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.
John Steur says
I have about a quart of ceiling glitter in silver. I wanted to glitter my popcorn ceiling so i asked an old painter friend and he had the glitter gun for me to use. The glitter pours in the top and you spin a handle and it works like a vaccum. It sucks in air and poofs glitter out the top. So i masked the whole house off, and had a top loading paint gun and woukd paint about a 6×6 area then glitter that area and the glitter would stick to the paint. Repeat repeat repeat!!
You really dont need as much as u woukd think. And all my clothes and shoes were riddled with glitter
Turned out great! Everyone thinks its original. I have a quart left if anyone wants any. Email me. Greasypomp1949@aol.com
JKM says
The house my parents built new in 1973 had silver glitter on the popcorn ceilings. It was mixed into the wet mixture and blown onto the ceiling with the texture. I have no idea how one would get it to adhere otherwise. It was subtle and not flashy – just a little sparkle. The bad thing was paint would cover the glitter so you couldn’t spot paint ceilings without it being obvious – something my dad figured out when the roof leaked and formed a spot on the kitchen ceiling. He wasn’t pleased.
Lynne says
I was at Menards just this afternoon getting paint mixed. ( harvest gold, thank you very much). And lo and behold right there on the counter was a display of glitter to mix into your paint. It looked very fine, just short of being a powder. There were 3 colors, gold, silver and a coppery bronze. I think I’d rather mix it in my paint rather than try to throw it up onto the ceiling. How in the world would you keep it evenly distributed??
christina says
I just happen to have popcorn ceilings that could use a little something. I think a little glitter could be just the ticket! Although I don’t relish the idea of having to throw the glitter by hand. So I looked up a few other options for those who want an easier to apply method of adding some glitter to the ceiling! Maybe not the most authentic way to glitter a ceiling but still these could work without the mess and quick drying time issues….
http://disney.glidden.com/painting-ideas/glitter-paint
http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/find-the-right-product/interior/decorative-paints/faux-paint-crystals.html
Michelle says
Our basement was remodeled in 1955 and had drop ceiling tiles with just a touch of glitter.
I am using the Disney for Walmart glitter topcoat to get the same subtle effect in the bedrooms without a gun. It works great for that!
Jennifer says
Friends recently bought a 60’s split level that had only one previous owner, and it had glitter ceilings. Because the ceilings were quite dingy, they repainted all rooms flat white except the family room, where they left the glitter intact, and it looks fantastic. The vibe of the house is slightly Spanish-moorish, and the glitter adds to the mood, so don’t think of this as a girly thing!
Jan says
Just a quick thought (that maybe is already out there?) – maybe it’s like the little glass beads they mix in with road paint to paint the stripes and make them reflective? Maybe you mix it into your ceiling paint before you roll it or brush it onto the ceiling?
midmichigan says
Maybe this stuff mixed with ground glass dust; it’s pretty cheap but it looks like it would work:
http://www.amazon.com/Devine-Color-104-0010002-000-Gold-Dust/dp/B00BJFLI56
midmichigan says
IMO, the glitter you have is too large for the MCM era, Pam. I think more of that larger, metalflake stuff was used in the early to mid 70’s. I’ve watched the process done in the early sixties on several homes. Before “drywall” and after plastering over slatwork there was a product called “rock lath”. It came in smaller panels about 12 x 48 inches and was nailed on to the wood studs like a drywall product and then plastered over and finished. No taping like drywall was needed but it was easier to repair than the plaster over slats.
Ceilings were done in the same way and it was popular back then to have a recessed center ceiling that was spray textured with a quarter inch or so dropped down perimeter tray edge about a foot wide that was troweled and swirled as a contrast. If you wanted a sparkle ceiling, a bag of gold dust and or ground glass was mixed in the hopper that went into the texture gun and sprayed on last while the material was still somewhat wet and tacky. The guys told me that it was real gold dust back then and maybe it was because the price was affordable unlike today for most of us.
They used a machine very similar to this:
http://www.goldblatttool.com/Manuals/Compressor%20and%20Pattern%20Pistol.pdf
Just read how to load the hopper and you can do it. You might be able to rent one from a drywall or stucco supplier.
The finer grind of material is what was mostly sprayed. If you want to test it, just spray up a few pieces of drywall to compare.
pam kueber says
Thanks, midmichigan!
Mary Elizabeth says
This is an amazing discussion. I grew up in a Victorian house with ceiling medallions, refurbished gas lamps and hand carved woodwork everywhere, so I never saw this at home. Nor did I see it in any of my friends’ or relatively newer homes, which I envied them. And the ceilings in my ’59 ranch are smooth as a baby’s behind. Am I glitter deprived? Did I just never look up?
I don’t think I’ll try it, though. I am too much of a klutz to attempt anything that involves spraying glitter around a room with a gun. I’m picturing that you’d have to take everything out of the room, and put on a hazmat suit (or at least goggles and a particle mask) before even opening the container. 🙂
Tracey C says
Yes this is a cool discussion! I am learning a lot about the glitter ceiling…and that my mom wasn’t so “out there” when she came up with all of her “wild” decorating ideas:)
Mary Elizabeth…since I grew up very modest MCM, I was thrilled when I visited a Victorian house!!! The first time I saw a claw footed tub, I ran and told my mom that we should get the bath tub with the legs:) Thanks for sharing. I know… I’m rambling…again.
denise says
About 8 years ago I lightly glittered a night sky ceiling, and walls I had done a leopard print paint technique on. The glitter was sparkly but almost translucent. I didn’t know about any gun. I applied clear glaze on the surface and I tossed the glitter at it, some of it stuck…the client loved it…it was a pain. 🙂
pam kueber says
Too cool! Yes, “throw by hand” seems to be one of the approved installation methods!