Archive through October 23, 2001
The ClubHouse: Archive: Interior design and decoration.............:
Archive through October 23, 2001
Danzdol | Tuesday, July 03, 2001 - 10:55 am   As most of you know, I am a designer. I will answer your questions regarding residential interiors within a couple of days....... *I specialize on residential design,however I am sure I can help if it is a commercial space as well.
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Grooch | Tuesday, July 03, 2001 - 10:58 am   Danz, I'm going to have to invite you over to my house so I can figure what to do w/ the window and Frenchdoors in my living room. In fact, you may have just become my new best friend.  |
Jetticat | Tuesday, July 03, 2001 - 11:28 am   My youngest daughter's room is very small with a vaulted ceiling and a little shelf above the door. The windows are palladium style. The problem, she writes on everything and picks the paint off of the walls when she's bored or mad at me. I used to have the room decorated in Pooh stuff, but took it all away after she destroyed her room once more. I was considering using wainscoting (panels you can get at Home Depot)and painting the top part with a kid's paint. I don't want to put a lot of money into decorating the room for fear that she will get wacko on me again. Her room has been bare for about a year now. It's a very small room...so I don't want to go overboard with it. |
Spygirl | Tuesday, July 03, 2001 - 11:30 am   Okay, I have a question....(i'm not sure if this is what you mean, Danz, but I've been dying to know how to do this) I want to spruce up the area where my vertical blinds cover my sliding glass door. My living room is hunter green...and whatever other dark colors strike my fancy. I've seen really creative valances and stuff over people's sliding glass doors, but I don't have much money (full-time student)...do you have any cheap/creative suggestions? BTW, I'm kind of a no-frills person...basic oak furniture and various oak-framed paintings and stuff.... Thanks, Danz...and if this isn't what you intended with this thread, just disregard my entire message!!! -SpyGirl |
Bijoux | Tuesday, July 03, 2001 - 02:00 pm   Jetticat, How about involving your daughter in figuring out what to do with her room? She might be less likely to tear it apart if she helped to pick paint (washable), etc. (I'd hold off on wall paper until you're sure she won't tear it off.) |
Twiggyish | Tuesday, July 03, 2001 - 04:21 pm   Jetti, I use the kids paint..which is pretty forgiving of anything they do. I completely agree with Bijoux about having her help you decorate it. |
Danzdol | Wednesday, July 04, 2001 - 10:06 am   Jetti: They sell blackboard paint which you can maybe use on one particular section in the room or al around from about 36" height down. This way you encourge her to paint all over the wall and it's ok! I know that black is a strong color but because it does end up looking like a chalk board with all the scribbles over it it usually looks pretty cool. You can paint above the chairrail or molding in any color you like. It does not have to be "themey" . Ask her what color she would like it to be. Another option is to use regular CRAYOLA kids paint and go to the store together to buy stencils and make it a dual project you can both do. Choose one solid color and stencil in a second. She can also "finger paint "on the wall on a designated area like say below the chairrail or have one wall in a diferent color that she can do it on. If she is the creative type, she can practice her sketch on paper and then have her do it for real on several sections of the walls while dipping her finer in the paint. "She will love that!!!" Most kids are usually proud to display their own art. After all it's only paint.It can be painted over in the near future |
Danzdol | Wednesday, July 04, 2001 - 10:17 am   Grooch: Tell me when. I LOVE window treatments. They are my favorite! Spy: yes this is what I intended for this thread. I would go to Pottery Barn or Bed Bath and Beyond (I don't know if you have that where you live.....)THey offer a lot of creative rods that you can use at reasonable prices. If you are no frills maybe you can just stick to a highlight color which means....look around your house for a color that you might have in very tiny qualities but want to bring out and use it. For example if you have all tan and hunter green but want to add a bit of a "Ralph LAuren looking navy blue" over it then get a simple valance and trim it with beading of any type that you can buy at an arts and craft shop or just simple rope trimming. If you were to feel brave you can purchase "patch like"add ons that they sell also at craft stores and glue them to the valance. For example, I did a Colorado apartment with the "log cabin" look and we purchased about 550 leaves that Pottery BArn was selling to insert on one of those sheers with pockets and we glued them instead to the top of the curtains and it came out soooo cool! I am not a big fan of using valances only BUT it can be interesting . You can email me a picture if you like so that I have a better idea. |
