Plaster chandelier medallion6/20/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() They are constructed of a foam or urethane core and vinyl-like finish that takes paint beautifully. We prefer the plastic material because it is lightweight and easy to work with. The designs offered range from chaste Greek-key borders to Baroque ceiling medallions.Īlthough plaster ornamentation still can be had - during a recent trip to Europe we witnessed local artisans create it on site - wood and plastic alternatives now can be readily found at lumberyards, home centers and hardware stores. Today, plaster moldings again are popular - either to give authenticity to a restoration or just add interest to an otherwise flat wall or ceiling. In modern times, the practice peaked in the early 19th century when Greek Revival architecture reawakened an interest in classical ornamentation. Other rooms, such as the living room and dining room, had intricate plaster moldings that bordered the ceiling and ornate ceiling medallions used as foils for chandeliers.Īrtisans have been affixing plaster decorations to walls and ceilings for centuries - mostly in imitation of Greek and Roman bas-relief. Not only were the ceilings high, in some rooms they were coved at the perimeter and had decorative cornice or picture mold. The home was Mediterranean-style construction, plaster in and out, with spacious rooms and high ceilings. You also might recall that we grew up in a home built by our grandfather at the turn of the 20th century. You should coordinate colors of the ceiling medallions and other decorative architectural embellishments with the overall color theme of the room.If you regularly read our column you know that we are third-generation contractors. This point of view is not always correct. There is a common opinion that exists that ceiling medallions, as well as other decorative architectural elements in the room, have to be painted white. Even if you like to keep your ceiling medallion in a pure white color, you have to paint it. Also, even though it is a "ceiling" medallion some designers very successfully incorporating them into the wall decor.Īll of our ceiling medallions come primed white ready to accept paint. For this reason, the center of the ceiling medallion gets cut out for electrical wiring and support mechanism. Nowadays, ceiling medallions are also used with lighting fixtures. Ceiling medallions were used as independent decorative ceiling elements. Early ceiling medallions were manufactured from plaster and were quite heavy and hard to install.įrom the beginning, the purpose of the ceiling medallions was purely decorative. Ceiling medallions, like ceiling domes, are often featured above highlighting lighting fixtures in a highly complementary arrangement. Traditionally the size and details of the medallion reflected the importance of the room as well as the status of a household. They added decorative medallions to the most principal rooms of the house. With their luxurious detailing and ornate, deep relief patterns, ceiling medallions were especially favored by the Victorians. Ceiling Medallions as Classic Architectural AccentsĬeiling medallions are classic ceiling accents and were used extensively by decorators, designers and architects from the early eighteen century to the beginning of the twentieth century. ![]()
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