Page 12 August 28, 2014 TORRANCE TRIBUNE 4 Ways to Discover Design Potential of the ‘5th Wall’ (BPT) - With autumn just a few short weeks away, many people will soon spend less time on the patio and more time within four walls. Actually, five walls if you include the ceiling. Many homeowners don’t consider ceilings part of their interior design, and it shows. Most are expanses of bland white paint. But savvy do-it-yourselfers are converting these blank canvases into interesting and functional design elements that can accent a room’s decor, create a cozier space or disguise problems commonly found on this fifth wall. The best news: Updating a ceiling is one of the easiest and budget-friendly ways to freshen a space. All the recent attention on ceilings - from both professional designers and DIY-ers - has prompted the creation of new products and project ideas. Dana Vento, DIY expert and popular home renovation blogger, recommends tackling a ceiling project that can be quickly and easily finished over the weekend. Here are her tips to boost your home’s value while achieving DIY gratification this fall: Warm up with wood There’s a reason wood flooring is so DRE #01344591 Roger Hart 310-781-2000 BRE# 00625505 2420 W. Carson St. #120 Torrance, CA 90501 OLD TORRANCE CHARMERS! 2267 Carson St. Unit B 2 master suits, 3 baths. 1,373 sq.ft. 2 car attached garage with alley access. 215 sq.ft. basement/storage room. Secured entrance. Newer roof and new courtyard landscaping Reduced to $499,000 OPEN SAT. & SUN. 1-4 PM 1611 Post Ave. 2 beds, 1 bath. 1,048 sq.ft.. 2 car garage with workshop. Remodeled bath, new landscaping, new roof. New paint, new forced air heat. Refinished original oak hardwood floors Reduced to $629,000 Kay Grundhaus Baby Boomer Broker Kay Grundhaus 310.890.6407 cell kay@homesbykay.com popular - it tends to warm up a room and add character. The same goes for ceilings. Real or engineered wood panels can extend your sense of style in any room. That’s because they come in a wide range of tones, textures and patterns to suit any decorating style, from rustic to mid-century modern to sleek contemporary. Go beyond plain vanilla For those who want to add a splash of color, the ceiling holds special allure. Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls (or one shade lighter) can make a small room feel larger. A bright color, say yellow or pink, could enliven a child’s room, while a sky blue ceiling creates a more soothing ambiance. Black ceilings have their own design advantages, dramatically defining a dining area in an open floor plan, for instance, or enhancing the enveloping atmosphere of a home theater. Love the look of metals Add some character and shimmer to your ceiling. Consider today’s pressed metal ceiling tiles. They’re far easier to install than their antique ancestors, and the light-bouncing properties of copper, brass and lacquered steel can help raise the ceiling visually in any room. Hide the popcorn Even confident DIY-ers don’t relish the idea of scrapping popcorn ceilings to remove the material and then deal with the messy cleanup. But now there’s an easier and more attractive fix, Vento says. “We took the plunge and installed an Armstrong Woodhaven plank ceiling, which can be applied directly over the popcorn,” she says. Like wood, Woodhaven planks come in different finishes, and can also be painted. Vento recommends homeowners start thinking about their ceiling by exploring websites for ideas. A good place for inspiration is www.armstrong.com/residential-ceilings/ ceiling-inspiration.html which has hundreds of examples including some interesting before and after photos.• Support our AdvertiSing reAltorS OPEN HOUSE IN EL SEGUNDO They are ready and qualified to help you with all your Real Estate • Sat. 1-4pm 1628 E. Palm Ave., #3 3/2.5, modern townhome $599,000 Mori Biener South Bay Brokers 310-418-9188 • Sat. 2-4pm 770 W. Imperial, #69 2/2, ocean view condo $349,000 Bill Ruane Remax El Segundo 310-877-2374 • Sun. 1-4pm 1628 E. Palm Ave., #3 3/2.5, 1400 sqft. townhome $599,000 Mori Biener South Bay Brokers 310-418-9188 • Sun 2-4pm 216 W. Walnut Ave. 5/5 with 3/2 guest quarters $1,890,000 Shiela Fowler Shorewood Realtors 310-529-9922 • Sun. 2-4pm 433 Standard St. 4/3, only one left! $1,349,000 Rose VanHook: 310-350-5920 John Skulick: 310-350-4240 Shorewood Realtors OPEN HOUSE IN OTHER CITIES • Sat. 1-4pm 1611 Post Ave, Torrance 2/1, 2 car grg w/workshop $629,000 Roger Hart Forecast Realty 310-781-2000 • Sun. 1-4pm 1611 Post Ave, Torrance 2/1, new roof, paint, heater $629,000 Roger Hart Forecast Realty 310-781-2000 Support our Advertising Realtors They are ready and qualified to help you with all your Real Estate needs.
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