Drop ceilings

Question

We have an older home (about 100 yrs old) that we constantly are doing projects on. 
A former owner put up drop ceilings in two rooms that we have not yet touched. The kitchen/dining area was stripped down to the studs and redone, but, I'm hoping for a simpler method for these rooms, to avoid all the dust and chaos of a total strip down. Ideas? As you can see, it has one of those panels to hide the light and the wires that go across the broken plaster hidden by the drop ceiling. The walls have been redone over the years, but, I hate that ceiling!

Dmhutchins61 · Answer

We took ours down and had a nice big empty space that added height, so we hung a ladder with all kinds of antiques on it and since there were wires from where the lights were, we were able to tap into the electric to string lights on the ladder as well!

Cynthia H · Answer

Thanks for your idea! I don't think the current condition of the plaster would work with that, but, it's a clever idea!

Deb Gladwin · Answer

tile that looks like old tin ceilings, you can find it online some is plastic and some is tin and some can be put in right on top of the old tile

Roxy D · Answer

How about decorative drop ceiling tiles?

Kim · Answer

Are the beams in decent shape? If so, what about drywall between the beams and staining the beams?

Cynthia H · Answer

I want to get away from a drop ceiling if possible. Don't really like them after all these years. I've thought about the drywall, but, the old plaster would have to come down according to my husband, and I was hoping to avoid that!

Liliana Wells · Answer

Google 'metal ceiling tiles' and you will see a variety of ceiling tiles. You can start looking at Home Depot or online. Good luck.

Cynthia H · Answer

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! My husband and I are looking into some options now - after I read him some of the suggestions/ideas I got him interested in the project. We're considering planks for the ceiling right now, but, not definite about it yet. I'll post when I find what we're actually going to do. This is what I'm leaning towards now I realize our ceiling is different, but, I like this look: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/-8338545 and this one: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/glazed-kitchen-cabinets-with-farmhouse-style-3732285

C · Answer

We had a house built in 1850. We took thin drywall and installed it over the old horsehair plaster. Worked like a charm with little expense and not nearly the mess as taking out the plaster and lath.

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Drop ceilings

Glazed Kitchen Cabinets With Farmhouse Style

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