Doilies for ceilings: I used the plastic doilies that are sometimes sold, to make fake plaster ceilings. I didn't even have to paint them. The ceiling was white and the doily fancy detail was picked out in blue and gold which fitted right in with my antique shop color scheme.

Roberta

DON'T Diamond Dust on the Ceiling: I think it was Yvonne who was interested in doing this. My first reaction, is don't sprinkle on anything. No matter how much glue/paint you use, it will filter off on the floor and furniture as time goes by. Ever tried to clean up that stuff? It sticks to everything.

Ceramcoat by Delta makes a "Sparkle Glaze". It is a milky (dries clear) medium with sparkle in it. Just brush it on. A lot easier and neater than trying to turn the house upside down.

I make Christmas ornaments of miniature scenes each year for my grandchildren. One year I sprinkled the glitter on quilt batting for snow. The container was then sealed. Everytime it was moved around, static electricity had the glitter all over everything. Never again!!

Ruth Mazur

Diamond Dusting Ceilings: Carolyn's sling suggestion reminded me of something. A former dollhouse shop owner in my area used wooden "cradles" to support upside-down houses for ceiling finishing.

There were two pairs of them, made from plywood, and cut at the pitches (angles) of most roofs. The roof opening was cut out of a square piece of wood, and then "feet" were attached to stabilize it. It is really hard to describe this in words!!

Anne Gerdes

Tin Ceiling: There are two sources that I know of for tin ceiling products. JR enterprises - 3D reproductions 53 Case Road, Port Jarvis, NY 1277l makes a raised 3D type plastic panel "tin ceiling". The one I have is #TC 153GLD (gold) I know they also make it in white and in several widths & patterns.

The other is Houseworks - Tin Ceiling #73l3 is small circles, Sheet size approximately 11x17. They also have 2 or 3 patterns. Houseworks phone # is l-800-24l-5818

Try your nearest Miniature shop first. They can probably order it for you. I have used both products. The directions say to install with double face carpet tape or silicone cement. I have used Bond 484 but Aleene's Super Tacky or liquid nails should work also. Check on a scrap for glue compatability with the plastic. Be sure to weigh it down if gluing. You might also check at your nearest Home Depot or Home Base type store or wallpaper store for textured ceiling paper. Ours here in CA carry several styles. All three of these products can be painted with acrylic paint with no problem. I used the plastic sheets for a ceiling in an old building (art gallery). I did have a problem with recessed lighting canisters. They got too hot (left it on too long for a mini display) and had some damage (melted close to the lights). Whoops! But for short term lighting I think they would have been OK. Or even regular light fixtures would have worked. Just not the spots. The tin ceiling is one of the focal points in the building everyone notices.

Diane in SF Bay Area

Glue for tin ceiling: Contact cement can be used. There are a few rules that must be obeyed:
-The cement should be added to both sides if you want a permanent fix.
- You must protect the two sides until you get everything right (I mean RIGHT!) This can be done by allowing the recipient side to dry and then lay a barrier such as newspapers on that side. The second side, that has also been painted with the glue and allowed to dry, can then be placed into position. When satisfied with the position of the second side, gently remove the paper and smooth the two sides together. * Remember, that once smoothed together, the twain is very hard to split assunder. I would not try this unless I had the ceiling upside down.

Dave

Glue for tin ceiling: I use "Extra Thick 484 Tacky Multipurpose Decorator Glue by BOND. I think any extra Thick tacky will work. Mine is in a pink 4 oz container with auqa color lid. I found it at our miniature shop. I use this glue for all plastic flooring and ceiling sheets. Also for the plastic stone/brick sheets. These panels take acrylic paint very well too, so they can be embellished.

Diane in SFBA

Attaching sheets of plastic ceiling (looks like a tin ceiling) to mahogany: Just don't use hot glue. I used it on the tin ceiling in my kitchen, thinking it was the only solution, and of course sections of the 'tin' melted.

Cece

this is more tedious than difficult. First (and most tedious), remove the furniture and accessories. Next, get help if it's a huge house, and turn it upside down, bracing it with old pillows to protect the roof and trim and wedge it in place with the ceilings in floor position. Then get the cheapest index cards you can find and plenty of masking tape. Start around the edges, taping cards together to cover the ceiling. Overlap them as necessary and fan them around the light fixture until you have completely covered the ceiling edge to edge with taped-together cards except for the hole the fixture hangs through. Mark the "right" side of the template -- the one that will show. Gently lift this template out and use it as a pattern to cut your ceiling paper. Before you cut the paper, be sure that the "right" side of the template faces the "wrong" side of the paper. Cut out the fixture hole and the ceiling paper to size, and glue into place. If your house is Victorian or earlier, the mock-tile textured life-size paper makes a nice ceiling; some of it is geometric and faux-painted like wood would be great for a coffered Arts & Crafts or Tudor ceiling.


Loretta Sniarowski

PAPERING CEILING: this is more tedious than difficult. First (and most tedious), remove the furniture and accessories. Next, get help if it's a huge house, and turn it upside down, bracing it with old pillows to protect the roof and trim and wedge it in place with the ceilings in floor position. Then get the cheapest index cards you can find and plenty of masking tape. Start around the edges, taping cards together to cover the ceiling. Overlap them as necessary and fan them around the light fixture until you have completely covered the ceiling edge to edge with taped-together cards except for the hole the fixture hangs through. Mark the "right" side of the template -- the one that will show. Gently lift this template out and use it as a pattern to cut your ceiling paper. Before you cut the paper, be sure that the "right" side of the template faces the "wrong" side of the paper. Cut out the fixture hole and the ceiling paper to size, and glue into place. If your house is Victorian or earlier, the mock-tile textured life-size paper makes a nice ceiling; some of it is geometric and faux-painted like wood would be great for a coffered Arts & Crafts or Tudor ceiling.


Loretta Sniarowski

Ceilings: This is my tip and my "wow" factor rolled into one. I tried spackle on the ceilings and I just didn't like the look of it. I ended up scraping it off. I read an idea using anagypta wallpaper. I went to the neighborhood paint and wallpaper shop and picked a roll of anagypta wallpaper with a lovely design reminiscent of plaster design ceilings - went up to the counter and ask for a "sample". She gave me about 2 feet worth (enough to do my main living room). I'm in the midst of applying it now (thanks to Tom for the YES glue tip) and have my dentil moldings at the ready to finish it off after I do the wall paper on the walls. Looks WOW!!!

Vi in Hamilton