Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/771498
Sizing a Medallion To ensure your medallion doesn't overpower or underwhelm, follow these handy guidelines: To replicate the texture of real plaster, mix joint compound with water until it reaches a pancake-batter consistency, then brush it onto the medallion before installing it. Tip: The shortcut: Polyurethane medallions made from molds have all the detail of plaster but very little of the weight. Installing one—either for decoration only or to hide an electrical box—requires just a few beads of construction adhesive. Choosing a size Ceiling medallions come in all sizes and designs, befitting everything from simple Colonial-style sitting rooms to ornate Victorian parlors. Not all are white to mimic plaster; some have metallic or woodlike finishes, and others use mirrors as embellishment. The Victorians had the advantage of elaborate wallpaper designs with the onset of more elaborate printing presses and handmade papers. Wall paper hangers could do extremely elaborate work with just one paper, as long as it included borders in the pattern. The ceiling medallions in plaster had the added benefit of reducing the risk of fire directly above the chandelier, by being less flammable than paper. The more ornate it was, the less likely it was to catch fire, giving the inhabitants of the room time extinguish the fire or escape should there be a flare up. They were also useful in camouflaging the hardware and ropes of the chandeliers, which had to be lowered to be lit. Room Size in Square Feet Medallion Diameter in Inches 140 or less Up to 20 140 to 210 20 to 30 210 to 280 30 to 40 More than 280 40 or larger