Gilmore is a 27 year old who loves decorating and is a self-proclaimed expert on just about everything. At least she likes to think so. Copyright 2011. Consult a design professional before beginning your project.
Brown is a warmer color than black to use in decorating. It is a popular wall color, sofa color, & floor color. It’s just a popular color in decorating right now. I think this is a really neutral color that appeals to a lot of people. I would caution to go for a medium or deep shade so the room doesn’t become a beige land. Brown is actually a not very intense orange, red, or rose. I think this is why it is so difficult to find the right brown. On the paint chips, they all look kind of the same, but on the wall, some have the sickening hue of bologna. Another name for brown is dark orange. (Wikipedia says). I knew I liked this color, dark orange, pass it on.
March 5th, 2007
Hang Pictures Easily
Every room should have art hanging on the walls, & it seems like a relatively easy DIY project that most everyone tries. However, many people can attest to how difficult it is to get a picture straight, it usually takes two people & a lot longer than one thinks. Especially if you are trying to hang a group of pictures. Now you can use the same picture hangers they use in museums, they even have a built in level! TrackMaster Picture Hangers are finally available to the public so you can get professional results with none of the headache.
March 5th, 2007
Vanity Makeover
Next it was time for staining. I’m not a big fan of oak, but I’m also not a big fan of spending $800 for a new vanity. The finish was pretty much worn off so I didn’t even have to sand. I just laid down those cheap vinyl picnic tableclothes that you can get at the dollar store because the hardware store only had canvas drop cloths for $30. I used kitchen gloves for staining gloves because they are a lot thicker, & also got those for a dollar. I did have to buy some stain for $9.99. Then it was just a matter of putting the stain on. For this finish, oak looked awful after I rubbed the stain off, so I just didn’t. I’ve seen them do this on decorating shows sometimes, & I’ve even used this method over paint. It’s not ideal, but it works. One word of caution, this needs a lot of drying time, I’d say 5 days to a week before it is put in use. Then for the top coat I sponged on more stain to make it look like burled wood, & less like oak. It is a very subtle finish but it’s beautiful & so far is holding up very well. I know that I broke all the rules of staining, but I’m happy with it. I also painted the doorknobs with a bronze paint.
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March 5th, 2007
Don’t turn into a popsicle
It’s still winter in Utah, no sign of spring here. I’m not really into the whole cold weather thing, which makes me question moving every winter even though I love Utah. To make matters even more interesting I live on the top floor of a three story house, which doesn’t sound like it would be very warm, well it isn’t. So during winter I use space heaters to not turn into a human popsicle. Space heaters are the only way that the third story of the house gets any heat. Up until a few years ago, this meant having an ugly heater to look at all winter. Those days are gone. Now, you can even get a cool electric fireplace that will not only keep you warm, but be a focal point to the room. You can even add mantels over them for a more realistic look. No more freezing for me.
March 5th, 2007
The 90’s green monster update
The main challenge of updating the 1990′s green monster room is to neutralize while adding warmth. This can be done in the following ways:
1. The biggest challenge will be the forest green or maroon carpet. Honestly, if you are willing to invest money into this makeover, this is the one thing to change, put down new carpet, or wood floors. I have this in my home & my first instinct was to paint the walls green to match this. It was just too much of a good thing, & there was no way to tastefully match the color, it always clashed. Then I painted the walls brown, & the carpet just seemed to disappear. Put a rug down, this can match your new wall color, instead of trying to match the green.
2. The sponge painting also has to go. This can be done inexpensively if the paint hasn’t left too much texture. I really like putting browns in the room if a lot of forest green will be staying. This makes the room feel like nature. Use a warm color to make the room feel more welcoming.
2. Coffee tables, whether they are made out of pine, or wood, have seen their day. You can paint these a chocolate brown, or chuck them all together & replace them with inexpensive ottomans. You could even put foam & fabric on top of your existing coffee table & make a cool bench/ottoman.
4. Bring in new accessories. Ditch the sunflowers that were so prevalent in this time. Change the square, wooden handles to something made out of medal. Cover the green sofa with a luxurious throw.
It sounds like a lot of work, but most of the stuff can be reused, so it shouldn’t be too expensive to update the green monster.