Jetticat | Wednesday, July 04, 2001 - 12:42 pm   Thanks for your suggestions everyone! |
Max | Wednesday, July 04, 2001 - 02:43 pm   Hey, Danz, here's one for ya. My great room has a "wall of windows" that I'd like to do something with. Here are some pictures. The windows currently have 2-inch wood blinds for privacy. There are decorative canvas panels left from when this was a model home. I haven't taken them down 'cause I don't know what to replace them with yet. What I want is something that I can easily pull closed to better control light (I watch a lot of DVDs and sometimes the amount of light that comes in makes it hard to see the TV) but that look good when pulled back, too. The captions on the pictures will give you more of an idea of the room and its contents. I was thinking of putting some sort of cornice boards up or maybe some shelving between the lower and upper windows so I could display some of my collectables. There's a loft overlooking the entire length of the great room. I have my office up there. Anything displayed in the area between the upper and lower windows would best be seen from the loft. Anyway, I'm open to suggestion. I have no idea how much I need to save to do something with this wall, so any ideas you can give me on budget would be great, too! Thanks. |
Danzdol | Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 08:50 am   Max: A couple of ??? first: 1. How important is the complete view that the upper windows offer? 2. I can't really tell but are the walls in a soft yellow or are they white? It seems to be that this room can greatly comes together with paint. Of course it's hard to judge 100% without actually seeing it in person. Usually, window treatments, should be treated at the end. This means that privacy treatments (which you have for the bottom) should go in first, then decide the room colors and furniture then use the window treatment to compliment. Ehat most people do is rush and get neutral treatments without the room finished. I think it is a great idea to bring in the rust or green from the sofa. Perhaps paint one of the walls in the rust or green (the back one with the most windows). You have to see which color makes you feel comfortable...I would say green because the rust is an extremely motivating color which can take you away from any "relaxing" you want to do in this room. Maybe shop around for an antique rug (this can be costly though 5,000.00 and up). If you want to keep it in a budget maybe go through the mail orders......Horchow, Smith + Noble Rug Studio, Ballard Designs...If you need any of these phone # I have them. Regarding the windows I would do a more traditional swag treatment from the top...Meaning that you would leave about 5" and have the rod with the swag and have side panels at each break....It is tricky because you have the long window and three smaller ones....The first long panel (from top to bottom) would be to the left of the small window, the next one would be to the right of the wider window and the last would be all the way to the right side. This way, It all gets tied together while allowing each section to become their own grouping..Makes sense? That small side window is kind of lonely looking by itself which is why I would tie it with the rest. If you decide not to paint then the drapery panels could be in a rust or the green (anything but cream or white!)If you do paint then you could do a stripe combo with a solid. Swags in a print and the panels in a solid....The rod should be in the dark wood family. HAve the fabric backed with blackout backing..This way when you shut them it will be totalyy dark. As far as a motorized treatment for the top windows it seems like a good idea as long as they can make them disappear as much as possible when not in use.Of course if you do blackout treatments then you don't need it. Budget speaking.....drapery panels will run you a lot because you will need a lot of fabric...However I think they will make this room finished and it really needs it.Just by eyeing it I would say about 50-80 yards of fabric at about 35.00 to 60.00 per yard....depending on the style. That's not even adding trimming or tiebacks. Also the rod can run you from 12.00 to 125.00 per linear foot. Put labor at about 1,500.00-2,500.00 Ask around and see if someone knows a reputable affordable company that can do it for less. I would say somewhere between 10,000-12,000. to do it right. DOn't let them skimp on the fabric to " save money" It looks awful. I would go all out with it.....I would not just do the bottom ones..It will look half done.. As far as collectables, take inventory of exactly what is it you would like to display. Maybe use the left wall only..not all around..OR the wall that sticks out on the right side. That can be painted a different color altogether and make for some interesting art display , etc... Have fun! |
