Home decorating and design

Judy this is exactly one of the tapestry pillows that I got - the pointsettia design. I love the satin cord around it - yours looks very elegant! Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

I have a spare bed room I want to decorate with a hippie 60's-70's Theme. I already and 2 bean bags, 2 lava lamps, 1 glitter lamp, and a black light. Does anyone have any other ideas. I also wanna paint the walls but not sure how to do it. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Sorry to impose, but as I was separating our email I ran across this email with the concerns of pop-ups. May I suggest that you visit Mozilla.com. There you will find a browser that is operator friendly, the tooling is very simple, and I receive no pop up advertisements of any kind. It will allow tab windows for multiple web sites if you are researching, and you set it to your liking. (1) It is free (2) It works (3) My wife even likes it, *( and she is a hard sell when it comes to certain things that require change, (can't blamer her there) ) ;-) (4) They also have an email program that is called Thunder bird. It does take a little getting used to, yet it does everything Outlook does and a little more without having to learn or add plug ins just to email. :-) (5) Their web page is full of help and they do have a FAQ page =-O (6) It is Windows XP compliant. (7) The browser is caller Fire bird. I'm not a sales person for this company nor do I revive a commission. It is Free! Just encase you wanted to try something different. Best wishes, & Happy Holidays A "Happy Crafter's Hubby" Tom :-)

Hello! I just joined the group today. My Name is Jennifer, I am 30 years old and am an Interior Designer. Up untill 2 years ago, I worked for a moderate size firm, then after my daughter was born, I decided to venture off on my own. It's been a challenge. Everyday. I joined this group to share some "fresh ideas" and learn new things from others. And, well, just talk design with others. I look forward to meeting everyone and have a great day!

grrrr i've been trying to find some things on the BH&G site now and they have these stupid popups that get right in the center of your screen and stay there no matter what you do! Obviously my pop-up stopper doesn't work on them, The close button doesn't work on them, the close window box (cont/alt/delete) won't close them - NOTHING. What do they think they are doing? Their site, which used to be a wealth of information, is now absolutely useless. Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

In case anyone is interested, I have these cute coupons with that funny looking little hallmark cat on them that say, "With this coupon you are allowed to be just a little naughty - we just won't tell Santa." It's in a Word file with 4 coupons to the page. I've been printing them and cutting them out with a tab left on the left hand side like a luggage tag, and then attaching them to star garland and using it to tie up little celophane bags with some hershey's Christmas candies in them. They make great favors and everyone gets a kick out of the coupon, so if anyone is interested I'll be happy to send the file. Email me OFFLIST ONLY to LHendRN@... Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

Ok if I waited too long you guys are gonna kill me, but here goes. I was in Dollar Tree (everything for $1) the other day and found some tapestry place mats. They weren't well made - instead of having a backing the edges were just turned under and hemmed, but they were beautiful tapestries. I bought 2 of nativity scenes and went back today for two more but that style was all gone. They did still have some beautiful ones with a stylized reindeer, poinsettias, and angels. They had some santa ones too but I don't have any santas so I didn't pay much attention to them. If the reindeer hadn't been so beautiful it wouldn't have caught my attention either LOL. Anyway, a good long time ago, Kitty B had a guest who had all kinds of pillows in her home and many she had made from napkins and placemats. Some only required minimal sewing, because the placemat had a backing and she just opened a seam in one end, put the stuffing between the front and the back, and then whipped the seam shut again. I've made dozens of pillows this way or with napkins since then and it's a WONDERFUL way to get decorator pillows with fringe and everything for a song. The long and the short of it is that I have some nice fabric to use for the back of the tapestries so I can make pillows from them; two of which I'll give away, and two of which I'll keep. If anyone is interested and hopes to find the cheap place mats, good luck and sorry I am just now posting this. I bought mine last Wednesday, but the post that said, "I'm crazy about finding ways to decorate on a budget" reminded me that I should share. Another good way to find cheap placemats and napkins is to watch the clearance rack at TJMaxx or Steinmart, because you can find odd ones that don't have enough left for a set at a pretty good markdown. Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

When, several years ago, my great-grandmother gave me her Vintage Kenmore sewing machine, I had a lot of plans, but no where to go with them since it had been 10 years from the last time I had used one. So I read the manual that came with it. I don't know about sewing machines now, but the manual for that vintage was more help than any high school class I took! You might want to try it out. Kati

Ok..I have a gameroom with basically only one full wall. The other three are half walls, one taken by a stairway, the other two are loft type openings. I was needing some shelving but I really don't want to take up my one wall with that. I have a prayer wall hanging I would like to hang there. My kids have a bunch of trophies I would like to display so I need some shelving. Any creative ideas out there for displaying them? Would it help if I take a picture? I am stumped for ideas. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Jen in Texas

can you stilll paint inside the home...during winter if you have the house at 70 degrees?or is it better to wait til spring,so you can ventilate,and open windows?(impatient to paint) Beckie

Not sure this would be of interest to anyone, but just got a coupon from a mirror site. They have nice stuff, some pricey, but figured I'd pass it along . . . $10 off $40 for anything on our site: www.mirrotek.com Use code: MTK10OFF. Anna

Hi, My husband and I bought a house a year ago. It has 3 BRs, a LR/DR combo room, a large kitchen and 2 BAs. I painted the living/dining room (a deep dark red accent wall and then tan for the rest of it) and otherwise have only painted 1 bedroom (dark green color wash) and the 2 bathrooms (one is a muted half yellow/half green and the other bathroom is a medium shade gray ragging technique). I have medium tan carpeting (which I hate, but it was put over the hardwood floors before I bought it. The floors are just too expensive to have redone right now). This means that I have to keep choosing "warm" colors because "cool" ones do not show up well against the carpet. I plan on using 3 vibrant yet warm colors in the kitchen along with a color wash, and I think it will look really good. Actually, each room looks really good if you are standing in it. But, my worry is that there will be no cohesion in the house if I continue using bold/deep colors. I like the drama that such color creates, but I'm worried that walking through the house and seeing so many different combinations and techniques will make a person crazy. Any advice on how I choose colors that add drama to the rooms but don't make the rooms into their own little design islands (though it seems like that's what alot of the tv show designers do)? Also, I rarely see faux techniques (ragging, sponging, patina, etc.) done on any of these design shows. Does this mean that faux is already on the way out? Thanks in advance! Danielle

Thanks for the interesting link on the faux painting. I am facinated by the use of paint and a bit of imagination and glaze. I too have been to the cheescake factory here in Denver and Boulder and have been wowed by their painting and the cheescake---yummy---no Dr. Atkins there!! ha I am looking for directions for a painting technique that is very subtle, sort of cloudy looking, but even more subtle than that. My mother in law had her walls painted like this by a professional decorative painter, mucho mucho bucks, which I don't have. Besides he used an air gun and I don't have that either. Anyway, on first glance her walls seem to be painted a flat paint, but when you look at it, they look kind of cloudy or slightly uneven in color saturation, like a wall would turn after years and years of just being there. Any suggestions on what that technique is called so I can find how to do it? Thanks. Pamela

