Pitch Perfect: Ways to Customize the Ceilings in Your Lowcountry Custom Home
Whether you are deciding on the final details of your dream home or just arriving at the drawing board, it’s unquestionably easy to overlook ceilings in your plans. However, at Shoreline, we know that a stunning ceiling can completely transform an entire Lowcountry residence.
A novel ceiling is the first thing that catches the eye in a room, and it also helps set the tone for the rest of the space. The only thing there’s not a ceiling on? The number of treatment options you have to choose from when building your custom home.
Ceiling Height
These days, a standard first-floor room typically has 9-foot ceilings. But as you know, Shoreline is certainly not a standard company.
You can ask for anywhere from 10 to 12-foot ceilings in your new home. The choice is unequivocally yours! Reaching for new heights will give you extra room for showcasing dazzling pieces of art, installing unique windows, and letting in plenty of natural light. Plus, extra-tall ceilings instantly make an area appear larger. Two-story living rooms are another in-demand alternative that provide an impressive 16 to 20 feet of overhead space.
Finally, vaulted ceilings are idyllic ways to conjure feelings of openness and charm. These slopes date back to Medieval times, and there’s a reason why the classic design has stuck around century after century. Vaulted ceilings increase the sense of openness in a space, which gives you the freedom to add in bold furnishings and decor without it feeling busy.
Exposed Beams
To accent those gorgeous lofted ceilings, you may want to consider incorporating exposed beams.
Here in the Lowcountry, reclaimed beams are a favored choice for adding warmth, texture, and character to new builds. Beams used to serve an exclusively functional purpose a century ago. Presently, however, they’re primarily added for beauty, and you can customize them in astounding ways.
One of the easiest customizations is color. For a clean coastal space, beams can be painted in a bright white shade that perfectly matches the ceiling above. Dark metal beams with steel hardware are a striking choice for industrial design devotees. A rich, dark stain with a smooth finish will recall the ambiance of a Mediterranean villa, while raw, reclaimed oak beams lend a natural touch that’s Lowcountry through-and-through.
How many beams you add to a ceiling and where you place them are incredibly important decisions that will impact the flow and feel of each room. In an open concept floor plan, overhead beams can be used to visually section off certain areas, like the living room, from other spaces, such as the kitchen. Installing beams above a kitchen island is a beautiful way to create depth and show off eye-catching light fixtures. Triangular beams built into the vault of a ceiling are another visually interesting option that never fails to force the gaze upward.
Coffered Ceilings
“Coffer” means an indentation in architectural circles.
Essentially, coffered ceilings—also known as panel ceilings—have recessed patterns, and they add an astonishing amount of value to your home. Traditional coffered ceilings feature square or rectangle patterns, but there is also the opportunity to create more complex designs. Like exposed beams, coffered ceilings are a surefire way to draw the eye upward, create a sense of uniqueness, and make any area feel more spacious. Another remarkable perk is that coffered ceilings absorb sound.
For a modern spin on traditional coastal style, consider painting your ceiling sky blue or neutral grey to contrast with the beams that create your coffer pattern. Recessed lights make fabulous additions to coffered ceilings, especially in rooms without much natural light.
Porch Ceilings
Front porches, back porches, screened porches…we love them all here in the Lowcountry.
To make your porch spaces pop, a captivating ceiling is a must. Reclaimed or stained wood ceilings are a particularly striking choice. Rustic wood makes a statement and ushers guests in from the scenic landscape surrounding your home into your indoor living spaces. Another traditional option is the “Haint Blue” ceiling. Originated by the Gullah Geechee communities of the Carolina Coast, Haint Blue ceilings are painted in specific shades of sky blue and are a classic choice for porches across the South.
At Shoreline, we specialize in custom design builds for every client. From floor to ceiling, it would be our honor to help you build the home of your dreams in the Lowcountry. Contact us today to get started!
