Ceilings: Color from Head to Toe
04/25/2007 03:46 PM by Gretchen Schauffler

At some point along the way, having a white ceiling became gospel. I don’t have any record of when it all began or who started it, but I can tell you that everyone recites the same mantras, with unwavering conviction about why you should have white ceilings. You know what I mean. Try to remember the first time you heard someone say that your ceiling should be white, that it would make your space appear lighter.

Let me be the one who spreads the new common wisdom about ceilings. Think of a ceiling as the lid on a box. Should every lid be white, regardless of the box color? Think of a ceiling as the perfect hat. Should every hat be white, regardless of the outfit? Should you put a white toilet lid on a colored toilet? These are some of the questions I would ask when color consulting with my clients. The fear in their eyes, when I said that the color on their ceiling was “to be determined,” was palpable. Lucky me—I had reasons they could trust.

To me, tall peaks, beam-like trays, and angled bevels are not ceilings. They are folded walls, like paper folds. Often, these creased walls are there to give height or interest to the room, so extending the wall color to include them will make the walls appear taller. For me, ceilings start at the 90 degree angle where the horizontal plane at the top of the room meets…whatever it may meet. Think of the ceiling as the mirror of the floor. Of course, there are dome ceilings and cove ceilings, but unless there is a molding breaking these shapes, to me they are, technically, walls.

Once you determine where the real ceilings are, then you can decide which color can best balance the room’s other colors, from above.

Finally, people are looking up!

Gretchen Schauffler
Artist and Founder of Devine Color®

Your typical white ceiling

A softer neutral ceiling color

Ceiling in the same color

Ceiling slightly darker with crown

Ceiling in a favorable color

For this look try:

walls:
Devine Haze, Devine Blush, Devine Cayenne, Devine Toile’

ceilings:
Devine Macadamia, Devine Oat, Devine Filbert, Devine Hazelnut, Devine Cabernet

  1. I painted my basement in Devine Filbert. I know need to paint a bathroom and bedroom off of the basement and my husband wants something lighter, he thinks the Filbert is too dark. What color would tie nicely with the Filbert and work in a bathroom and bedroom with white cabinets and trim? Macadamia?


    — Debra Koehn    05/11/2007 10:31 AM    #

  2. Devine Macadamia is a great choice, and so is Devine Shell, Custard or Feather. Remember that our fabric-like finishes play with light, so I suggest Devine Delicate.
    Enjoy, g


    — gretchen Schauffler    05/11/2007 10:47 AM    #

  3. I have done a living room ceiling in Lemon Drops with 3 walls of Foam and the wall with the white brick fireplace in Black and Blue Beans. In my bedroom I wanted the “evening sky” and chose Blue Silk for the ceiling. The walls are Berries and Beans and Bananas and Beans. Both these room are good-sized rectangles and I could NOT see a huge “white” area (even though I do use usually and love Whip for my ceilings) in these two rooms! In smaller rooms (my scrapbooking room and a former bathroom) I have used Devine Blue or Spray for the ceilings. I do love the sky or feeling of openness.


    — Donna    06/20/2007 12:20 PM    #

  4. Donna:

    Send pictures, please, so people can continue to be encouraged and live with colors they love and thank you for sharing with us.


    — gretchen Schauffler    06/22/2007 02:44 PM    #

  5. I am painting my bathroom walls with Macadamia. What would you recommend for the ceiling? We have lots of light wood in the bathroom along with a dark tile floor and dark countertop


    — Amy    07/14/2007 02:43 PM    #

  6. Amy wrap Devine Macadamia around and try Devine Sumatra or Hazelnut for size. If you dare, see How Devine Cocoa feels, sounds like you space can take the richness!


    — gretchen Schauffler    07/14/2007 03:51 PM    #

  7. Hello,
    I found out about devine paints from Patricia Gaylor. This article and blog really appealed to me because I’m currently painting my house and I want colors that speak to me. And I’m trying to choose a dark brown color for my ceiling to compliment my wall choices. But it is proving very, very, difficult for me. My living room, entry way, and hall (I own a split foyer) wall colors are more or less settled. I am painting the long walls in devine shade or teak, the smaller far wall sangria, the last and opposite wall will be painted two colors; the lower half (starting from the split level foyer) teak, and the upper half black and blue. My floors are brazilian cherry. But the color choice for my ceiling has been driving me nuts for the last two months. In my master bedroom I have sangria on the ceiling, with blush, teak on 2 walls, and black and blue. It looks great to me. But I want a dark brown color in the living space since the sangria will be on a wall opposed by the dark blue counterpoint across the room. I have been going crazy trying to pick the right color. I’m mostly settled on spice, but I also like the cocoa ceiling shown in the photo elsewhere in your blog. I’m afraid the spice won’t be a dark enough counterpoint. After reading this article I thought I’d share my search for color in case someone has comments! I also enjoyed reading your book!
    Best wishes,
    Dustin


    — Dustin    08/07/2007 10:30 PM    #

  8. A quick update on my previous submission: I saw a color sample of devine truffle at a paint store and it was exactly what I needed, so I’m all set!


