Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Beam Me Up!

While we were in Italy, I noticed a lot of beamed ceilings. Ancient beamed ceilings.
Like the ceiling in the room we stayed at Vignamaggio.
I loved this room! Although the ceiling is a little low and oppressive, I felt like we had stepped back in time to the 15th century.

I think that's what rustic beamed ceilings do. They give the room a sense of history and permanence.



Beamed ceilings can be quite rustic, like the bedroom in this log cabin.



This bedroom is like the western version of Vignamaggio's guest room in Italy!

Lightening up a little, just by adding white linen upholstery. I love the black wall and cowhide rug.

Lately, I've been loving painted beamed ceilings. Still rustic, but lightened up.
A combination of rustic and elegance.




I don't have beamed ceilings in my home, but would love to live in a house that does someday.
Would they be rustic, or would they be painted? That is the question! Perhaps I should add beamed ceilings to my Design Bucket List!

Do you have beams in your life?

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14 comments:

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Oh I love beams too, Delores! We have a vintage cottage and we added beams to the living room ceiling for character and when we added on the master bedroom, we did a peaked, beamed ceiling. Love it. You should definitely add beams to your list! I love your inspirations- the white rooms - especially #10 with that gorgeous chandelier-just LOVE it!!!! Thanks for sharing!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

What beautiful rooms, Delores! I noticed the same thing in France! There, not many of the ones I saw were painted and were generally historic. I do love the lighter look of the painted ones, though! And if you add them...no history involved! So I say...go for it if you want to paint them! Happy week!...hugs..debboe

Julie Harward said...

I love all of this too. I really loved that old bar/island also. When we built our home, in my heart of hearts, I wanted a big log home but my husband was a bit afraid of the upkeep of the outside.

Tamra said...

Ok picture #10 still has my heart palpitating! Beautiful.

It is amazing what beams can do for a room. I've had clients that stress over how to change the wall color or furniture and I often find that changing the beams, from plain drywall to a distressed or reclaimed wood finish or either lightening or darkening is all the room needs.

Definitely put these on your bucket list. Infact you should try to incorporate them into your airstream! Now that would be fun!

Komali Nunna said...

The house I grew up in India had beamed ceiling. At that time I took it for granted. Now I wish I have beamed ceiling in my house.

Tammy said...

I love beamed ceilings and also hope someday to live in a home with them. They add so much character, history and charm. Either way, natural or painted, I am in love with them! Wonderful pictures to dream about! Tammy

Kathysue said...

Hi Delores, I think you can put it in the list with the RAnch. Remember the 60s beamed ceilings and then in the 80s and 90s we were all painting them to make them disappear and then in 2000 the 30 somethings were adding them to their rooms again. So funny how it all comes back. I can totally see beamed ceilings in your Ranch re-do. Even the house in ASti would be amazing with beams!!! Love all of the images, so inviting and cozy!! KS

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Delores, I LOVE that first white dining room. and oh, the bedroom where you stayed in Italy - love it. When I look at these kind of pictures, I want to get rid of everything I have and start again. So much inspiration in this post. I just have to reign in my desire to change everything. laurie

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

HI Delores. I just love some of these rooms! We do ahve several beams in our house. We have one in the kitchen and 3 in our master bedrrom. I never thought of doing a post on BEAMS! Sure am glad YOU thought of it though! XO, Pinky

NanaDiana said...

Well, let me preface this by saying I have rehabbed 13 houses (that we have lived in-not counting the ones we rehabbed and sold outright)...and I have had beams that I loved and beams that I didn't love so much. My favorite beams were in our very first house. They were taken from an old barn and used in a A frame style bedroom...they were wonderful. I loved them. Then I had beams in a family room that made the ceiling feel dark and low...and even painting them white didn't seem to help.

I think I would like them in a rustic/cottage setting. We thought about leaving them exposed in this house and decided not to and I am happy with that decision. Hugs-Diana

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Yum to beams! We have some great hefty ones in our guest house. Some phony ones in our kitchen/family room...and hopefully some beam structures in our barn re-do. LOVE em!

Anonymous said...

We do. It was one of many elements that made me want to buy this old house.
Our livingroom is wormy chestnut; a rich, warm, wood, that casts a golden air about the room and has the best knots and crevices I have ever scene. The ceiling is all wood, with beams, and is the coziest nest ever. We hosted a baby shower here last winter, and one guest said as she left that our living room was simply magical.
My husband's business office, new and out in the barn, has beams as well. He distressed them himself with chains and hammers and I don't think I want to know what else. They are spectacular.

Heather @ Satisfying Spaces said...

I LOVE beamed ceilings! I had a home that had beamed ceilings and really enjoyed them. I hope to have them again in the future.

AICO Furniture said...

That is really impressive and unique interior setting and good as beam ceilings as well.

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