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Age a New Ceiling Medallion and Make it Look Old

Ever wonder how you can take a simple architectural element and turn it into a piece that resembles weathered plaster? It’s easier than  you think. Ceiling medallions are one of those things that can add so much to your lighting, and if you have an electrician coming over to replace a light fixture, it’s a good time to add it! While medallions come from the hardware store a bright white plastic color, many of them can be customized.
A brass chandelier hangs from a ceiling medallion, suspended by a long chain that is attached off-center. White cabinets are visible below.

For less than $10 we purchased this plastic ceiling medallion, but it needs a little help and age. Like fine wine, somethings do get better with age 😉 There are many techniques to age a piece, but this one  is simple and effective. Make sure your ceiling medallion says that it’s customizable and paintable like ours did.
A hand uses a paintbrush to apply white paint to an ornate, round decorative plate resting on newspaper.

Paint on a Coat of Primer if Not Pre-Primed

I coated it first with a multi-surface latex primer. This will help the paint stick, especially if the medallion is not pre-primed.

Add a Coat of Dark Brown  Paint

After the primer dries, use a brush to apply a coat of dark brown  paint. If you want to add some crackling, you can do that step between the dark coat and top coat. After your “dark” coat is dry, add another layer of white paint.
A hand painting a decorative plate with white paint on a cardboard surface, with a paintbrush and paper towels nearby.

Remove the White Paint

While it’s still wet, a damp paper towel can easily remove some of the top layer of white paint to let the brown paint show through. If it’s a little to dry, use a damp paper towel to wipe over the top and give it a light wet sand to remove the top layer. If you do this dry you might sand through the brown layer, so make sure to wet sand it, plus it keeps the dust down.

A hand uses sandpaper to smooth the surface of a decorative white plaster or resin frame.

 

Dust and Lightly Paint with Brown Paint

Once the white is dry, lighting paint the surface with a light brown paint and use a damp paper towel to immediately remove the paint off of the top of the raised areas. This will give it the look of aged plaster. Remember, you are going to be looking at this from at least 3-5 feet away straight up, so it doesn’t have to be perfect!

A hand uses a paintbrush to apply white paint to the ornate surface of a circular decorative object, with a paper towel and cardboard underneath.
Once your paint is completely dry it’s ready to go. You can do other things with ceiling medallions like make fun and fancy mirrors.
A decorative, round, white plaster medallion with ornate detailing rests on a wooden surface next to a stack of books.
Have your electrician install while they do the light. What is nice about these is that they come in all sizes and designs from fancy and ornate very plain and modern. They can also be customized and painted (if it says so on the packaging) and they make a nice addition to just looking up!
A decorative, frosted glass ceiling light fixture is mounted on a white ceiling, casting a soft glow.

 

Jen

 

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