I’ve mentioned in previous posts that we live in a wonky old house.
Built in the 17th century — it is Grade 2 listed — has warm stone walls and a tin roof.
There is thatch underneath the tin but, in the war, the thatch was covered in a layer of corrugated metal, in order to stop the incendiary devices setting fire to it.
Consequently it’s now part of the listing and weirdly, it’s one of the things I like best.
I love our little house with it’s quirks and character but sometimes ‘character’ comes with it’s own set of problems too. Restricted head height in some areas and steeply pitched ceilings are just a couple of the issues that we face but, I guess, that’s the trade off for living in a period property.
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A Bedroom Makeover
One of the rooms that has a really sloped ceiling is one of the guest bedrooms on the 2nd floor of the house.
Although the room sees lots of visitors — as we regularly have friends and family coming to stay — we’d never really done much to it since we moved in.
Sporting plain white walls and accessories that were donkey’s years old, it was comfortable but ‘tired’ I think it would be fair to say.
Wallpapering a Ceiling
It was high time for a makeover.
Factoring in the shape of the room was tricky to begin with but — as with everything in life — it’s sometimes better to work with what you have, than work against it so, instead of trying to cover it up and tone it down, I decided to make a feature out of it.
I found the most perfect wallpaper — white scattered with swallows — from Laura Ashley.
What could be nicer than lying in bed and looking at a ceiling full of little blue birds?
Wallpapering a ceiling is a little trickier than it sounds — particularly when the plaster is uneven and the walls are not straight! But it works so well here.
It has set the theme for the whole room and I chose a dove grey knitted throw for the end of the bed and a beautiful glass lamp base to replace the old one.
The room looked so dull beforehand — the addition of a little wallpaper has made such a difference. It’s given the room a fresh coastal feel — nice when you couldn’t be any further from the sea!!
A Fresh New look
I’m so happy with our new look guest bedroom.
The addition of the wallpaper has totally transformed the space. Instead of looking tired — and a bit basic — it’s now fresh and welcoming.
And it just goes to show that wallpaper can be used on more than just the walls! It can turn awkward space into a beautiful feature.
Wallpapering a ceiling may not be the obvious choice for a bedroom makeover but sometimes a little blue-sky thinking — or in this case ‘blue-bird’ thinking — can make the world of difference to making something look really special.
As well as wallpapering a ceiling — I’ve also wallpapered a caravan! If you’d like to go and see how it looks, check out this post.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
That wallpaper is gorgeous and it has really brightened up the room. I love the idea that your guests can lie in bed and count bluebirds. What a lovely idea! You are an interiors genius. I also think that lamp is an amazing idea. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
Thanks so much lovely. SO happy with how it turned out! When I started papering I was cursing myself at how much harder it was than papering a wall but it all worked out well in the end! :) xx
Looks amazing Caro. All it needs now is some people to come up and stay……xxx
Aaah got some peeps booked in already Sharon :) I should run this place as a B&B!! ;) x
So glad you kept the Union Jack collage!!. Always been one of my favourite things
Looks lovely
xxxx
Aaaah can’t WAIT for you to come and visit lovely — we need to book something in!!!! I miss you!!!!
I should do a blog tutorial on that collage!! It was made from Boden catalogues!! I bet Boden would love to see it, actually!! xx
What beautiful wallpaper, such a lovely room hun. I need you to come and do our bedroom now! :) xx
Thanks so much Aby — can’t believe what a difference it’s made to the room, it looked so sparse before! xx
Looks lovely!! The wallpaper is my favourite simple yet makes it enough of a feature :) xx
Aaah thank you so much Alice :) They had some lovely ones but the blue-birds was definitely my favourite xx
Oh Caro, it looks absolutely gorgeous. It makes such a difference to the room. I adore the lamp. You’re so clever xx
Thanks SO much Rachel!! :) Am totally chuffed with it. Have only ever hung wallpaper twice before so I was a little bit nervous. It has worked better than I’d hoped though!! I think the wonky beam is more forgiving than a straight line anyway!! ;) x
Oh wow how pretty is the bird wallpaper? I absolutely love it and you’re right it has really made the room special hasn’t it. Can’t wait to sleep in it when I come and visit!! Hahaha xx
It’s lovely isn’t it? So simple — it looks fab on the wall. I can’t wait for you to come and visit either pet — you’re always more than welcome xxxx
That wallpaper is so pretty! Like you say it will be lovely to lie in bed looking at it, I hope you tested it out once you’d done it :) I like the lamp too, lovely space xx
Aah thanks Hayley :) It’s a really comfy bed actually — when Dickie is ill I sometimes go and sleep up there!! Will be lovely to drift off and look at the little birds circling over my head ;)
Omg Caro I love that paper, the roof in our room is like a big A, exactly the same with the beams but huge beams, I want birds over my bed to, they are beautiful x
Gorgeous isn’t it?! I had stars in mind to begin with but was so chuffed when I saw the little blue birds! Such a lovely simple design — perfect for a bedroom xx
What a lovely quaint room! I love the calm feel the makeover has given it, the wallpaper has somehow made the wooden beam look lighter? Love the lamp base xx
It’s made it feel lovely and tranquil in there — and yes — I think you may be right about the beam. Trick of the eye but it certainly does look lighter! x
Oh I think that’s so beautiful and calm. I have a soft spot for birds though so I may be biased! I wish we could make our guest room more tranquil and inviting (it’s actually my sewing workroom so there’s not much chance of that!).
Thanks so much Katie! I have a soft spot for birds too :) I imagines stars on the ceiling initially,but was SO pleased when I spotted the bluebird paper! Thanks for stopping by x
Ohhh I love this! It’s really brightened up the room. I love soft muted shades and then little flashes of colour.
Thanks so much Sian. It’s made the world of difference to the room — so much brighter and fresher than before! xx
It looks gorgeous Caro, I love the wallpaper and the quirky touches. And I love the wonkiness of it too- what a beautiful room. x
Aaah thanks so much Katie! :) I’m delighted with it — it was so bland before.That little bit of wallpaper has made a world of difference :) xx
Looks absolutely stunning and I love how just a little few changes can make such a big difference. Love the bird wallpaper it’s amazing and right up my street. Lovely room. #homecorner Hibs100
Thanks so much Jenny — it’s made a huge difference to the room! I’m such a fan of little touches of wallpaper; not all over the house, but a little flash here and there is lovely, I think! xx