I was up at Miller Supply Co. in Pittsfield recently, picking up a framing project, and while I was there I got to talking with Steve Miller, the owner. Miller’s has been in Pittsfield for decades. I asked him whether something in an old store display was still available (it wasn’t), and then I thought to ask: What do you have left that is really really old? One of the items he pointed me to: Vintage Ceiling Glitter — in silver and gold. He has just a half dozen or so containers left and, “When it’s gone, it’s gone,” he said. Ceiling glitter: Yes, that was sure another “thing”.
But I have some pressing questions:
- Golly, how do you install it? I see from the plastic container cover that guns were used — that, I get. I can go online today and see guns for blowing ceiling glitter. But “throw by hand”? You must be kidding me. What a bloody mess? How in the world? You must not only need to wear goggles but also a zoot suit. And the stuff is expensive — wouldn’t you want to collect the excess and put it back in the gun? But then, that means your entire room would need to be 100% dust free, or else you would be also collecting dust, putting into a glitter gun and spraying it on the ceiling. Maybe there is no excess? Maybe it ALWAYS sticks, as long as the surface is tacky enough (see question below).
- Does it go on flat ceilings? Or popcorn ceilings?
- How do you ensure that the surface is all tacky? Do you spray paint fast with a spray gun canister thingie then quick quick quick get the glitter gun up and get the glitter on? Or, do you paint the ceiling with oil paint — which takes longer to dry and therefore is tacky longer — and then put up the glitter?
- What happens if you screw up?
This is a very intriguing product. I would love to figure out the answers to all these questions and maybe even try it — for the record — on a ceiling.
As you can see, this ceiling glitter was made, most recently at least, by Zinsser. That’s the same company that today is famous for all kinds of wall preparation solutions. I believe they are owned by Rust-Oleum. Sure enough, when I googled a bit trying to look for ceiling glitter sold today, I only found examples from Zinsser, and all the listings that I found were sold out.
Like I said, if you are in the market, you can buy the last remaining stock from Miller Art & Frame, Pittsfield, Mass. link is here >> http://www.millerartandframe.com/There is not much left, though.
UPDATE: Reader Mark quickly identified another source of ceiling glitter and glitter guns available today. He wrote:
Check this out: Glitter gun here (glitter also available on the site)
Everything you need, both professional (pneumatic) & DIY (hand-crank) guns available, as well as glitter…
Thank you, Mark!
When were glitter ceilings introduced?
Some readers questioned whether this effect was truly “mid-century” — but we are pretty sure we have provenance back to the mid-1950s, at least. Mark says that his true storybook ranch, built in ’56-57, had glitter on the ceilings (befitting a “Cinderella!”) and Ranger Smith says the foyer of his ’61 ranch had glitter on the ceilings, too. I would guess-timate that glitter ceilings were fairly popular throughout the 1960s and even into the Liberace 1970s, but then interest faded. Even so, they seem to have been continually available.
I NEEEEEEEEED a glitter ceiling!
The glitter chunks in my relatively-old Zinsser are pretty big – notably bigger than my crafty glitter. The label says that this ceiling glitter is all-aluminum.
I may use my two containers for artsy fartsy crafty projects. More likely, I will keep them in my my museum-of-Pittsfield-hoard. My precious……
Before they moved from North Street to their new (very googie) location on West Street, Miller’s carried a lot of wallpaper. After they moved, which is after I truly discovered them, I raided their basement for many rolls of their new old stock vintage wallpaper. I have installed several patterns in the house. I adore Miller Supply Co.
scgopgirl says
Hi , I have cedar ceilings .. Could this be used on a wall instead ??
Scott says
Gives you a completely different feeling about popcorn ceilings, doesn’t it?
To me when this actual batch of glitter was made really doesn’t matter if its faithful to the original product. After all, no one thinks twice about using brand new Formica, cracked ice vinyl, aluminum, and so on, as tools to recreate a mid-century room, why would this be any different?
laurie magpie ethel says
I picked up some ceiling glitter at an estate sale the other day. No intention of using it, just love glitter and the packaging was fun. It said you could toss it up to apply…which of course would be insanely messy. A fun little find and liked seeing a post on your blog about it today!
tammyCA says
I’ve seen the glittery popcorn ceilings in some time capsule estate sales…I really love that sparkly effect..not so much the popcorn ceilings since I lived with one in the past and it just collected dust/dirt & you couldn’t clean it..but, it seems the sparkly effect works so well with the popcorn texture & the ones I saw looked pristine?!
Betsy says
I bought a small bag of copper glitter along with my ceiling paint at the hardware store. Thoroughly mix the paint, then add the glitter to the paint in the can and mix again. Immediately begin painting your surface. The paint dries and pulls away from the glitter, and leaves a lovely subtle twinkle. I also added sand, as well as the glitter, to my blue paint and my ceiling and walls looked like a beach under a clear sky moon.
patrick landrum says
This is GREAT! I have thought about this off and on for many years, but never actually looked into it.
My family’s 1967 split level home in Colorado Springs had gold glitter in the acoustic ceiling texture. Thank you for sharing!
pl
http://www.patricksdesignblog.blogspot.com
Robin, NV says
What about ceilings with stars? I had a friend with glow in the dark stars on her bedroom ceiling. I was always super jealous of that.
I’m also pretty sure I’ve seen ceiling glitter in the shape of stars.
gsciencechick says
Definitely remember this! Can’t remember who had it though!
Norma Whelan says
My current home still has this glitter in-bedded in the acoustic, popcorn ceilings. I’ve been advised to remove the popcorn but, I love it and am reluctant to change the original mid-century esthetic of this home.
carole says
That’s what I would have thought, as Lee says, that the ceiling texture was applied, then the glitter applied to it while still wet. I have never heard of (nor seen) a glittered ceiling, but in the right setting I bet it could be stunning. I learn a lot reading your blog! lol
hannah says
I so remember the glitter on popcorn ceilings (southern California homes). I don’t think ours had it though we did have a popcorn ceiling. Something I really get nostalgic for here in Maine.
When shopping at Home Depot a couple years back I saw big jars of glitter with the painting supplies. I SO swooned over it. It took me back.
Thanks for the memories…Pam. <3