There are various ceiling mouldings. The moulding around the perimeter of the ceiling is called a cornice. The moulding normally in the centre of ceilings, typically above a chandelier is called a ceiling rose. The moulding offset from the cornice on the ceiling is called panel moulding. Other mouldings can exist such as decorative plates, independent ornament and motifs to create a full bespoke decorative ceiling.

There are various ceiling mouldings. The moulding around the perimeter of the ceiling is called a cornice. The moulding normally in the centre of ceilings, typically above a chandelier is called a ceiling rose. The moulding offset from the cornice on the ceiling is called panel moulding. Other mouldings can exist such as decorative plates, independent ornament and motifs to create a full bespoke decorative ceiling.

Plaster ceiling roses have been and still are the best solution to decorative mouldings in any residence.

1. Polystyrene ceiling roses take more paint to finish because they are so absorbent.
2. Polystyrene ceiling roses can’t replicate the finer details that plaster ceiling roses can and this is shown by the decorative elements on them normally being flatter and less undercut. Therefore the level of detail and quality is not as good.
3. If a polystyrene ceiling rose is damaged, you cannot repair it. With plaster ceiling roses, a professional can simply repair these with the same plaster it is made from.
4. A polystyrene ceiling rose is more likely to get damaged because they are softer and less durable than plaster ceiling roses.
5. When fixing a chandelier, any holes cut need to be pinpoint accurate with a polystyrene ceiling rose. Unlike a plaster ceiling rose, if there is slight or even big discrepancy, it can be repaired and made invisible by the naked eye.

We recommend having a ceiling rose a similar size to the light you are fixing in that room also. Perhaps if the light is a focal point of the room then we would recommend making the ceiling rose slightly smaller, in order to complement, but not steal the spotlight or overwhelm the light/chandelier.

Yes, depending on the mould we can sometimes cast a flat piece into the ceiling rose at different radii in order for your light to sit flat in the middle of the ceiling rose. It is an important feature because many simply cut holes in the ceiling rose itself. However, if you do this and the depth of the ceiling rose is fairly deep at that radius point, you can lose some of the beautiful detail on the canopy of the light. The canopy is a decorative ceiling mount, most often a dome or bell, for a hanging light.

In order to fix a ceiling rose correctly you need to fix through key points in the ceiling rose itself and into the joists of the ceiling above.

Firstly measure the walls of the room and find the centre. From here spin the radius of the ceiling rose onto your ceiling using some string and a pencil. You can also simply mark out a number of points in multiple directions to the length of the radius. You can place wooden blocks on the outside of these lines in order to ‘butt’ your ceiling rose up to or against so it cannot move whilst you drill it in place.

You then need to locate the joists in your ceiling. You can do this by creating a hole in order to see where the nearest joist is. Make sure any sample holes are inside the perimeter of your ceiling rose so they will be hidden once the ceiling rose is fixed. If you can see two joists then take the measurement of how far apart they are. If you can’t you need to find your second one by making more sample holes. Joists are typically centred at 450mm or 600mm apart. Once you have found these, mark them on the ceiling, making sure they are outside the diameter line of your ceiling rose, so you don’t lose these marks when you place the ceiling rose up.

If your ceiling is painted, please make sure to ‘key’ the ceiling up around the perimeter of the ceiling rose in order for the adhesive to stick at its best. Hold the ceiling rose up and countersink holes in its perimeter, making sure that as many of these are placed in line with the joists. You can simply mark the areas with a pencil and then countersink the ceiling rose on a workbench if easier.

‘Knock up’ the required amount of adhesive and place this on the flat parts of the ceiling rose’s back or spine, which will be in contact with the ‘keyed up’ ceiling. Once ready, place upon the ceiling (you may need a hand if your ceiling rose is above 600mm in diameter) and screw through the countersunk holes into place. Voila!

Ceiling roses are most commonly used nowadays to create a decorative element above a lighting feature such as a chandelier. However, in the past, they were used to catch the soot from the old oil/gas lamps that used to hang from the ceiling. The decorative elements, although beautiful caught the soot in their grooves and stop it from spreading over a further area than it would otherwise. Therefore the owners would simply repaint the ceiling rose instead of the whole ceiling.

No, otherwise this will overwhelm the chandelier. The ceiling rose typically compliments the chandelier and doesn’t take the limelight.

The traditional purpose of a ceiling rose was to protect the ceiling from the soot or heat marks produced from pre-electricity lighting. Nowadays, they are purely a decorative feature used to compliment lights and encompass their fixings to make them look neater.

Yes, but you need to wait at least 48 hours for our plaster ceiling roses to dry at room temperature.

Ceiling roses are known to have been very popular in all era’s including Georgian, Edwardian, Victorian, Regency and even Art Deco. It is unknown what era they originated exactly, but we can say that they have been around in England for many hundreds of years.

We suggest you pair a ceiling rose with your cornice that is currently in your room or the cornice you are choosing to have fitted in your room.

If you have consistent existing ceiling roses throughout your house, we advise you to keep it the same or if not, similar to keep consistency within your property and an elegant flow.