Interior decoration such as stucco on the ceiling is again becoming popular in modern decoration. And, if earlier, this method of decorating ceiling surfaces was used only in museums and ancient libraries, today it is increasingly being included in the interior of ordinary city apartments, emphasizing the classic style of space design.
Existing technologies make it possible to decorate even suspended or tensioned structures with stucco, and a wide range of materials provides opportunities for solving complex design problems.
Palace sophistication
You can turn a spacious living room into a luxurious room with a palace-type ceiling. Decorate the center of the ceiling in the shape of the sky, add golden stucco molding around the edges. Round paintings with angels on the ceiling, framed with stucco frames, will turn your room into a mansion. Such a ceiling will visually look higher.
Photo: afaceriimobiliare.ro
Recommendations for decorating the ceiling with stucco decor
There are a number of specific rules for decorating with stucco:
- For small rooms, it is advisable to choose small molded parts of a minimum size without complicated ornamentation, so as not to overload the room.
- In a room with low ceilings, you should also use a more laconic design, for example, placing stucco only in the corners or in the center.
- Volumetric, relief or twisted compositions located on all surfaces or along the perimeter of the ceiling space are better suited for spacious apartments with high ceilings in Stalin-type buildings.
The photo shows a bedroom with a ceiling decorated with gilded stucco.
Royal bedroom
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Do you want your bedroom to look like a royal bedchamber? There are enough details in the interior, but the space looks uncomfortable? Add a repeating pattern of thin, uncluttered moldings. This ornament will correctly highlight your interior.
Photo: brv.bigbluemeenie.com
Cabinet
When choosing stucco for an office cluttered with shelving, decor and thick carpet, it is better to opt for something modest. A smooth, subtle pattern on the ceiling will suffice. It is better to give preference to soft curves, otherwise the interior will look even more overloaded.
Photo: loveisspeed.blogspot.com
Plaster patterns
The most elegant and beautiful models of ceiling decor are cast from alabaster or gypsum stone. Stone casting technology provides a very sharp, deep relief of the design, as if in a black and white photograph, and a beautiful matte surface. With proper care, a gypsum pattern can last for several decades without degradation or destruction.
The only drawback of gypsum decor is its heavy weight. Unlike expanded polystyrene and polyurethane, gypsum decor is not simply glued to the ceiling base, but is held in place with a special pin fastening, which ensures reliable fixation of the element.
Significant disadvantages of gypsum casting include the fragility of the decor and the need for a perfect fit of the bonded planes.
Living room zoning
Using stucco it is convenient to do zoning. In the living room, you can separate the sitting area from the dining area by simply adding an ornament around the chandelier and above the sofa. A golden color accent on the molding will brighten up your room and give it a chic look.
Photo: allplasta.com.au
Ceiling design with stucco moldings made of natural gypsum
If you decide to decorate the ceiling with gypsum stucco, then get ready for the difficulties that you will encounter on the way to the result. However, if everything goes smoothly, if you are attentive and careful, then the result will please you for decades! Natural stucco is a luxury and joy from manual labor.
To prepare the solution, follow the recommendations:
- Dilute the powdered gypsum with water to the consistency of kefir.
- Pour plaster into prepared molds.
- Compact the plaster to avoid voids.
- Leave for half an hour until completely hardened.
Mix vigorously using a special drill attachment.
To increase the elasticity of the elements, add a little PVA glue to the solution. This stucco molding will not crack.
Installation of large elements is done with self-tapping screws. Small parts can be attached with PVA glue, putty or even liquid nails. Also, many are interested in the question of what to do if a part crumbles or breaks. Restoration of stucco decoration is done manually using a solution, the recipe for which is indicated above. Restoration of the decor, like its original creation, should be completed by painting to match the ceiling or painting according to the intended sketch.
Classic style
The already bright and elegant interior should not be cluttered with a ceiling with stucco, but you can afford a cornice with ornaments in the corners. The pattern above the chandelier should not be larger than it, otherwise it will get lost. The gilded pattern on the stucco molding will match and complement other interior accessories.
Photo: apartmentsbronx.us
Types of stucco
There are several types of finishes.
| Type | Description | Photo |
| Panel. | Ceiling decoration in the form of a painting, framed. This unique design perfectly transforms the interior of the room. | |
| Festoon. | A semicircular garland with fancy ornaments in the form of plants or any other intertwined elements. | |
| Network. | A pattern in the form of intersecting lines can be located either over the entire surface of the ceiling or in fragments. | |
| Bas-relief. | Convex, volumetric relief pattern with a smooth central part. | |
| Peas. | It consists of various molded balls that can be used both separately and compositionally. | |
| Wreath. | Flowers, leaves, clusters or other plant motifs woven in a circle create a very elegant ceiling decor. | |
| Openwork stucco. | Molded mortise or cut through elements form a very deep and expressive relief pattern. |
Accent on the ceiling
A chicly decorated stucco ceiling needs a chic chandelier that will become the accent of your room. Such an interior should not be overly cluttered with bright colors and furniture. With such a ceiling, a minimalist glass table and a sofa with a simple design are what you need.
Photo: neuarch.com
Additional decoration
The most popular finishing coat for stucco is painting. The undoubted favorite of the classic interior is white and its various shades. Today, stucco decoration is painted in milky, pearl, butter, cream, parchment, ivory and baked milk colors.
Modern methods of decorating stucco include:
- coating with a layer of wax or patina (this type of finish preserves the natural appearance of the elements, gives them a touch of antiquity, and protects them from mechanical damage);
- the use of pigments (allows you to create unique decorative surface textures);
- decorating details with pieces of fabric, silver, gold foil (imitates the decoration of ancient palace halls).
Stucco molding, gifted to us by thousands of years of history, is an undoubted classic of interior decor. Thanks to modern technologies, anyone can bring to life the exquisite furnishings of aristocratic houses, revive the elegance of bygone times on several tens of square meters. Half-columns and pilasters, platbands and fireplace portals, plinths and rosettes - all these elements of stucco decoration can emphasize the respectability and good taste of the owners.
Figures
Illuminated stucco molding in the form of any figures will look very unusual. The outlines of clouds would be suitable for a bedroom, the shapes of animals would be suitable for a nursery, and shells would look good in the living room. If your room has zoning with ceiling beams, repeating stucco patterns on the ceiling will be very helpful.
Photo: frameimage.org
Installation of polyurethane decor using the example of a false fireplace
You can choose the parts for the fireplace yourself, or you can buy a ready-made frame, often called a portal. If you are assembling a fireplace with polyurethane decor, think about the design in advance: remember the fire hazard of the material. LED lamps and garlands, logs, and flower pots are suitable. But if you want to decorate an electric fireplace with a portal or put real candles in it, take plaster stucco molding.
If you decide to create a false fireplace with your own hands, you need to perform the following types of work:
- Make a drawing with dimensions. It will allow you to understand what elements will be needed.
- Prepare the wall surface: remove wallpaper, fill any uneven surfaces and dry.
- Purchase decorative elements and leave them for a day in the room where you will install the fireplace. They adapt to temperature: this makes them easier to work with.
- Prepare tools: miter box for cutting elements at the desired angle;
- hacksaw for metal;
- measuring tape;
- joint adhesive for connecting elements together;
- mounting adhesive for gluing elements to the wall;
- putty knife;
- sandpaper to remove excess glue;
- drill;
- self-tapping screws
Miter box LUX BASIC plastic 300 mm - 599 RUR, OBI
Metal hacksaw LUX - 449 RUR, OBI
Tape measure MAC ALLISTER, carbon steel, 3 m - 265 RUR, Castorama
Europlast docking adhesive 60 ml – 300 rub., Stucco House
Soudal polyurethane adhesive for gun, 750 ml - 419 RUR, OBI
Spatula Dominus Pro, 200 mm - 230 RUR, Leroy Merlin
Sandpaper LUX K 80, sheet 230x280 mm - 55 RUR, OBI, Leroy Merlin
Drill-driver SPEC BSHE-350 – 1598 RUR, Castorama
Self-tapping screws in a package 3.5 x 51 – 269 RUR, OBI
- Apply markings to the polyurethane according to the drawing.