    — Dustin    08/12/2007 08:32 PM    #

  9. We are painting two rooms in Devine Pine, the Master Bedroom and a downstairs “Powder Room”. The Master BR has a beige carpet (that goes well with Macedamia and Hosta used elsewhere in the home), but the Powder Room has a deep reddish wood floor and is a much smaller space. The current ceilings are an off-white in the tan direction. What would you suggest for ceilings in these spaces? I’ll send photos of the house when complete.


    — Stephen    08/15/2007 08:31 PM    #

  10. I want to paint my living room ceiling cocoa and walls muslin. My living room in open to my breakfast nook AND kitchen with no stopping of the ceiling. So I would have to paint ALL the ceilings. Is that too much? THEN, what about ALSO painting one accent wall (around fire place) w/cocoa as well?
    Thanks


    — Martha Finley    08/23/2007 06:04 PM    #

  11. Stephen:

    As you can see, I am a big fan of painting ceilings as part of the dimensional box we live in. So, wrap the ceiling color all the way, up and over, we are only talking about a very small lid!

    Send pictures!


    — gretchen Schauffler    08/26/2007 09:40 PM    #

  12. Martha:
    It is hard to know what one accent wall will do, it can either look like a great focal point, or get the wrong-kind-of-attention. Please go to our new Devine Flair section where people can load up their pictures (next week it will be fully functional), and I have loaded several to start. It will show you great ideas. Think of your space as 3-d, so make sure all the angles are covered in beautiful color!


    — gretchen Schauffler    09/01/2007 10:54 AM    #

  13. We have had two friends recommend Devine paint and are trying it out finally and painting most of our home. My husband is the paint color picker in my family and he usually does an excellent job. He has picked 6 colors and I love them all wtih one exception…he has chosen Devine Skyline for our baby daughter’s room…he assures me it is a lovely purple color, but to me the paint looks too grey! We are painting the ceiling and wood trim in Whip. Please help…is it grey or light purple? Is it a good choice for baby’s room?


    — K. Gunning    11/24/2007 12:19 AM    #

  14. P.S. Just outside the baby’s room will be Manzanita in the hall extending into the living room again with whip ceilings and wood doors and trim. our adjacent bedroom will be Storm with Whip again..


    — K. Gunning    11/24/2007 12:27 AM    #

  15. K Gunning:

    I can tell you that Devine Skyline is the color of the evening sky as the light changes it to a purple soft whisper. It will be beautiful, and yes, while tempered it will be soothing. Next to Manzanita, delicious! Good job husband, my husband is a color picker too!
    Let us know how turns out and please use our gallery to show all of us your project!!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/27/2007 02:07 AM    #

  16. What do you think about cocoa for the ceiling in a bedroom that does not have any crown molding and the ceilings are not real high. I think they’re like 8’. With Muslin on the walls? Just didnt know w/o the crown molding.

    Thanks

    Martha


    — Martha Finley    12/05/2007 07:46 AM    #

  17. Hi Martha:

    The answer is, color on the ceiling, darker than the walls, regardless of crown molding, will produce a great effect. The ceiling will lift off, and soften. Devine Cocoa is a great choice!

    Thank you for writing!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    12/10/2007 08:03 PM    #

  18. In the process of choosing a ceiling color I am having a hard time envisioning a darker color than my walls. Walls will be painted Blade, Breeze, Cypress, Foam, Spray, Latte. Trim will be Icing. My floors are a light oak with colors that are in your Natural Blondes Pallette. I was considering Reef for all the ceilings but as I read your blog entries, I saw that would not fit the “darker than the walls” rule. My ceilings are only 7’5” and I would like to use one ceiling color throughout to unify as the spaces are open to each other. Would you recommend a ceiling color for me?

    Thanks so much for your reply!


    — Christine West    01/12/2008 04:13 PM    #

  19. I love Devine Reef with your combinations! There are no rules but shadowing ceilings with a darker color produces a great effect…..Another way to go is, if the room is Devine Latte, do the same on the ceiling…in other words all your colors are very light… so splash them up as canopies.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    01/14/2008 05:48 PM    #

  20. I painted Devine Foam in our new bathroom remodel full of warm orangy/yellowy walnut travertine. Took me a couple days to comprehend the change- but I love it! I love the greenish blues, the orangy yellows and warm reds and greens.I’m not a burgundy or purple person- still trying to figure out why! In the masterbedroom (white millwork/cherry-mahogony funiture)I was originally going to use Devine Filbert- then I frieked and thought it was to orange (samples were painted on an awful light blue color)-I ended up painting Miller Latte thinking it was less orange- a week later I want to repaint! It looks pink and dull looking into the bathroom! Yuk! I’m thinking of doing Devine Filbert- but since I’m looking at a redo (and now that I have read our book- loved it by the way!) I’m wondering if I should be more open minded to other colors? Any advice would be awesome


    — Lisa    02/10/2008 09:33 PM    #

  21. I’m having a hard time choosing a ceiling and trim color for an open floor plan. (kitchen, dining room, family room, entry) My walls are going to be Manzanita with Paprika on the wall behind my kitchen cabinets and in the entry way. Do you have any suggestions? This area of my house doesn’t get a lot of natural light so I would love to warm it up a little.


