Roll up, roll up! Go big, bold and bright by bringing the playful energy of the fair to your kids’ bedroom with a circus-inspired big top ceiling effect like Amy created for her little ones. Here, she shares her top tips.
Difficulty: 4 out of 5
Time: Weekend
Step 1: ‘Before you start, decide how wide you want your stripes to be; this will give you a rough starting point for calculations to see how many stripes there will be in your room (we went for 35cm at the widest point). Measure the perimeter of the room, divide it by two and then divide by the size you are after. You will then get a rough number to work with in terms of how big your stripes need to be to mark up the edge of the ceiling. Do not skip this part! Equally sized stripes are vital to the effect. It’s all in the preparation.’ Amy says.
Step 2: ‘Find the middle point of the ceiling and mark it – this is the starting point for your tape – all stripes must lead to this. Do not scrimp on masking tape. You need sharp lines to achieve the desired effect. I used frog tape for delicate surfaces (as I had painted the ceiling with White Cotton before the red and didn't want this ruined).’
Step 3: ‘Double-check you have an even number of stripes before you start painting and then mark each of the red stripes with a small dab of paint before starting.’
Step 4: ‘Remove the tape as soon as you have completed the second coat of Pepper Red paint (it will still be wet). This will help achieve the crisp lines on the stripes for the best effect.’
Step 5: Ta-da! ‘Revel in everyone's amazement at what you have done! Our ceiling can be seen from the street and often gets remarks on school runs and when people see it in person for the first time. I am so proud of the overall look. My children will still be sleeping in a circus room until they leave home!’
Bonus tip: ‘I used Dulux White Cotton on the walls to match the ceiling and then added a few further circus elements in co-ordinating colours, keeping the palette very simple. Bedding, bunting and a few framed circus pictures or children's paintings are enough to enhance the theme without the room seeming crowded and overwhelming,’ says Amy.
Playful and full of energy, kids love the circus, especially the moments of surreal, slapstick comedy. For many children, this type of humour is the first they really understand and like. This delightful room is the perfect way to bring that feeling into your kids’ bedroom.
Watch our how-to video to find out how to create this effect.
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