Home decorating and design

Is anyone else experiencing no mail? Susan

Hey All, I got some crackle varnish and glazed the mural with the mocha, but it didn't crackle and now it looks all shiny, I really wanted it to have a more matte finish, should I sand it a bit???? Also, you will not believe this one!!! My dh doesn't really like it! GASP!!!!!!!! I can't believe this! lol. I think the problem is, it is all greenery and no colors other than the tile and sky, and also I think he prefers pictures that have people in them....I am thinking of adding some big urns that have flowers flowing over them and EEEEK, even trying figure how to add the silouette of a couple in the courtyard, not very detailed people.. What do you think??? Missy

Anyone ever make your own roll-outs or pull-outs, like for your cabinet w/ pots and pans, so you don't have to dig way to the back to find a certain pan? Or so you can just pull out your small appliances? I've seen them in custom homes and remodels. Just thinking I could use a drawer track assembly attached to a flat piece of wood w/ a short lip on it(3-4inches). I am thinking that when I faux finish my cabinets (hopefully next week), I can make some of these for my problem areas and install before I put the doors back on. Think it's as easy as it seems? lol Missy

Everyone: Oh what a yucky day today is! Rainy, snowy, sleety and just everything that can "fall from the sky" is. But, I am using this type of weahter to do some long awaited decorating. I purchased a rather large grapevine wreath last fall on clearance, just knowing that "someday it will come in handy". It did - today! I also found some wonderful long stemmed daisies on clearance as well as other wildflowers. I have been wanting to make a wildflower welcome wreath forever and I truly believe that today shall be the day. I shall let you know how it turns out. Cinnamon

Sorry to be off topic, but I can't think of a better group of "friends" to ask!! Does anyone have an embroidering machine that can be programmed to do an logo for someone? I am thinking of making stall drapes. Does anyone have experience sewing on 500 denier cordura? You can email me privately at ameneou@... Thank you!! Angie

Oh MAN! I can't believe this, the plants look GREAT!!!!!! This is so fun! I LOVE IT!!!! All I have left to do now is the fountain and its pool,,,,, Then I need to decide, HELP ME NOW, should I wash over this *ever so faintly* with the same mocha glaze on the rest of the walls (remember, this is in my Tuscan style bedroom) to sorta "grub it up" a little? I think it might be a good idea so it doesn't stick out like sore (new) thumb, so to speak, because the rest of the walls have an aged look, however, it looks so fresh!!! After I'm done I am going to Ho De to buy some tumbled marble trim to finish the edges Well, back to the "painting board" :-) Missy

--- WOW, Missy! How cool...where are you painting this in your home? I certainly hope that you are going to post pics just as soon as you are finished! Carla

Oh, my gosh! I just saw the hay episode. That was bad. I think it was the ugliest room I've ever seen on that show. Yikes! Wasn't Hildi the one who also spray-painted a couch hot pink in one episode? Nope, I don't like her. Too wierd for me. Christina

I have painted the red tile in the courtyard and the stone archway w/ columns, seems ok, nervous about the plants!!!!! Missy

Angie, Real Gloomy and grey. It just looks so beautiful. Can you email more about it. My email address is Dolph8938@... Thanks Lorretta

We are adding on a room which will be opened into an existing livingroom-dinning room combination. I already have wall to wall carpet on the floors in the existing areas. The new area will have to somehow blend with what we already have as I cannot possibly afford to carpet the entire floors in one piece. I cannot pull up the exisiting carpeting and reveal floors either as this is a double wide and I am sure underneath is pressed board! Ideas please? Thanks in advance. Sharon R

Liz, Thanks I love that triangle wall also. I have put lots of greenery and pitchers on top. Now we are looking at moving to Oregon. Waiting to hear from the hospital in Eugene. So I am not going to do anymore decorating. I have decided if and when we do move and find another house I am ready for colored walls. I know you guys probably would never have heard me say this but its true. Anyone live in Oregon or near Eugene. Let me know. Who ever is doing lavender for the walls in the bedroom I love that. I think that will be what I do. Something relaxing. My email address is Dolph8938@... I love everyone's ideas. Lorretta

Ladies, I aplogize, my email was down (some kind of major error in my computer) so I couldn't read all these great ideas and recipes. I was so afraid I wasn't going to be able to ever access my mail again. I am going to use the fruit salad, and the broccoli one. I have seen those favors made from Life Savers, they are very cute, What I have decided for favors is, I looked up what everyones name means and I am painting the name and meaning on a 3 inch wooden square, with a lace border and a magnet on the back. It's a different idea, and I wanted something the guests would keep. Anyway, thanks for the ideas so far, and if anyone has any more, the shower is still 10 days away. Thanks again. Sandy P.S. if anyone ever has a content advisor computer problem, I now know how to fix it!!!

Hiya, I have been looking at the pics and I will admit that when it comes to decorating,I am very much the amatuer compared to all of you. And would you believe I took interior decorating classes and passed with flying colors.Problem is, I have never been very good at choosing what might look good together or what colors to choose. If I wanted a freaky far out hippy style house, I could do that with no problem. But something tasteful is a problem for me,as many people have been known to point out. ;-) Anyway, I have a small bathroom with very little room to move around in,but I have a very tall ceiling in there.I think its about 12 feet or something like that. I feel like I get sort of lost in there and have actually thought about building a small shelf around the whole room but up high past the shower tiles and stuff,then just add some small things on it or I thought about hanging some plants,the long hanging kind,vines like, from the cieling and using long plant hangers to bring the ceiling and the plants closer to us. These are just some ideas that I am looking at,but no where near the question I am wanting to ask. I ramble sometimes ;-) I am thinking of doing the bathroom in greens and blues,sort of like the colors of the sea or water in general and going with some sort of watery type decor.I am thinking of trying the sponge painting and am thinking about doing it this way: Take the one color and use it for a base and then take the second color and start from the bottom of the room and sponge upward towards the ceiling,going lighter in color as I go. Make sense so far? (I hope) Anyway,my dilemma/question is this: Should I go lighter as I go up and accent the tall ceiling or should I start at the top and come down with the color,bring the ceiling closer to us? I dont want to feel boxed in but I dont want to echo up in the ceiling either.I am looking for a nice calm cozy looking bathroom. I have read an article about painting a sky on tall ceilings and am not too sure about that for an idea.I think I would get tired of that way too fast. I hope this made sense because I dont think I described this very well at all. Tami A fight to the death between zombies has a few inherent problems.

