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A renovation of a 1922 home’s dining room required a dropped section of ceiling to accommodate plumbing for an upstairs primary bathroom. Homeowner Melissa Doucet says wood added around the bulkhead turned the necessary change into a favorite feature; the project also included rebuilt plaster walls, dark paint and replacement molding.
A renovation of a 1922 home’s dining room turned a plumbing bulkhead into a prominent design feature, according to an Apartment Therapy report on homeowner Melissa Doucet’s project. Doucet and her husband added wood around the dropped ceiling section after plumbing for their primary bathroom required a change to the room’s high ceiling.
The work began when the couple stripped away layers of wallpaper in preparation for painting. Doucet said the room’s plaster walls could not withstand the process, so they had to be removed and rebuilt from the studs. She and her husband handled drywall, finishes and decorating, while bringing in help for plumbing and electrical work.
The bulkhead was not part of Doucet’s original design plan. She said she was initially worried about losing some of the room’s tall-ceiling effect, but its height meant the added structure did not make the dining room feel cramped. Wood paneling around it added another layer of visual depth. “What I thought was going to be an eyesore became my favorite feature!” Doucet told Apartment Therapy.
The finished room pairs the wood-paneled ceiling with walls painted Sherwin-Williams “Caviar.” Doucet described the intended style as “romantic, moody, and timeless.” The table is from Bombay Company; she painted previously brown chairs black and reupholstered them in vintage-inspired fabric. The report says other furnishings and accessories are antique or thrifted, with lamps from Homesense and artwork by Monica Chaimberlain.
A Plumbing Fix Shapes the Room
The makeover shows how a practical constraint can influence a room’s finished design. The bulkhead was needed to route plumbing for an upstairs bathroom, not introduced as a decorative choice. In this case, the wood treatment made that required change read as part of the dining room’s architecture rather than a separate obstruction.
For readers renovating older homes, Doucet’s account also highlights the uncertainty that can emerge once work starts: removing wallpaper revealed that the plaster beneath was not suitable to keep. The report does not provide a budget or detailed construction specifications, but it documents how the couple adjusted the plan while preserving a warm, vintage-influenced feel for a family of five.
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Why the Ceiling Had to Drop
Doucet said she and her husband bought the century-old home and found that little appeared to have been done to the dining room. They wanted to retain its warmth and formality while updating it with what she described as new and safe materials. Because the family likes to eat and talk together, they placed the room high on their renovation list.
The ceiling change was tied to another part of the house: plumbing for the couple’s primary ensuite had to pass through the dining room. The original molding around the doorway and windows also could not be saved. After spending time trying to preserve it, the couple decided to reproduce its form in new molding, finished in white rather than the original brown. Doucet said the experience taught her to “go with the flow.”
““What I thought was going to be an eyesore became my favorite feature!””
— Melissa Doucet, as quoted by Apartment Therapy
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Project Costs and Dates Unreported
Apartment Therapy’s report does not state when the renovation took place, how long it lasted or how much it cost; its project listing gives the cost as “N/A.” It also does not provide dimensions, construction drawings or details about how the bulkhead and wood paneling were installed.
The account is a homeowner’s description of the project, not an independent inspection of the work. The report says the couple received help with plumbing and electrical tasks, but does not identify the contractors or explain the specific work they performed.
vintage style wall paint Sherwin Williams Caviar
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No Further Work Announced
The source report presents the dining room as a completed before-and-after project and does not identify a next phase, follow-up renovation or scheduled milestone. Doucet said she was satisfied with the ceiling treatment and the room’s dark-and-wood color combination; she also said the black walls were versatile if she later changes the furniture.
Readers considering similar work would need project-specific advice before making structural or plumbing decisions. The article offers design details and Doucet’s experience, but not plans or technical instructions for replicating the ceiling.
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Key Questions
Why was a section of the dining room ceiling lowered?
Doucet told Apartment Therapy that the couple needed a bulkhead to accommodate plumbing for their primary ensuite. The plumbing route ran through the dining room.
How did the homeowners turn the bulkhead into a design feature?
Doucet said they added wood around the dropped section to create more visual dimension. She later described the result as her favorite feature in the room.
What other major work did the dining room need?
After removing layers of wallpaper, the couple found that the plaster walls would not survive the planned work. They removed and rebuilt the walls, and replaced original molding that Doucet said was beyond repair.
What colors and furnishings are in the finished room?
The walls are painted Sherwin-Williams “Caviar,” paired with wood tones. The room includes a Bombay Company table, black-painted and reupholstered chairs, thrifted or antique items, and artwork by Monica Chaimberlain, according to the report.
How much did the renovation cost?
The Apartment Therapy project listing gives the cost as “N/A.” The report does not provide a total or itemized budget.
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