Max | Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 09:52 am   Wow, Danz! That's some answer. Here's your questions: 1. How important is the complete view that the upper windows offer? It's important to keep a view up there 'cause when I'm working I like to look out at the hills (over the rooftops). It doesn't have to be a "complete" view, just so I can see out. I used to have a nice view to the west from up there and watch the sunsets, but then they built a house next door. So, the northern view is important. 2. I can't really tell but are the walls in a soft yellow or are they white? The walls throughout the house are soft yellow (deeper golden tone in the master bedroom). Since it was a model home, the decorator went with a yellow/blue scheme throughout. I really liked that, but was already committed to the rust/sage green combo which still looks good with the pale yellow. You're thinking along the same lines as I was in terms of the drapes. Rather than paint (which is a daunting task with that two-story wall), I was thinking of doing the darker drapes. I got a Smith+Noble catalog on Tuesday and there's a really pretty rust/green paisley kind of material that I like. I thought maybe something like that with some solid accents would be pretty. Maybe the other way around, though (solid curtains with patterned accents). Wow! Budget-wise I'm a little blown away! I guess I'll have to wait some more until the stock market recovers a bit. Thanks for the suggestions, these are great! I did have a decorator come in once to do a consultation (cost me $150). I've used some of her ideas, but some were a bit radical for me. ONe of them you brought up,too. In the room on the east wall (to the right in the pictures), up high is an outcropping in the wall. It's part of the closet in the upstairs guest room. The gal I had come in suggested painting that a different color. I just can't picture that in my mind. Seems like it would look really disjointed. Guess I need a computerized rendition! |
Danzdol | Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 10:02 am   Well I would not do it unless you would be willing to add more color througout...however...you could do it in a depeper gold tone or a sage green..it would look really good! Think about it some.....you would be surprised what a little paint could do for a room! Smith + Noble has a new rug studio catalogue also..it's great! The thing with the budget really is the height of the ceiling and using long panels..it would look great. I know what you mean though..I don't have my client's budgets so when it came to doing my own house it was a battle with my husband who had no idea the cost of things...He would have a fit when I would give him "my budgets" |
Snee | Saturday, August 04, 2001 - 05:48 pm   danz! this is really great! thanks for this thread... i have a honey oak, antique armoire that i had turned into an entertainment centre. it doesn't look right without something on top. i bought a big ol' basket to put up there, but i'm not sure it's right. i've also thought of some old suitcases. other ideas? should the colour be close to golden oak or contrast? and should i be thinking about contrasting shapes (rounded) since the armoire is rectangular? also, do you know if it is difficult to change a hanging light in a rental apartment? and i always forget how high off the floor the light should be--i'm talking in the eating area over the table. on 'canadian house and home' (a great show on house and garden television in canada) they always say people hang them too high... thanks again! |
Danzdol | Monday, August 06, 2001 - 02:51 pm   Hi Snee: Well my rule of thunb on the hanging light fixture is 66" from the floor to the bottom of the fixture. It is not too low nor too high. It should not be difficult to change a hanging fixrue. However, I would enlist in the help of a handyman or an electrician who would probably charge anywhere from $20-$30 to change a fixture. If the fixture is "grand" meaning anywhere over 36" ht than they will probably charge accordingly. IT should NOT be a problem and always keep the old one so that you can replace it when and if you move. As far as the armoire goes......Is there anythign you collect that might look great displayed on thop of it? Even if it is small items they can be accommodated on top of decorative boxes. You might want to look in an antique shop for small doll chairs or birdcages (you can add some silks inside)OR you can simply shop at a place like "Pottery Barn" or "Restoration Hardware" and look for novelty items. PB has these great wheat sheafs that look great! The key to not make it look "decorated" is to acquire items slowly and piece them together. This way each item becomes more special than if you went out and bought them all in one place! Look for contrasting finishes. Place iron next to wood and the wood next to some greens etc.... Good luck! |