I finally have a couple of pictures of my almost (!) complete log home to post. They are in the photos section, in the "log home" folder. I've had the floor plan in there for months; I added an exterior view (waited for snow so the yard wouldn't look like the mud pit that it is), and a picture of the stairs that I designed and hubby built. Those lovely thick treads are made from discarded packing boxes that I get from work, and the sides are from a tree that we cut on the property. We had a guy with a portable band saw mill come in and cut the tree into slabs for us, leaving the bark on. Total cost was about $60.00, and sweat. The plan is to simply sand the smooth portions (I'm going to try to bleach a couple of sections that turned a bit green) and finish with multiple coats of polyurethane, especially on the bark, to make a smooth surface that won't collect dust. I like the slightly "industrial" look of the stairs, as opposed to the more common "hunting lodge" look that most log homes have. I'll try to get some more interior photos taken (I'm so bad at this) to post - I'll brag a bit and say that I think it's coming together really nice! Pauline Merrick Brookfield MA USA

We recently inherited a house from my fiance's father. Well he has not done any work to the house over the last 60 years.. well some. There is little time, little money, little experience and a lot of work that needs to be done. The diningroom is my favorite room. it has an arched door way, it also has wood paneling going half way up the three walls but one wall has the paneling all the way up. i am thinking about kepping it and wall papering the upper half ( my fiance will not allow me to paint unless its paintable wallpaper... that excists i hope lol) any suggestions on what kind of print i should use? the floor is also wood!! its a light maple color i think, dont know my woods sorry. its very pretty i love the color. i will be putting down an area rug as soon as the walls are done. i just need advice on what type of prints match wood paneling, or maybe if i should just pull the paneling down and wall paper completly. any websites i may be able too look at? thanks a bunch

That's the one! On one show one wall got covered with sheet moss and the other house got black bedroom wall. Then the same designer, Hildy, who glued fake flowers to a bathroom wall covered someone's living room walls with hay. Like from bales. Glued to the wall. They had small children. Same designer hot glued pounds of goose feathers to bedroom walls. I hear that she used liquid nail to put up the cardboard. That stuff doesn't come off. It's Trading Spaces and the message boards for the show at the TLC site rage with the same opinions we all have. I suggested on one tis morning that the victimized homeowners ought to have the opportunity to do a room each in Hildi's house. They'd get a nice trip to Europe, she lives in Paris, and could get some true satisfaction. Lou

Yep we're gonna do it. What's already there is a contemporary country - stone around the firebox and no side pieces, just an U-GUL-Y brown stick of a shelf with some nondescript brackets for stability. I'm looking for a cottage design and in the pages I have looked through on the internet one thing I know for certain - not too much carving or too formal looking, and none of those little skinny wood ones either. I want something just substantial enough to be substantial but not overwhelming in a small crowded room. I'd be so appreciative if you have anything to share idea wise. We can do most anything that is built out of moldings, I just need to see some design ideas. Thanks so much! Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

All day today - everytime I have sent a message to the group, I get a message from the "post master" saying that the mail box is full. Does anyone know why this is happening? Dori

Thanks for sharing the coupon! We have one that just opened by us and now I have a really good reason to go there! Nancy

Jen - You didn't say how wide your windows were or how long the scarfs need to be, but you might try ready made scarfs from somewhere like J.C. Penneys. If they are on sale they are usually reasonable. also they are already sewn. I sometimes advise my clients to try ready-made if the cost of fabric is too high for them. Most folks don't know how expensive decorator fabric can be until they need it. Debbie Message: 7 Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2003 23:15:48 -0000 From: "jennruble" <jrbluebonnet@... Subject: Speaking of Fabric: Question In my living room, I would like to have some drapery scarves on each window. I have 3 windows. Would like to have a print, but if the fabric has a texture, I could forego the print. My problem is, where in the world do I find drapery fabric without breaking my decorating budget?? Part of the problem is that I need basically 50 yards of fabric. I live in the San Antonio area, does anybody have any suggestions? I have looked at JoAnn's fabrics and I am simply not willing to pay close to 1000 for fabric! Yikes! LOL Any assistance is greatly appreciated! Jen

Pardon the double post. Does anybody have any personal experience with bamboo flooring floating on a slab (installed on top of a layer of cork)? Looking for some experience, Valerie

I've lurked and read this list for a few weeks now, and finally have an actual question to ask here. We had some plumbing problems, which are being repaired this week, and it involves some wall repair too. So, we figured since the wall is partially torn down, we should do the rest of the work we envisioned for "one of these days". We're going to enlarge one side of the bathroom, moving that wall out a foot (the other side of that wall is our huge walk-in master bedroom closet, which can spare losing a little room). Right now, the tub enclosure (which will be replaced) fits perfectly tightly along one wall of that bathroom. With the one wall pushed out, it will give us a nice shelf area at the end of the bathtub (opposite the faucet end). I would appreciate any and all input on tub enclosure finishes. Tile (large or small squares), fiberglass, ??? What do you think? I like tile, but I suspect fiberglass is cheaper. Are there other options we don't even know about? Also, what about the new tub itself - any things we should be aware of, when making our choices? Thanks so much, Donna H. In His Hands

Anyone know a technique for binding carpet remnants? I noticed that the ones at a client's house are glued and taped, not sewn - seems like I could do that. Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

oH dear oh dear oh dear. I didn't have my slipcover at the paint store yesterday, so instead I took a wallpaper book and found a print with what looked like the same general colors. Bought a beautiful golden green for the walls. Today it's up on them and guess what...it's every color in the world. No joke. At one point when I was working in a corner, ds wanted to know why I painted one of those walls gray blue and the other one dark green- it was the same paint - just the difference in the way the light was hitting! It washes completely out in the daylight, and now tonight finally has that beautiful golden green look I was going for. New carpet is the same color- exactly. I have no idea if it will change colors the same way the walls do. I also thought about rag rolling, but the seams are covered with trim instead of taped, and there is a border board at chair rail height. I sure wanted to finish up early enough this evening to stencil over that border but it ain't gonna happen. Just wanted to tell you guys - used the new Kilz paint from Walmart. Had it custom tinted and painted it over tinted Bin 1.2.3. waterbased and tinted primer. DH and I had a little bit of a scene over the primer because I wanted the one that SAYS "bonding" and Lowe's didn't have it. But this version says on the back that it can be used on glossy surfaces like tile - so we'll just have to see. The Kilz paint is really thick and went on VERY well - it actually did cover in one coat. I don't know if it would have covered the wallboard we were painting if it hadn't been primed yet, but it certainly covered very nicely in the one coat of actual paint. At $16/g, it beats all the heck outta some other premium paints. We'll just have to see how it wears. Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

I'm priming over vinyl wallboard - only reason for primer is so that the paint will stick. Does the primer still need to be on thickly enough to block the pattern in the wallboard, or is it enough just to get some on there so that the paint will stick? Denise I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing that you need so you can do what He wants. Hebrews 13:20,21

