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Wallmark Homes Painting the space between will help add the extra bit of contrast and help highlight the crown moldings.

Dytecture I would paint that area white unless the wall color is closely related to the color of the crown molding.

Sharyn I think painting it an accent color to the main wall color would look awesome! I wish I had those moldings.

Matteo Dezigns No, No, No!! The space has become part of the crown and you shouldn't try and separate them. Also, all wood should be the same color. My suggestion is to paint both crowns and the space between the same color as the other wood trim and waynes coating in the room. I think you will be much happier with the finished look.
www.matteodezigns.com

Ramona No, but please paint the ceiling a color, not bright white. Then your moldings are going to shine.

mchappell Thank you so very much for the input. Will post the pics when it is done.

mchappell The wainscoting in the room is SW Dover white as the crown molding will be also. The walls are a beige color, would it be too much to paint the ceiling in the room a pale blue?

diannthusdesigns No, a pale blue clg would be beautiful. But you should definitely paint the strip of wall the same color as the moldings as Matteo Dezigns suggested. Right now it stops the eye for looking up. All one color would make the moldings a strong architectural element, and the pale blue clg a beautiful focal point.

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC Think about how it will look if you paint it a contrasting color: you'll have a horizontal line going all around the foyer at ceiling height. If that's what you want to see, then paint it a contrasting color.
If not, then paint it the same color as the trim and it will all blend in. There's no right or wrong here, you just need to visualize the effect and then choose before you go through the trouble of painting!

A blue ceiling is always beautiful--just remember that colors look much darker when they're on the ceiling, so if you want a hint of blue, use a very light blue, lighter than what you'd put on the walls.

kfreund I think painting that section one shade lighter or darker than the color you paint the walls would look beautiful. The darker shade would make it more dramatic and the lighter would look softer but both would enhance the crown molding, make it pop and make it a focal point. Go with a neutral color like a sand or latte shade. Don't go crazy with color on the walls, use artwork for that.

mchappell Spent time with the painter today. We picked out a very pale blue to "try" on the ceiling. He volunteered to let me sample all the options - I know I am paying for it - but will keep you all posted.

houssaon I love the idea of a pale blue. I did my dining room ceiling in pale blue. It doesn't shout, but it adds another layer of detail.

mchappell Blue ceiling.

Remya Warrior Designs Love the blue ceiling. I also love the picture which Dytecture posted with a contrasting color between the moldings. That adds to the drama of the space.

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC Look again, the picture from Dytecture shows all the moldings and the space between them in the same white color. What you are perceiving as a different color is merely a shadow.

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC mchappell--it looks wonderful! Which color blue did you select?

Scott Design, Inc. I agree with Matteo Dezigns. Is this house in the Greek Revival style? I'm assuming there are columns on the other end of the hall? This is a simpliified version of a classic architectural detail called an entablature. It is the combination of beam, decorative frieze and cornice. This is not only decorative but defines the shape and stature of the space. To break this apart with different colors would weaken its purpose.

mchappell We used SW Hinting Blue. We are happy with it so far. We have decided to keep all the trim and the area between the same color. They will be painting tomorrow. I will post more pictures.

solraven I would keep the planes the same color. What's horizontal with the ceiling should be the ceiling color, and what's vertical with the wall should be the wall color. Besides giving it more interest, and texture, if the beautiful blue (love it by the way) is only left on the main part of the ceiling, it give the illusion of a smaller space.