This project proves that the best laid plans don’t always guarantee success. I did a lot of planning before I started, but still managed to waste half a sheet of fairly expensive plywood. Some of that goes back to when I was first thinking about doing this ceiling and at that time I thought I would use painted MDF instead of plywood. The painted MDF panels could be used with either side facing down and I wouldn’t have to worry about orientation. Or at least that’s the excuse I’m going with. Fact is it was a simple (but costly) mistake and it’s a rare project that doesn’t have at least one. Turning to the positive, I love this ceiling and think it was well worth the time and effort. And while the mistake I made did increase the cost, I think it was insignificant when I look at the finished results.