How do I install a ceiling medallion?

Following are the materials and the basic steps for installing a ceiling medallion.

Materials:

- Ceiling medallion
- Cordless drill
- Double-stick tape
- Hammer
- Finishing nails
- Nail-set
- Caulk

Steps:

1. If you’re not comfortable with electrical wiring, you may want to enlist the services of a professional electrician for handling the wiring of the chandelier. If you decide to do the work yourself, follow appropriate safety precautions.

2. Loosen the fastener that holds the chandelier’s canopy, and remove the canopy to expose the electrical wires and the supporting stem. Unscrew the wire nuts and loosen the stem that holds the chandelier. Pull the wires through the stem.

3. Drill four strategically placed pilot holes in the canopy in flat spaces where they won’t be too conspicuous. The pilot holes will be used for installing the finish nails that will fasten the medallion to the ceiling.

4. Apply double-sided tape to the medallion surface that will contact the ceiling. The tape will help hold the medallion secure long enough for you to install the nails. This is particularly helpful if you’re installing a medallion by yourself since it will mean you’ll need only two hands, instead of four, for the process.

5. The next step is to fish the wires through the medallion, and re-attach the chandelier. Again, you may want to have this portion of the installation done by an electrician. In our demonstration, a fabric sleeve was added to conceal the chandelier’s chain and to add a touch of color and texture to the room.

6. With the medallion temporarily mounted with the double-sided tape, install the finish nails into the previously drilled pilot holes.

7. Once the nails are installed, counter-sink them using a nail-set.

8. Conceal the nail heads with white caulk.