If you love to decorate your home and win nice gifts, this is the Club for you. Were making homes beautiful and future brigher for families everywhere The home should be where our heart is. So, come on in and join the party! "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord". Have a blessed day! Doris Smith/Designer PO Box 115 Red Bay, AL 35582 website: www.dorishomegardenparty.org

Went to the copy store and got my color print out, and also made it to the craft store w/ pic and chose the paint colors...tomorrow I should be penciling it and maybe even starting if it goes fast, gotta take "before"s of course!!! :-) Happy to make progress.....Missy

Well, just a couple of teensy little baby steps in the right direction..got the wall sectioned and primered for the mural.. now it needs to dry while I figure out a way to my pic printed, lol Maybe I will got to Kinko's and use the web and printer there since mine is still not working and who knows what we'll end up doing, probably getting a laser printer, but when is another story, so in order to get my project going I need to do SOMETHING!!! Can you believe I have no friends with a working printer either? lol, must be contaigious....I need to get this done so the week of the 25th, Spring Break, I can do my cabinets...Missy

Hi all, Finally able to load up some pics of the house. Supposed to close end of April...........if all goes well that is, lol. Michelle new house is the album. Hi Liz!!!!!!!!!!!

I am working on redoing my kitchen and on the floor I have peel and stick vinyl tile in a black and white check pattern. I want to give it an aged look though. Has anyone ever tried this? Would glaze paint or some other kind of stain work for this? Thanks for any replies. Melissa

. I still need table decoration ideas and some different types of salad ideas. My sister says no mayonnaise LOL The best salad I make is to cut up a head of broccoli and a head of cauliflower. Mix in 1/2 a bottle of ZESTY Italian seasonings and sunflower seeds. It is best when made the night before to marinate. I have NEVER taken home leftovers of that salad!! Angie

We put one up in our kitchen under a ceiling fan. They come in different sizes. We had a square light that was built into the ceiling so I needed something to cover the hole without having to repair the ceiling. I think it looks good and if my husband can put it up then it must be easy. JoAnn

Terri, The room came out great. I cant wait to come home in Dec and see the house now. Lorretta

About low carb diets- Sharon, If you have any heart problems you should consult your doctor. This diet will make you lose lots of water fast and with that potassium. It is very common to get irregular heart beats with a depleted potassium level. I think low carb is great, especially for the endless sweet tooth (me). But again, please be very careful. Not all diets are for all people. Warmly, Susan

Michelle, I sponge painted my large country kitchen about 4 years ago and it still looks great. I used good quality, high-dollar paint with a washable eggshell finish. I painted a base coat of medium green and then I sponged on a dark hunter green and then I sponged on a very pale green (I used a natural sea sponge that I purchased at the paint store). Everyone thinks it is wallpaper and I have had more compliments than I can count. My kitchen counters are dark green and my cabinets are white with gold knobs. It hides fingerprints and dirt well. The baseboards and ceiling are white and they are beginning to need a fresh coat of paint. Try it, I don't think you will be disappointed. April

I really do like the sponge-painting effect, how many of you have tried it??? And was it easy to do?? I am highly considering it now!! ~Michele~ Michelle, have you ever tried sponge-painting, I think it's called? My daughter has done that in two different homes and it looks wonderful. In their last home, she did it up stairway and the second-floor hallway walls and in the home they're in now, she did it in their bedroom. In each case, she did the sponging in an even pattern around the room, but I've seen it done randomly and like that, too. You could do a beige background with white sponging or vice-versa. It's subtle, not distracting, but really adds depth, warmth, and interest to the walls.

Hi everyone I'm new here. I want to decorate my bedroom with a moroccan flare. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions or pics? Thanks for your help.. Nikki

Well, this is the way our friend Dr. Lance Dreher (he's a former Mr. Universe, twice and Mr. America, used to be known as Mr. Fitness but they call him Dr. Fitness now since he graduated, lol) taught me how to eat. He also just helped his own wife lose 70 pounds this way. They came up with the bar method to give her the kick start because she just couldn't get on a roll. Then once she got going, she went back on his regular eating plan. It's a very healthy way to eat, and it's really a way of life not a diet. Basically you start out eating like I mentioned, low carb, lower fat foods. 1 day example: Breakfast- eggwhite omelet, moz cheese, green pepper, mush etc. Lunch- could be a salad w/ turkey lunch meat and cheese Dinner-grilled chicken, spinach or broccoli, and salad there is a list of "approved foods" too long to type out.. basically no starchy vegetables, fruits, breads, grains, pastas or rices.. Most seafood, lean meats, chicken, turkey etc are fine. He does not advocate eating a pound of bacon and a doz eggs like you hear others doing, lol. Eggswhites are preferred and make the fluffiest scrambled eggs and omelets anyway. Dark leafy greens, almost any green/dark veggie (except peas) Better fruits would be fresh berries, apples and a 1/2 an orange or pear at a time. Plain lowfat yogurt or cottage cheese w/ fresh berries would be other examples of snacks. Eat your fruits alone, for a snack. One glass of red wine is ok Eat this way for 6 days, then have a "cheat day" go to the movies, have popcorn, a soda, icecream. Or out to dinner for whatever you like. As you progress, your cheat day (within reason) can come every 4th or 5th day, then every 3 days, until you are maintaining yourself one day on and one day off.... this is very do-able, you will not be deprived and by the time you are "allowed" to cheat with more frequency, you probably won't want to and will stick with the once a week like we and most people do. Lance has helped many people lose so much weight and get in good shape. He is just an awesome guy and he is SOOOO smart! You will get results and will not go into ketosis, there is no danger following his method, unless you really die wanting a pretzel, roflol...good luck, Missy

Hello! I just finished making new curtains for my bathroom and now I want to color wash it. I painted my bedroom which turned out great. The question I have is this...they suggest eggshell or glossy on the bathroom walls. I used flat paint mixed with glaze for the bedroom walls. Can I mix glaze with the eggshell or glossy? Will it still work the same? I'm not good these things! Lori in Maryland

Thank you, thank you. I love the coffee bean candle idea. I want one for my house!!!! I have a celebrity baby name matching game, a baby animal/mother game, and think I will use the one where you measure the mommy's tummy. I'm also going to make the diaper wreath posted in the last reply. I knew this group could help me, glad I asked. Sandy

I sent a link to my pictures at webphotos. At the end are my after pictures of the infamous never ending redo of the gameroom. Let me know what you think. I'm tired, but happy with how it turned out. Thanks, Terri Confidentiality Notice: This message and the accompanying documents or attachments may contain information which is privileged and/or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, discuss, disclose, copy, or distribute the contents of this message. If you have received this information in error, please immediately contact the sender of this message and destroy all evidence of this correspondence.

