorgeous medallions I’ve ever seen! These photos were taken last fall when my husband and I were in Paris. One can never accuse the French of ignoring the 5th wall! Between The Opera House, Versailles and Napoleon’s Apartment, these were some of the most spectacular chandeliers and medallions I’ve ever seen! And, obviously, these folks did not believe in white or neglected ceilings……
Historically, medallions were made of plaster or carved wood. Today, they are mostly made from plastic or polyurethane foam. This of course makes them lighter and easier to work with and hang. It also makes them easier to drill, paint and more affordable. Medallions can be found in numerous places. (On a much less-grand scale than in France.) I found this one, new, at a boutique in Doylestown a few years ago. I asked for it for Christmas, but knowing we were moving, saved it for our future home. This one is made of metal and resembles vintage ceiling tiles. It’s been painted and antiqued, but is still light weight.
This medallion measures approximately 39 inches across. When we moved to our new home, I knew it would be perfect in our dining room. Thankfully it fit perfectly between the reclaimed wooden beams. Our electrician centered it and secured it with a few screws. He also had to widen the hole in the center to accommodate the wiring and canopy.
This is the chandelier I hauled from our last house. Again, I couldn’t bear to leave it behind! I knew it would pair beautifully with the ceiling medallion in our new dining space.
I feel like the medallion adds character and charm to the ceiling and elevates the richness of the chandelier. (Who would believe this chandelier was only $100 when I salvaged it years ago?)
I had this ceiling medallion from our last house that I wasn’t able to use, so I gave it to my sister. She painted it white to match her trim and had the electrician hang this beautiful chandelier in her new master suite. To see more of this chandelier transformation see here: Large Chandelier in Master Bedroom!
I found this medallion (along with one other) at a consignment store for $12 each. Made of polyurethane, it is very light weight with lovely details. It was beyond cleaning and some of the paint was chipping, so I decided to paint it.
I painted the medallion with a semi-gloss white spray paint by Rust-Oleum. A few coats is all it took! Now it’s fresh and crisp, in search of a new home. For now it’s safely tucked away in my treasure room. Oh, boys???
Ceiling medallions are a great way to enrich an ordinary ceiling and add character to an otherwise overlooked space. Also, if your chandelier placement is slightly off-center from the junction box, a ceiling medallion can be moved over to cover the box and hide a multitude of sins. Most medallions can be painted to match your decor. You can even use a collection of medallions as wall decor! (photo credit: The Architectural Depot.)
So, if you are looking to add a little pizazz to your ceiling, keep an eye out for ceiling medallions. And if the color doesn’t go with your decor, simply paint it, gold leaf, or antique it! To me, a chandelier is a great way to add charm and interest to any space, be it a dining room, bedroom, bathroom or closet. Why not pair it with a beautiful ceiling medallion to up the WOW factor? They are affordable and easy to install. Some of them even come in pieces so you can place them over an existing chandelier without hiring an electrician to take down the fixture. How easy is that?
Well, that’s a wrap for the 5th wall and ceiling medallions! Stay warm and dry and let’s chat again soon? I can hardly wait for warmer, drier weather so I can start on a few painting projects! Have a great day and thank you as always for stopping by. What are you working on? Do tell! xoxo Dell