    — Kris    02/12/2008 08:30 AM    #

  22. Lisa:

    Glad to see that you are ready to embrace color in a way that is not safe but thrilling! Why not make that Devine Foam even cooler with a hot Devine Blush, Devine Shade, Devine Dust ooooor Devine Filbert?
    SEE what you THINK :)
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/13/2008 12:58 PM    #

  23. Kris:
    You are right about making sure you have a warm Ceiling with those colors. I would suggest Devine Muslin, Filbert, Shell or Macadamia. As far as trim, Lets do Devine Whip.

    Give those a try and SEE what you THINK!

    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/15/2008 09:18 AM    #

  24. I am painting my new master BR and bedroom in Peanut. What about the ceilings. My tile is Systina, Rasella by Emser tile and my shower floor is by Florida tile under pebbles. It’s the Mixed salad. Very rich warm tones Thanks !


    — Heather Voyles    02/27/2008 12:18 PM    #

  25. Heather:
    Do the same Devine Peanut on the ceiling for an overall look, you can use Devine Custard or Shell as lighter partners! If you are in the mood for drama (the good kind) try Devine Teak, Cafe or Spice

    Se what you think!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    02/28/2008 07:01 AM    #

  26. I am doing up my basement and have virtually no natural light and 7 foot ceilings. I am putting in a chair rail and am thinking of painting the walls with Devine Birch both above and below the rail. My problem is the ceiling and the darker shade rule! As it is I have very little light. Would Devine Icing work?


    — Colin    03/10/2008 08:34 PM    #

  27. Colin:
    Do Devine Birch below the chair rail and Devine Butter above along with the ceiling. Do not cut the room into thirds, as this will make it even shorter..(yes, even with an Icing ceiling)

    This way you get a little contrast and fun…..

    See what you think!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/11/2008 04:12 PM    #

  28. I have used Latte in the living room, steamer in the study, paprika and latte in the kitchen all with quarter toned latte ceiling color. Looks great. I need help with the masterbedroom. My husband wants a tropical airy feel. We like Blade. We have a panneled wall behind the headboard and was thinking it should be an accent color and don’t know what to do with the ceiling. My husband is ill and I want a relaxing, healing feel. Thank you for your wonderful paint!


    — Gail Dyer    03/17/2008 11:37 PM    #

  29. I just painted our bedroom Blade and will be putting in a natural bamboo floor. What would be good color matches for the trim and ceiling. It’s a bright room with east and south exposure.


    — Paul    03/18/2008 05:49 PM    #

  30. Paul, what about warm neutrals like Devine Custard or Peanut. You can also see if you like the coolness (all the way around) of Devine Moss or Roast. If you are more at ease with the expected, try Devine Whip, Icing or Vanilla!
    “See” what you “Think”
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/19/2008 02:09 PM    #

  31. Gail:
    Devine Blade and Breeze or Devine Blade and Reef would be fresh, while Devine Blade and Cocoa, Cafe or Spice would be grounding! Thanks so much for the great compliment and I am happy we can make your world more beautiful! Wishing you great health.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/19/2008 02:17 PM    #

  32. Our family room is a rectangle shape open to the kitchen which it will also share a ceiling with. We have painted the 2 side walls in the Family room Oat and the back wall Sangria, we just love it. The floor in the kitchen is a deep red 5 inch Cherry and the carpet in the family room is a warm lighter brown (has a gold tone). The furniture definitely has warm deep gold and red tones to it. The room has 3 windows and gets sunlight most of the time, considering the rain here! We just aren’t sure what to paint the ceiling. Okay, let me rephrase that; I am not sure what color to paint the ceiling. My husband the builder has chosen a color and I don’t know that I agree….OF course I am usually wrong! I would love to know what you would do to keep our warm flow going through out the family room and kitchen.


    — Christine    03/21/2008 11:09 PM    #

  33. I suggest you keep the wonderful gold tones flowing and do the ceiling either in Devine Oat, or Devine Shell. On the shadier side, try Devine Filbert. Go ahead and make the ceiling look smashing!
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/25/2008 02:43 PM    #

  34. I have brazalian cherry hardwood floors in the den along with a red brick fireplace. I want to purchase a red sofa. What color should I paint the walls & ceiling? What colors should I use to accent?


