Friends + Family + HOUSE: Newburgh

New plaster medallion.

The original plaster medallions that surround the ceiling light fixtures are still intact in most of the rooms in our house, but the one in the bedroom was removed at some point (or else covered by drywall; it’s one of the few rooms without a plaster ceiling). You can buy polyurethane replacement medallions, but thanks to someone infinitely smarter, more skilled, and more patient than us, we now have a new plaster medallion in place!

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He used the underside of a polyurethane medallion as a mold, then carefully and tediously carved out the small details in the hardened plaster. We attached it to the ceiling using Liquid Nails and three long wood screws going into the ceiling joists. A little caulk around the top edge, and it’s done.

I still need to paint the medallion and the lamp canopy so they’re the same color (and to hide the bolts), but here it is in action with the Double Dip pendant lamp from CB2. The imperfections in the plaster really add to the appeal—you’d never know it’s not original to the house!

(Thanks again, B. It really looks great!)

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13 Comments

  • Reply lena November 26, 2007 at 1:28 pm

    wow! i’m impressed. it looks great…

  • Reply Adam November 26, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    Wow. Very impressive! It fits right in, looks very original. Nice going!

  • Reply jolie November 26, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    Your medallion looks great, what a smart friend you have. I always enjoy looking at your decorating. It’s not what I would use in my house but in your house it all goes together beautifuly. I look forward to more wonderful pictures.

  • Reply Carolina Eclectic November 27, 2007 at 12:17 am

    How beautiful. You are very fortunate. Funny enough, I’ve been thinking that my bedroom needed a ceiling medallion too.

  • Reply nathalie November 27, 2007 at 9:35 am

    its a great detail to have ! and it looks fab

  • Reply Jessica November 27, 2007 at 2:28 pm

    love this piece – a nice added touch to a ceiling.

  • Reply katie November 27, 2007 at 7:30 pm

    such a nice detail!!!

  • Reply cally December 8, 2007 at 11:32 am

    nicely done, and your home is lovely

  • Reply colleen December 11, 2007 at 2:37 pm

    hi there, just wondering where you got the prints in those pictures. oh and i’m totally having house envy!
    -colleen

  • Reply Anna at D16 December 11, 2007 at 9:15 pm

    Colleen, the piece above the fireplace is a mixed-media collage by Bruce Dorfman (my father). Unfortunately, I can’t think of the name of the illustrator of the print that’s on top of the locker! If it comes to me, I’ll come back and leave a note.

  • Reply Paola December 12, 2007 at 2:13 pm

    I posted in the wrong comments section, but wanted to ask, where’d you find the white locker unit? It’s amazing!

  • Reply Anna at D16 December 12, 2007 at 2:50 pm

    Hi Paola! That’s the PS Cabinet from IKEA. They’re great, flexible pieces (they come in a couple of other sizes, one has wheels, there are different colors, etc.), and are made of solid steel — definitely sturdy and well-built. 🙂

  • Reply Betty C. Bowen February 20, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    I know this is an old post, but I found your blog while trying to decide whether or not I wanted to buy the double dip pendant myself. your photo sold me on it, thanks! nice blog by the way.

    and what a great idea – use the poly medallion as a mold. never occurred to me.

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