In a message dated 3/12/02 10:46:58 AM Eastern Standard Time, TwingineerMom@... writes: I would like to know more about the mommy bracelets and gourds you are making. My sister is having her first baby in April. also, anyone have any unique shower ideas , favors, decorations, etc? Sandy(the chronic lurker) LOL

Hi again, ;-) Well I just joined yesterday,I think. We just moved into our first house 2 weeks ago and I am having the time and the problems of my life,but loving it all. My house is older and what we are going to try to do is bring it back to what it used to look like.It has the original woodwork with teh scrolls around it and antique door hinges that I am going to be finding more of. The bathtub needs to be refinished but I am not ready or confident enough to tackle that one right off the bat.I did get paint remover and remove all the old paint that had been painted over the tub. I am married with a 12 year old son,who wants a black bedroom. I like to read and play on the puter and join newsgroups. Last year I started to get into crafting but havent quite found what I am really interested in as far as that goes. I pretty much do a little bit of everything but havent mastered one thing yet.There just seems to be too much info and too many things to do and learn and only ONE lifetime to do it all.It just isnt enough time. ;-) I am 37 and have quit smoking in the past year and now hubby and I are on a new healthy lifestyle eating and execising plan. We have been in marriage counseling for a year now and things are going much better. We are confident enough in our marriage and all the things that we learned that we invested in a house. I went and started looking at the group photo albums.I cant wait to go and see even more. I feel like the untalented step child looking at some of the pictures. I will have to start taking pictures and making my own album.This is so exciting and I am talking way too much for an intro. So that is me and I am glad to be here. Tami A fight to the death between zombies has a few inherent problems.

Is there any reason why I am not getting responses to my posts? Maybe I'm paranoid, but it sure seems like it to me. If I am doing/done something wrong, let me know. Thanks, Susan

Lol... actually we have an old couch that we can't afford to get rid of at the moment, but it will go and we will get something new in the future, same with our chairs, but they have med-lt. browns/tans... I'm thinking we'll have to just paint the walls and get matching furniture we like later on... Right now the trim is painted, I was thinking of trying to uncover the wood but I think it is going to be too big of a pain so we will probably end up having to paint them... my mom just bought me a pretty wall shelf w/ matching frames in white, so I'm wondering what color walls would go well with white trim, my husband would like something along the lines of beige or light browns... the carpet we have now will probably go also later this year, so really we can do whatever to the walls right now... =) I think I'd really like to see a photo I like, I'm searching as we speak, lol... ~Michele~ Michele, Do you have a look you are aiming for, a "feel"? Do you have furniture yet? Sometime looking at a decorative or accent pillow, painiting, etc. you will find your color in there. In general a good rule is, take the smallest amount of a color from a fabric (if you like it) to paint the walls with. Missy

Wow, Kim! It sounds like you had a wonderful week. I LOVE Goodwill, etc. I'm most interested in your bowling ball mosaic idea. Tell us more about it. Will you use it as garden or patio decor? What mixture do you use for the "mortar"? What material for the mosaics? --Jillann

Hey Pat, I'll join tomorrow!!! Missy (in Peoria) Me, too! Angie in Mesa

Hey, new to the group, and thought I'd ask for some design tips. Dining room w/ burgandy walls and dark hardwoods. Beautiful patterned drapes and a oriential/persian carpert under table, and a marble topped buffet, but nothing on the walls or acessories antwhere! Any suggestions? Thanks, Sin

Jann - Our surround sound speakers are mounted in the corners so the wire runs down the wall and along the baseboard to the stereo. I also left the wires when I painted so they're painted the same as the wall. ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Tammy -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

I want to upgrade one of my lampshades and so far have been unable to find a source for either high-end ready-mades or made-to-order. It's a contemporary shape -- a horizontal rectangle. (It can be seen on Crate and Barrel's Duncan floor lamp, for the highly curious amongst you). I want the same shape, but of a linen or silk. Any leads? -mimi2

Help! We have a lamp that belonged to my mother-in-law that I would like identified. It has no markings but the base is made of glass that is white on the inside and is pink on the outside. It looks Victorian to me--kinda gaudy actually but I just love it. There are painted designs on it and it also has long cut glass crystals that hang from the upper portion of the lamp. I don't know where to go to ask and I would like to try to find a proper shade for it. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. I took pictures of it tonight but can't get into the webphoto site to post them. Would gladly forward to anyone who would like to see the lamp. Phyllis

In a message dated 3/8/02 11:49:25 AM Eastern Standard Time, missyb@... writes: << ust buy fresh ones in bunches at the store, tie string around them, hang them upside down and make your own :-) DUH. Sometimes I just don't get the obvious. Will they fall apart? Thanks.