Snee | Monday, August 06, 2001 - 06:39 pm   thanks for the info on the hanging fixtures! as for above the armoire, i tried a basket for a couple of days, but it just didn't work. it's funny you should mention things i collect because i thought, "why don't i just use something i have!?" i tried a couple of different ideas, but settled on 3 large, cylindrical tins--antiquish, different sizes, mult-coloured. they look great! the contrast between the wood and the coloured tins is wonderful! thanks again for your help! |
Grooch | Saturday, August 11, 2001 - 02:14 pm   Danzdol, I am curious about something. Can you paint laminate kitchen cabinets? And if so, what kind of paint do you use? Also, what do you think about those pergo floors? How do they hold up to real wood floors in Florida? |
Danzdol | Monday, August 13, 2001 - 08:47 am   Hiya Grooch......You can paint over laminate kitchen cabinets but I would recommend hiring a pro for it . A faux painter could do a great job. I am not sure about what paint they would use but I would think it depends on the technique. For example if they want to make it look distressed which is probably a better choice to disguise the fact that it is laminates. I will speak to my faux girl to give you an exact answer. I don't love the Pergo floors and think that it is not as much of a savings as people think vs real wood floors. It has been my experience that they hold up exceptionally well with very little maintenance. Real wood floors usually need a little more tlc. I am not a fan of the Pergo floors. I think that for just a little more you can get real wood floors which look incredible! |
Juju2bigdog | Monday, August 13, 2001 - 08:55 am   Grooch, for what it is worth, when we were looking at houses this summer, even my real estate agent pooh-poohed Pergo floors. NOT that there is anything wrong with them, but that seems to be how the trend in "trendy" flooring is going. My real estate agent is a trendy guy. |
Bigd | Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 07:50 am   Are you still doing this thread? If so... I was inspired to paint my dining table from Trading Spaces, but as you know they don't always show or tell everything you need to know. My problem is it scratches so easily. What to do? I painted the table and chairs a linen color. Any advise? Thanks! |
Car54 | Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 08:20 am   Bigd, I too am a TS addict.. have done a couple of their projects... did you prime before painting? What kind of paint did you use? Did you use any kind of sealer or clear coat after? I have a lot of hand-me down furniture, and the only way to make it work is paint in some cases, and if I don't do the sand/prime/seal, it almost always scratches and wears off. I have a drop leaf table with drawers that I just did, sanded, sanded ...seemed like for days... and used an oil based paint, then sealed with a non-shiny (i am not sure, think it was satin)finished polyurethane, and it is used a lot and has worn great. |
Ger | Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 05:27 pm   This is a great thread. While I don't have any questions now, I have enjoyed reading it and have learned a lot. Thanks Danzdol, you have excellent ideas. |
Twiggyish | Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 06:05 pm   TS fan here, too. I love watching Frank in particular. |
Zeyna | Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 06:08 pm   Speaking of TS - what happened to the host? They seem to have replaced her. |
Bigd | Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 08:40 pm   Zeyna - YES! her name was Alex McLeod - we really miss her too! Twiggyish- Yes Frank is the best!!!! Car54 - yes, I sanded and primed for days and days, but I didn't use an oil base, and I haven't used a clearcoat or sealer, so I guess after I do ANOTHER touch up job, I will then use a sealer or clearcoat. Thanks! The table has scratched easily, but for some reason the chairs have done beautifully. Please advise on the oil base paint or exactly what specific type you used. Thanks so much!!!!!! My next "TS" project is to mimic the wall Laurie did with the fabric panels in a dining room. I have a rather large wall that is an inconvenient place to put furniture so I found some beautiful fabric and I going to paint a border, tack the material and then frame it out with molding. I taped that episode (it played again today) and hopefully it will come off without a hitch. Does anyone like Paige - the new host on "TS". Should we start a Trading Spaces TV Thread?????? |
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