Sunday, January 13, 2008

Tin Ceiling

Some of the older buildings in New York City still retain the original tin ceilings that were embossed with geometric designs. This photo, taken at an office in Tribeca, is a perfect example of the decorative tin ceiling .

What is the most decorative or beautiful item in your home?

16 comments:

b13 said...

My wife...

Next would have to be the pastel drawings of my dog.

Jilly said...

This is just beautiful. I just can't think of the most decorative or beautiful item in my house - I live in clutter - you can picture it, I'm sure, 'stuff' from all over the world and mostly junk but I love it. So I'll say the most decorative item is Beau, my dog! Which actually is true.

Unknown said...

I never knew anything about this. Thanks for the education. Nowadays of course you can buy embossed wallpapers which attain the same effect.

NormanTheDoxie said...

I live in one of those post-war 60's "white elephant" buildings....no character or decorative architectural elements.

Like Jilly, my dog, Wally (our other dog, Stimpy, died last week) is the most beautiful item in our home.

We just redecorated our place with new furniture, all very nice, but the dog is still number one.

NormanTheDoxie said...

As I'm sitting here in my living room, waiting for tonite's snow to arrive (and praying for school closings), I realized that other than my dog, the sun pouring in through the window (thanks to a southern exposure) is one of the most beautiful elements in my home.

Kunterbunt said...

A wonderful ceiling indeed.

Jilly said...

Ming, you posted your answers on Menton as I'd posted my choices. So you are included in the group of winners for most original answer. the real answer is now on Menton DP. Please send me your snail mail address - jilly@pensionmilou.com

Unknown said...

It looks exactly the same as a ceiling I saw in Arizona this summer in a Hotel called the Cameron Trading Post. Their ceiling had the same design than the one on your picture.

And well in my house the most beautiful "item" i have is a small painting from Auguste Renoir representing a young girl, we believe the painting to be an original.

Isadora said...

Hi Ming - it's been a long time! It is a lovely ceiling. Your apartment? In mine, the most beautiful thing (other than my cats) is a Japanese screen that I've brought over with me - gold background with white cranes. :)

isa said...

Was the original ceiling tin color? Or painted white?

Most beautiful thing in my place right now is a blooming orchid...

kuanyin333 said...

I pointed out to my partner a very beautiful moving shadow this morning. We have a dream catcher hanging from one window and also a stained glass emerald green hanging design...both round. The shadows from these were dancing on the bedroom wall along with the shadow from the moving tree leaves outside the window...total effect: magical!

marley said...

I didn't know that tin cellings even existed, you learn something new everyday....like you riding a horse naked!? Should we be worried?!

The newest item in my house is currently the most beautiful, its a cool lamp shade from Ikea!

Joy said...

I enjoy visiting old buildings. I have a penchant for structures with a lot of history. But in America, what would be considered 'old'?


joy
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Ming the Merciless said...

Joy, anything before 1900 is considered OLD in this country. :-)

Actually, buildings in the New York City are classified into pre-war (before 1940s) and post-war. Pre-war buildings are mostly made of bricks and have larger rooms while post-war buildings tend to have sheet rocks for walls and have smaller rooms.

• Eliane • said...

I like those old tin ceilings which they paint in black to give the setting sort of a old bistro atmosphere.

Aaargh... tough question, Ming! It's like asking who's your favorite children. What pops into my mind right now is the most fragrant item. And that would be the bouquet of mimosa I bought this Sunday. Subtle and delightful. I recommend.

Brian Greer said...

If anyone is looking for the real thing and not the wallpaper or the cheap plastic versions that you can buy at big box stores check out http://www.tinceiling.com.