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itsapinkthing · Coach

Pics of Our New House...Decorating Help

MissMee · Kate Spade

In the bottom 2 to 3 rows on the shelves, put matching baskets to hold kid toys. That way they can access them easily, toys will be easy to put away, and they will be out of sight when company comes. Then decorate above. Ballard Designs has some nice displays on their shelves in the catalog that should be easy to copy. They basically use some nice-looking books, a few vases/pots, a couple of statues, and some decorative boxes to fill the shelves.

For the kitchen, above the cabs, decorate ONLY above the stove/micro section that is lower so it won't look crowded. Maybe hang a long horizontal sign (didn't you have one in your other house above a door or something?) and some decoration around it.

itsapinkthing · Coach

MissMee wrote:

In the bottom 2 to 3 rows on the shelves, put matching baskets to hold kid toys. That way they can access them easily, toys will be easy to put away, and they will be out of sight when company comes. Then decorate above. Ballard Designs has some nice displays on their shelves in the catalog that should be easy to copy. They basically use some nice-looking books, a few vases/pots, a couple of statues, and some decorative boxes to fill the shelves.

For the kitchen, above the cabs, decorate ONLY above the stove/micro section that is lower so it won't look crowded. Maybe hang a long horizontal sign (didn't you have one in your other house above a door or something?) and some decoration around it.

All this was kind of in my plan. My big challenge is the windows, cornices or valences I think will seem heavy as there are so many. I think I'll do fabric pleated blinds that can open from the top or bottom, but I don't know what, if anything else. Also if I do the booksheves, is it too much to add things on the decorative ledge around the top? Like a few vase/pot type things

MissMee · Kate Spade

I think the windows would be nice w/ just a top treatment. I don't know if I'd do blinds unless you don't get much privacy through those windows. I like balloon shades like this Pillows because they cover nicely. I also like waterfall valances like this because they can look stately in a casual way. They don't cover as much, though. Hang either very high - as high as you can go so the windows seem taller.

I'd still put stuff on the ledge above the bookshelves, but I like to have lots of decoration. If you have a collection of some sort, that would be nice (you mentioned pots, which would be nice). I have a collection of Tusdan olive pots above my cabinets that I love. I got most of them at Southern Living. Throw in some greenery to soften edges and to fill in some blank spots.

You might try painting above that ledge. Or, if you paint the lower walls, so with a shade or 2 different than that wall color (probably darker, but that's just a preference IMO).

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I like the idea of having a different paint color above the ledge than on the lower wall sections. You can put a few things up there, but I'd make them bigger pieces, and spread out a bit. Or clump a few items every so often.

Beautiful house!

-gd

Suasoria · Chanel

I want to come back with some specific ideas when I have time, but it's all so neutral, I hope you bring in some strong colors! You have so much light and so little wall space that you can choose nice rich shades.

What a great blank palette to work with. Congratulations! When do you move in?

Edited to add:

1. I would definitely paint the space above the ledge a different color - I am a nut for color, though. I'm not crazy about cluttering it up. Dust would be a factor there. My in-laws had a home theater with a similar thing and they put some antique-looking Disney characters and other old movie figures up there - Laurel & Hardy, etc. It was cute, I suppose, because it was a movie room. A couple of vintage trunks or some antique toys might work, but I wouldn't go overboard. I'm against fake plants, but who listens to me?

2. Rugs, rugs, rugs. Look into some rugs before you pick paint colors, actually.

3. I would try living there for a while before buying window treatments. You may realize you really need more privacy or light control or whatever depending on how everything goes. The only place you can't do normal drapery panels on decorative rods may be on that bay window, but I think some places do make hardware for that. Drapes/curtains would be prettier than blinds or roll-up shades. Since you have a lot of wood trim, maybe coordinating bamboo shades and drapes too?

4. If it were my house, both kitchen light fixtures would be replaced. The faucet is chrome but the chandelier is gold - that would bug me. And cabinet/drawer pulls would add some personality to the kitchen. Score on the brand-new appliances, though!

-- Edited by Suasoria at 21:19, 2007-01-09

itsapinkthing · Coach

Suasoria wrote:

I want to come back with some specific ideas when I have time, but it's all so neutral, I hope you bring in some strong colors! You have so much light and so little wall space that you can choose nice rich shades.

What a great blank palette to work with. Congratulations! When do you move in?

Edited to add:

1. I would definitely paint the space above the ledge a different color - I am a nut for color, though. I'm not crazy about cluttering it up. Dust would be a factor there. My in-laws had a home theater with a similar thing and they put some antique-looking Disney characters and other old movie figures up there - Laurel & Hardy, etc. It was cute, I suppose, because it was a movie room. A couple of vintage trunks or some antique toys might work, but I wouldn't go overboard. I'm against fake plants, but who listens to me?

2. Rugs, rugs, rugs. Look into some rugs before you pick paint colors, actually.

3. I would try living there for a while before buying window treatments. You may realize you really need more privacy or light control or whatever depending on how everything goes. The only place you can't do normal drapery panels on decorative rods may be on that bay window, but I think some places do make hardware for that. Drapes/curtains would be prettier than blinds or roll-up shades. Since you have a lot of wood trim, maybe coordinating bamboo shades and drapes too?

4. If it were my house, both kitchen light fixtures would be replaced. The faucet is chrome but the chandelier is gold - that would bug me. And cabinet/drawer pulls would add some personality to the kitchen. Score on the brand-new appliances, though!

-- Edited by Suasoria at 21:19, 2007-01-09

We move in 2/1.

I am open to color suggestions, but I seem to lean toward earthy tones. Right now I have an oka and black rustic dining table that I love that must be incorporated.

As for 3, I can tell you already there is very little privacy with all the windows, the front dining area windows face the street, and the side face our neighbor. And for 4, it may show finny in the pic but all the lighting is nickle.

Suasoria · Chanel

Right now for warm earth tones I'm liking red, rust, olive, and marigold. Golds or yellows would probably not provide enough contrast with the light oak trim, but terra cottas and greens would be spectacular.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

Well first of all - congrats on your beautiful new house!!!

1.) For the shelves go out and buy lots of baskets. You can keep so much stuff in them ( cookbooks, kids toys, keys etc) and it will look super clean and organized. Between the baskets on the higher shelves break it up with picture frames and candels. (this way the kids cant pull that stuff down!)

2.) Colors!
- Warm Tan on all the walls with deep burgandy or terra cotta accents colors. ( like in the curtains, or rugs)

- Beige walls with ivory and beige curtains. Then throw in a strong accent color like dark chocolate or Deep gold.

Fabric suggestions and colors below -

1.)

2.)

Let us know what you end up doing!!!

jestillman · Kenneth Cole

I am not able to offer any additional decorating advice. I agree with what all the other girls already wrote, but I had to write that I love your house. It's gorgeous and looks nice and bright and airy.

Enjoy your new life there and please send pictures when you do start the transformation.