Ceiling Medallions
I have a double parlor. The front room has decorative molding and a very ornate ceiling medallion, which I had cleaned up. The back room I added wiring for a central light fixture so I will have two light fixtures in this space. The back room had no decorative anything, so I added crown molding….
I have a double parlor. The front room has decorative molding and a very ornate ceiling medallion, which I had cleaned up. The back room I added wiring for a central light fixture so I will have two light fixtures in this space. The back room had no decorative anything, so I added crown molding.
My question is about a ceiling medallion for the back room. I would like to get some advice on ceiling mediallions, since I will have to add something there. The front room is pretty florid and fancy dancy so I don’t think I want to try to reproduce anything like that but to get something that will finish the space off a little.
Can anyone give me some info about your experiences with these things, best source, best type (are the polyurethene ones terrible, i.e. plastic looking) or should I stick to plaster. Are the plaster ones hard to install? Any tips. I am thinking of getting a pretty basic circular beaded edged one.
Any info would be very appreciated!!
We installed 3 very beautiful plaster medallions purchased from a small company called Felber. Google them and you’ll find the website which illustrates all the available styles. Our contractor had no difficulty installing them and the detail on each is gorgeous. I particularly like that they all have a good “profile”, ie. the degree to which they stand proud of the ceiling is substantial and makes them look authentic.
i have 3 polyurethane medallions. They are gorgeous. We had them put in as part of a faily pricey restoration job in our living room and study, and I’d be really bummed out if they looked cheesy. They don’t. Other people who live in our building thought they were original but restored. They look plaster to me and everyone else, apparently. Installation takes about 5 min to 15 min — depending on whether you need to remove the light fixture first.
JimDiki, I was thinking of using joint compound to glue the medallion to the ceiling but now I will try your helpful advice.
I have 3 plaster and 2 polyurethane ceiling medallions installed in my home. My painter installed the plaster ones and considered it a cinch. Installation of the polyurethane ceiling medallions was even simpler, especially since their centers are usually precut for the electrical wires. . . not always the case with the plaster medallions. However, aesthetically speaking, I would never install the polyurethane type again (and, in fact, I plan to uninstall the ones I have some day). IMO, the polyurethane just looks tacky.
You can find a nice selection of plaster ceiling medallions on eBay.
Hi I’m the original poster. That’s a great idea about the photograph, re light fixtures; I think that would be helpful and thank you IMBY for the references and the store in Manhattan. I will check that out.
One thing to try is taking photos. Somehow photo graphs make “seeing” the room easier. Try to get a photo that encompasses the view that a person would have if they stood in the front room looking into the back room — and then the opposite view, standing in the back room looking toward the front. This will give you a perspective on the balance between the two rooms. It could be that the right light fixture (in the back room) that can be enjoyed from either room is all you need. Think focal point.
http://www.balmer.com/moulding.html%20http://www.focalpointap.com/ or go to Dykes Lumber
There was a plaster moulding place on Lafayette Street in Manhattan below Houston Street. Across from the fire house. They had the exact 100 yr old plaster medalions in stock that were used in my house. They had the mold. Amazing since it was a very odd Egyptian Eastlake Style . I don’t know if they are still in business. Architectural Moulding or some such name.
The style you are thinking about will be widely available.