    — CeeCee    03/30/2008 09:45 PM    #

  35. CeeCee:

    That is a loaded question considering there are so many directions to go towards…so I say go towards the light! Set off all that red in your stuff with yellows and/or greens as backgrounds…Try Devine Hazelnut, Devine Moss and Devine Maple as starting points, and see what rocks your boat. After that, find the other color relationships in our palettes that compliment the direction you want to go in…

    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    03/31/2008 10:14 AM    #

  36. I want to paint my house, have a big brick wall in front, white trim, white garage door. I am thinking of a dark clay brown or a forest type of gray green called Fir. Any ideas?


    — judy belford    04/06/2008 11:12 AM    #

  37. I am putting Devine swatches on the wall and have settled on Muslin. I am struggling with a good ceiling color. I have tried, Whip (too white), Feather and Custard and they don’t seem to fit. I am trying to create a warm environment for what it’s worth. Can you suggest a good ceiling color to compliment Muslin?

    Thanks!


    — John    04/06/2008 12:16 PM    #

  38. Edit to my post. By swatches, I mean actual paint samples. We also have in mind an accent wall color of dark chocolate.


    — John    04/06/2008 04:14 PM    #

  39. I never thought about painting the ceilings until I read this blog….what a great idea! I love it!! How would one decied what colors or colors to choose? Would you choose one color or differant for each room and could you only paint one ceiling in a room and leave the rest white…for now????


    — Casey T    04/07/2008 12:04 PM    #

  40. John:
    Muslin on the ceiling please :) Nice, clean and fresh! If not, by now you know your ceiling is begging to go darker (none of the lighter colors worked). What about Devine Filbert, Sumatra or Mocha. Do you dare go Devine Tamarind?
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/07/2008 10:28 PM    #

  41. Judy:
    I love your Ideas. Red brick looks traditional with green, always, and also, very sophisticated with all flavors of chocolate, from milk to bitter. :)

    White or black trim does the trick, make sure your black is soft.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/07/2008 10:34 PM    #

  42. Casey:

    Some ceilings are meant to have the same color as the wall, and some are meant to shine with a stunning contrasting color. But none are never meant to be left naked, undressed in white, unless white is used as the wall color. Having said that, choosing which ceilings get a contrasting color is tricky. In small rooms, you might as well carry the same wall color, up and over, as you would not want a funny little square above as an accent. Where you have crown molding or coves, go to town. All others, use your better judgement, gut, and intuition.
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    04/07/2008 10:50 PM    #

  43. I have a dining area w/ 10inch ceilings and trim in the middle with wainscotting on the bottowm)I painted manago tango on the walls, with white trim and bordeaux on the wainscotting. It looks great. Right now the ceiling is white. ANy color suggestions for the ceiling? Also I am trying to find a color to go in the room next to this. That room is 11X17 with tall ceilings. I am struggling to find a color that will work with the orange and red because the opening in between the two rooms is about eight feet wide.


    — nicole    04/11/2008 10:42 AM    #

  44. Twice I have painted yellow in our kitchen/family room (open to eachother) filled with lots of yellow/orange cabinets and bookshelves and floor in kitchen. I thought I could make the rooms feel bigger if they were seemless and blended with the cabinets. We have a floor to cieling used look orangy/red fireplace in the family room. I love greenery and green in general. I have always painted these two rooms the same color. Trim is icing-no crown moudling. After reading your book, I realize yellow probably wasn’t the best choice- I want to make a great choice next time- any suggestions? (these are north facing rooms, but do get lots of natural light). Also needing to replace the carpet in the family room- should I go towards orangy/yellow neutrals? I just did the girls playroom in 3 walls Devine Berries and Beans and accent wall Devine Stone- trim and ceiling in icing. I was afraid of pink walls- but the room is so cute! I get lots of compliments – it reminds me neopolitan iceream! Thank you for your time!


    — Lisa    05/02/2008 10:38 AM    #

  45. Hi Lisa:

    It is hard for me to give you direction on carpet because of so many brands and color choices that may or may not fit your home with out seeing it. You are fighting with yellow, so how about bringing in warmth with colors like Devine Blush, Ginger, Dust or Cafe? Mix those with Devine Filbert, Shade or Pecan?
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    05/07/2008 03:44 PM    #

  46. Thank you so much for your input- I realize I have alot of orange (10 year old natural orange oak floors and cabinets). After looking at your suggestions (#45 above) and reading through your book (again!)I really do enjoy it. I think Devine Blush would be a great choice in the kitchen. Having said that would you recommend a yellow (other 2 yellows weren’t Devine), and a blue that would be great with Devine Blush? I was looking at Devine Straw or Devine Gold, Devine Breeze or Devine Reflection. Personally I don’t like yellows to turn green. I love the orangy reds, greenish blues and yellow greens, although kitchen counter and backsplash are khaki green. P.S Wondering if you are coming out with outdoor pallettes and paint? Thank you!


