Modern Living Room Design Spotlight: Magic Between Curves and Edges

Use this modern living room as inspiration for your next masterpiece

Don’t you just love checking out the artfully designed homes that grace the pages of the top home décor magazines? We do too, but we love it even more when we get to work on a home of that caliber. Of course, all the homes we create ceilings and arches for are special in their own way, but some stand out a bit more than others. This modern living room design is a shining example of the magic that lies between a curve and a straight line.

You probably already know that we love curves. Barrel vaults, groin vaults, coved ceilings and archways. Well, those are kind of our things. But, as you’ll see in this living room, our curves can play very nicely with straight lines too.

Let’s start with the ceiling. You can’t see the entire thing from these images, but there’s enough to see that it doesn’t have any straight edges. This is a perfect example of how something as simple as a coved ceiling can open up the room. Of course, it helps that it’s an extraordinarily high ceiling, but the cove almost makes it disappear.

Next, you’ll notice how the person who designed this modern living room alternates between arches and straight lines in the entryways. It starts with archways outside, moves on to very stark lines around the patio doors and continues with elliptical arches that serve as dividers for this massive space.

Look up and you’ll find more of the same. The stark lines of the accent windows are offset by more elliptical curves on the second floor. Take a closer look and you’ll realize that it’s no coincidence that the television is sitting against a backdrop of rectangular blocks. This was a well thought out design and we’re proud to say that we’ve had a hand in implementing it.

This modern living room design relies almost completely on the contrast between curves and lines, but if your thing is a bit more bold, we’ve got you covered there too. Here is just one example of the interesting accents that our curves can create in your room.

This radius ceiling accent was painted red and set against a rectangular black backdrop for optimal impact. Radius curves are a popular choice for drawing attention to light fixtures and breaking up an otherwise boring ceiling. That’s why their perfect for modern living room designs. And again, even though this design has a little more pop, it plays on the same concept of lines and curves. 

When you’re designing your modern living room, try alternating curves and edges to create your desired look. If you need more inspiration, check out our design gallery. 

Groin Arch vs. Barrel Vault

Can’t choose between a groin arch or barrel? Here are some things to consider.

Are you torn between which arch to choose for your ceiling. If you ask us, you can’t really go wrong either way, but still, there are some things you may want to consider before making your decision.

Style

Style is the most obvious consideration. Although a groin arch is made up of intersecting barrel arches, the look is very different. A groin arch will give your space a more gothic look, while a barrel vault is much more smooth and simple. It’ll give you the feeling that you’re walking through a tunnel whenever you enter your barrel vaulted space. With a barrel vault, you have the option of having an intricate mural painted on its inside. You could do the same with a groin arch, but it’ll seem busier. Most groin vaults aren’t heavily decorated because of their more intricate design. With all that said, though, a groin arch will create a more unique and awe-inspiring effect.

Budget

Because a groin arch is made up of intersecting barrel arches, there’s a bit more involved in its creation. Of course, that translates to a bit more in cost too. Those who add groin arches to their homes say it’s well worthwhile, but that choice is yours to make. If you’re looking for an extremely opulent ceiling, there’s nothing that will compare to the groin vault. There is one possible workaround, though. Going back to the style consideration, if you happen to be an artist or know one that would be willing to do a pro bono painting on your barrel vault ceiling, you can create a similar jaw-dropping effect with a custom-painted mural.

Timeframe

If you were having these arches custom built, time would be a consideration. A groin vault would probably take longer to craft than a barrel arch because a barrel arch is simpler in design. But with our prefabricated kits, there is absolutely no difference. From the time you place your order, your groin or barrel vault will be shipped to your doorstep, or at your jobsite, within five days. Period.

Effort to Install

Our prefabricated ceiling kits are so easy to install that it doesn’t make too much of a difference between barrel and groin. The biggest disparity of time and effort is going to be with installing drywall. Instead of dealing with the one curve you would have to drywall with a barrel vault, you’re going to have four with a groin arch. If you’re paying someone to do the drywall, the groin vault will cost more.

