Create color in your room
By Cindy Bailen GateHouse News Service

There is no rule that says you have to paint your ceiling white. But judging by the way most people stick with white, you'd think it was the law.

That's a shame, because a colorful ceiling can make a big difference in a room.

You can use ceiling color to make tall, cold spaces seem cozier or small rooms look a bit larger.

Ceiling color can give almost any room more character. It can connect adjacent rooms by introducing a common element.

You can do all kinds of tricks with color on the ceiling, sponging puffy white clouds on a sky-blue background, or creating an opulent look in a formal room by applying gold leaf. There's even a black ceiling that gives the room the feeling that it goes on forever.

A ceiling can be a place to rest your eyes or it can place a beautiful lid on a fabulous room.

Cindy Bailen is an architectural color consultant with her company Oranges&lemons Colors, on the Web at www.orangesandlemons colors.com.