    — Lisa    05/11/2008 10:57 PM    #

  47. I love the idea of painting ceilings! However I have a few questions. I am painting my kithen and half bath Lemon Drop Beans and Pistacho Lime Beans. Mostly Lemon in the kitchen…What do you think I shold paint the ceiling in the kitchen? I know for sure I will do all pistachio lime in the bath room. My seconds question is I am planing to painting the living rm -Steamer and the dining rm-Almond. what color should I paint the ceilings? These rooms are next to each , kind of like one big Rm but broken up by small a square arch way? Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and give your imput. It so helpful!!!


    — Casey T    06/22/2008 05:40 PM    #

  48. I am painting my master bedroom and bathroom and would like some suggestions for ceiling colors. Neither room gets much natural light. There are no ceiling moldings. I am mostly there when it’s dark out (morning and night). The bedroom will be Fog with an accent wall of Honey. The furniture is cherry. I rent artwork from Rental Sales Gallery (the room holds 3-4 paintings) so I don’t want to feel that my choices are too restricted by the ceiling color, but the juncture of Fog and white seems too stark. The bathroom will be Green Tea with an accent wall of Breeze. Cabinets and counter are light.
    The hallway into the bedroom is Reflection.
    I’ve used your paints throughout the rest of my home and love the depth of color and how they play off each other; for example, Reflection abutts Cypress and in some light the two look the same.


    — Lauren Z    06/25/2008 01:54 PM    #

  49. Lauren:

    Fog is light enough to go on the ceiling. If not, what about Devine Butter or Silver. These colors will give cast the ceiling in the same tones you are using on the walls. In the bathroom, I would do Reflection or Breeze on the ceiling, and the hallway, do Devine Reflection or Reef. Sounds fabulous. Please send us pictures! You can upload them in our gallery.

    Thanks!
    g

    ps: The our tinting methods, in our bases truly make these colors magic.


    — gretchen Schauffler    06/30/2008 09:29 AM    #

  50. Help! I have a 7 year old and a 3 year. old. They argue about their room, but the one thik they like is the top is cream and to bottem is a light pink. Their comforters are large colorful fun flowers on it…like a patchwork quilt. I want their room to be a desireable place to be, so they feel SAFE doing homework, haveing friens over. What color should I paint their room that would be tranquil, safe, comfortable and happy!

    Help! I Sincerely thank you! Kim Wilemon, Dallas, TX.


    — Kim    09/09/2008 10:42 PM    #

  51. Peace comes from understanding and being understood :)))) So I understand how exciting and intense it must be to have roommate negotiations going on between a 3 and 7 year-old. Lets take it from the top (sort of speak), divide the room into 2 L-shape corners. In other words, if the room has 4 walls paint 2 adjoining walls in one color and the other 2 in another. This creates visual independence for them. Let them decide on a color from the rainbow: purple, blue, yellow, red(pink), green, and orange. It is important that they get to pick the color. Use our Hot and Sweet Beans palette page in our Trend-proof Color Collection™ as a guide. Once they pick the color—lets say one picks pink and the other one green—you pick a unifying color, like a yellow or a chocolate, to play with the following options:
    1-do 2 walls in green and 2 in pink with a yellow ceiling.
    2-do the bottom half of two walls in pink and green and the top half in the unifying color, including the ceiling.
    3-do wide stripes in their color and the unifying color
    If you send us the picture of your quilts we can recommend the colors! Hope this helps. I would suggest getting our Trend-proof Color Collection.


    — gretchen Schauffler    09/10/2008 08:51 AM    #

  52. I have a sample of your devine straw. Is that too much for a bedroom? I was a soothing tan-gold? Thank you.


    — Pam Harrington    09/21/2008 09:15 AM    #

  53. Devine Straw is a fabulous color and very rich, like an eggyolk. If you are looking for less intensity, look at devinegreen: Coyote™, and look at devinegreen: Chicken™. Also Devine Peanut™ in Pacific Trail Mix and Devine Soiree from our French Casino line might do the trick!