There are definitely a few things to consider before you decide to go with a groin arch over a barrel, but it’s your choice to make. Have a look through some of the pictures in our gallery to see what both look like when they’re installed and painted. If you’re wavering, a little eye candy should help seal the deal.

Design Ideas for a Barrel Arch

A barrel arch is simple by design, but it doesn’t have to stay that way…

Designing a new house or remodeling an old one is just plain fun. The possibilities are only limed by your budget and imagination. And if the sky’s the limit as far as budget goes, you can really have some fun. A barrel arch is extremely simple in design, so there’s a lot of wiggle room when it comes to creativity. You can either leave it simple – and it will still be stunning – or you can jazz it up with things like paint and lighting. Here are some ideas for boosting the dramatic effect of your barrel vault.


Install multiple arches

A barrel arch is really just a series of arches, so you can take it as far as you want and still have a simple barrel vault. But, try installing two or even three arches side by side for some instant drama. Most people let side-by-side curves stand on their own merits, but some choose to add a little more in the way of decorative elements. It’s all up to your own personal taste.

Paint a mural

If you’re an artist or even just an art enthusiast, your barrel arch is just begging to be painted. A subtly curved ceiling makes the perfect canvas for someone wanting to showcase her artistic talents. Plus, it’ll create an effect that is uniquely yours. Commission an artist to paint a mural on your ceiling and you can pretty well guarantee that your home will stand out from the others in your neighborhood.

Add impact with simple painting

If you don’t have an artist on speed dial, you may want to just consider painting the interior curve of your barrel arch a different color. It could be a stark contrast to the rest of the room or ceiling, or it could be just a shade lighter or darker. Either way, the difference will be enough to make your barrel pop.


Light it up! 

Just by adding some simple light fixtures, you can draw attention to your barrel arch without going overboard. Many people choose the barrel arch over a groin arch because they value simplicity. For those, a mural would be too over-the-top. But, some recessed lighting or even a chandelier can add just the right amount of pizazz.

 If you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out our photo gallery. As you can see, there are a lot of options when it comes to designing a barrel arch. Just because you have the same curve in the same spot as your neighbors doesn’t mean it has to look the same. Use your imagination and have some fun!

 

The barrel vault, by definition, is an arch that gets repeated over and over to form a ceiling.

You can find them in the Roman baths at Cluny in Paris and The Cloisters in New York City. What are they? Barrel vaults, of course. 
Still not clear on the definition? Okay, let’s delve a little deeper. 

Barrel vault definition: The barrel vault is essentially an arch that gets repeated over and over to form a ceiling. Have you ever seen an arched entryway? Imagine if that arch was duplicated, so it encompassed the entire room. That, in essence, is the barrel vault definition.

The barrel vault name: To understand the barrel vault definition, let’s look at the name. Why is it called a “barrel” vault? Well, because it looks like half of a barrel. If you’ve ever visited The Cloisters, you probably understand the concept. While all barrel vaulted ceilings give you the feeling of being inside a barrel, the one at The Cloisters is actually made of exposed wood, which looks an awful lot like a barrel. They don’t all have to be like this, though. Many barrel vaults are dry walled, so they are completely smooth.

History of the barrel vault: We have evidence that shows that some of the first barrel vaults were crafted by the ancient Egyptians, but it didn’t seem to be a popular ceiling at that point. They were built of sun-dried brick and spanned only two meters. Instead of being used where people could appreciate their curved appeal, they were almost always used for drains and sewers. It wasn’t until the barrel vaults made their way to Ancient Rome that they were used for more large-scale projects, but even then, it was short lived. The barrel vault was soon replaced with the groin vault, which is more complicated in construction and appearance. The barrel vault saw a huge resurgence in the Romanesque and Baroque periods.