What would make a good gift for an aspiring interior designer? A friend of mine is getting very interested in interior design and I would like to get her something for Christmas that is relevent to the field. I am looking for something small (stocking stuffers) that would be useful. For example, she carries around a flimsy tape measure. Are there any other "tools of the trade" that would be handy? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'm thinking of painting my breezway or entery but I'm not sure what color I should use. The floor is light gray ceramic and the walls are now wallpapered a light gray. Our kitchen is to the left which has the same tile and light gray painted walls and white cabinets and a island that is granite. I'm really bored with all the gray. If you pass through the entryway or breezyway (watever it's called) is our family room that has grey carpet and off white walls it's like a great room with a fireplace and 2 skylights. Does anyone have any ideas? Please let me know cuz I'm kinda decorating challenged:( Thanks Bernie

We've been renovating our "money pit" and I'm ready to begin tiling. Actually, I wanted to tile three years ago but my wife, daughter, and I cannot agree on tile and grout color. Herein lies the problem: I want to use the same color/pattern tile throughout but we have one room with a monolythic red brick fireplace that covers one wall. I want something that will complement and not contrast with the fireplace. My daughter suggested I update the fireplace by painting it, etc. Let me be clear, that will never happen :-) I don't like colors. My wife calls me a dirt-tone person. I like all shades of white, beige, and browns. We've purchased many singles and laid them against the fireplace to get a feel for how it'd look. Anything that contains any yellow or reddish tints seem to go well. I'd very much appreciate the input from those of you with an eye and feel for these things. Additionally, should I select a lighter or darker grout than the tile? Any and all input appreciated. Many thanks.

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted much in the last week or so because life as been so hectic here. But I want to try and paint my living room walls after the holidays (don't dare try and do it before) and am having some real challenges as to what color to use. My couch and love seat are both done in a barn red color. I have a red and kind of mustard yellow large rag rug on the floor. I dont really think I would want to paint the walls mustard yellow! Also, I live in a rented house that has those ugly drop ceilings. They are white right now, and I don't know if the landlord would appreciate me painting them some other color. I really hate them the way they are now though. So, I'm asking for any suggestions you all might have as to what color for the walls, and what I might be able to do with the ceiling. Dori (who promises to try and post more now)

hi everyone <<snip These two are among my favorite shows. I adore House Hunters. Maybe I am demented, but I always wish they would go back to some of the rejected house and show who finally bought them and how they were working for these owners. LOL Just curious! Also like Trading Spaces, but I compare it to a "train wreck" . . . I know I am intruding, but I just gape and say, "I don't believe it." Things often look nice, but I don't think they are always well done and practical. Hildi is infamous of course. And one time I say Edward spray a black dye mixture on chairs. They looked fine, but can you imagine how much dye would be on your clothes if you actually sat on them once they were dry??? TTFN Eldonna in Ohio

Hi folks, I'm looking for light weight acrylic (waterproof) covered cotton suitable for bedspreads. Has anyone heard about this and where to purchase it? Thanks, Fowler

I have some plaster and cement garden sculptures. I would like to make them look like terracotta. As I live in Australia, colors and methods used would be needed not brand names I will really appreciate any help Bob in Oz

Pauline, You wouldn't necessarily have to sew. I've seen people do some really clever things with polar fleece. They just cut the sides they want to join into a row of short "fringe" and tie them together. I've seen polar fleece in all kinds of patterns. Just another idea for your consideration. Darla

In the spirit of today - (can you imagine if a president tried to give this speech today? It mentions ~gasp~ God . . . and is full of big words that nobody would understand now) President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union. Abraham Lincoln

I'm not sure if this is where I put this or not but it's trading spaces. I really love alot of thier ideas. Bernie

I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. My name is Tome and I live in Florida. I'm planning to go to school for Interior Design and Architecture. If anyone would like to share any pointers with me I'd be more then happy to listen. Bye. -Tome

Pauline, Does it have to be drapes? I have french doors in my living room (small house, cottage style decorating) and I made some "roll blinds". My doors are metal so I got the magnetic curtain rods, one to barely cover each window section. Then I made a long panel for each window just slightly larger than the window measurements plus 1/4 inch seams all around. I put iron on interfacing on mine because they are white cotton and they needed some thickness added. I seamed them together all around, made a casing at the top for the curtain rod. Then I made a fabric strip for each side of each panel and put Velcro on the end of the strip and the top of the panel. This allows me to roll up the panel, wrap the strip around the roll and fasten the Velcro. I made mine for sun deflection as my doors are on the south side. These panels don't block my view of the garden, which was my aim, but block the sun well in summer. They also are unobtrusive. When they are rolled up, you really don't notice them. Just an idea, Darla

Hello, My name is Christi. I am the SAHM to three wonderful munchkins. Kaylee 6yodd, Lije (derived from Elijah if that helps w/pronunciation) 2yods, and Chance my 5modbb. I am married to a wonderful man, Thomas, who is set to retire next April. We will then be purchasing a house somewhere out west. I love to decorate. I have a difficult time getting to the end product. I kinda know what I want but cannot get from point a to point b to point c then to the finished project without becoming disjointed. I love forward to getting to know y'all. I am also looking forward to learning too. love, Christi

Hi all, I am writing an article for a local news journal entitled "What Makes a House a Home?" and thought I'd grab some input from some of you. I won't be using your name or any information, I just want to hear from you what YOU think makes your house a home? THANKS ~Michele~

Thanks, everyone, for the tip on using grey primer under red paint - I used a fairly dark grey (sent husband on the mission to get the primer tinted - he did a good job!) under a dark red - it looks fantastic! I did the red on either side of a fieldstone chimney - it really sets off the grey stonework. When I finish putting up the trim in this room, I'll get someone with a digital camera to take some pictures so I can post them. Question for the list - this room (great room in a log home) has a "western" (not southwestern) theme - reds & golds, red leather sofa, stone chimney, pine walls. I will need some DRAPES for the two french doors - semi-permanently pulled to one side, but usable for privacy. I was thinking of buying some so-called Indian blankets and hanging them - any other ideas? Pauline Merrick Brookfield, MA USA

Hi Kurt and everyone, <snip dishwashers are 24" wide. Thanks for answering and reminding me of this important task! You are absolutely correct, DW is 24" wide, space from the cabinet handles to the refrigerator, since it was moved, is nearly 30" wide. We are set here! The extension seems to be fastened to the wall in the back and seems part of the origninal counter on the plane parallel to the floor. It has a board near the front, perpendicular to the floor, which was used to place the "facing" of the formica counter. It looks as though it could be sawed off and removed with little trouble. I could repair the wall / backsplash if I had to. DW would cover the raw edge of the remaining counter. We plan to remodel in less than a year. Would putting masking tape on the saw line help keep the formica from chipping? Anything else I should be aware of? I am so tempted to do this unless there is a major reason I shouldn't. I would just like to get the DW next to the sink and not in the next room, which is the laundry room! Thanks to all for your input! Eldonna in Ohio

