Before: The Challenge of Echo and Elegance
Ed and Sandra Bryant are frequent hosts who love to gather family and friends in their spacious condo near downtown Calgary. Known for their lively events and shared meals, the couple’s dining room is often filled with laughter and animated conversations. However, they noticed a persistent challenge: the room’s acoustics created an echo, making it difficult for everyone to fully engage, particularly those with hearing aids.
When they approached us, Ed and Sandra had a vision of a coffered ceiling as a possible solution, not only to address the echo but also to bring a touch of grandeur to their cherished dining space. Our mission was clear: design a solution that would enhance both the functionality and beauty of their dining room.
In Progress: Crafting the Custom Coffered Ceiling
To meet the client’s unique needs, we designed and installed a custom red oak coffered ceiling that combines aesthetics with acoustic benefits. Each step was carefully planned to ensure the perfect blend of style and practicality:
- Depth and Texture: The ceiling’s design creates depth, which increases surface area and diffuses sound waves to reduce echo.
- Sound Absorption: In between the beams, we installed 2-inch sound-absorbing foam padding. This layer is essential for capturing and minimizing noise.
- Beautiful Finishing Touches: For an added aesthetic touch, we covered the foam padding with a double layer of heavy-duty canvas. The stretched canvas brings out a beautiful contrast against the richly stained red oak beams, creating a stunning visual effect.
Our design approach extended to the custom molding, which we crafted to integrate seamlessly with the Bryants’ modern taste. By opting for a shaker and Craftsman-inspired molding instead of traditional crown moldings, we achieved a more contemporary feel that complemented the rest of their decor, including maple cabinetry, a walnut kitchen, and red oak herringbone flooring.
After: A Transformed Space for Every Occasion
The final result is a dining room that is as functional as it is stunning. The red oak coffered ceiling not only ties in with the Bryants’ decor but significantly improves the room’s acoustics. Now, conversations flow effortlessly, even for guests with hearing aids, making their gatherings more inclusive and enjoyable.
Ed and Sandra are thrilled with their transformed dining space. The new ceiling treatment has not only solved the echo problem but has also added an elegant, cohesive feel to their home. Hosting in this space has become even more enjoyable, with a warm ambiance that enhances every gathering.
For those looking to enhance their own spaces with both form and function, Ed and Sandra’s story is a testament to how thoughtful design can elevate a home.