Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)

How does it work?

The stars absorb light in the room. When the lights go out at night, all your furniture, decorations, artwork and wall treatments disappear into the dark and a beautiful star-filled universe appears.

How long will it last?

The duration is entirely dependent on your environment. The darker the room, the longer you will see the stars. This is a physiological effect of your eyes even more than a feature of the stars. Under normal conditions the glow may last for one to two hours after the lights go out. Since you are usually in bed at this time, chances are good that you will fade long before the stars do.

The effect may be repeated every night for decades. Some people who have had the original Stellarvision applied to their rooms almost 20 years ago report that their stars are still glowing!  This is why we consider StarGaze to be a permanent application.

What rooms work best?

Bedrooms work best for several reasons.  StarGaze needs a fairly dark room to work well, and because it is so relaxing, is a great way to fall asleep.  We have also done hot-tub rooms, bathrooms, music rooms, and basement rooms. If you are not sure if the room is right, please ask us.

How long does it take to create the universe?

An average room takes around four hours.  Higher than normal ceilings will add additional time.  We will give you a more accurate estimation when we come to your home.

Do I need to paint the ceiling black?

No, in fact a white or light colored ceiling works best, as the stars blend in with these colors very well.  One of the cool things about StarGaze is that you do not see it during the daytime.

I have a textured ceiling.  Can it still be done?

The texture of the ceiling does not matter.  We have installed over flat ceilings and many different types of textures, including popcorn and other types of sprayed-on textures.  We have even installed onto dropped ceiling tiles.

How much does it cost?

You might think owning the universe would be expensive, but it's not. It actually costs less than most of the other treatments in the room. It's less than a professional paint job. Costs vary with the size and height of the room so call us for an estimate. We'll make sure you get the best deal we can offer!

What is the material?

A blend of compounds produces the long lasting glow found in the StarGaze product. Still, some things need to be kept secret, but it is safe, non-radioactive and non-toxic.  The material has a very short shelf life, so it is freshly mixed for each application. Once dry or set, it will last longer than the wall surfaces to which it is applied.

Will it look ugly on my walls in the daytime?

StarGaze is normally undetectable on any light colored surface in normal light. Whites, off whites, pastels of all colors, smooth or textured surfaces show little or no evidence of this remarkable effect until the lights go out. A dark colored wall might show some hint of the process in daylight.  If there is a chance of that happening we will let you know before we begin. If you choose to create the stars on only the ceiling, the effect is still remarkable. We call it the “glass ceiling” effect.

What needs to be done to prepare the room?

Nothing, unless if you plan on painting your room in the near future you will want to do so before we give you your star-filled universe.  StarGaze is “permanent until painted over”.

You do not need to move anything, as we will work around your furniture and decorations and cover everything.   After we are complete, you may need to vacuum the floor.

How do I get rid of it if I don't want it anymore?

People never tire of the stars, but if you really need to get rid of it, wallpaper or good quality paint will completely cover the StarGaze product. If you were forced to paint or paper over your stars and you want them back, just call us for a fresh new universe.

What about that glow-in-the-dark paint or those stick-on stars?

The difference is astronomical.  If you want to see something close, go outside on a clear, dark moonless night during a power failure.

Seriously, the luminous substance in most off-the-shelf products lasts for just a few minutes and loses its brilliance over time. The stick-up dots or stars are big and cartoonish. It's just not that easy to make something realistic and astronomically accurate, either. Our artists with their tools can accomplish the task in four or five hours when it might take a novice literally days to achieve a lesser result. Besides, the magic loses a lot of its luster if you know too much about the illusion. Just let us do the work, then lie back and enjoy it.

Do I need any special lighting?

If a room has good even lighting, probably not.  However, in some rooms, the magic of StarGaze is enhanced by using a black light for a few minutes to charge the stars.  

Is it really astronomically accurate?

Since most of the universe remains unexplored and is really too far away to worry about, the illusion is accurate from the prime viewing location to the 5th magnitude of stars. It is nearly a planetarium quality experience. Major constellations are easily identifiable. Minor stars are, frankly, random. Such is the nature of the universe.