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Ottawafocus.com Exclusive: If Walls Could Talk
Ottawafocus.com Special Contributor, Katharine of Girl About O Town
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about my ceiling. With the weather having been what it was – repeating cycles of heavy snowfall, quick thaws and then deep freezes – it’s no wonder the roof has started to leak.

Despite courageous preventative efforts , the fella and I have suffered a fate well known in these parts, the dreaded ice dam. Generally, it is the unfortunate combination of warm inside air and poor ventilation that causes an ice dam to form at the roof’s edge, which then traps melting snow that once turned to water, eventually seeps through to the attic, and to interior walls or ceilings. Needless to say, left un-addressed, this insidious problem can catch even the suspecting by surprise.

Wouldn’t you know, even after a disastrously damaging ice dam last year (accompanied by a long and expensive fix up), we experienced yet another one this year? Apparently, re-orienting the roof line, improving the insulation barrier and proactively placing heated cords on the roof to melt any threatening build up wasn’t enough to slay the ice dam dragon. Instead, this year’s leak found a way around these proactive measures, and just located itself elsewhere in the house. Of course.

While certainly a lot less noticeable than the gaping, dripping mess of winter 2008, the latest flaws on the living room ceiling will still need repairing - although certainly not before a complete analysis and diagnostic of the real problem.

Springtime will no doubt see the arrival of a steady stream of experts and trades people, each with their best assessment of what will be required to resolve our roof leaks, followed by a long summer of clanging, banging and hammering. All of this, just to get back to a clean, white ceiling.

This gets me back to where I began. I’ve been thinking a lot about the ceiling lately. Being that I’m more decorative design enthusiast than building buff, my mind has already wandered past all the technicalities –right back to the flat, white ceiling. Why is it white anyway? And why is it flat for that matter?

Why not make this small crisis a big opportunity by turning a simple repair to spectacular with the addition of some serious architectural detailing?

For those of you who flip furiously through design and decorating magazines, look carefully at what you see. Behind the colours, patterns, textures and furniture is the space itself, framed only by walls, ceilings and floors. It is against this backdrop that the contents of a room come to life, but most often, it is because of it.

Girl About O Town

Walls, ceilings and floors are all too often overlooked when we are considering a creative upgrade to our space. Whether its an all-out-overhaul or simply a finishing touch we plan to undertake, we too frequently forget to factor in the architecture. Sometimes, its already there in the form of old fashioned baseboards and thick window casings, and other times the architecture is entirely absent. Sometimes, wondrously weathered wood has already been revealed, but more often than not, a fabulous floor must be discovered or installed. And then, or course, there is the ceiling. In older homes, a crown molding might run the perimeter, or – if you’re lucky – a lovely plaster medallion in the centre, but most of the time, ceilings are flat, white and perfectly predictable.

Girl About O Town

So, rather than rush to a wall colour judgement or a succumb to a quick fix furniture arrangement, stop instead to contemplate the foundation of your surroundings. Respect, of course, the origin of your home – but accent the presence of its particular style. Embellish existing architecture with paint or stain, or enhance a room by adding it, with wood paneling, coffered ceilings, or extra trim frames. Paint that white a faint contrasting hue, or use a gloss to reflect light. As for the floors, expose them or cover them with carpet, refinish them to a shine or leave them rough and rustic, but in every case remember to account for their appearance when planning your scheme. Ignoring the colour, texture and pattern of your floor may leave you wondering why things just don’t feel finished.

Girl About O Town

Now, I’m no proponent for going overboard, and I’m certainly not suggesting that architecture alone can carry the day, but pausing to reflect on its importance is worth the investment. Just like a timeless wardrobe basic, an enduring work of art, or a classic piece of furniture – a room with good bones will stand the test of time and accommodate the endless number of smaller changes that inevitably come as our lives evolve, our personal preferences develop and our tastes become refined.

So, my walls are talking. And so is my ceiling. It might just be the right time to take this house up a notch, and make it more of a home.

Collage images from - Domino Magazine, Morgan Harrison Home via Desire to Inspire, Windsor Smith Home via cococozy.

Katharine is a dedicated furniture junkie and decorative design enthusiast. Feel free to reach her by email at kite@girlaboutotown.com if you have questions, comments or suggestions.

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