    — gretchen Schauffler    09/23/2008 07:23 PM    #

  54. I am painting our family room off the kitchen – has a small south window and a triple-width slider on the west wall. The wall/ceiling height is only 93 inches. I also need to paint the living room/dining room and the short hallway between the living room and the family room. The living room windows face the east. The dining room is an L on the west side of the living room and has a window facing west and a triple skylight above the dining room table. I have lots of warm red cherry and walnut antique furniture in the lr/dr. It is carpeted now, but I want to put down a Brazilian cherry floor. New frizzee golden/beige carpeting is going in the family room. I have lots of oil paintings in the living/dining rooms – older landscapes with greens, golds, peach. The sofa is a soft green and lr chairs are green tapestries with with lots of peach and gold colors. I want some warmth on the walls (right now the walls are a peach that is much too pink and flat) – I am thinking of beiges that are orange/yellow not blue beiges— on the walls. The lr/dr ceiling is an inverted V that starts at 93” on the east and west sides and vaults up to 11 feet across the middle. The vaulted ceiling makes the lr/dr feel big and open. Woodwork in all rooms is painted white and the windows have white plantation shutters on them – no drapes. I am thinking of painting the family room in Devine Sand and the lr/dr in either Devine Shimmer or Devine Cashew, but I am worried that the Cashew will be too dark since the east/west windows don’t offer much light and there are lots of angles connecting the two rooms. I am completely flummoxed about what colors to paint the ceilings, especially the lr/dr. Thanks for your help!


    — Beverly Wilson    10/23/2008 04:21 PM    #

  55. Beverly:

    I would love to help. It is important to note that when a ceiling is not a sharp 90 degree fold, I consider it a wall. I believe there are 2 kinds of ceilings, a flat under belly and a paper fold and you must treat them as part of the “box” you live in. Choosing a overall wall color in your case, that can creep up onto paper folded ceilings, and spread nicely onto under belly ceilings will make all the _different heights_appear more unified and harmonious. Even if you then have another color on a contrasting wall, such as a red, or rust, the ceilings will all be pulled-together. Devine Shimmer, or Sand will be more light and golden while Devine Cashew or Shade will be a little richer and earthier. These last two will POP the white shutters and molding. Contrast is good when rooms are darker because darker colors will make lighter colors “lighter”. Take a look at the new devinegreen: Chicken and Coyote. These also have the golden-orange you are looking for. Let me know what you think!


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/24/2008 12:53 PM    #

  56. We have a small (1700 sqr ft), but charming Craftsman-style home. Eight foot high ceilings, soft white wood work and ceilings. My husband painted the downstairs Macadamia. As a Latina, I would like some color on the ceiling, and “red” highlight wall. Do you have any suggestions? I know it is difficult without seeing the floor plan. My husband and I go back and forth on what wall,(s) to do.
    Ten buen dia Suyapa


    — Suyapa    10/24/2008 05:27 PM    #

  57. Supaya:

    I love the idea of setting off your ceiling, especially if you have soft, white crown molding. You can warm up the ceiling with Devine Macadamia or go richer with a color like Devine Sumatra or the new devinegreen: Bison. Of course you can do color on the ceiling. I know it sounds scary but it could look smashing! Take a look at these pictures in HOW TO TEST WALL COLOR. As far as reds, the sky is the limit. We have lots of beautiful reds that make a perfect red wall. See ABOUT OUR REDS. It is difficult without pictures, please send us some if you can.
    Muchas gracias!


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/27/2008 08:42 AM    #

  58. We are painting our living room. My husband the plasterer did our ceiling with a knock-down finish in ginger and the fireplace a raisin color. The room is large and has several walls; I want to do Divine Roast with a powder finish but should I be doing them all one color or mixing them up? The fireplace wall is long and I think the fireplace itself will be the “wow” factor so I’m not sure if I need to do anything more with that wall. One wall has our large picture window, another wall leads right into our foyer (which we have full view of from this room) and the same wall that has fireplace on it is also part of our dining area. So actually, we are talking about a living/dining room that shares one wall, one wall with window, plus 2 other walls….do you think this will be too much divine roast? I have no idea how to separate a wall with colors…..help?!
    -Dona


    — Dona    10/27/2008 10:51 AM    #

  59. I am confirming your intuition! Devine Roast is all you need because the fireplace, windows and transitions leave very little wall space to cut-out. Sound fabulous, please send us pictures so others can be inspired. The foyer sounds like the place to do the next color that keeps Devine Ginger and Devine Roast in good company…
    g


