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My artex ceiling has grown on me! (with pics)

113 replies

betrocrowd · 11/05/2023 19:44

We moved into our new house in November and are now decorating our living room. I remember viewing the house and thinking oh dear lord when I saw the artex and thought it would be the first thing that would go.

Today my husband did a test for asbestos (so we can move a ceiling light) and a plasterer came out to give us a quote to cover it.

The quote was acceptable but now I'm wavering. The artex work is quite impressive and when I thought about getting rid of it I felt a bit guilty over the person who did it originally. Yes, I know I'm being ridiculous.

My husband is happy to keep it as likes that it's a design rather than a flat "boring" ceiling. I seem to be drawn to decor that's very 70s and art deco and he is adamant it will come back into fashion (tongue-in-cheek).

Would you get rid or keep it?

My artex ceiling has grown on me! (with pics)
My artex ceiling has grown on me! (with pics)
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betrocrowd · 11/05/2023 20:24

TiredOfCleaning · 11/05/2023 20:17

I'd just park the decision for 12 months. Then see where you are both at.

I said similar to my husband and said if/when we move in future we can think about it then.

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betrocrowd · 11/05/2023 20:25

Honestly thank you everyone. We're going to keep it 😁

No word of a lie, just messaged the plasterer to let him know and he replied saying he would keep it too 😆

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TheOrigRights · 11/05/2023 20:26

This horror is about 30 years old - as old as the house. I don't like it, but since it's not broken it has to stay (other priorities....)

My artex ceiling has grown on me! (with pics)
MistyGreenAndBlue · 11/05/2023 20:33

Well. This is reassuring 😂
I'm stuck with artex ceilings in the living and dining rooms as I'm in rented. Also fans and reasonably well done. Although I think OPs might be better.
It's nice to hear that not EVERYONE hates it. I've learned to live with it. Maybe I'll even come to like it in time.

BluebellBlueballs · 11/05/2023 20:36

We inherited an artex in our current house. After 10 years we've got used to it!

mrsm43s · 11/05/2023 20:40

I think it's about the best example of Artex that I've seen, but, I still think you should get rid...

JoDolce · 11/05/2023 20:41

I'd keep it if you incorporate it in the decor plan you choose. It's a good artex pattern. I think i would get rid of it if I was selling the house though. We've been in our house 25 years. The bedrooms & landing ceilings have artex but the rest of the rooms don't. It doesn't bother me, we're the only ones who see it, & I don't care what guests think of it!

DidyouNO · 11/05/2023 20:49

Oh it's my old bedroom ceiling from 1974. I love it!!
My beautiful Victorian house with very intricate fireplaces, balustrades, coving and ceiling roses has woodchip wallpaper on every ceiling. I thought I'd remove it but been here 10 years now and CBA 😂

NeverDropYourMooncup · 11/05/2023 20:51

The only reason not to get rid of it is because you don't want to know what it's hiding underneath usually thick black mould.

Dillya · 11/05/2023 20:51

I kinda like it 😆 it’s really well done.

Gingerlygreen · 11/05/2023 20:56

I'd keep it, we had the exact same design in our old house.

The house we're in now has artex in most rooms but it's a random swirly pattern, the rooms that don't have it are just flat plaster and I hate them, they don't reflect the light as nicely and show every single imperfection and light crack.

betrocrowd · 11/05/2023 21:00

TheOrigRights · 11/05/2023 20:26

This horror is about 30 years old - as old as the house. I don't like it, but since it's not broken it has to stay (other priorities....)

Oh my...

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TiredOfCleaning · 11/05/2023 21:00

Gingerlygreen · 11/05/2023 20:56

I'd keep it, we had the exact same design in our old house.

The house we're in now has artex in most rooms but it's a random swirly pattern, the rooms that don't have it are just flat plaster and I hate them, they don't reflect the light as nicely and show every single imperfection and light crack.

Reflecting every crack is funny. When i was pg with my first I was in bed for weeks due to illness. I spent alot of time llooking at our ceiling.

(tbf I have to mention that my DH is a geologist and has an unhealthy interest in fossils).

I said to him once that it was quite nice he had put a fossil fish or two in the plaster on the ceiling. It was quite relaxing to look at them.

He looked at me like I was off my rocker and said that they were not fossil fish, just cracks in the plaster.

13 years later and they still look like fossils to me.

betrocrowd · 11/05/2023 21:02

DidyouNO · 11/05/2023 20:49

Oh it's my old bedroom ceiling from 1974. I love it!!
My beautiful Victorian house with very intricate fireplaces, balustrades, coving and ceiling roses has woodchip wallpaper on every ceiling. I thought I'd remove it but been here 10 years now and CBA 😂

Aww, love your post! The nostalgia of your bedroom and your lovely sounding Victorian home.

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ConcernedCatmother · 11/05/2023 21:03

I think the artex has given you stockholm sydrome! 🤣 Trust your first instinct & get rid 😁…. just got rid of ours and so glad!

betrocrowd · 11/05/2023 21:05

TiredOfCleaning · 11/05/2023 21:00

Reflecting every crack is funny. When i was pg with my first I was in bed for weeks due to illness. I spent alot of time llooking at our ceiling.

(tbf I have to mention that my DH is a geologist and has an unhealthy interest in fossils).

I said to him once that it was quite nice he had put a fossil fish or two in the plaster on the ceiling. It was quite relaxing to look at them.

He looked at me like I was off my rocker and said that they were not fossil fish, just cracks in the plaster.

13 years later and they still look like fossils to me.

😂

Kind of off topic but similar... When we moved in I was lying in bed and then freaked out when I saw aliens in the cupboard door. Away to get pics to prove it!

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OnMyWayToSenility · 11/05/2023 21:07

If your house is 60/70's ten or in keeping! But we had 4 ceilings in a Victorian house so o got rid of at a huge cost 😬

OneTC · 11/05/2023 21:09

Nice example tbf I really like it.

We've got boring standard lumpy looking thing

IchWill · 11/05/2023 21:11

I've been wanting to get rid of mine since I moved in.

That was 2005! 🙈

My artex ceiling has grown on me! (with pics)
betrocrowd · 11/05/2023 21:13

My goodness mine looks like a work of art compared to some of the ones posted! (Sorry). I think mine must've been done by the Godfather of Artex himself.

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TheOrigRights · 11/05/2023 21:13

ConcernedCatmother · 11/05/2023 21:03

I think the artex has given you stockholm sydrome! 🤣 Trust your first instinct & get rid 😁…. just got rid of ours and so glad!

😂😂😂

redspottedmug · 11/05/2023 21:14

Get rid. When you gaze upon the pristine smooth surface you will rejoice after a mist coat and about 4 coats of emulsion.

rwalker · 11/05/2023 21:16

I wouldn’t pick it if starting from scratch
but it’s not offensive

not that much different from blown vinyl paper

CombatBarbie · 11/05/2023 21:17

I reckon it will make a comeback...

Davros · 11/05/2023 21:18

IchWill · 11/05/2023 21:11

I've been wanting to get rid of mine since I moved in.

That was 2005! 🙈

That's brilliant