Hi everyone, Well, about 50 years ago the house we are living in was remodeled, including the kitchen. I am saying this because of the Ozzie and Harriet wrought iron cabinet hardware, knotty pine paneling, breakfast nook, and the date in the concrete on the patio. I am thinking of sawing off an extension of the counter that goes from the main counter to the refrigerater. It is just empty under it, no cabinets. It is about 12" X 18". It partially blocks drawers under the main counter. I am thinking about it because my portable dishwasher is a few steps away from the kitchen in the utility room. If I sawed off this extension and moved the refrigerator a few inches I think the portable DW would fit there. Measuring first might be a good idea, huh? Anyway, the extension appears to be plywood, wood, and formica. We ultimately will do some kitchen remodeling, but I am not sure when. Any thoughts or ideas on whether or how to do this? Thanks, Eldonna in Ohio

I am thinking about buying a table and chair set from Michael's and painting it myself for my daughters for Christmas- but right now the youngest (7 months) is putting anything she can in her mouth -worried that she might decide to start chewing on a chair leg or something! I was planning on painting with acrylic paints, then sealing with several coats of a latex gloss sealer or something, but don't know if that would be safe. Any other options? Or other ideas? I could always buy a set that is prepainted -not a big deal, but don't know if those would be any safer. Thanks Kat

Good friends of mine recently purchased their first home. It was built in the 50s, and at the time won design awards! It is a very neat little house and the 50s style furnishings and décor Carolynne is leaning towards is working very well with the house. I am helping her with curtains and various finishing "touches". One thing we are trying to work out is the shades and curtains for the windows. The family room and dining room abut one another in a large L shape. There are windows along the long side of the L, and the short leg too. A door cuts into the long leg of the L about 2/3 of the way in. The tops of the window are * cathedral* shaped I think it would be termed. The windows are a large rectangle at the bottom, then at the top there are separate windows that follow the roofline, so the top of the windows do not meet at right angles. I have pretty much figured out how to do shades. Carolynne is leaning towards either bamboo type shades or we may paint or stamp regular roll shades that are cut at an angle, after the top window shades are mounted to follow the roof line. Make sense so far? My question is, for a funky, 50s style room, with bright bold colors, what would be best for drapes/curtains? Perhaps straight gathered drapes in bold geometric black and white with various color linings ? She has painted the dining room green, the living room yellow, the hall will be red, the ceiling is white, and her sectional boxy sofa is blue. All very vivid primary colors. I am thinking what she needs now is pattern on the window, with the curtains lined in color, so that when the curtains are pulled back, you can see hints of color. We can accent the sofa and chairs with pillows of similar geometric blacks and whites. What think ye? I need some more help here. I am out of my depth a bit with 50s style! I have been looking for books and online ideas, but I am hitting a wall, as I haven't been able to find anything similar to what is in her house. She _needs_ curtains and blinds with our cold blustery winters, and hot, glaring sun in the summer. So leaving them open isn't an option. Kathie Mom to Brenna *8 years* and furbabies Kylea *13 yrs* and Shia *5 mnths* the Keeshonden Forest Hill, Maryland

Hello daddybear/jim ! Just had a look at your photos and it's coming along great! i hope you don't get a hurricane too soon, i've never been in the middle of one so i don't really know too much what it's like, must have been scary though. We had an earthquake not long ago, managed 5 on the richter scale and the epicentre was 5 streets away from me ha ha!. Well i live in the middle of england where it never gets tornadoes/hurricanes/earthquakes/volcanoes, so it was a pretty crazy experience. It happened 12 at night, i was half in and out of sleep when everything and the roof started shaking, i could hear all the tiles moving and a daft crow kept on squawking away, which made me even more nervous cause the house is 150 years old, i thought the roof might give way but luckily didn't do anything to the foundations :-) I've got a conservatory which has a plastic panelled roof, i'm sure one of the benefits of having your wooden roof is that it won't make an unbearable sound when it rains, like mine does! It's good if you want to make it more homey too - i find that with my conservatory/sunroom that it gets way too cold in the winter and much too hot in the summer as it's all exposed, so with yours the temperatures will be more neutral. I'm jealous now! i could do with a hurricane to provide an excuse to change my roof :-) hannah of black panther design.

There are now more than 30 television series dedicated to real-life makeovers in and outside of the home. Home & Garden Television (HGTV) has 22 home makeover shows, among them: "Date with Design," "Design on a Dime," and "Designing for the Sexes." The Learning Channel (TLC) has four such shows, including the two most popular in this genre, "Trading Spaces," and "While Your Were Out." In MTV's "Crib Crashers" and VH1's "Rock the House," celebrity musicians call the shots in making over fans' rooms. In Lifetime's "Merge" and Women's Entertainment's "Mix It Up" the shows focus on combining couples' tastes and possessions. Both "House Rules," on TBS Superstation and "House Wars" on USA Network, meanwhile, combine home improvement with big-stakes competition, as couples duke it out for a house of their own. In the coming season, viewers will see new takes on design programming. In addition to shows that bring in relationships ("Merge" and "Mix It Up") and competition ("House Rules" and House Wars") viewers will see at least two shows that deal with do-it-yourself disasters. In January, TLC plans to roll out its fifth makeover show, "In a Fix." HGTV will have a similar program called "What Have I Done?" (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨`·..*Jan in IL*..·´¨`» (~¿~) (¸.·'(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨`·..*Jan in IL*..·´¨`» (¸.·'(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) (~.~)

Hi, I just spent the last half hour reading the posts for the month. WOW Great tips and ideas. My name is Terri and I live in CA. Looking forward to sharing some great ideas with the group. We are currently updating our 15 y/o home as DIY's. Takes LOTS of time - we just finished an entire kitchen update. It took almost 4 years! One part at a time. But I love it. Terri Jacques www.SouthernLivingAtHome.com/TJatHome

Ok...some of you who are on the doityourself list know of my recent endeavors with lighting. We are replacing the lighting in our kitchen. So far, so good...well not without some hiccups..but it is pretty much done. My question now is...I have the track lighting in the place where the florescent lighting was. (man, was that UGLY!) Anyway, so we basically have a 2X4 box suspended from the ceiling. It doesn't look bad. But I would like to be able to disguise the tracks a bit. I have three pendant lights hanging down as well as 4 spots. I was thinking of using some greenery...kinda weave some in and out and over the area to cover the tracks a bit. What do you all think? I am open to ideas here. Thanks in advance to all of you decorating divas. :) Jen

I have an L shape that I need to 'create' a runner for ... has anybody used any fabrics that work well to create a covering for carpet that is waiting to be replaced...it is a high traffic area... Valerie

I can't believe it, but I'm seriously considering a vinyl stip, wood look, flooring for the main living and dining areas of a new post & beam house. Does anyone have experience with Karndean flooring? I'm looking particularly at their Barnwood series which has a barnboard appearance and rough texture (needed for traction for my 4 legged friends) or the Grandewood series which is similar but a bit less distressed. ~ Sherri Venditti