Hi I joined this group today :) My name is Marcia and I am from South Dakota. We are in the process of remodeling our home. What are some good decoarting magazines? Good decorating websites? Also, any good online stores? Thanks so much for your help!!!! Marcia

I have an entertainment center on the main wall in my living room. I have four small speakers four "surround sound." I'd like to put two of them up on the wall. They came with brackets for doing this. But, how do you hide the speaker wires. I can't go up through the attic since we rent and there are strict rules. I thought they'd look rather tacky just at a slant from the speaker to the entertainment center. What to do? TIA Jann

Wow those are awesome murals. We had a mural in our kitchen when I was growing up that was just beautiful. I am not talented like that. I like do ceramics and am good at that but not at freestyle such as this. Lorretta

Is there anyone that is having a problem getting the toolbar up for popup stopper? I can get it to show. Susan

I also have been unable to get into the site....I don't ever get past where they ask for the ID and password, it just keeps returning, over, and over, and over....... Is there some way you can forward it to the site and we can just "click on" to get in???? TIA

I would like some suggestions about a raw pine shelf that I have. It has 3 shelves, top scalloped with hearts cut out, front has 5 dowels that create 16 separate mini frames. I used to store my "Charming Tales" collection in it. Now I want to use it in a different way, more French Country. Has anyone any ideas on what to do with it? I have a picture of it in AOL's You've Got Pictures. I can email it to anyone who is interested. I don't think I can post a PIC from AOL in our Photos. Thanks!

Ok, I've talked to my grandma and we've decided to reupholster my couch. Does anyone know where I can get an awesome, awesome, AWESOME deal on fabric for it? The only thing is...I want it in a charcoal gray. It seems like this is a very unpopular color because I can't find it anywhere! Is there maybe somewhere online that you'd reccommend looking? Thanks for any help! Christina

Oh, Liz! That's priceless! I find that most people don't like pictures like that. I have even run across a few numb skulls that think there is something evil about them. I love them. I especially like the Victorian ones with the monkeys in them. I have been looking for months for a water color teacher. No luck. I find watercolors very intimidating! Yesterday I made the plunge and purchased watercolors and papers! I'm just going to wing it! Later, Jayne

I think someone asked for a place that has old hardware. This may be a resource. Susan

Hi Everyone, Fist of all let me apologize if this is a double-post. As a lifelong designaholic, I finally got my business tax ID in hopes of becoming a decorator. But how can I open a vendor account if I have no vendor accounts to serve as a reference to open a vendor account, ad infinitum . . . in short, how does one begin? -mimi2

So many people like the dining room I guess I have to leave it for a while! Thanks to all you wrote. While I'm waiting, I'm going to re-do my son, Parker's, room. He's turning 3 on the 20th and we're transitioning him to a twin bed. He's obsessed with Thomas and also the moon/sun and cows/horses. Here's the plan: I'm going to paint the ceiling sky blue with clouds and put the glow in the dark stickers of stars, moon, planets. The paint the top half of the room as a sky as well. The bottom half being rolling hills with a painted RR track going around. Scenary such as a farm, trees, houses etc. Pictures of The Thomas comforter and his room before will be posted. I welcome ideas. I've never done anything like this before. Thanks, Laura

Thanks tons for all the ideas, first one Im going to try is carpet tape! (handywomans secret weapon) and then look for a good sale on a fitted sheet as I tossed all our old bedding earlier this year and dont have an extra one to sew the dustruffle to..... Thanks again! Brenda

Is it OK to wallpaper kitchen cabinet panels? They are white laminate. Any other suggestions for decor that would not ruin them is welcomed! Susan

I'm planning to do some serious faux painting in my powder room. I have specific colors I want to use - and I think I could search high and low for weeks to find wallpaper in those exact colors. SO - I'm just going to paint! I'm planning to paint a border high on the wall, paint the walls below one color/pattern and then paint the ceiling another color/pattern. I would like some ideas of different patterns I could do. I've done ragging - and I like the way it looks. So I can do that for one of the wall. But I don't want to do the same thing on the ceiling. Ideas, anyone?

Loretta, Ah! I gave you the wrong site address. Lo siento, www.flylady.net

There all up there for you opinion. There are pictures of the yellow colorblending before and after I put the brown glaze. I'm still not sure I like it well enough to live with it. The transition from the soothing green to the dark yellow doesn't seem right. Later this year I will be resurfacing the counter tops and I think I'd like to paint the cabinets. Can't decide on a color because I'd like them to be cream but I have white appliances. Please offer suggestions for all. Thanks.

Does anyone know how to get hotglue off a painted wood surface?

From: "Jenn Trenary" <ranjennt@i... Date: Sun Mar 3, 2002 8:30 pm Subject: Re: [Interior_Motives] Way too yellow - Not any more! I'm glad that everything worked out for you...can't wait to see the pics. I absolutely loved that border! Jenn *********************** That border was such a deal! I bought it on Ebay - 6 rolls for $12 + shpg! It was exactly what I was looking for. I only used 2.5 rolls and planned on selling remainder on Ebay to get my money back. (gotta be economical ;) I LOVE Ebay. The only problem is that I'm still not sure I can live with the yellow walls. Really wish I'd done is taupe/cream combo. Anyway, if I have to repaint I'll have to rip the border down and hang new once done. Unless I can paint with border still up? Pictures are up now so take a look in "Laura" folder. I'm waiting until I'm sure and get suggestions before I paint the kitchen.

FYI The Queen of Clean will be on 3 TV in the AM discussing how to remove paint stains! Angie

Hi all, need some help....I bought my son a bed in a bag set and the dust ruffle is one of those cheap ones that just has the edge that goes under his mattress and doesnt cover his mattress completely....understand what I mean? It keeps coming out every time he makes the bed and its a PITA to pull the bed away from the wall and redo it. Is there some way of attaching it to the box spring so it stays put? Next time I buy a bed in the bag I will check it out and make sure its a full dust ruffle! I mean, how much more could it cost the company to put a full panel on it!?! The queen size I bought for our bed has a full panel.... Brenda

I hate the pop up ads even more. It seems they are all over these days and I have to close 2 ad windows before I can view what I want. Susan

