Ceiling roses are a common feature of historical homes, particularly from the Victorian and Georgian eras. If you are lucky enough to own a period property with an original plasterwork feature, you may have considered having it restored to its former glory. This takes highly specialised skills and materials, so it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Contrary to popular belief, ceiling roses are not just for period properties. They can be fitted to any style of property, adding a touch of charm and sophistication to the decor. They can even be the focal point of the room if you want to go for a particularly large and ornate option.
A plaster rose is not just a decorative feature; they also serve a practical function, framing the join between the ceiling and the light fitting and protecting the plasterwork from cracks and stresses, and concealing any existing imperfections. Originally, they were designed to protect the ceiling from the heat of gas or candle lights.
What style of ceiling rose should you choose?
There are no rules about what type of rose you should install, but if you already have a period property with plenty of original features, then you will probably want to pick a style that is in keeping with the era. In terms of the size, again there’s no rigid rules, but consider the height of the ceiling and the dimensions of the room.
For example, a high ceiling will suit a larger and more decorative rose, otherwise the impact will be lost. A smaller room will be best suited to a smaller rose that is appropriate for the size of the light fitting. If you are uncertain about what size will look best, then try cutting out a paper disc in a contrasting colour to your ceiling and lightly fix it in place.
Georgian ceiling roses
The Georgian era spans from 1714 to 1837, and it was a time of great social and cultural change. House building expanded rapidly, and contrary to popular belief even modest terraced homes featured simple decorative plasterwork mouldings. However, sometimes this could be a method of covering up poor building work and defects in the surface.
Grander homes featured plasterwork influenced by the Rococo style, which was highly decorative and often incorporated natural forms such as shells, leaves, fish, birds, and flowers. In the later Georgian era, this extremely flamboyant and theatrical style gave way to more restrained neo classical styles.
Victorian ceiling roses
The Victorians had a bold approach to interior design, and restraint and subtly were not on their agenda! The Victorian era (1837-1901) was a time of great change and progress, and the industrial revolution created a newly wealthy middle class who were keen to flaunt their status.
This attitude was reflected in interior design styles that were dressed to impress. Cornices and ceiling roses typically featured ornate fruits, flowers, leaves and vines. They are beautifully intricate and will really bring the wow factor to any room in the house.
It is not necessary to have a Victorian home in order to install this style of ceiling rose; it can bring character and charm to any property and blend well with a more modern interior decor scheme.
Edwardian roses
The Edwardian style tended to be plainer and less intricate than the Victorian style of plasterwork. The era was brief (1901-1910) but influential in its departure from the more ostentatious era of the Victorians. This is not to say that they are uninteresting; but typically they are more restrained.
Some roses from this era featured acanthus leaf rings, or simple spun plaster designs. They are elegant and require less dusting than more intricate plasterwork!
Art Deco ceiling roses
The Art Deco era flourished in the interwar period, beginning in Paris and spreading across the Atlantic to the USA during the 1920s. It was influenced by the popular Art Nouveau movement, which featured flowing curved lines and was based on natural forms such as leaves and flowers.
The Art Deco style moved towards more geometric and streamlined shapes such as sunbursts, chevrons, triangles, and zigzags. It is a very distinctive and eye-catching style that will suit any type of property.
