Well, I finally did it. I’ve been dragging my feet for over a year, but I painted the dining room ceiling. I have been hung up on working on this room just because I knew the ceiling had to be done first and I just really didn’t want to do it. It wasn’t the painting I was dreading, but all of the prep work of moving things out and making sure the furniture and floors were protected. I’m usually pretty casual when it comes to using dropcloths, but when painting a ceiling, I have to be more careful. Saturday morning was dreary and cold, so I almost talked myself into a low-key day, but I was ready to have this job behind me. I knew it would be a relief, so I pulled out the dropcloths, removed all of the small stuff from the room, got out the paint and got started.
Esmé, who loves all things plastic, thought it was all for her. She sat under the plastic tarps like they were her personal play tents. She tried to wrestle with Violet through the plastic and even kept carrying her favorite “crunchy ball” toys into the room so she could play with them under the plastic. I finally had to shut her with Marshall in his room because she was getting a little too rowdy around the paint tray.
With the cat shenanigans dealt with, I started painting the ceiling. For the first coat, I tried to work in sections, scooting the dropcloths around with me, but it was a bit too haphazard and hard to keep track of what was already painted and what still needed to be done. Knowing it would need two coats, I let the first coat dry completely so I could see the spots I missed. (It’s still drying in the picture below.)
I hit a few of the larger missed spots with the roller and let those dry before starting on the second coat. Instead of working in sections, I got a few more dropcloths and covered everything so I could work more efficiently. I started with all of the cutting in and then rolled, which allowed me to see better what I had already done. You can see even in the picture below of the ceiling paint drying that I was able to apply that second coat with more consistency.
I went for a walk and allowed everything to dry so I could make sure I was happy with the coverage before cleaning up and putting the paint away. It’s still drying in the pictures below, but the coverage was good and the ceiling looks great.
Of course, painting a ceiling is anticlimactic. No one is really going to notice, but it now looks fresh and clean and any discoloration, stains, or scratches won’t be a distraction. If you have a ceiling or two to paint, HERE is a post with my detailed ceiling-painting tips to get professional results. When I shared that link on Instagram, some replied saying their best tip for painting ceilings was to hire it out. I would agree if you have neat and thorough painters! When we paid to have the wallpaper stripped in the hallway and a few rooms last year, I added on painting the ceiling in Marshall’s room. There had been a roof leak near his closet so the plaster and paint were discolored. While the painters were in there with the primer and everything was either moved out of the room or tarped, I figured it was worthwhile to have it done and off my plate. Well, they slopped paint on the brand new recessed lights and I could see several spots that were missed. I ended up having to paint it again, so I decided I’ll hire myself for future ceiling jobs, even though they aren’t my favorite. I’m cheaper and will do a better job!
But, now that the ceiling is out of the way, I can get to the fun part. I have started sketching out some ideas for the mural and I can’t wait to get started on that. It will be my treat once the picture frame molding is done and all of the trim is painted.
I was going to do some detailed sketches, but decided I might as well do it directly on the wall. If I know roughly where I’m headed, I can save myself that extra step. I’ev learned from painting murals in the past that the scale of a sketch doesn’t always translate to a wall, so it’s easier for me to work in the final size. I will open up all of the paint pots, though to do a few simple color studies so I know which colors I want to use where and make sure they are reading the way I want them to. I know I want foreground trees, mid-ground bushes, and far distant fields and hills.
As a reminder, here are some inspiration pictures as well as the color palette. The curtains are going to be the blue/green velvet fabric sample. I already have them along with the curtain rods and hardware, so I can hang them once the window wall is finished.
And, just because it’s fun to see how far we’ve come, here is how the dining room looked when we first moved in…
…and how it’s coming along…
You can find more posts about our 1970s home renovation HERE.
26 Responses
It’s going to be a showstopper & I’m so excited to follow along!!
Ditto!
Double Ditto! 💙
Triple ditto!!! Can’t wait!!!
Kudos to you on completing the ceiling project. Anyone who has painted ceilings totally gets the procrastination in completing the job. The mural will be exciting to watch:)
Knowing how you transformed the dining room in MN, I know this one is going to be lovely! Did you cover the chandelier when you painted the ceiling?
Did you happen to use a high gloss paint for your ceiling in the dining room? Although it would show more “defects” in the ceiling, if any, I love the way it reflects the lights of the chandelier. Makes the dining room ceiling a little more special. I cannot remember where I saw that tip to give credit for it.
Eager to see the finished product. I am sure it will be fabulous as usual.
Our 15 year old tract house had been spray painted (walls and ceiling) the same pinky-beige color in every room. Before we moved in we had a house painter paint all the ceilings white and the walls a warm white. The trim remained bright white semigloss. What a difference the white ceilings made! The rooms were so fresh and bright.
Ceilings are a thankless proposition. No one will notice if you give them a fresh coat of white paint…but they sure will notice if you don’t.
When I was a boy, we would often go to the Highland Park Cafeteria for lunch after church, or for an evening meal. We would pick up my Grandmother Parsons, the boys great, great, grandmother, who lived nearby. When entering the cafeteria you turned to the left and the line formed along the long wall. The lower wall was wainscoated and the upper was a huge mural, may have been wallpaper, consisting of a landscape scene, trees, and housefronts. The whole scene softened the atmosphere and made it simply homey and welcoming, I guess it was a southern thing.