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/27/2008 12:26 PM    #

  60. Gretchen –
    Thanks for your suggestions. I tried test painting Devine Cashew on the living room/dining room walls and decided it was too something – I liked the way it pops the white trim, but with so many angles and shadows in the large room, it felt too heavy and it seemed to dampen the look of my beautiful oil paintings, most with walnut/cherry toned frames. So I am rethinking my choices and considering using Devine Shimmer on most of the walls and the ceiling. I also like Devine Glow and Devine Clay – possibly as one or more contrast walls? With all the angles in the large “dual” room, I don’t know which walls should/could be painted in contrast color: The North wall is the largest, longest “unbroken” wall—about 28 feet long – it forms the vertical line of the l.r./d.r. “L” and extends from the front door/entry in the living room at the east end to the northwest corner of the dining room. The wall space of the north wall is broken only by a hallway to the bedrooms. The ceiling line on this wall forms a perfect (unbroken) inverted V. The east living room wall includes the front entry and a punched out bay window and the ceiling line is low (93”). The west wall of the living room includes a fireplace and the short hallway to the family room on the south. The west wall also goes up to the inverted V ceiling, but the V is interrupted by the south and west walls which form the boundary of the kitchen and create the inside of the living/dining room “L.” The west wall in the dining room includes a 5’ square window and also has the ceiling line at 93”. I have thought about painting the west dining room wall in a contrast color – that might be the “safe” choice. It is a small wall compared to the other walls. However, I am inclined to paint the south living room (fireplace)wall in a contrast color. This fireplace wall where many of my large oil paintings hang in a dramatic collage. If I paint this wall in contrast, however, I don’t know where to end the contrast color. Should I end it at the southwest corner over the hallway or should I also paint the south wall between the l.r. and kitchen and that continues as the hallway wall into the family room? I apologize for this confusing ramble. It is difficult to explain in words without pictures. Thanks for any advice you can share.

    Beverly Wilson


    — Beverly Wilson    10/28/2008 01:30 PM    #

  61. Hi Gretchen,
    I’m almost done with my house and have used Divine colors throughout. I have been very happy with my color choices so far but I’m stumped for a ceiling color for my family room. I have Divine Cappuccino for the upper part of the walls and Divine Cocoa for the lower part of walls which is only about a foot tall(under window seats) very rich looking but what about my poor white ceiling? I don’t get a lot of light in the room but so far the room is very cozy with these darker colors. The upstairs is done in Divine Moss. Thanks again for all your help.
    Lisa.


    — Lisa    10/31/2008 12:07 PM    #

  62. Lisa:

    Take Devine Cappuccino and finish the ceiling, it will make the ceiling disappear and look cool!! Please send us pictures! Love to see the colors once they are done and thanks so much for trusting in Devine!


    — gretchen Schauffler    10/31/2008 01:34 PM    #

  63. Wow!! Painting ceilings is an absolutely new concept to me. My home is not an open floor plan.. but a more traditional two story with the entry being two stories high. Otherwise, the ceilings are regular 8’ high. I also have archways and rounded corners which have been addressed in a different blog. The colors I have pretty much settled are Devine Peanut in the living room, entry, one family room wall, Devine Ginger in the dining room (which does have a tray ceiling), Ginger on one side of the kitchen and on into the family room then the fireplace wall of family room, then Olive on the other kitchen wall (small section of cabinets opposite the Ginger side) and it wraps back around into the entry…. My woodwork is maple flooring, and light hickory cabinets in the kitchen… how do I choose a ceiling color with this mix? Am I better off using the Peanut over all? I don’t really want the ceilings to be different colors, although I possibly could as the living room and dining room both have separate ceiling space. I appreciate your help so much and have found amazing advice on these blogs. I can hardly wait to start painting!


    — Dorene Dundas    11/04/2008 01:13 PM    #

  64. I have a small dining room with Devine Whip on the wainscoting and crown moulding. The ceiling is now whip. The room has a Pottery Barn black dining set with the chairs covered in a black/cocoa brown/gold/sumatra colored fabric. What color would you paint on top of the wainscoting on the walls, and would you paint the ceiling something other than Whip? Thanks!


    — Becky    11/13/2008 11:22 AM    #

  65. My teenage daughter needs a new paint color. Her furniture is black french country, her new bedding is black/white (very Parisian) with hot pink trim/balls. Outside of her door is Muslin and the bath next door is Reflection. Across the hall is little sister’s room, berries & beans. What would be a fun, grownup color for her room? Thanks!


    — Becky    11/13/2008 11:25 AM    #

  66. Hi Becky:

    First the dining room! The options are truly endless! You can do Devine Straw with Maple on the ceiling, Devine Green Tea with Fescue on the ceiling, or devinegreen: Lobster with Impala on the ceiling. You can search in Pieces of Paradise and do something bold with Devine Agave with Devine Truffle on the ceiling! I am about to blog on what to do when you have lots of choices. I hope this helps! Are you thinking Powder or Delicate on the walls? Do the same finish on both wall and ceiling surfaces.


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/13/2008 12:11 PM    #

  67. Hello Becky:

    Love all the colors! So following along those lines, you can do devinegreen: Toucan or Flamingo, Devine Birch, Devine Saffron, Devine Adieu, or Victorie to make it French and beautiful. Take a look at this girly room! Show her the pictures in the blog, let me know what she thinks…


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/13/2008 12:18 PM    #

  68. Becky I just thought of another color combo for your girl, what about PURPLE! Try devinegreen: Jasmine, Devine Laissez-Faire, or Devine Dusk….


