INTERVENTION part II

This post is a continuation of my last post. 

Now for her family room.  For this room, Kim has purchased a soft green color paint for the walls- and again wants to paint the beams an off white.  To which I say, 'INTERVENTION!"  Most angles of the room are going to have her furniture (a shade of green)- with her paint color in the background (green.)  The lack of contrast will not be good.  What color should she paint her walls?  I would go with a swiss coffee white.  Embrace the white.  Lighter wall colors are the look.  However- you have nothing to pull the white walls and chocolate beams into the room.  I would, again, start with fabric.

Window treatments to begin with.  Here is a great place, along with throw pillows, to bring in the white and brown. 

A 

If you want to bring the look in more- I would use some solid pillows in the blues and greens. 

I think every room needs some art.  Photos and clocks are great- but add to that some art. 

 The result will be be light and fresh.  Everyone that agrees, leave a comment telling Kim not to paint her walls.  Then it will be a true INTERVENTION!

Fabric from fabric.com and art from Uttermost.

Jenni part III

24 x 24 each $299/ set

This is a continuation of Jenni's Boston Apartment. Her floor plan is below. As you first walk in, the wall you see is the one in the dining room. This is where we will put a piece of art. Jenni is young and fun, and I want her art to be also. Below are some ideas.... Do you have a favorite? Do you have another cool source- or other ideas for her?

These top two pieces (and the second to the bottom one) are a little smaller than I would suggest for that wall. I would add another wrapped canvas- underneath- wrapped in burlap- made to the ideal size for the wall- and then have this piece of art on top of the larger canvas.
27 x 48 $199

I would hang the picture vertically. Whatever one she went with...

$299 40 x 60

$399 40 x 60

$199 40 x 40

36 x 50 $299

Original Art Work- Jason Bowen

There is nothing like original art work. My daughter got a "High School Musical" poster for Christmas from a friend and I had to teach her the hard lesson that posters were not allowed in our house. (I did find a nice spot for it in her closet). I know I sound mean- but she has a darling mural all around the top of her room- and no matter how cute Troy is- I will control her room as long as possible. My husband wanted to purchase a poster at Yosemite not long after we got married- and let's just say that he learned a little more about me on that trip. ( BTW- I do allow Giclee prints in my house- I am not a total snob) Today I wanted to highlight a local artist. ( He's in the bay area- ) He married a good friend of mine- and is amazingly talented. He does beautiful commissioned portraits- as well as the look I have here on my blog today. Wouldn't you love portraits of your children??? I would. His name is Jason Bowen. Check out his blog here. He also sells giclee prints on canvass- if original art work is not in the budget.

This last one is my favorite- "Grand Morning in Venice"- Isn't it fabulous?

The Blingy Bath

Hi!

I found your blog when I searched google for ceiling tile paintable wallpaper, lol. I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice on my powder bathroom. I'm having a hard time taking the plunge. (Heh. plunge.) I have a small powder bathroom. 5' 8"x 5' with 8 foot ceiling. We have a sconce-type light above the mirror, and a recessed light to one side above the toilet. No windows/natural light. Here is my idea for the room - you tell me if it could work without looking like a cave, or too top heavy. I wanted to put paintable ceiling tile wallpaper around the bottom half of the wall, like a wainscot, paint that a creamy or shimmery white, and add a chair rail molding, then paint the top half of the walls black. Then add crown around the ceiling. I'm still not sure do I leave the ceiling white? Then I wanted to hang a small traditional style beaded/crystal chandelier from the recessed light fixture. The fact that it's to one side makes this possible because that way the door doesn't hit it. I don't think i can do candle sconces on either side of the mirror because there is no room on one side and the only fix would be to move the sink. My husband won't go for that, lol. In my head it seems beautiful, but because there isn't any natural light, and it's small, I'm afraid that I'll get it done and realize the room looks too dark. But then again I keep thinking white "wainscot" white fixtures and white accessories should help offset the black. I really hope you have some advice for me, lol. My husband makes me feel like there is no room for trial and error when it comes to projects around the house, and it has made me a nervous wreck. I feel bad asking for your expert advice for nothing in return. I can help you add some bling to your blog if you'd like. I make "Blogicons" which are the little icons that appear in the address bar or tab of your browser. I noticed you have the blogger orange "B". I could make a custom one for you in exchange for some decor advice! :) Here is a better explanation of the blogicon. http://yourblogicon.blogspot.com/ Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!!
CaraStarr

Dear Cara,

Let me help you plan more of a fail-proof plan for your room. I do worry about the black walls. I appreciate powder bathrooms that have dark wall color- but if I were to go with your plan- I would bring the wainscot up to more like a five foot level.

Want a safer plan? Add texture and pattern in your wallpaper- and have it go all the way to the ceiling- no black at all. The paper below is from Candice Olson's wallpaper book, Dimensional Surfaces. It is hard to tell how fabulous it is from this picture- but you should go check it out- or send me your address and I will have a sample sent to you. It is a faux wood grain- with a reflective mirror type texture to it. Very Cool.

