Kimberly's Windows

 This post is a continuation of this previous post.

Kim wrote:

So about the living room.  Feel free to offer advice about anything, but I think I want to concentrate on window treatments and the mantle next.  After reading your blog I can see I probably should have gone for some more exciting blinds, but we barely put these up and they're here to stay.  We tried to match the trim since I never want to paint trim again.  Basically they're just supposed to blend in. 

Right now we have all brown leather furniture--a couch and loveseat that go together (which are really comfy and, since we bought them new, I'd like to keep them), and another sofa (the one against the bay windows) that can move if it needs to.  We really do need a lot of seating since we have to seat nine without company.  I love the idea of using chairs with different patterns and colors of upholstery but am deathly afraid they wouldn't last long with babies spitting up, kids eating where they're not supposed to, etc.  Any hints or tips?

I have a stepped ceiling in the entry, and a double stepped ceiling in the living room.  Can I do something fun with paint on those?

Hi Kimberly,

I love the picture that you are putting over the fireplace, and thought that I would use the gold from the straw combined with the brown in the leather, as well as in the picture, as a basis for a color pallet.  On your window, I would add six drapery panels.  Let me start by telling you what not to do.

Look at this drapery add from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Notice the height at which the drapes are hung.  Now, I would like you to be appalled.  Yeah- shocking that a professional advertisement has drapes hung too short!  They should PERFECTLY hit the floor.  In your case the drapes will be purely ornamental- and you have limited space- so you will want a corner rod that allows you to have one drape round the corner- the Cosmopolitan hardware from Smith and Noble is one example.  I had a hard time finding other examples that were easy to purchase.  High end hardware lines are more likely to carry such items- but cost more- and not be as easily accessible over the internet.  Has anyone seen any around?  I know that my sister Debbie has simple hardware like this in her home- but she's out of the country right now... 

So- now for the more decorative part.  I suggest some pattern.  Your art selection tells me that you are not going for stark modern- so where is the pattern?  I will, like you suggested, start with the drapes.  Do not use a solid.  You will be able to do a solid less expensively- but don't be tempted.  Go with a pattern.  Your room needs it.  I selected one for you from Pottery Barn.

Let me tell you why I chose this one- so if you elect to do a different pattern you can look for the same important elements. 

#1  It had white in it.  If you were to go with a fabric without white in it, it would add to the disconnect of the room.  You can get away with this type of thing more in a large room with lots going on- but you have very little going on- so we need to be more particular.  Include white.  Make it look like the white blinds are all part of a beautiful master plan- not a decision you made because you wanted to play it safe-.  :)

#2  This fabric also brings out the brown from the leather.  This fabric can act as a unifier with your elements that you have in the room. 

#3  Like I mentioned before- you need some pattern.  This bold pattern is a great start.

However- one pattern is never enough.  Regular readers of my blog know that I have a minimum requirement of three patterns per room.  Let me help you add a couple more.  One way you can do this is by adding an area rug.  Some may think of area rugs as an item you would only use with hard floors- but I would feel free to add it right on top of the carpet.  The rug below is from Rug's Direct.

I did say three patterns- so let's add another.  Throw pillows are the obvious selection.  Add some pattern to the furniture. Dwell Studio had the perfect collection. 

I can't see your room quite well enough to help with furniture arrangement (you can send me a floorplan for more specific help).  You did mention that you would like more seating, but were afraid of upholstered furniture with small children.  Do I have any fantastic ideas?  Well, let me start by saying that I have a combination of upholstery and leather, and we haven't had any disasters yet.  At my kitchen table I have upholstered chairs with slip covers.  The designer in my wanted upholstery-the softness the pattern- textural variety- there are so many advantages over an all wood set.  However- the mom in me is a little frustrated that my five year old slip covers need to be replaced.  The nice thing is that they can be washed.  But- they don't last forever.  You could get a chair like this one from overstock.  It is an easy design to slipcover.  (classic frames with arms can cost as much to slipcover as to replace.)  But I'd start by simply waiting for it to get stained.  (That is what I did with my kitchen chairs) It might last longer than you think.  Aslo- it is not terribly expensive- so heart attacks won't be necessary when one of your adorable children spills or decides to paint...  After it gets too much use- you have slipcovers made- which will lengthen its life.  The slipcovered look is a terrific look too.  Have one made with a little skirt like this one.