I live outside Greenville NC. I remember going to several old houses that had luncheons served. Sometimes they had a buffet or a menu to order off of. They are gone now. Reading your description reminded me of the charm of the old homes. And usually the food was so good. I rarely go to a restaurant as they do not have a charm of someone’s care. I know the chain restaurants are essentially the same. And I realize the owners of small restaurants are so busy running the place and family duties. So I withhold judgement. But I do miss the old home restaurants.
Will you add more nature and wildlife since you are enjoying your yard? How do you plan to make it different from the previous mural?
Same colors? The last in your past house was lovely.
I ask because we know your talent is ongoing.
I look forward to your progress.
After years of painting ceilings and replacing water heaters I make announcements to dinner guests and visiting friends. I even show pictures of the new water heater. I always get the same reaction from people that are homeowners. They totally understand that these projects are things that no one notices but they are proud to have accomplished. I too can’t wait to see your creation.
I’ll wax your car b4 I paint a ceiling. Hate it!! You amaze me with your professional results. Can not wait to see how the finished job looks.. I know it will be amazing! And that picture of your kitty is so cute!!! Always need a helper right????
How exciting for us who are watching the progress; I’ll be checking back daily. Can’t wait to see the end product.
Wow Marian!
your feline friend under that plastic tarp made me pause… “a clear and present danger” pun intended. A couple of years ago I helped my older girlfriend paint her house inside and out. It took us and other friends a month inside to clean and prep everything. Her son and his friends moved most of her furniture into her garage. Honestly, it made it so much easier not to have things to work around. The house was so beautiful and fresh smelling. Her cottage was built in the 40’s and needed a complete redo. The kitchen got the most changes. She had all the old cabinent doors removed and we cleaned all the finish off of them; they were pine and she painted them a soft cream. When we visit, we admire our handiwork!
I can’t wait to see your murals. I love so many things about your last house; but this one is very special!
Being a relatively new subscriber I’d never seen the room in it’s original state before – OMG that wallpaper!
It’s going to look amazing and I can’t wait to see the mural.
Painting ceilings is one of my least favorite tasks for a home, including mine. I was lucky enough when I moved into my “cottage” 3 years ago to have my sweet daughter-in-law offer to paint the ceilings. She’s so much better at painting than me.
I still owe her! 😉💙
Karen B.
I absolutely love the color of the velvet drapes! The inspiration photos for the mural are so soft, muted and lovely as are the paint swatches you have selected for your mural. I’m so glad you moved your brass and crystal chandelier with you. It is going to be a gorgeous dining room.
I cant wait to see the finished project!
I use a ceiling paint that goes on pink and dries white. It’s great for keeping track of where you have painted and making sure you cover everything.
Wow, I must be one of the only people in the world who like to paint ceilings! I find them satisfying to do and I feel like they DO make a big difference in how the room looks. It can even be FUN to paint a ceiling when you use the color changing paint! It goes on pink but dries white, and it helps you see if you missed a spot or not before it dries. There are also some really nice drip-catching trays that fit under a paint roller and those virtually eliminate the need for any drop cloths. As well, a roller on a pole is better than standing on a ladder with a short roller.
Looking forward to the mural beginnings!
Can I hire you, Kim? I dislike it enormously. A wall is no problem but ceilings, nope. It doesn’t help that part is wood. Such a tedious job.
I was surprised to see you did not wrap your beautiful chandelier! I don’t paint ceilings but whenever I have them done, the crew always wraps the light fixtures and any ceiling fans.
you must have been very very careful 🙂
This so exiting to see as I am about to step into the effort of painting my foyer and dining room ceiling. At the age of 71 I may not get far. But I’m willing to try. Like you my home was hired out to paint the interior about 12 years ago in my colonial decorating phase. That phase left but what hasn’t is that I continue to this past week to find areas they did not paint! Looking back, I know my exhusband hired the cheapest on the side of the road guys to do it. Somehow I got the feeling the only reason they painted was to be able to buy beer. They must have drank it before they came to my house. Onto the painting though, and I hope you do answer as I see someone else has asked this question. I have a vintage crystal chandelier also. I don’t see that you protected it but perhaps you did and removed for photo. If you did can you tell us how.
Looking forward to seeing your painting. It will be lovely and hope you share more details of the process like you have done for other painting projects. I am interested in learning to paint pictures, particularly with watercolor at first. You are an inspiration and joy to see your excellent progress and study.
And what a heart full of memories you’ll have to look back on.
Sounds like an interesting paint crew! 😂 I’m sure you will be able to do a better job. Just take it slow and as you can do it. It doesn’t all have to be done in a day.
As far as the chandelier, I considered covering it, but I’m a pretty careful painting, so I didn’t worry about it. I knew it a drip did happen, I could wipe it up or even remove dried paint without an issue. I’m much more careful with soft furnishings and fabrics when it comes to paint. When I do projects that kick up a lot of dust, I’ll wrap a chandelier or light fixture in a garbage bag if it will fit or wrap it in plastic and shrink wrap if it’s too large.
Hi Marian, Are those the curtains you ordered from Neutral Curtains? If so, are you going to do a post about them now that you have received them? I am looking at them and one other company and want to know how you like them before I decide where to order from. Thanks, Jewels, a serial redecorator…