I like your idea of bringing lights down in more of a side by side sconce look- check out this bathroom below- the lights are installed right on the frame of the mirror. Maybe you have more room than you thought. Install them on the frame- install them on the mirror itself. It is a great look. (Make sure your lights are small enough).

Consider a unique pendant light like the one above from Uttermost in lieu of a chandelier. I am here to keep you on the cutting edge...

And for your ceiling. I couldn't find a picture of this- so just follow me here. Use 12 x 12 or similar sized mirrors on the ceiling- adding metal tiles (2 x 2)- like the ones above- at intersecting tiles. This will give you some pizazz and bling that will make the room a showplace in your home.

For your wall- you don't need a towel bar with no shower or tub. I don't have a pictue of your room- but if you are wasting a wall with a towel bar- remove it and add art- like the art I posted at the top. This alone will go a long way to making a beautiful room.

Finish with crown molding and a decent sized base board.

If I haven't given you too much work to do already- I'd love a blogicon- thanks :)

Steve's Place

( I will interrupt in orange.)
Hi Christine,
I came across your blog and was very impressed! I have an apartment I want to put some creative touches in order to accomplish my goals:
1-Make the place look larger and possibly taller. You do this by keeping your wall colors light, and adding more of a vertical emphasis.
2-Improve the overall design/look. One way to do this is by increasing your variety of wall decor. I see a lot of walls with one picture on each wall. Check out this post where I addressed this in more detail.
3-Eventually add some better wall art.

A friend suggested the following:
1. Take one wall, the one with the TV, and make that all wallpaper, essentially the focus wall with a single color but a texture design of some sort. This wall is what you see first when you walk in. It is so good to get advice from friends. Especially when their own home is clearly well put together- it is a great idea. In your case- I am glad that you are asking for a second opinion. Do not break up the space by having a different wall surface on one wall. This will do the opposite when trying to make the room feel taller. What I would do with that wall is this: Eliminate the trunk- make it go away. It is giving the space a cluttered feel. Get a smaller table (if you have to), and pull it out from the wall. I see one at a pub height, with barstools that tuck in to save space. Replace your drapes on the slider, and add matching panels flanking this window. These strong vertical lines in the window treatments will help make your room feel like it has a higher ceiling. I would mount the drapes from the ceiling- maximizing the possible height. Use a clean simple black metal rod. Make sure the drapes go all the way to the floor, but do not puddle on the floor. Have them hit perfectly.
2. Add a chair rail on all 3 of the other walls, about 42inches in height and take the darker color on the bottom. No no no- a chair rail will emphasize the horizontal and make the room feel shorter! Plus- there is no reason to have a chair rail in a room small enough where you have to have the furniture against the wall like you do. It would be awkward. In addition I am not a huge chair rail fan to begin with- as shown in this post. Also- you have a modern contemporary feel to the room- and a chair rail is traditional and formal. Was I too blunt on that one? Don't have your friend read this- it might hurt his or her feelings.
3. Then above the couch add a molding frame long rectangle with accent color inside (darker inside) and leave about 10 inches of wall space on the outside of the lighter color. No- no no no...
4. Then on the other 2 walls add a molding frame as well to be able to hang art and such.
Attached are some photos... no- no.

hope these help.
Your thoughts?
Suggestions?
Thanks
Steve

Dear Steve,
Let me give you a few more ideas- You have a contemporary/modern feel going here- I love it- it says, "I'm a super cool dude." OK- maybe it doesn't say that exactly- but I say- keep with it- make it work even more- add more contemporary elements- not the traditional ones your friend suggested. Check out the artwork below from Mike Klung. A fabulous piece like this, hung horizontally above the sofa would be awesome. (you need a larger one- about 60 x 36 or so) It would fill a horizontal space with a horizontal item that has good scale and balance, but the nature of the piece itself would still add a vertical emphasis.

To give your room more style- consider grasscloth all around. This will add texture, warmth and interest. When selecting the paper- find one like the piece below with a subtle vertical line.

Here is a little unsolicited advice. This is where you are getting what I try not to ever give to my friends- but since we don't know each other... Your sectional is wrong. It covers up half of the slider... Christmas is coming- be good to yourself- go get a new sectional- facing the other direction- where the L comes out into the room on the left side, not covering up the window on the right side. I like the sectional below- from West Elm- it has a nice low back- which will make your walls appear taller again. I would go for the color as well- and the two trunk looking pieces for a coffee table. It would be fun.

I can't see much of your rug- but from what I see- it doesn't work like I'd like it to. It is the only strong pattern in the room. You can't have just one. Your patterns need to be in balance with each other. I see the place with a super subtle pattern like the one in the "sweater rug" from West Elm below. I like the name of it- "sweater rug." Isn't that inviting...

While I have you spending all of your money- add can lights also. The darkness of the ceiling adds to the lowering of it. Your track lights are good- but more lighting is needed. Have you read my rules on lighting? You need a minimum of five sources. Check out this post. In your case, I would add to what I told Kim- to put in can lights- in general- your room is too dark.

Hey Steve- that's that. I hope that wasn't overwhelming... ;)