I said in my last post to add the reds golds and blues that you mentioned- but notice that as I gave it more thought- I would focus your pallet more on the golds. 

Don't forget to add plants, and your photos look dark- consider the advice I gave to a different Kim.

XOXO

- Christine

English Tudor Half Timber Construction

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's - my class for my daughter's girl scout troop on architecture. The second style I wanted to teach the girls was the English Tudor Half Timber Style. Throughout my neighborhood, it will be easy to show the girl scouts examples of the Half Timber construction. Historically the first permanent dwellings constructed by British settlers were based on those they had known in England- and were patterned after half-timber construction. This architecture is easily identified by the heavy dark timber beams, that are then filled with what was historically a wattle and daub (interlaced branches covered in mud and clay) or brick nogging. With the brick nogging, bricks were arranged in such a way to fill the area between the timber beams.

This construction, as found in America is sometimes called Tudor- although the Tudor period was officially over before Jamestown was even settled. However- some of the Tudor influence can be found in more genuine examples of half timber construction.

Characteristics of what I will refer to as the English Tudor Half Timber Construction include:

1. Two to three stories
2. Rambling Design
3. Half Timber construction with wattle and daub or brick nogging
4. The use of the Tudor arch over doorways and fireplaces
5. Second story overhang or jetty
6. Sharp Gables


7. Small paned leaded windows
   


8. Clustered and or buttressed chimneys
9. Oriel and bay windows

10. Projecting porch or doorway

A gable is the triangle formed in the architecture from a high pitched roof.

In this home, notice the overhang jetty, the bay windows, buttressed chimney, small panes and of course, the half timber construction.

This is an example of an oreil window. They are similar to bay windows, but notice that they don't extend to the base of the building, but rather tuck back in- with just the window nook protruding from the architecture of the building.

In this home, notice the high pitched roofs, sharp gables, small window panes and half timber construction.

Here is a nice close up of the half timber construction. Today, the half timber style is simply cosmetic, rather than structural. They don't fool anyone...

Here you see high pitched gables, small window panes and half timber construction.

The wattle and daub would traditionally be white washed- and sometimes the brick nogging would also be white washed- making it hard to tell it was brick, unless seen close up. The sharp two tone color pallet make this one of the most easily identifiable styles of architecture.

Combining stone with the half timber construction is very common. The stone selection would traditionally be a charming cobblestone style used in combination with the half timber.

Here is another quintessential example- small window panes, classic color combination of half timber construction, a Tudor arch over the doorway, and a protruding second story with rambling design.

Here is an example of the Tudor interior. It is identifiable by the high pitch of the wood ceiling.

When I refer to clustered of buttressed chimneys- I am referring to chimneys like those in the photo to the left. The clustered chimneys are the multiple clusters that you see. What I mean buy buttressing is the stepped design of the trunk of the chimney.

Here is a close up of what I referred to as a second story overhang or jetty. Also shown here is a classic diamond shape small paned window and Tudor arched doorway.

Here is a contemporary example of half timber construction- I include it as it is a less traditional color pallet, yet still a very good example- incorporating the half timber brick construction, sharp gables, and bay windows.

Here is a close up of the Tudor arch. Notice the subtle pitch at the top?

Here is another Tudor arch- this time found in the door.

This fireplace is a contemporary design from Old World Stone Works, incorporating a classic Tudor arch. Using selections like this in a Tudor style home, when doing renovations, would be an excellent selection- having consistency with the architecture. So often, out architecture is so "watered down" in style- it can use a little boost- rather than further watering it down with inconsistent interior selections.

