Master Help!

What to do above the master bed. This can be tricky it all depends on the size of the space and the style/size of the furniture. Here is the room we are working with...

I am a firm believer that the master bedroom needs to be romantic and personal. This is your space! So by looking at some additional pictures of this house and style of the people living in this home I can give you some unique and creative ideas but ultimately it is what you feel gives this room happiness for you, but I think you might like some of these ideas.

A. Stain glass- a salvaged framed piece of stain glass has something very romantic about it while being manly with the raw character. This will also be a unique piece and typically a one of a kind.

B. Windows- you can find old windows that still have all the glass intact. These can add a soft touch to the room without being to much. You can also personalize the window panes by adding family photos behind the glass panes.

These are just a few ideas that I feel complement your style.

Boring walls

I was asked how to help a big boring wall. Here is the wall we are working with...

This wall is really a focal point. It needs something to dress it up, but be careful not to go overboard. Most people think the bigger the wall the more you need to fill it up. This is only the case in certain instances. When dealing with this room you really don't need to fill up the entire wall space. By doing so you lose the focal point and the wall becomes to busy. The eyes need rest.
I would defiantly use artwork. Artwork will really give this room a sense of design without taking away from the personal photos and artwork on the adjacent wall that makes you house a home. Here are a few wall layouts to consider for the size that will best complement the wall...

Hope this helps!!!

unsightly large glass doors

 I have two sliding glass doors that go out to by back patio. One is in my living room and the other is in my master bedroom. The doors are diagonal from each other looking in from my back porch. Here's my dilemma.....these are HUGE doors/windows! They are 6.5 feet wide and 8 feet tall. As of right now I have two king size sheets thumb tacked to the wall covering each one. lol I've looked into blinds, but they are too expensive. We don't plan on staying here very long so I don't want to sink a bunch of money into them. Do you have any inexpensive idea's on how to nicely cover these hideous doors!!

I am assuming you do not use these doors often, and considering this is not a place you want to sink money into here are a few options to look into....
1. Screens/room dividers...these are a good option because they come in a wide range of sizes. You can also take these with you when you move so you can select a style you like.

2. Another temporary and inexpensive idea is to create your own curtain. You can you a sheet, shower curtain,or fabric from a local fabric store, a set of grommet hardware , and simple hooks to create your own curtains. Simply follow instructions on applying the grommets to the material you chose. Attach the hooks above the doors, and hang your curtains.

3. Look into bamboo blinds they tend to be inexpensive and can be found at places like Wal-mart, Target, and kmart. They also come in a variety of sizes, and very easy to install.

You also might want to consider speaking with your landlord. Some times they will resolve the issue or will apply what you spend on the improvements to you rent.

Cottage Charm

Hi – how do you add character to a box of a house.  The original house is 109 years old but all character has been stripped.  It is two stories with baby blue vinyl siding in need of replacement.

Nothing has been stripped from this houses charm, maybe we should look at it in a new light with all the potential it has. I hope I can help you see the beauty in this home and add some character back to the exterior. This house screams Ireland cottage to me. For instance Ireland homes tend to be older, in a block style, and the main similarity is they tend to not have a defined entrance. So I think this house is the perfect candidate to mix styles.

1. Paint - this house needs defined colors. The colors now separate the house nicely but are not doing it justice. I would paint the main part of the house in a warm neutral.

SW7507 Stone Linen

The area painted green right now, which appears to be the main entrance and sun room, paint in a cool white. This color scheme will be more relaxing to the eye and give the house a fresh appeal. For instance here is a house with a similar color scheme...

2. Define the entrance. Add a little charm while defining the main entrance by adding a trellis to the front of the home. I would have it attached to the main exterior wall where the front door is. Have it expand out along the adjacent wall of the main house over the grill. I also recommend having it painted in the same color white as the main entrance and sun room. Wisteria would make an excellent choice to grow on the trellis as well!

3. Final touches. Just to finish the new design off you might consider adding a set of decorative shutters to the upstairs window

Add some foliage lining the walk way, and the door leading off of the sun room!

This is just one way of breathing new life into an old charm! I hope this helps to guide you in the right direction of giving this house a makeover. Feel free to ask me anything!