In my ideal world, I'd wrap the housse in cedar shakes with a clear sealer...but in my real world budget, that's not an option. So I'm looking at another new-to-me material, fiber cement clapboard, by James Hardie. I'm thinking that it looks more like cedar than vinyl and requires less frequent painting/staining than cedar does. Anyone have experience with this line, especially with installation over stress skin panels rather than 2 x 4s and/or in frequent freeze/thaw areas. TIA, Sherri Venditti

Last (for now <g fireslate for the kitchen counters. It's hard to get a sense of what these materials look like after several years of normal uses. Chipped and marred by glass rings and tomato sauce spatter or pretty much as new except darker? Likewise, I've heard the corian stains terribly in use? Anyone live with these products for a while? ~ Sherri Venditti

I am going to have can lights installed (Halo, LINE lighting) in my family room....dimensions ~ 12x18...there are beams that run across the width that are spaced about every 4 feet... I'm planning to run 4 lights on each side of the room in 4 of of the 6 spaces between the 4X4 beams... so along the length of the room I'll have light running against each side... how far do you space the light from the wall? I'm also curious...there is a ceiling fan that is in the middle of one of the spaces between the beams...with the light "blink" if it's to close to the fan? hummmmmm, Valerie

Hi I am new to this group and am hosting my first Thanksgiving dinner this year. I am looking for some inexpensive tablescapes/centerpiece ideas for the grown up table and one for the kids table. Soemthing low - so it does not block conversation/eyecontact while we feast! Would appreciate any ideas and I am excited to be a part of this group! Lisa

I guess it's time to come out of the closet/dumpster..... I am a trash to treasure fanatic! I amuse myself by taking things and revamping them into decorative accents/accessories for my home. I've done all the usual things-windows into shelves and mirrors. molding and doorknobs into coat/towel racks, more windows into potracks and what-not (is there no end to a window's usefullness??), old chandeliers into candleiers, making birdhouses out of various bits and pieces, refinishing old dressers, armoires, and tables, old washtubs into outdoor tub gardens, shutters into room screens, tea cup birdfeeders, lamps out of silver teapots, and there's probably more. My latest obsession is trash art, lol. Sewing machine drawers and bases also have me completely obsessed, lol. And I'm teaching myself-slooooowly- the Donna Dewberry onestroke-painting thing. It's not really my style, as I don't really like the cutesy stuff too much, but once I learn the technique, I plan on "revamping" that too, into something more shabby chic/weathered/aged.....Hope Donna never finds out, lol. In my professional life, I run my own Notary Signing Agent business. Keeps me in flea market money... Cyndi

hi liz, and everyone, i haven't been with this list long but read everyday. i've posted a few questions about flooring. now to what i do. i oil paint cloth dolls(walker style) that i design. i now have a small greenhouse and raise seedlings for spring planting(owned a greenhouse/floral business for years) i got to retire from everything but taking care of dh. i still cook as if i am feeding thrashers. i love decorating our home with vintage(old)stuff.i'm looking forward to dec. for christmas.i had 50 trees through out the house the last few years.(from 1 inch to 7 ft.) that is some of what i do. thanks for asking. judy j.

From: liketoshop37 One more thing that really impressed me- another student I know was kind of hurrying through the projects (her words) and sent a few in. The school called her, and sent her projects back for her to re-do and then re-submit them. They actually cared that she understands the projects and does a good job on them. I thought that was great that they will take the time to help you this way, not just take your money and rush you through! I know I sound like an advertisement for them, LOL, but I just really enjoy the course! Susan Wow! That is impressive! I think I am going to call them tomorrow and sign up. I don't know when I'll have time to do it, but I guess I'll just cut down on my Doublecross games LOL Liz

What happens when the toddlers can easily climb in and out of the playpen? :o) I think what we will do this year is wing it at first and see if the baby is interested (I am sure he will be) in the tree. I will hang the breakable bulbs up some other places in the house and even high up on the tree. If he is showing too much interest, then I will see if I can't make or buy a mini-screen or something. It has also been suggested to me to buy a playpen like what one would see the babies playing in on Rugrats. It is just a baby play yard type thing. Thanks for all the suggestions... On the cat subject, we have had many cats and dogs throughout the years. Only one of the cats had an affection for the tree (this was our old 5 footer we gave to a needy family), Hank (the cat) would always swat at the balls dangling and eventually pounce on them. The tree came down on him a number of times, something that would keep most fraidy cats away, but not Hank. Finally I bought several cheap empty spray bottles (at Wal-Mart for maybe a buck a piece...perhaps cheaper at the Dollar Store..at the time we didn't have one nearby) and I sprayed him with water every time he went near the tree. The trick to this is that they can't see that it's you spraying.. .they have to think it is an "act of God." I kept spray bottles where we would sit (by the sofa, chair, and in the kitchen). The spray bottles also are great for misting plants, and later on when you are done using them on the cat, using for homemade mixtures of cleaners...even oil (a type of make your own spray oil...like Pam or Crisco does). Just a thought. Kati

How about making like a fireplace screen, only big enough to go around the front of the tree. You could make it with hinges, but it might be sturdier to be screwed together. You could cover it with fabric, a faux finish, or stencils. That way the kids can no only fall into the tree, they can knock over a wall onto the tree HAHAHAAH Is your ceiling 8'? if it is taller, you could put the tree up on top of something. I put ours on a trunk, and it looks nice. Someone on this list has a really neat sleigh that they made out of plywood that they set their tree in. Liz

Since you don't have the male anatomy to use a real email address, and all my emails to you have come back as undeliverable, I have to answer you on the list - 1) I could care less whether you rejoin - I don't see you as any great asset to this group, although you apparently feel that you are. 2) The "poll of the group members" is that those who don't like the group leave. Usually making posting some snotty message on their way out - and usually it's the only post they ever send LOL . . . . so they're not much of a loss We have over 800 members, so most of us must like it the way it is. And as Denise, one of the moderators would say "Don't let the door hit you where the Good Lord split you." You'll be sorely missed HAHHAHAHAAA Liz David

Hi All, List owner here, Guess I should have been more clear - I see this group of people as a community - and I like to know more about the people that belong. I also really enjoy seeing what some of the members have done with their ingenuitiy. Every year at this time, I ask people to share what they do - especially the crafty among us - so why don't you show us? I happen to know of a member who paints birdhouses - They're adorable - maybe she'll come out of her solitude & post! Liz

Susan, I would love to join the msn list. I am on the Interior Motives list. Daisy