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/13/2008 12:27 PM    #

  69. Gretchen-

    We are building a “rustic” cabin in the woods
    just set back from a lake. The cabin is a two story A-frame (very high ceilings) and very “open concept.” The kitchen, dinning room, living room, hallway and loft all flow together. The floors are an old barnwood (with a slight red-brown hue), cabinets the color of black coffee, and the rugs are a caramel colored frise. The brick for the fireplace is a faux rock with gray and rust undertones. I love the Devine Hazelnut and think it would be great but I’m scared? There’s not a whole lot of natural light in the cabin, even thought the entire front of the structure is thirty feet of windows. We are just now getting to the electrician part. Do you think Hazelnut would work for this 1,300 sf home? Should we paint the ceilings the same colr? Would love some suggestions?
    -Jocelyn 11/13/08
    — Jocelyn    11/13/2008 03:05 PM    #

  70. Jocelyn, sounds beautiful, warm, and cozy. With so many windows, and high ceilings, I thinks a rich color is well deserved! Devine Hazelnut has a warm green cast that will make the space feel like it’s “among nature”. Also take a look at devinegreen: Orangutan, Devine Spice, or Devine Ginger for other rooms. For a lighter version of Hazelnut, there is Devine Pecan or Macadamia. I hope you read Color Advice 101: Painting rooms with different wall and ceiling angles. I say carry the wall color up to the ceiling, because it is a A-frame and this shape determines how the color flows…Make sure you have used the Devine Color Palette and gone through our process to nail it down. If you haven’t, you have to read the comment left by Dorene, How to Use Our Paint Palettes.


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/14/2008 09:15 AM    #

  71. Gretchen, love the Straw and Maple with the fabric for the dining room. Will these go with Muslin, Sumatra, Oat & Cocoa which are also downstairs or should I look at Green Tea, Lobster or Agave for the walls? I’ll let you know what my daughter thinks about the colors you suggested – she’s going to love some of those sassy colors!


    — Becky    11/14/2008 09:55 AM    #

  72. Ding the bell went off! You love Devine Maple and Straw but you are now thinking about the whole palette. Do this: Go the the room that has the most colors that represent your home, Look at Muslin, Oat, Sumatra and Cocoa, ask your self, what’s the next perfect shirt to add to this ensemble? Is it Green Tea? Lobster? or Straw?. Tel me what you think….Please send me pictures of your daughter’s room after you paint, sounds DArLin’!


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/14/2008 10:29 AM    #

  73. My husband feels that ceilings should be white and uniform throughout the house. I have eight foot ceilings, no south windows, and very few windows at that. I plan to use a lot of Bavarian (at 75% because it is too intense for the space at 100% and turns brown). Also, I will use Bordeaux in the Kitchen and my fireplace wall is a color that resembles storm. I don’t know which light color to try on one ceiling to show him that it might look much better that way than the builder’s ceiling white. I have considered Bavarian at 25%.


    — Cheryl    11/18/2008 08:29 AM    #

  74. Cheryl:

    The colors sound beautiful. All you need to do is warm up the ceiling with a natural color. Here are my suggestions:
    Try Devine Stone, Devine Latte, Devine Muslin, or Devine Sand. I would compliment the Bavarian this way instead of making it lighter. Read Adding White to Lighten Colors. Lightening the Bavarian might make it “gray”. Also use the Delicate Finish on the ceiling to reflect luminous light above.

    Show him our pictures, especially the blog article on Light Colors For Dark Rooms. Resort to logic (men love logic) and say that wearing a big white floppy hat with a Devine Bavarian suit is different than wearing a white shirt. White need to have a purpose and be in the right place, your ceiling in this case, is not the right place for white. Try lots of light neutral whites in pillows, chairs, art, and accessories! Have him go through the process with the palettes so he can see color relationships working as a whole. We love white ceilings as part of the wall outfit!


    — gretchen Schauffler    11/18/2008 12:42 PM    #

  75. Thanks for the suggestion on using the Delicate Finish on the ceiling. I had suspected that I needed to do that, and you have confirmed my plan. Most of my art is black and white photos and drawings in black or pewter frames. The trim on the windows and doors is white.
    From your suggestions, I think I prefer stone for the ceiling. I looked at some of the lighter colors, and I can visualize the “gray” effect and I do not need cloudy skies. It was the Light Colors for Dark Rooms blog that convinced me that my choice to use Bavarian (I decided on that color last winter, but haven’t painted yet) is correct because the light color that I have used definitely looks like a dreary day. The light color was intended to make the space look bigger, but it still looks like a small space.
    I will try showing the palettes to my husband as you have suggested. He has two concerns: his space needs to be “quiet” and have a wide appeal for “resale” value. I have successfully “quieted” a couple of the bedrooms with darker neutrals, but they still have white ceilings. I always get compliments on my current use of taupes and grays, but I can see great improvements ahead! I started to see how it could really work when I bought your palettes last January, and I’m anxious to get started.


    — cheryl    11/19/2008 09:16 AM    #
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