- Cut out the parts to the required size using a miter box.
- Mount the elements on the wall using glue and self-tapping screws, holes for which are made with a drill. When fastening, watch the corners so that the structure does not turn out skewed.
- Decorate the portal with the selected stucco molding or finished frame using polyurethane glue.
- Supplement the portal with decorations: lamps, mirrors, plants.
Versatility
A subtle pattern of stucco on the ceiling will be discreet, but at the same time it will complement the interior and add grace. This ceiling will suit any room in any style. An original and unique pattern will make your design individual.
Photo: dekorsaati.com
Photo of stucco in the interior of the apartment
- Hall or living room. In a spacious living room with high ceilings, stucco elements will be especially appropriate. Larger details will allow you to create interesting accents on the ceiling plane, dilute the monotony of the interior and make it light and elegant.
- Kitchen. Plaster models are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional; they are resistant to high temperatures, steam and odors, so they will be the best option for decorating a kitchen.
- Bedroom. Modeling in combination with lighting or other types of lighting will become the highlight of the entire bedroom interior and add charm and sophistication to it.
- Bathroom. Here, too, first of all, you need to take into account the purpose of this room. Using stucco in the bathroom, you can use any configuration. They will always look rich, luxurious and incredibly beautiful.
- Hallway. The presence of such a finish allows you to hide flaws and defects in the ceiling plane, adjust the geometry of the space and radically change the image of the hallway.
The photo shows a classic kitchen with a ceiling decorated with stucco.
The plane of the ceiling, decorated with stucco, is also called a lampshade and is an attribute of luxury. This design solution makes the decor more original and gives it visual beauty.
Braids
If you decide to decorate the ceiling in the bedroom with stucco, try to make it special. The braided stucco pattern is interesting - it's not fancy, but it looks great on the ceiling. Follow the lines of the room, you can make a subtle pattern above the chandelier. Cornices will visually raise the ceiling with stucco.
Photo: archdaily.com
What ceilings can be decorated?
The following types of ceiling models are suitable for decoration.
Stretch ceiling
Such products can be decorated with polyurethane stucco molding, as it is particularly light, due to which the tension fabric will not sag.
The photo shows a matte stretch fabric with stucco in the living room interior.
Suspended plasterboard ceiling
Molded patterns allow you to give a plasterboard structure a truly chic look. Two-level or multi-level models decorated with this decor will look especially attractive.
The photo shows a bedroom and a multi-level suspended ceiling made of plasterboard with stucco.
Painted
Any type of stucco of various shapes is suitable for painted surfaces. This design creates a truly antique design.
Socket above the chandelier
To transform the interior with stucco, it is not at all necessary to decorate the entire ceiling with it. A small decor in the form of a rosette above the chandelier and along the edges of the wall will look atypical and not bulky. This will emphasize the elegance of the chandelier and can become an accent part of the interior - the easiest way to transform it. The stucco molding should not be much larger in volume than the chandelier, so as not to take away the emphasis, but too small will not do any good.
Photo: topsimages.com
Types of materials
Three main types of material that are used for stucco decoration:
- Plaster. Gypsum has many advantages and is an environmentally friendly material. With its help, you can create complex high-quality elements and the smallest stucco patterns, thereby giving the ceiling a unique look.
- Polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene). It is characterized by low price and availability. Various foam configurations transform the ceiling plane and make it elegant and stylish.
- Polyurethane. Quite a simple and quick way of registration. Molded decor made of synthetic polyurethane does not accumulate dust, does not fade when exposed to sunlight, is easy to clean and is suitable for painting with any composition.