Hi Group Does anyone know how to do the crackling paint job? Moving in two months and painting whole house. Also what is the best way to refinish a hardwood floor? Thanks Kelli

i want to do one wall of my sons' room,in blotch yellows. and i have no idea what to do,or how to start. after doing the blotch,i am going to try to cut dragons out of some posters,and put them on the wall.the ceiling is going to be "night"blue,with yellow stars.i'm not too sure about the other 3 walls just yet.maybe sky and clouds.beckie

ok..today i am going to wally world(we call walmart) to pick out some ceiling paint,for our sons' room. yes,there were actual holes in the plaster...fist sized ones. my son (oldest)has adhd,bipolar,odd.so we have our times,with house destructions...boy oh boy,tax time will be fun,all of my 1/2 of the $ will be home repairs. i went to a used store yesterday..i found a celing light for their room,as well as my mom's room,and a wonderful hanging light.the last one,is an expensive one.we have one just like it,in the dining room,and it cost 200.00.i got the used one for 26.00.(yay for me) the one for the boys,is looney toons,it was 6.00.i am going to paint dark blue,and sponge stars on the ceiling. i swear my sons could tear up a tank with a plastic spoon!!! they tend to do things when i am gardening,or doing laundry.. beckie

BlankI got the scariest email tonight -- a fake email from "PayPal" (yeah, right!) wanting to "verify" my credit card numbers. It was frightening because it was so professional and convincing-looking. The only thing in it that tipped me off was that PayPal doesn't do things that way. If they have a problem, they ask you to go to the main site and fix it there. Anyway, please be very wary of anything like that right now. I looked at their fake web site, and it requests things like your bank routing number, your checking account number ... my god, the damage they could do with all that information! I reported them and hopefully they will be gone soon, but if they can do it, so can someone else. Beware. Ann

Me, too. I get responses to messages but not all the messages themselves. Diane

Sorry if you receive from both lists : ) Does anybody recommend using the liquid sand products in wood prep for kitchen cabinets/doors/drawers/etc. ? I have washed/filled/sanded/vacuumed them but would this really make a difference? or do I just wipe the surface down to prepare to prime? If so, is there a particular product that anybody has had success with?

we patched all the holes,in our sons' room walls. getting ready to use zap to cover all the old paint,and wall sizing. our kids keep abusing the walls.there are new holes,caused by goodness knows what.probably a toy...i wonder if any other parents out there have ever had this to deal with.?i am about ready to give up,but want their room to be nice.. oh,and has anyone ever painted a ceiling a red,or burgundy?as well as one or more of the walls.this is what i am planning for a social room in our home. beckie

Now that I have my underlayment exposed I'm considering the possibility of a change... bear with me on my description... North wall (18') cabinet space/doorway/cabinet space w/countertop/wall/window/wall (counter extends into floor making an L shape) South Wall cabinet space w/countertop (with sink and cook top)/ext. door/ wall West Wall (12') cabinets on south wall/doorway/double oven built in/cabinet/refrigerator East wall eat in kitchen area with 2 windows So this is what I'm thinking... on the North wall, add the overhead cabinetry that was over the 'L' that extended into the center of kitchen beside the existing cabinets on the North wall, add cabinets below to extend to the window in the eat in and create an island or I also thought of getting the refrigerator closer to the eat in area and place it beside the north wall cabinets, cut off the L of the cabinets that extend into the floor and create some island and fill the refrig area with a very large storage space... if this makes no sense please tell me...I can sketch it out.... Valerie

Howdy Folks I am in the process of re-puttying and painting the windows in our home. These windows are 36 years old and most of them were in major need of repair. Originally the windows and trim were varnished but because they are so water stained and discolored we decided to just paint them. Would it look weird if I painted the window sashes white and just re-varnish the window trim? I've already started painting so staining and varnishing the windows is out of the question. Some of the window sills are discolored from moisture so I may have to paint them too. The window trim is probably made of pine and if I have to I could stain it a darker color. Right now it isn't stained, just clear varnish was applied when we built. I had planned to take the windows to a local hardware store and have them re-puttied till I found out it would cost about $25.00 for one small window. So I am doing it myself. It's time consuming and a lot of work but it's looking good. I'm almost done with the fourth window. Only 7 more to go. A coat of paint on the inside and those four will be done. Next summer I will have to tackle the window trim on the outside. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Hazel

I am wanting to lightly sand my bedroom furniture and repaint it with a nice dark mahogany wood look. Can you sand partical board?

Hi Jeff, I don't have an answer, but I just wanted to say that any man who thinks a windmill is cheezy, is MY KIND OF MAN <grin life by men who wouldn't recognize cheezy unless it squirted out of a can) Thought on the cat box - don't make more work for yourself, they're outside cats, who needs to clean a litterbox?? bleah! You could a make a train station and start a whole new hobby . . . . hmm . . . how about a fishing shack? or hunting cabin? complete with little chipmunk hides hanging on the sides HAHAHAHA Liz

In a message dated 10/20/2003 7:54:25 AM Pacific Daylight Time, jrbluebonnet@... writes: You can put solid wood on concrete..I have known people that have, but I am not sure how it is done exactly. It depends on the wood. You can't put all kinds on concrete, it has to be an especially "hard" hardwood. Cyndi

Hi all, I have been a lurker for quite some time now. I decided to sign up before we started remodeling our home next spring. I have been very excited to see all of the different personalities and ideas over the weeks that I have been lurking around the forum. So I decided to just dive right in! First of all: I was wondering, for the pond question...does the pond have fish in it? If so, I agree that no cats should be around there!! ;-) Seriously, though, could you use some rocks to build almost a masonary cover for the filter, etc.? I mean use some smooth rocks that match your waterfall and get some sort of mortar to build up something to hide it. Just a thought. Second: For my upcoming renovation of my home, I was thinking of doing the half bath, (right now I have one full bathroom...after the redo, I will have two and a half baths. YAY!!!!)which is the one that will be used most by guests as it will be closest to the kitchen and living room...I was thinking of doing like a malt shop type theme for it (I know kind of weird for a bathroom). Either that or an 80s theme (I do so love the 80s). The bathroom is going to be 10'x5' with just a toilet and a sink. I was thinking of doing a checkerboard type floor with either black & white tiles or finding some vinyl of that nature. Hanging some framed old movie posters, etc. Using stainless steel for toothbrush holders and other accessories. Anyways (I am a chatter) I was wondering if that is the dumbest idea in the world, or if it isn't then some ideas on the subject would be helpful. Or even on the 80s theme...or are those too odd for a bathroom? Thanks!!!