Clear Day Hi Everyone! I have a couple of questions for everyone. It is not a question that needs to be answered ASAP, but I thought I would ask now. :) In the summertime, I am going to be moving into a new fresh apartment. After being a student and living in an apartment for five years with hand-me-down furniture and white walls with my roommates ugly posters on the wall, I am VERY glad that I can finally have a place that is mine to do as I choose. Now, I have saved up quite a lot of money for furniture, as everything is going to be new this time - no used couches or dad's hand-me-down brown recliner. *cringe* Because of storage issues, I do not have any furniture as of yet, aside from my bed and small appliances. I am waiting until my lease is signed and I am ready to move in before I buy furniture... shopping spree here I come. Anyway, on with the questions. Considering I do not have much living room furniture yet, or a dining set, I am pretty free to do as I wish, but I am kind of partial to certain colours.... All of my kitchen appliances (toaster oven, microwave, electric can opener, and other counter-top appliances and accessories) are all stainless steel. I was thinking I would love my kitchen to be a Sage in colour, but I do not think Sage is very complimentary to the stainless steel. What colour combinations would you suggest, in your opinion, would compliment the steel, and not make them stick out like a sore thumb? Also, I have blonde wood counter top shelving and baker's rack. As for my living room and bedroom, all of the furnishing I have so far, which are basically limited to bookshelves, a console, an entertainment unit and lamps, are all blonde wood and stainless steel. I would like to have burgundy or even get a little daring (for my blood) and go with aubergine, but again I do not know if the blond wood and stainless steel will be complimentary to those colours. Basically, I am in desperate need of help!!! lol. I watch decorating shows and drool over the lovely colour concepts, but I am lost on this one. As for extra info, the apartment I am going to be moving into is a studio [open-concept] and I would like to have everything blend, but not all one colour or end up looking like an Andy Warhol painting. Also, I am very much into the industrial look [hard to tell with all the stainless steel? lol] if that helps any. One more thing... just one, I promise... has anyone had any experience with Hammerite? I do believe that is what it is called. It is a paint that looks like hammered steel when dry. I was thinking of experimenting with that as well, but am a little fearful to try it. Thanks for all of your help and sorry for the rambling on and on, but I am so very good at it! lol Mar

Thanks for the tips! I ended up putting the brown glaze all over and I didn't even have to take the border down. The first wall was the practice and the worst area is covered by a huge print. Anyway, I think my problem was that I "Overworked" the glaze, if that's possible. I should've research more on glazes. I'm terribly impatient and ran back to the store. I bought a whole gallon!! Talk about overkill. I won't use that much in a lifetime. In the end I kinda like it, Looks like a yellow fresco and the brown glaze certainly helped tone it down. Tomorrow I'll go ahead and do the kitchen. When it's done, I'll post pics.

My kitchen is a very deep barn red. It is gorgeous. I am painting my LR/DR mustardy gold. My style has been country but now I am having a strong lean towards French Country. I love the colors and it is bit more refined. Problem: I live in a raised ranch and need to figure out what to do with the entry. I want to hang my quilt on a black iron pole with elaborate finials to keep some Americana yet not abandon the French Country. This would be on the big wall that runs from the front door and up the stairs to the rest of my house. The wall is about 16 feet high. I hope I am explaining this clearly. I have pics from my sisters digital, but the file is tremendous so the photo space on the website won't accept them. She has no idea how to resize, she is very new at this whole thing. If someone can let me email the pics, then they can resize and post for me. I do not have the proper software to do it myself. Thanks Guys, Susan

Thanks, Susan for your suggestions. My house is traditional and the living area is sage green, which makes the yellow worse. I swear the colors are brighter than the swatches I picked. I tried a brown glaze. It doesn't look very good because it didn't go on smooth. Some areas are a too dark and real splotchy, some areas are nice and tone down the yellow fine. The colorblending I did is like colorwashing only it's blotted with the sheepskin. It turned out nice, just the wrong yellow. I've never done a glaze before. At this point I'm ready to repaint. Can I try doing the colorblending again with the taupe paint and the brown glaze? I don't know if those two would mix right. Have you ever tried this technique before? What type of look are you going for? This list is great for color support!!! Susan

Hi everyone, I guess it's time I showed my face now that I've joined the list! I'm 22, an electrical engineering student from Ottawa (Canada), and although I still live at my parents' place, I love thinking about all the cool stuff I could do if only I had my own place! I also really enjoy the home deco shows on TV (e.g., Designer Guys, Room Service, Decorating Challenge, Trading Spaces, etc.) As it stands I've repainted my room a couple of times, and got funny looks when I told people I wanted a silk ficus tree for my birthday (which I got). I put little white Christmas lights on it, and it looks wonderful in my cozy yellow room! My parents want to repaint and maybe redecorate their room this summer and I volunteered to help. My mother's keen, but my dad doesn't trust me. :-) In any event it will be hard because I don't share my parents' (rather conservative) taste at all. So my next project? Uhh... I think actually I'll be biding my time painting up some artwork for whenever I move out, and dreaming up neat ways to spruce up whatever place I move out to, whenever that happens. That, and learn carpentry, so I can make furniture the way I like it for cheap(er). :-) So hello to the list! Good luck on all your various projects! -Louise

Barb, I wouldn't paper over paper I would strip it and put new paint up. I have alot of wallpaper in my downstairs and I was thinking of just putting the paper on top but I'm glad I didn't because it would be a mess. Oh and don't paint over paper it will never come off. Good luck, Marianne in Rome, NY

OMG - I just finished colorblending my dining room walls. I used a mustard yellow and taupe combo. I went ahead and put my fruit border up which seems to make it all even brighter. It hurts my eyes! I was reading how someone had yellow walls and was going to put a mocha glaze over it. Can I do that without taking down my border? Would it wipe off? Will that turn my walls more tannish - which would be fine.

take it down and put up an old boat oar maybe? What a cute Idea, but I am affraid the room is to wide. I think I'll look into the fabric idea since there are some cute fabrics out there with frogs! Maybe I can make it look like a scrunchie. ihrrv

I have AOL and rarely do I get any junk mail. If I do I just punch in SPAM and forward to AOL. Susan

How could I make my new, unfinished pine look old, distressed? I am French Country/American Country. I probably would like a white paint. My colors are barn red, deep yellow (goldish) and blue in various shades. Thanks, Susan

Clear DayHi everyone, I just thought I would share this web site with you. :) www.theartadvantage.com I love filling my walls with great art, but sometimes it is hard to find the perfect colours you are looking for in a particular style of art work. This site allows you to search for up to three colour combinations [under the Advanced Search option] and from there it finds all art work that matches your query. It is a really great site. SO if you are looking for some new artwork for a colourful or a bare white wall, check it out. :) Mar P.S

Forget it! I found the rest of the name on the back of the paper Vaso Con Marghrite Anemoni" I'm not even sure this is right....

