Heaven above

Among the ways of adding decorative impact to a room, wallpapering the ceiling is gaining ground as an exciting choice. It can be used to add instant character to any space, giving the option of creating an individual look, be it in lighter tones and attractive patterns to draw the eye upwards and boost the sense of space, or in dark colours for a cocooning effect.

The tradition of wallpapering ceilings dates back to Victorian times, as wallpaper designer Fiona Howard explains: “Around the 1880s, there were often co-ordinating wallpapers above and below the dado rail, as well as a frieze or border along the picture rail, so, to complete the abundance of pattern, the final available area to wallpaper was the ceiling.” In keeping with the Victorian vogue for ornate decoration, wallpapered ceilings were the order of the day. William Morris is known to have designed wallpapers specifically for ceiling use, some of which, dated 1883 and 1885, can be seen at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

In addition to its decorative impact, wallpaper also serves a practical purpose in covering up uneven walls and hiding defects, so less preparation is usually required than for readying walls for painting. “I can remember my parents wallpapering my bedroom ceiling when I was a child, mainly to cover the cracks of an old Victorian house,” says Howard. “They used a ditsy, all-over floral design, which I loved – I spent many happy times gazing into its repeating patterns while lying in bed.”

Now there is a resurgence of interest, as Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball, explains: “The fifth wall – the ceiling – is often omitted from decorating decisions, but the last few years have seen a buck in the trend. We are considering this plain as potential decorating territory.” The ceiling often offers the largest expanse of space in a room for pattern and colour, so designers are using it as a