First - thank you very very much for helping me with this list - I am eternally grateful! If it wasn't for you, the list would probably be defunct now. Second - please make sure that when you approve a post from a new member, set their status to "USES GROUP SETTINGS" - - - - don't set it to "UNMODERATED" Thanks Thanks again for everything! You guys do a great job! now back to your regularly scheduled project discussions ;o) Liz

If you can't find one you can cut your own with a couple pieces of acetate and a craft knife. Look in your library, there is probably a book with directions for cutting your own stencils, if you're hesitant. Basically, you just pick the sections that you want in each color. You can have some layers go over others, too. Liz

If anyone sent me an email message to groups@..., they have been bouncing, please resend your email to me - the addy is working now. Gee, I thought everyone was awful quiet LOL Liz group owner

I was thinking about painting the floor...well, I really actually like sheet vinyl... but the dimensions of my kitchen are 12'4" x 18'...and vinyl comes in a 12' width... so is there any good trick not to have a seem along one of the lengths (both which have doorways...one meets hardwood of dining room, one meets the exterior door to back yard) I've heard about borders...but then sheet vinyl doesn't seem to be the thing... any ideas, Valerie

Hi All: As usual for me, a relatively uncomplicated project has grown to be a major "rip it all out and redo it from scratch" type thing. I have a small <800sqft second (top) floor condo. I've been in it for 4 yrs now and really like it. I want to keep it. As a single male, It's my perogative to be a lousy house keeper. As a renter, I usually moved to a new place every 2 to 3 years because the accumulation in the carpeting and corners had begun to make my alergies unbearable. Moving always seems to fix things for a couple of years, or so. It's time to move or clean the place up. Anyway, I've decided to rip the carpeting out and install tile in the entry, storage, bath and kitchen (each with it's own type and style of tile) with hardwood throughout the rest of my unit. I can deal with that portion of the project, no problem. In researching info for this project, I ran across a note that said that all work on the walls and other areas above the floors should be accomplished first. Then, I begin to think about redecorating and personalizing my place. I like the idea. But, I'm totally out of my field ... lost and adrift. So, my question: Is this group a good place for the design-impared to ask dumb questions to receive guidance and help in putting an esthetically pleasing place together? If not, any suggestions as to where to go (other than a long walk off a short plank)? Thx FF

There is a movie with Veronica Lake called Blue Dahlia that you might want to look for and also a movie...which the name of --- has just left me --- but it is about a woman that everyone thinks has been murdered and the detective sent to investigate it falls in love with her portrait. I want to say it is called Rebecca --- but that is another movie. Anyway, there are two very nice bedrooms in those movies and I think it is the right time period. The only problem is --- they are in black and white. BUT you can get an idea of what kind of knick-knacks to have sitting around! Cat

Hi Denise, Thanks for all the work you do! I have deleted the post from the files, and removed the member. You don't have to check out all the links that are posted - if they don't write anything but a very generic message - just delete the post. I'd be tempted to say delete the post and remove the member, but it might be a real post with a shy member LOL It's up to you, but you don't have to waste your time checking out links all the time. Thanks again for all your help, I couldn't do it without you! - for those of you who don't know - new members are on moderated status until we know they are not spammers or worse. Denise keeps the list running smoothly by approving posts and members. (Denise, Is anyone else helping you? I had records of this, but when my computer crashed, I lost them, so if there is anyone else who moderates, I appreciate you, too - drop me a note off list so I can remember who the moderators are :O) Liz list owner

Hi everyone! We are slowly progressing with our living room, I've currently finished faux painting the entire room, and we just got our new beautiful medium oak corner fireplace installed! Yea! But here's the problem, I guess I didn't plan too well. The entire time we were planning on painting our trim bright white. It is already painted over and would be too much of a pain in the rear to strip (the wood underneath wouldn't match our fireplace anyway), so we really have to paint over it. Here's the question. Will it look silly having white trim running up to an oak wood fireplace? Have you ever seen white trim mixed w/ wood in a room? I want the beautiful oak fireplace to stand out (and it does!) but I am concerned how the trim will look once we get it painted! HELP! (We WILL have other wood pieces in the room, a.k.a. entertainment center, computer table...) I've uploaded a few more photos into my folder (laughlady) under the photos section if you want to take a look. THANKS!!! ~Michele~

Thanks to everyone who gave me some great ideas for the 40's bedroom! I really appreciate the feedback. This is the first time I have ever done a theme room. I will probably swing by the library this afternoon and try to pick up some movies and decorating books. I like the idea of the satin bedding, I had actually kinda pictured something like that just the other day. I found a down filled satin comforter at www.Brylanehome.com today that I think looks nice. They have two satin comforters and I like them both but think I prefer the down filled one. What do you guys think of a light purple/silver color scheme? Originally I had thought I wanted fall colors in that room (before I knew I would be getting the 40's bedroom suite)don't think that would work now. Would you do a faux finish on the walls or a solid color and which color? Satin on the windows, or maybe velvet curtains and some velvet throw pillows on the bed? And should I use some kind of a shade? If so what kind? They didn't have blinds in the 40's did they? I have some old perfume bottles and a mirrored tray. Also there is a make-up line called "BeneFit" whose packaging is in a 40's style I have some of their stuff to set around as well. Thanks again for the great ideas and links. And, Kurt I had actually found your website by doing a google search. I love that house, very beautiful! Thanks again, Bridgett

BlankThis is kind of a follow-up question to my other chandelier question ... it turns out that I may be able to get my mitts on the SAME EXACT chandelier that I was coveting before ... except this one is slightly used and comes in off-white ... but for about a third of the price! Hm, fingers crossed here. :) My question: how hard is it to paint a chandelier? Has anyone done it successfully? I am concerned that the off-white of this used chandelier will be just way too white ... but I am thinking that perhaps if it is, I could tone it down with some beige or something. Anyway, has anyone painted a chandelier and lived to tell the tale? :) Thanks! Ann

Ann... Seeing as how it seems like you're not wanting to draw extra attention elsewhere in the space to your hardware--drapery rods, ceiling fans, etc--I would go w/ the lighter chandelier, esp seeing as how it's going to be standing alone, so to speak, w/o the table under it most of the time. Diane

I just got an email that was supposed to be from eBay that WASN'T. It was requesting my user name and password saying I " Violated terms of my account and my account was suspended. This is yet another ploy of some scumball trying to scam people. DON'T REPLY. Report this to eBay if you receive the letter. EBay will NEVER ask you for your user information an email. Hope this helps someone. Kathie

Hello all, Sorry i haven't been able to post some messages here in a while, i will once i've got some time. I've had to do some research on how much people spend on wallpapers. Basically all i ask is that you have a quick pick of the prices here, and just send a reply to this posting so i can see what you all think - and say the currency that you're using, so i know the value! A) What's the highest price you would spend on a roll of wallpaper (i.e. $30): 1. 20 2. 30 3. 40 4. 50 5. 60 6. 70 7. 80 8. 90 B) What's the highest price you would pay for a border roll: 1. 20 2. 30 3. 40 4. 50 5. 60 6. 70 7. 80 8. 90 Thanks a lot! :-)

Hi Pat.... Saw your post...whereabouts in So. Cal are you? I think you're doing the smart thing, considering the price of everything there at this point.....I'm an ex-San Diego gal myself, and left there 4 years ago to take care of my folks here in Texas.....BIG diff! I moved from a condo to a 2600 sf home on an acre....so have lots to do... Stevie

Brigette, Yes, pink was used a lot in the 1940's. But, you can certainly replace pink with another color. Pastels were very popular--powder blue, minty green, pale apple, soft mocha brown--all with bright white trim. A few years ago, I did a 1940's house. It was small, two bedroom house based upon a young, just-signed-contract player, awaiting to be turned into a starlet! It is on my website, www.kurtcyr.com . Just click on 1940's house on the tab. Perhaps you can get some ideas. Happy Decorating, Kurt