I have been trying all week to print out the picture I want to cast on the wall w/ the projector to do the mural and this piece of junk printer won't work right. I have tried everything and I am ready to just blow it up! Missy

Does anyone have any ideas for a stain I can use on my pine furniture-all of which is unfinished. I am trying to get it to fit into the country french style. Susan

I have just been so amazed by those photos on msn from those gals that painted their cabinets. I am going to do this over Spring break. My question? Though I want to do it right, I am lazy to a point, do you think I really need to prime the cabinets white? I have very light oak stock cabinets. If I paint the pumpkin color as the first coat, after sanding and washing w/ tsp, wouldn't that cover the oak soldily? What would the white do? The pumpkin is darker than the cabinets now. I could see if they were black or something to need the white primer to get rid of the dark but the pale oak wouldn't show. Well, I will do it if neccesary, what do you think? Also, can I just use some of the smaller mdf crown moulding to beef up the moulding or must I use something special? I am going to add on rope moulding on all doors and place some of those wood appliques before I paint also. I think that will be really sharp, maybe grape clusters or FDL's whatever I find that fits my old world look. I am just going to the appliques on the prominent doors, the ones on the sides of the stove and on either sides of the picture window. I really don't have a place to build a cornice, cause the mic is over the stove and it would block the beautiful huge window over the sink. Can't have everything I guess! lol. Also going to find some cool knobs and pulls, there are none now..saw some fdl's at Ho De a while back, hope they still have 'em, Thanks for any tips...Missy

Well, I might have done something I shouldn't have....I went and bought a Mexican Table with 6 chairs (2 are masters) for $125. It will need some TLC. The table top has those 'grooves' along the edges if you can imagine that. The chairs...interesting looking...has leather seats that are held with 1" wide tacks. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I plan to lightly sand the chairs, and apply coats of stained polyeurethane to them. IF anyone has any better ideas...I'm open. I'm going to go pick it up today with my trailer. I was kinda drawn to it, since it is so interesting looking and would be a 'conversational' piece in the eating area. The leather, is a burnt sienna color (?) and will need to be cleaned....I was thinking that a custom made formica table top to match the color of leather to replace the old table top should look good. Wish I had a digital camera to show you..... -- Xina mailto:Xina@... ************************************* Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

In a message dated 3/1/02 10:32:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, missyb@... writes: << Just get a burnt umber/mocha glaze and rub it on the wall in tiny amounts like I am washing it? It seems too easy to be true. Susan

I am thinking of using a glaze on top of the mustard yellow that I have painted in our living room. I think it would really add to the rustic Fr Cty feel. The yellow is very deep. Any suggestions on how to do it? Just get a burnt umber/mocha glaze and rub it on the wall in tiny amounts like I am washing it? I do not want too much as my LR/DR combo is small. Thanks, Susan

I orginally thought I'd colorblending my dining room in a couple of different. It seems that colorwashing and colorblending are similar. It also seems I should really use colors of the same hue or a glaze. Another question, I don't think I want the contrast of the brush stokes to show, so does anybody know where I can get that woolie material to make my own tool? I thought there might be directions on this somewhere in this groups files, but haven't been able to find them. Also, I uploaded pictures in the file "Laura" of my dining room and the wallpaper border I will be using. Any suggestions on color combinations? I have hunter green counters which will eventually get redone in a lighter material. The dining room has wood floors and is directly looking into the kitchen with all those dark wood cabinets. The LR is painted a light green and visible from the table. Although I'm not scared of color, I'm afraid of making this room seem smaller with dark paint.

Have ya'll see those photo frames ...the novelty ones that look like road signs?? Target had a snotload of them on sale for 3.90 each. I ended up buying 11 different ones! YIKES! Herc is gonna get me! But I thought I would put them all up on one wall, in the new family room, whenever it gets done...make it look like a 'map wall'. Talk about a conversation wall! LOL Just thought I'd share my idea....as zany as it may sound! LOL -- Xina mailto:Xina@... ************************************* Children really brighten up a household. They never turn the lights off.

In a message dated 2/28/02 11:39:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, LHendRN@... writes: << Susan, of all of the good ideas I have seen/heard on this list, this has to be one of the most inspirational. After all the angst you went through with the choice on the red, once you jumped, you keep on going after the next big adventure! Denise Denise, I think that remaining teachable is very important. I have always been able to take direction once I have solicited it. What's the point of belonging to a list of highly creative, experienced designers if I am not going to take their advice? Humility is a good thing. The other biggie that I learned is "It's only paint!" Thanks to all who have supported me in my dive from neutrals to glorious color. It all started with a red lipstick I bought and has seeped into my wardrobe and home. No more Ms. Earthtones! Warmly, Susan PS- I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the support and guidance I have received from another list as well. Friendly group-these decorators.

Liz you are right. This lady Donna did a great job decorating. I am back to catching up on email from the last month. Beautiful job on her part. Lorretta

In a message dated 2/28/02 8:32:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, TwingineerMom@... writes: << Take at least 30-60 seconds..;-() Thanks ;) Julie Julie Who was that wild woman??? Susan

Welcome to the list! Brenda also in Ont Canada

I just had to report that I finished color washing my bedroom. It looks awesome (if I do say so myself!). I can't wait until my husband gets home from travel tonight to see it. I used Pale Purple as the basecoat and Pearl violet as the color wash. It is so soft and romantic! My son said he wants me to do his room in burgundy to make it look like leather. Now he is 10 years old! I don't know where he gets these ideas <grin small sponge or cloth to get right at the edges of the ceiling, but that shouldn't take very long. Now I'd like to pickle paint (is that the right word?) my furniture. I have cherry furniture and it seems too bold for the room now. I don't know. Maybe once I get everything back in place I'll see. I have wall sconces that hold candles and I'm not sure where I want to put them. I also have mirror to hang. I'd like to do something canopish over the bed as I have a 4 poster bed. I think that would really bring it together. I wish I had a digital camera so that I could take pictures to post. It took two days, but it was worth it! Lori in Maryland

