Many people don't realise that the ceilings in our homes are the largest uninterrupted interior surfaces.
Historically, ceilings were blank canvases that became works of art featuring elaborate mouldings, paintings, tile work and light fixtures. Ceilings were considered the primary decorative surface for architects and artists to work with. Flat with few openings and visible from every point in a room, the ceiling could be designed any way the heart desired.
But in residences built in the past 60 years, ceiling details consist of light fixtures, air conditioning vents and perhaps a smoke detector. Ceilings are missed opportunities to bring unique character and style into personal spaces, and there are many simple and inexpensive way to dress them up.
A couple of coats of coloured paint can create a variety of effects. Light blues have been used for generations to emulate the sky. Darker colours can bring high ceilings down to a cosier level. Bright colours can compensate for insufficient lighting, reflecting light from lamps back down into a room.
Soft, non-reflective, flat-finish paints are not very durable, so they are ideal for out-of-reach ceilings. Satin-finish paints have a slightly glossy appearance but generally don't create much glare from reflected light. Avoid higher gloss paints for ceilings because they can cause glare and typically show off imperfections. Every crack and bump from poor plasterwork, rough surfaces or prior damage will be accentuated.
From the Victorian era well into the 20th century, wallpaper was used on ceilings to provide character and the appearance of a three-dimensional surface. Multiple layers of wallpaper creating a background and border can be used to give the appearance of a stencilled ceiling and complicated detail.
Medallions or large, plaster or fibreglass disk-shaped mouldings can be installed on the ceiling to add a traditional detail or accentuate a beautiful light fixture. Additional mouldings can be installed to create the effect of a panelled ceiling, although this can be a complicated process and is much more permanent.
Finally, don't dismiss the importance of a beautiful light fixture, scaled appropriately for the room. Instead of the basic ceiling-mounted unit installed by the builder, find a unique fixture that complements the environment, and it will become a focal point against the backdrop of the ceiling. A special fixture can be installed and removed with minimal effort, then taken from home to home to be enjoyed for years.
Robert Reid is a professor of architecture, art and design at the American University of Sharjah.
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed