Add Old World Charm To Your Home With Ease

The Tin Look™ ceiling tiles in the Circles pattern are painted silver to complement the hues of this kitchen. The Tin Look line includes eight mineral fiberboard patterns.

(HIT) - Many people long for their home to reflect the stately look of yesteryear. Thankfully, it’s no longer necessary to live in a historic house with drafty windows and creaky floors in order to attain that ambiance.

According to Remodeling magazine’s 2006 Cost vs. Value report, it’s extremely rare to recoup more than 85 or 90 percent of large remodeling projects. Keep in mind that to add some flair and change up a room that seems dreary or hasn’t seen fresh décor in some time, a few simple touches can provide a great low-cost solution. And, in the span of one weekend, you can upgrade your home with some downright classic looks.

It’s one thing to decorate with new furniture or rugs. But what about more overlooked areas—like the ceiling? Remember how classic those old pressed ceilings looked? Now, they’re back in a big way, and they’re also available at a fraction of the cost of real tin. Armstrong, the leading company helping to unlock the potential of the ceiling as a "fifth wall," will introduce Metallaire™, a line of decorative metal ceiling tiles and cornices, in March 2007.

	These Metallaire™ square-edge tiles bring back the classic, stately look of real metal ceilings. Designs are available in 2' x 4' for direct application and 2' x 4' for drop-in grid applications, as shown here. Armstrong will also offer six cornices to complement the decorative metal ceiling tiles.

With Metallaire, you can install a new ceiling in the course of a few days and attain a traditional look with contemporary overall design.

"Metallaire is in a word ‘extraordinary’," said Eric Cohler of Eric Cohler Design, a noted New York City interior designer and member of Armstrong’s Project Michelangelo Council. "The product gives instant radiance and depth to any décor. Metallaire creates a unique decorating opportunity and experience for homeowners, architects and designers alike and can be used in almost any room in the home. With Metallaire, the ceiling won’t be overlooked anymore."

Available in a number of finishes including steel, brass, copper, chrome and paintable white, designs are available in 2' x 4' panels for direct application and 2' x 2' for drop-in grid applications. Designs are also available in 18" x 48" backsplash panels in stainless steel, which are perfect for kitchen walls. Metallaire retails from approximately $4 to $10 per square foot.

Looking for a more customizable look? Armstrong again has it covered. Its line of 12" x 12" Tin Look™ mineral fiberboard tiles come in white and can be custom-painted. Many consumers also add their own faux finish for a truly unique touch. Last year, Armstrong released two new patterns, Circles and Raised Panel™, bringing the Tin Look line to eight distinct patterns.

"Both the Metallaire and Tin Look lines were specifically designed to offer high-end design, for attainable prices," says Ann Miller, product design manager at Armstrong.

For approximately $2 per square foot, installation is easy with the tongue-and-groove design and can be completed in a weekend by do-it-yourselfers using Armstrong’s Easy Up® Installation Kit. And, the tiles are made of recycled materials, so it supports any green-building desires.

"The lines are tremendously popular – the metal look is in," says Rich Wiley, associate marketing manager for the residential ceilings division. "What consumers like about them is that they allow several options to achieve a unique look, and really make it their own."

So the next time you’re considering new rugs or an ottoman, don’t forget to look up first.

For more information about these products and other options for the ceiling, visit http://www.armstrong.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center