Famous barrel vaults: These simple arched ceilings make a serious impact. That’s probably why they can be found in some seriously high profile places. Just tilt your head and look up the next time you’re at the Sistine Chapel or Vatican Grotto in Vatican City, or the Cathedral of Cortona in Tuscany, or Beverston Castle in England; well, you get the picture. The barrel vault definition may be a simple one, but when these arches are installed, they make a huge impact.

So, by now you should be intimately familiar with the barrel vault definition. You can picture them in some of the historic landmarks you’ve visited within your lifetime. Now, it’s time to picture a barrel vault in your own home.

The Barrel Vault Definition

How to Get Started with Arch Building

Many years ago, before Archways Made Easy hit the scene, the process of building custom arches was a chore. If a job required anything more than one or two archways, it would not only be extremely time consuming, but the job would also end up being crazy expensive. After all, time is money, right?

Because we’ve simplified what can be an overwhelming endeavor, we’ve become the go-to source for just about everyone’s arch building needs. So, let’s just say we’ve had a lot of experience with arch building. We’re often asked for advice about the whys and hows of adding arches to a home. So, here’s a handy guide that should help you navigate the curvy world of arch building.

Why Build Arches?

That’s a good question, but we often ask “why not?” Okay, so maybe you want some sharp edges in the home. We won’t go creating arches willy-nilly, but keep in mind that they add a custom feel and an air of opulence to any structure. Arches break up the monotony of a boring square room, adding texture and interest to an atmosphere that was otherwise flat. So, instead of asking yourself why, maybe you should start focusing on the more appropriate question about arch building: How.


How to Get Started with Arch Building

If you’re a new contractor, congratulations on a fine career choice and welcome to the club. We like to say that there are two ways to build arches. There’s the easy way and there’s the hard way. Which would you prefer? If you chose the path of least resistance, we can definitely help. If you chose the other path, well, you’re on your own (sorry!).


Okay, so down to business – the easy way. You first have to determine where you want to start arch building. Maybe it’s at the main point of entry to a new home, or maybe it’s to add interest to the walls in a major remodel. Once you have your space figured out, measure it. Then, measure it again. Send us your desired arch measurements, we’ll need height, width and rise, and we’ll do the arch building for you. That’s right: We do the arch building, so you don’t have to.


After we start the arch building process, you’re well on your way to making a major impact in your chosen space. We’ll deliver the arch along with some step-by-step instructions, and you’re ready to install. It’s as simple as that. You’ve just added arch building to your portfolio.

Gothic Groin Vaults

Framing a gothic vault can be extremely difficult and time consuming. So how do you simplify this process? Simple, contact Archways & Ceilings Made Easy. We specialize in making custom arched ceiling kits to your measurements. We take your design and measurements then bend to your desired curved shape. We then box it up in a kit and ship to your job site.

For example, we recently had the opportunity to work with Kennedy Construction on creating a series of half gothic groin vault kits for his new home construction project out in California. He sent us the measurements and we prefabricated the groin vault kit for him. About a week later he got the kit and installed them. That's it! That's how easy it is! Take a look.

Design with a beautiful Cove Ceiling in mind

Are you looking to add a simple architectural detail to your home? Tired of boring boxed out tray ceilings? Or limited on your ceiling height to add a fancy ceiling? Well, the answer to this equation is simple, add a cove ceiling. Cove ceilings are elegant and an architectural feature that will have your home owners saying “WOW!”

I know, I know. Some of you are wondering how to build a cove ceiling and how much it will cost to add. The answer is easy. With the cove ceiling kit from Archways and Ceilings you can build a cove ceiling affordably and quickly. For example a 12’ x 12’ room would only cost $215.75 and take less then an hour to install.

Take a look at the picture on the right. This particular builder had a client that wanted to add a little more pizzazz to their guest bedroom so we went with a cove ceiling. The finished product speaks for itself.

Now that is a guest bedroom I would love to stay in!