one of my all-time much-loved decorating motion pictures is Mr. Blandings builds His dream House with Cary grant (I also love when Mia Farrow redecorates her apartment or condo in Rosemary’s Baby but we’ll leave that for another day). Again, keeping my rubble-wall infatuation in mind, I love these motion picture sets that yell Conneticut country house. With the Blandings house I love the oversized fireplace and exposed beams in the terrific room.
So here is my dilemma, I have a gas line and some plumbing running the length of the “family room” area in the basement.
I could pay to step and hide them and get a great flat ceiling, or I could use a excellent product in which they would be encased. FauxWoodBeams.com sells fake rustic beams made from high-density polyurethane that not only look real but are hollow and U-shaped so you can hide pipes inside them. This would give me the look of an exposed beam in the basement. but white-washed, of course, to lighten it up.
Both will cost the same but which to choose? here are two inspiring shots of exposed beams painted white:
One from a Vermont country house shot years ago for us by Montreal photographer Robert Pelletier (notice how this look doesn’t date), created by Montrealer Scott Yetman.
And another from the Remodelista website. I love the look but I do realize the ceilings in these rooms are probably 15 feet — unlike mine, which are under 7. Curse this low ceiling, it’s messing with my plans! but I haven’t given up on this look completely. I wonder if a beam the length of the room would be claustrophobic or cosy…
Photo credits:
1. Mr. Blandings builds His dream house (1948), from MoMA
2. Meg Crossley
3. Fauxwoodbeams.com
4. December 2006 issue of house & Home, Robert Pelletier Photography
5. Remodelista February 3, 2009