In a message dated 2/27/02 10:02:06 PM Eastern Standard Time, parismornings@... writes: << Hey! What about me! Please check out my photos of the barn we live in. We just moved in Oct 2001, so I have a lot of work to do, but for now, I have some photos posted. Please, if you have a chance, check them out and let me know what you think, good or bad. I'd appreciate the feedback. Holly www.parismornings.com Holly, Where are your photos posted? I went to Paris Mornings but it is not up yet. Susan

In a message dated 2/27/02 4:47:07 PM Eastern Standard Time, kimigriffin@... writes: << The yellow looks far to "heavy". I am still doing yellow, but a much lighter version. Thanks, Susan You may want to consider painting on your yellow that you have, then washing it with a very watery white. You can repeat this many times until you have the lightness you desire....and it gives it a cool chalky look to boot. Later, Kimi kimi3316-AOLIM Hi Kimi, You are all going to think that I am crazy, but I have decided to go with the original yellow. A few people told me to go for it anyway and I thought about it. I started to paint one wall and put on a few coats and let it dry. It looked so good. No more competing with the red, it actually compliments it. I have learned to take risks, wait until the paint is dry, live with it a while. I am so excited! Question: I have a light brown Berber carpet in the entrance, up the stairs and into the hallway. Would it look funny if I put throw rugs over it in some places? Thanks All, Susan

A friend of mine does some painting but I did not know that she was THIS GOOD!! I tried to post the photo in the photo section in the archives....I uploaded it...but I'm not sure where it went?? Anyone? Can we sent attachements on this? -- Xina mailto:Xina@... ************************************* Children really brighten up a household. They never turn the lights off.

Hi! Well, I started painting my bedroom yesterday and when I picked up the drop cloth, I found that paint has soaked through to the carpet. I've tried everything to get it out. Any suggestions on how to remove paint from the carpet? I've tried carpet cleaners and it looks like it's up until it dries. Then I have this nice lavender tone to my lt. green carpet! I plan on replacing the carpet one of these days...but not yet! Lori in Maryland

What type of paint do I need to use??? What about the process??? Thanks, Susan

Tomorrow the Oprah show will feature decorators, their ideas, decorator secrets and some of those featured are decorators to be just like us (hey we know we are). I for one will not miss this show. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

Hi, I'm Laura, I've been reading (lurking) for quite some time. You all are so talented and I've even used some of the ideas I've read. I have a question now and would really like opinions. I'm getting ready to paint my dining room. I have a scalloped fruit border and want to paint the walls using a faux finish called color blending. I have purchased one kit from HD w/split tray & roller and another kit from FM w/just the woolly hand paddle. Does anybody know which works best? Has anybody done this technic before? I was considering goldenrod/tan combination or deep red/goldenrod combo. Share your thoughts.

I have a sliding glass door with no window treatments right now. We just moved in and took down the verticals when we painted. I need to put something up there but don't want verticals. I need to get started on this because I'm getting to be fast friends with the neighbors :) The room is my den which is open to the kitchen. The room is contemporary. I really need ideas! Thanks Kim

I just LOVE my red kitchen, thanks Missy and all. Now the problem of painting the rest of the space.... Susan

What a great idea! I only wish my home were big enough to do this in! Susan

I hope this message doesn't come out a million times, but I keep getting an error saying it had a failed delivery, so I am going to try to send it again! Hi All! I've been wanting an ottoman for the longest time to use as a coffee table/foot rest/tray holder.. anyway, the ones that I've liked are way out of my budget. I had a wooden square coffee table that I wasn't using, so I went to the fabric store and found some very sturdy burgundy fabric and some thick quilt batting. I took the legs off, put batting over the top and then the fabric and stapled it underneath. I then took the extra material and wrapped it around the 4 legs like a skirt. I then nailed the top back on. It turned out pretty good for a first time try. The skirt didn't go all the way around, so I had to piece it together in two spots. Those areas don't look so great, I may come up with some way to disguise them (I hope). I didn't have any directions, I just flew by the seat of my pants. I am going to put some cording around the area where the legs and top meet and then it will be all done. I love it and so does my family! It was about $24.00 for the material and batting. Not too bad considering the ones I wanted were between 200.00 - 300.00. It will do until I can get the "real thing". Now to cover those Southwestern Pillows with the new material I bought. I also bought the paint today to colorwash my bedroom walls. Lori in Maryland

I was just looking through the pictures at Webphotos....this is spooky, Julie.....my daughter wants her room lavender and green and she has the same vanity!!! Is that spooky or what??? LOL Anyways, is the border wallpaper or did you paint it? I was thinking of using some of my larger rubber stamps and stamping on the walls somehow. This is way in the future, we have to tear her room out and rebuild it before we do anything. Our goal this year is to do 3 rooms upstairs! We're not going on any major holidays this year and although we have to do our septic system in the spring we want to get as much done in the house as possible.... Brenda ~You can't have everything, where would you put it?~

Oh my goodness, I just opened the next photo that shows your daughters bed! Becky has the same bed too only its the canopy version!!!! Well, now I know what her room would look like lavender and green! LOL Brenda ~You can't have everything, where would you put it?~

interior_motives.com

Kitchen is barn red- very cool. I bought a deep yellow for the rest of my shared L/R, D/R. I painted an area on the pass through from the dining area to the kitchen. The colors come very close to each other at the corners. The fore ground is yellow and the background is the red kitchen. Very contrasting-you could even say competing. I picked the yellow from a French Country wallpaper book. I wanted to make sure it went with my red. It did, in the book anyway. I have 2 gallons of this yellow. Any suggestions?

