Recently I decided to spend time organizing my collection of digital photographs. I'd like to think that I'm like so many other folks; take a picture, dump it eventually onto my computer and then forget about it. Although I make resolutions to be more diligent with my naming conventions, I never seem to get around to it. I'm frightened by the countless boxes of paper photos buried in the attic recesses of my sister's home.

The point I am trying to get around to, is that over the years, I have taken my fair share of shots depicting interior design from homes, restaurants, palaces, and countless cathedrals, because of my great fortune to travel around the globe. And guess what, other than outdoor pictures of the structure, doorways, and general landscaping, most of my photographic captures were of ceilings.

Unfortunately most of the ceilings we have grown up with in our homes are boring, flat surfaces painted white. Come to think of it, the ceilings in most homes are pretty darn plain. According to building standards, at least in the United States, the standard is only eight feet. So it ends up just being another wall covered with plastered drywall.

Have we just become victims of mass home construction such that ornate hand painted ceilings with frescos and intricate ceiling moldings are a thing of the past? It's really a combination a things but mostly costs. Building standards have changed with governments regulating fire and earthquake safety. In fact, just adding two additional feet to your ceiling height means significant costs with non-standard construction materials.

In addition to the standard or conventional ceiling, your home might very well have other boring white plaster on one or more other ceiling types:

• Cathedral Ceiling – is a high sloping ceiling which looks dramatic but it typically much costlier than others when it comes to heating, cooling, or air circulation. Wall coverings or simple painting is more of a challenge. Access to your light fixture can be made difficult and changing light bulbs a real chore.

• Vaulted Ceiling will angle up from the walls or arch to the ceiling for a spacious feel in your room.

• Cove Ceiling is best described as a partial ceiling on top of your regular ceiling. They are really cool because you can imbed small cove lighting to really create a special effect in your room.

• Suspended Ceiling – typically used to renovate older construction, it's used to hide plumbing, wiring, and mechanical stuff. The ceiling will look very industrial and might be found in your basement or garage. It is essence lowers the real ceiling by at least six inches, using a metal grid with lightweight acoustic material. You'll find that many modern renovation jobs of older commercial buildings have stripped out suspended ceilings and go with the edgy look of exposed pipes, wiring, and ceiling equipment.

So back to my pictures and the disappearance of the architectural design; how did we get so boring with our ceilings and walls? And what can we do about it?

Ornate columns and massive layering of moldings for ceilings were once all hand carved, hand hewn wood, or hand plastered works of art. Much of the skill set has been lost or if available, prohibitively expensive for most home owners. Thank goodness for modern innovative thinking, we can still adorn our walls and ceilings with substitutes, much more affordable these days.

Hand carved sandstone or limestone can be replaced with composite replacements made from fiberglass and a combination of natural aggregates. Priceless copper ceilings can be replicated with metal powders and fiberglass to give the same illusion of original metal castings. Crown moldings once hand cut from wood, used to create architectural depth, can be found at your local home decorating center or home improvement store. All for a fraction of the cost.

These new polyurethane (a.k.a. plastic) molding products come in every imaginable shape and size. The discerning eye will see exceptional and quality craftsmanship with consistent and beautiful detail. Better than the original, these new compounds do not warp, crack or rot, as they are water-resistant and not to the particular liking of termites.

As home decorating styles will vary, you'll find that these ceiling and wall ornamental designs range from modern and Art Deco to the more traditional of Roman, Grecian, Victorian and Colonial. So why settle for a boring white ceiling, even if it is limited to a height of eight feet?

As you gaze upon your ceilings or perhaps mull over your new building plans, take a completely new look at accent or decorative lighting. Both inside and outside your home, detailed accents can completely change a modest home into a designer showcase. Combine the geometric designs of art deco ceiling molds with magnificent gem tone colours of Tiffany lights. Surround your flush ceiling lights or wall sconces with a complimentary coloured molded surrounds to give your space majestic detail.

Eliminate the boring white and start your child's travel adventure today; a makeover in their room can be an easy target. Use whimsical children's lighting for bedrooms or playrooms and paint their ceilings anything but white.