FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Fun painting coved ceiling and walls

DANL | Posted in General Discussion on February 12, 2005 11:01am

Home owner wanted walls green and ceilings white. Ceilings are coved (curved down to walls at edge). So I come up with the brilliant plan to separate the two colors with a thin band of half round molding. Buy an expensive (at least for me) laser lever, put it on my camera tripod on a table and draw a level line. Looks like crap because nothing in the room is level.

Okay, being ever inventive, I’ll project lines a set distance down from the ceiling. That doesn’t work either–door frames are not level and two on the same wall and six feet apart are different from each other by about an inch and a half. One frame rises a half inch over it’s width. They are slightly different than the window frame on an adjacent wall.

Finally anchor one end of painters’ tape at a corner and stretch it above the doors just below the cove and adjust the other end up and down until it looks right and anchor it. Then work form each of those corners and finally have a stripe around the room for the homeowner to look at and decide if molding will look okay there. She agrees that it will, so I can start painting. Only took two hours to get the lines in the right place!

Should look pretty good when I’m done–I got molding embossed with little leaves and I painted it dark green, then rubbed “Winter white” stain over the high spots. It dried to look like oxidised copper with dark green in the low spots.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. rez | Feb 16, 2005 03:04am | #1

    bump

    be bumper pool

    "Live Free,
          not Die"

  2. Jemcon | Feb 16, 2005 03:07am | #2

    Sounds nice. Good to see some inventive people. When we gonna see some pics?

    1. DANL | Feb 16, 2005 04:18am | #3

      I just finished putting the molding up in one room today. I'll take pictures tomorrow, but last time I tried to post pictures I couldn't do it--had to send them to Luka and he posted them for me! I'll try again tomorrow though.

      Edited 2/16/2005 5:22 pm ET by Danno

      1. Jemcon | Feb 16, 2005 05:05am | #4

        Otherwise, send them to me and I'll post them.

        1. DANL | Feb 16, 2005 03:22pm | #5

          Thanks, I'll try to post, then email if necessary.

          1. rez | Feb 16, 2005 08:28pm | #6

            Danno- are you using a digital camera and loading your pics into your puter?"Live Free,      not Die"

          2. DANL | Feb 17, 2005 01:00am | #8

            Yes, am using digital camera and loading onto computer.

            Edited 2/16/2005 8:36 pm ET by Danno

  3. User avater
    CapnMac | Feb 16, 2005 11:21pm | #7

    Sounds cool.

    I did a mock plaster-coved ceiling that had no real stop or start (we will not even discuss the wavy way the 18" started & stopped in any direction <g>).  After some head scratching, we did a fade from one color to the other.  Turned out to be some fun work, mixing a bit of wet-on-dry and some wet-on-wet with the airless sprayer.

    Only job that was more fun was the clouds & sky I did for the artist's loft (which wound up right unusual--when ever they got "blocked" they painted the view between the windows on the wall, tromp d'oille--a real sight to see).

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. DANL | Feb 17, 2005 01:12am | #9

      Ok. I said that what you did sounded good and would have been good for my job (although I don't have a spray gun). I couldn't make and even line because the walls and ceilings are swirl textured--made it hard to put up the miolding too.  Then I tried to attach a picture nad it wouldn't--siad "Unable to Display Page, hit refresh" after sitting there for about five minutes. I give up. Will email them to someone who knows how to post them.

  4. Jemcon | Feb 17, 2005 05:50am | #10

    Here's all the pics. The room came out great!

    Note: These were just posted by me. Danno is the artist here. Give him the milkbones.



    Edited 2/17/2005 5:54 pm ET by Jemcon

    1. rez | Feb 17, 2005 08:49pm | #11

      Yep, that's sweet.

      Milkbones to you.

       

      be a problem solver

      "Live Free,      not Die"

      Edited 2/17/2005 12:49 pm ET by razz

      1. Jemcon | Feb 18, 2005 12:09am | #12

        I just posted the pics. Danno did the awesome work! 

        1. rez | Feb 18, 2005 12:21am | #13

          Oh ya, well duh!.

          Here's some reading that might interest Danno... 24441.1"Live Free,      not Die"

    2. YesMaam27577 | Feb 18, 2005 12:53am | #14

      Nice work -- and your idea of adding trim was a stroke of genius.

      My only other comment in strictly one of style preference, and has nothing to do with your work.

      But in my opinion, one of the few colors that is uglier than realtors beige, is 1950's green.

       

       Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.

      1. Jemcon | Feb 18, 2005 01:53am | #15

        Not my work. I just posted the pics for Danno.

      2. rez | Feb 18, 2005 03:13am | #16

        Running a close second is '50s turquiose.

        be blinded"Live Free,      not Die"

      3. DANL | Feb 18, 2005 05:19am | #17

        I'm not wild about "institutional green" either, but it's what the lady chose. I did choose the "decorators white" that has a slight green or grey tinge to it that seemed to match the green better than just pure white. That said, I do like the green now that it's on. Goes well with the other things in her house.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Mortar for Old Masonry

Old masonry may look tough, but the wrong mortar can destroy it—here's how to choose the right mix for lasting repairs.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 690: Sharpening, Wires Behind Baseboard, and Fixing Shingle Panels
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Hand Tool Sharpening Tips
  • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data