Finished product for exterior colors post

Exterior Paint Colors

Melanie,
If you were going to paint the exterior of your home, what colors would you paint it if it had red brick up half way up.    It also has front shutters.  I have noticed many have a different color on the wall, trim and shutters. It is a one story house with a black roof.  I like a traditional look but an open to something a little more jazzy.....

This lake house has a lot of character to consider when choosing paint colors. The trim work can add a lot of charm to this home when painted with a great combination of colors. You mentioned you like traditional look. This home has a slight Tudor look with the trim work above the windows. Not being a true Tudor home you can add the character  by painting the exterior in a Tudor look. Tudor homes typically have a white or beige background with a darker trim. For example....

Your home being smaller and not having quiet the elaborate trim work, It would be best to use a softer color pallet. This will make the exterior look inviting. Look how inviting the house below looks by using a soft brown/beige background color. For example....

This look can be accomplished by using these Sherwin-Williams colors I selected.





Sherwin-Williams SW6394 Sequin

 



Sherwin-Williams SW6110 Steady Brown



Okay, ready to get Jazzy! The color scheme I selected will really help to pop your house out of its neutral wooded surroundings. These colors will give you fresh look to an older home.

Sherwin-Williams SW6178 Clay Sage



Sherwin-Williams SW6203 Spare White



Here is an idea of what this color sceme will look like.





I hope this helps! (Keep in mind the colors shown here are not an exact of the swatch. You can find these colors at any local Sherwin-Williams and see the true color hues.) Send me pictures once you have selected colors and painted. 

Here are a few tips by Jackie Craven on how to pick exterior paint colors. 

Your house is your canvas. Here's how to choose paint colors that will bring out its beauty and character.

Time Required: At least 2-3 weeks

Here's How:

1. Begin with colors suggested by your roof and masonry.
2. Consider the color schemes used inside your home. Exterior colors should harmonize with the interior.
3. Don't clash with your neighbors! Choose colors that coordinate with the buildings around you.
4. Large surfaces make paint look lighter. Consider selecting darker shades.
5. Remember that very bright or very deep colors will fade.
6. To emphasize architectural details, outline them with an accent color that contrasts with the background.
7. Use darker colors to emphasize shadows and lighter colors to show projections.
8. Avoid extreme contrasts. Choose colors that are related.
9. Study color samples outside, but never in direct sunlight. Bright sun will distort the color.
10. Photocopy a sketch or photograph of your house. Use watercolors or colored pencils to try color combinations.
11. Before buying large quantities of paint, buy quarts of your selected colors and paint one area of your house.
12. Take your time... be creative... and have fun!

Tips:

1. The simpler your house, the fewer colors you'll need. For an elaborate Victorian, plan to use four to six colors.
2. Light colors will make your house seem larger. Dark colors or bands of trim will make your house seem smaller, but will draw more attention to details.
3. For some accents, consider using darker or lighter shades instead of changing color.

Drapes and Rods

Melanie,
How far should curtain rods extend beyond the window? Are there certain curtains that are appropriate for the living room vs. the bedroom?

   Every window is going to be different, but here are a few pointers and tricks to follow. When deciding where to hang your curtain rod there are a couple options for a standard window. Hang the rod at least 4" above the window frame, or at the ceiling. (If you have crown molding, and your opting for the ceiling height hang them below the molding.) There is not an exact answer on how far you should extend you drapes beyond the window. However here are a few tricks to ponder upon....

• When dealing with low ceilings, hanging the drapes at the ceiling will make your ceilings appear higher. This will give your room an overall larger look.
• If you are working with a room that has one window or small windows; you can create an optical illusion by extending the drapes a significant amount past your window frame.  This will trick your subconscious it thinking the window is larger, which in return makes your space feel larger and brighter.
• Always take your drapes to the floor. This gives your room a finished look. (In the early 1900's the status of someones wealth was by how much their drapes puddled on the floor. The bigger the puddle the richer you were. The wealthy would purchase draperies that were longer than their actual walls. It would collect (puddle) on the floor. This was a statement showing how much money they could spend on luxurious fabrics for no reason.

There are many different styles of drapes. It really comes to personal preference and the space. All styles of draperies are appropriate for your bedroom, living, and dining room. If you have a question pertaining to your room send me a picture, and I will gladly guide you in the right direction.

Drapes at least 4" above window frame

Ceiling mounted drapes

Window illusion

Puddled drapes