That is perhaps a bit much for the girl scouts- do you think? I'll go through it quickly as to not bore them. :)

Karen's Living Room- Finishing off the Space

Hi Christine,
I have a newly painted living room with new couches. I am aware that the current carpet is not a good match and plan to replace it soon. However, I am afraid that it all will all appear too boring! I have arranged the furniture the only way I see possible with such a big piano. And for some reason can't put my finger on what is missing in this room. It just seems to be lacking something, even with the new walls and couches. Any suggestions?

Even though I do not like the current carpet with the new couches, and love this new color with them, I am nervous about creating an uninteresting room.Do you think there is something more I can do? And what do you think of the carpet color with my scheme? Or maybe it is just my wall decor that is lacking??Thank you so much for your expert opinion. I am completely stumped .

Karen

Hi Karen,
You are off to a good start- you are just further from finishing than I think you think you are. ;)

1. 
   Lighting Plan. Where is it? In your living room I see one lamp and one candle- and something on the ceiling- but I can’t tell what it is. You need a plan. A room without light and shadow is unfinished. This is an integral part of a design plan. Check out this post for specifics on how to do that.
2. 
   Texture. You need more textual variety in the room. In my later suggestions- look for items high in texture.
3. 
   Plants. You need some greenery. Real or fake.
4. 
   Fabric at your windows. Because of your built-in you will want to do Roman shades. Anytime you have a very traditional interior – like yours- you are unfinished without a fabric window treatment. To add texture- you could replace your wood blinds with woven roller shades. But the fabric is a must.
5. 
   Coffee table or ottoman. You are not quite done furnishing. It is hard for me to really see- but I would also consider pushing your sofas closer to the piano- leaving room for an end table on one side- and plant on the other. I don’t like them pushed so close to the built-ins.
6. 
   You have too many single items in your wall décor. You need more variety- not only in subject- but also in number. You have four single items and one set of two. The wrought iron piece should be replaced with a larger set of something- like the set of art in this post from Uttermost. Check out this post on variety in wall decor.
7. In your dining room alcove- you need to overlap. The candles and bird cage should come in a little and overlap the picture a bit. This creates one united collection. What you have now are four things with a picture hung above them. See this post on overlapping.

Your carpet selection is very nice- and your paint and sofas look great!

The Tricky Bay Window

Hi....

I have bay windows in my living room and kitchen. There are several problems in trying to find window treatments for them. Right now, there are these awful vinyl vertical blinds.First problem, is the windows are old and can only have blinds, etc. outside mounted. Secondly, the windows are so close together that it is difficult to have two outside mounted items end to end. Thirdly, there is an "overhang" that the windows are tucked under.I'm open to pretty much anything at this point.

Thanks so much :)

Amy

Dear Amy,

You have a number of different options.

1. You can add a cornice to the bay windows- I like the look of a wood crown molding- I am not a big fan of the upholstered ones most of the time. With the crown hiding your top- you can add whatever blinds you like. You can also "dry-wall" a sofit in that would act as a crown in this way- without photos of your place it is hard for me to tell you what would work best. (see the last picture in the post)


2. Eliminate the entire idea of "blinds" or shades and just use drapery panels and sheers. Hang them as high as you can- and take them to the floor.


3. The smallest, least intrusive blinds are roller shades. Use roller shades and add drapery panels on top to cover outside mounts.


4. Use a cafe curtain in the kitchen area. (like shown in this post.) No matter how awkward the top of your window is, this won't go near it.


5. Use Roman shades- have them outside mounted- butted right next to one another.- A fabric valance like the one at the top of the post would give a similar look.

Notice the pictures in this post, and in most nicer design magazines. (these are from House Beautiful) I know that blinds are very functional- but they are definitely not the design ideal in window treatments. You will more often see no blinds at all in nicer homes. So- if you are unable to have blinds- you are in good company.