We have similar laundry areas, mine is rough concrete floor, whitewashed bare rock walls with creepy spots where they broke through the wall to put the ductwork and plumbing through the walls.....they are open somewhat to the crawlspace under the front of the house. Partway down the stairwell the drywall on the outside wall crumbled so there is this gaping hole where you can see the old coal shute entrance (it was bricked over) so you have to scurry past it real quick NEVER LOOK IN THERE!!!!!! Anyways, we put a piece of berber in front of the washer/dryer so at least Im not dumping my clean clothes all over the concrete floor now.... Brenda <who doesnt do laundry after watching scary movies)

Am so disappointed. For first time am going to be painting over old woodwork. This morning sent an email to this group and also another that I belong to....nary a single reply. So am going to just go cover up my head...then search the web for answers. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

I added my pics at the IM site, plus my family room, guest room, & dd's room. Hit the slide show, it goes fast! missy

coordinated. I love your iron daybed, too. That china cabinet is really great looking. Did you get anything done to the game room? All I see is 'before' pics. . .. Liz, Funny you should mention the game room. We moved all the furniture out this Saturday and I got started on painting. I picked out a color called "Knockout Red" from Home Depot. It is really bright red and it looks great. It took 4 gallons of the satin to put on 2 coats but it is looking great. I still need to tape off the stripes I am doing and paint the alternating stripes with the semi-gloss. The taping off is going to take forever so I will be working on that in the evenings this week, except for Thursday and you know it is the premier episode of Survivor again so that night is out! I have been toying with the arrangement of the room and I still haven't decided how I am going to set it all up and finish decorating. I also haven't picked out fabric for the windows yet either. Still lots to do, but at least I am started! Terri And thanks on the chairs, we are loving them!

In a message dated 2/25/02 12:09:27 PM Eastern Standard Time, missyb@... writes: << I don't mind the washing. It's the folding and hanging up that I can't stand! Lori in Maryland That is so funny! My husband thinks he is doing me a favor my cramming the washer with clothes, then putting them in dryer in the same shape they came out of the washer in. Then he brings them up in the washbasket and plops on the bed to watch TV I should be nicer to him- he just finished painting my kitchen barn red and it was a pain in the dupa!! Susan

Have decided to paint woodwork in my home. The woodwork has a varnish finish....so...do I need to sand first...or could I just clean well, prime then paint with semi gloss paint? Have painted many walls throughout the years...but this is first to do woodwork. That is my question for today. Your advise will be greatly appreciated. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

Thanks Liz for the compliments. The Santa picture was actually a big pillow I made a few years ago and wanted to make a santa picture out of it so I just cut it in half and put it in a picture I guess you could do that with any fabric. Marianne

Liz....not sure about the emails. But for anyone looking for ideas about decorating....how to do decorating....share pictures it works very well. All you need to do is go to that community...sign up and you are in. Naturally...at no cost. I have posted pictures of my home on that web site. Have found that to be a very active place for sharing ideas. Take a look at it and let me know what you think? Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

I have brown eyes, and i love lavander, marroonish pink ( is that a word LOL), country blues, and well lavander! :-) Kellie "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Am finally getting back in the groove and painting the living room this weekend. Sometime next week will begin doing color wash on the walls. I brought fabric from Dallas, TX to create the window treatments for that room. Other then that....still spending to much time on computer playing games on pogo.com. Liz...glad to hear you are getting your groove back. Have been watching the weather in your area and it is perfect for painting outside...before the real heat begins. By the way....did you look at any of the picture I have posted? Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

I would like to re-do my kitchen cabinets - and I'm looking for some ideas. Right now, the cabinets have a dark varnish/stain on them. It does come off. The doors are a simple square frame with a recessed panel. The frame part of the door appears to be a nice wood like oak. It has a nice grain to it and I could stain it just about any color. The problem is the panel - it is not made of a nice wood. I'm not even sure if it's made of wood! Some kind of wood-like substance. It has no grain to it, so if I put stain on it, it doesn't look a thing like the frame part. (it has a grain in the dark varnish, but when I remove the varnish, the "grain" comes off too). I could always paint them completely white - but I do like oak with a natural stain. But what to do about the panel? I'm open for ideas. Is there some kind of thin veneer that might look good? Should I paint the panel with some kind of faux finish? Put something else in the panel? Frosted glass? I'm open to any ideas. (The only thing I don't want to do is cut out the panel and put glass in - I don't want to have to keep the inside of the cabinets neat!)

When you finish the lavendar room, you will be amazed, I painted our guest room lavendar, and it is the absolute most relaxing place to be in the house! Your eyes feel so at ease. I actually feel my eye muscles relax when I walk in the door! It may be because I have blue eyes and they are sensative to light. Hey that makes me wonder! Is there anyconnection to how people decorate based on the color of their eyes???? Liz, survey? lol I wonder what palettes brown eyed people choose.... I prefer warm neutrals, like tans, browns, greens, have some purple walls, all in medium hues Now my husband has brown eyes, and true to his hispanic lineage, he would choose bright white walls and vibrant accessories, just like his Madre, lol When he goes into the lavendar room, he likes it but he doesn't feel anything in his eyes like I do! Missy

I am now ready to paint our bedroom. I want to do it in a lavender color. I'd like to colorwash the walls. Just a couple more questions....should the basecoat be the darker or lighter color? Also, should the basecoat be a flat base? Lori in Maryland

This is the weirdest most disgusting thing I've ever seen!!!! I keep watching, I am ready to hurl !!! Anybody else seeing this?] Missy

Don't faint....have finally placed some pictures in my album. Am open to ideas concerning the molding in all the rooms. Do I paint it or not...that is the question? Will try to add more pictures tonight. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

Just saw him....OMG...he is adorable. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

Hi, I've been "no-mail" for a while---lots of things have been happening, and the mail was just getting to be too much. But I did miss you all while I was off. In answer to Liz's question, I would say "Portraits" or "Portrait Painter", if there is such a category. Regards to all. Marion in Nevada

Hello all! My name is Christina, and I am from Washington state. I'm excited to be here, and can't wait to meet you all, and get some good ideas! :-) Right now, I'm thinking of re-covering my couch (slipcover or reupholstering). But first, I'm going to make a big back cushion for it instead of the 5 big pillows that it has for a back now. We HATE these pillows. They don't stay in place, and we don't like the way they look. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas on slipcovers or re-upholstering, let me know. I'm also going to talk to my grandma about it. She has reupholstered some of her own furniture, and I'm sure she would be able to help. I live in an apartment so there can be no painting the walls. :-( So I'm also looking for some artwork for my walls. Ok, I guess I'll stop there for now. Thanks for the welcome! Christina