Does anyone know where to find LARGE water slide decals? Some are so pretty, and even give the hand painted look, that I would like to paint my daughter's bedroom furniture and put decals on it. But the ones I have found are disproportionately tiny. Any ideas? JD

Hi to all of you. Had joined the Do It Yourself group and am enjoying it and decided to try this group out too. I like hearing all of your ideas. I live in a tract home in So California built in 1974. As we have budget constraints up the wazoo, I am doing much of the work myself learning as I go doing things I haven't done before. To save, I am going to stain and/or paint our concrete floors (pulled up the yucky carpet and threw that thing away) along with some tiling or doing pavers in some areas also, painting, want to remodel the kitchen etc. Thankx for the tips on the discount magazines. Re Trading Spaces - I watched the $100,000 episode too...thought the bit about the chair was weird too but I like her talents. Amazing to see planning and spending that amount vs the usual $1000 and I found I have liked over time some of the $1000 rooms just as much. Re Doug - he seems to just love doing something every time to whatever item the homeowner doesn't want touched, doesn't he? Maybe they love the controversy he brings but I don't like watching he and homeowners fighting each other through the shows. But they sign on for it when they agree, that is the bottom line. Pat

My son and I are involved in building spec houses. In our market area, Pergo is considered to be in the same value line as sheet vinyl when it comes to selling or appraising a house and it is generally much more expensive to put in. From the marketability perspective, we put in real hardwood. Alicia

ok i have listened to each one of you who do not like pego or any laminate flooring on this list and others. i very rarely post but---- i need to say.I LOVE OUR PERGO. we have hardwood floors in every room in the main part of our home. the pergo is softer, quieter and much easier to swiffer. in fact over the 35 years we have lived here we have carpeted a lot of the hard wood floors. we live where the winters are cold and hardwood floors are cold not matter what kind of heat you have. we have hardwood flooring in the kitchen for now because i got tired of the vinyl and pulled it all up one day when dh was doing the new roof. this kitchen floor is original to this beautiful, very large,100 year old house. i stripped the floor- stained it -and painted a 12 in.sq. checker board with a stenciled border on it. we will put a pergo floor down in this kitchen once we get all the other things on our to do list done. it will not squeak like the wood does. "poor man's flooring fake). What do you all think? " i think you have not priced pergo. the comments we have had on the pergo in our family room is "what a beautiful floor." it was a fun project to do.our choices were limited in the family room as it was an added room with a cement floor.we have had carpet and vinyl on this floor.we did not want to remove the vinyl so we covered it up with the red oak plank pergo. perhaps you have not used the pergo product.if not--- try it. if so -----we all have our own likes.it's what makes us all different. judy

Does anybody have any tips for painting the 'wood' of the underlayment... I thought maybe I could add some color into my kitchen by painting the floor (we are going to have the old floor removed via abatement for asbestos) and will have to lay down a new underlayment...and instead of putting down something else I thought maybe I could paint it... does this affect they type of underlayment you lay down (is it all plywood?) any tips... Valerie

I had been considering tile in a high traffic area that is adjacent to my family room...this is the hall that would be unnaturally taken from the rest of the floor. I've decided not to plunge into tiling right now...but I am trying to figure out if there is any other type flooring that is suitable for a concrete slab (in Missouri) that does not absorb moisture...I would like to find some flooring that is soft for playing (for my child and for me) but Not absorbent... any ideas? Thanks, Valerie

Has anyone else received a catalogue from this company West Elm? I don't know how I did, but their stuff is real clean and contemporary like I like. Has anyone ordered from them? I just don't know about ordering something (thinking ahead for a platform hardwood bed fram that is $500 + 125 for Shipping...). Thanks, Vivian

Hi-- We're looking for an acrylic sink in black for the kitchen in the cabin we're building. Acrylic, because they seem to be very inexpensive--we saw a white one at Carter Lumber for only $129, but of course it did not come in black. I have not had luck finding one anywhere, in stores nor online. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Anyone know where I might find one? Thanks!! Pat Turnbull

I am a newcomer to this group and have a lot of questions. I am a student in Madison, WI, and am currently working with the program 20 20 design in my kitchen and bath design class. I really like the program, and was woundering if it is actually used much throughout the business. And also I love CAD and I was wondering if this to was a program used often as well. Or is it only done by hand. If so I am looking to expand this skills, because like I had mentioned I want to work with these programs when I graduate the program. And my final question is how hard is it to "come up" in the world of Kitchen & Bath Design. I feel it could potentially be an excellent feild to get into because you can be the most creative in it. If someone could respond to this that would be great!!!

Hi everyone. I recently decided (after watching Oprah Monday) that I want to decorate our bedroom. Right now the furniture is all matching and a wood color. It is about 11 years old and is in pretty good condition still. I am thinking about taking piece by piece and sanding it down and repainting a dark rich mahogony color. We have 4 sketches around the room that are black and white charcoal sketches so I think the darker looking room will be really nice. I want to take the mirror off the dresser and leave it off (I haven't told hubby about that one yet, he is vein :-) I won't be able to change the room around at all, but I think repainting all the furniture will give it a different look. I have a headboard, 2 3-drawer nightstands, 7-drawer dresser and an armoir to paint. Do you think that is too much? It will take me forever probably, I work full time and have a 5 year old. I am going to do her room when we buy a place this next year. Does anyone know of any really good magazines? I have House Beautiful and In Home and have looked through Better Homes & Gardens and Budget Living and haven't been satisfied with the ideas. All the furniture in them are made for huge houses or are really expensive. I would like to do things within a reasonable price. I am actually trying to get all the detail stuff done before we buy the house, that way I don't have to do much when we do. Any ideas are welcomed with excitement. Thanks so much, Ronda - San Diego, CA

I am redoing my house in Country French. Does anyone know of any good sites for this style of decorating. I am changing from the Country Style over to French country so some of my things can still be used but I need some ideas. I recently painted my dining room red and I purchased lampshades for the chandelier. I am painting my living room a golden yellow and I bought a French armoire for the tv but that is about as far as I have gotten. Derrilyn.

Hi - Wow! Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! Ann, I forgot to mention that the wall behind the stove is only going to be about 4' (48") high - or less - It will have a shelf on top of it - and the wall that runs perpendicular to that wall will be a bit higher (the wall that is an extension of the bathroom wall) This means I can't put the refrigerator there, because it would stick up above the wall. The reason I have it like this is I am trying to keep it as open as possible, because otherwise, it's really visually tight. Meg, I agree with the idea of having the stove next to the sink, but it's not possible here. The only way I could do that is to swap the d/w with the stove, and with all the plumbing problems we've had, I don't want to even think about changing anything like that LOL Originally I was going to put a pot-filler tap next to the stove, but A) the wall is too low and B) it's a bit too upscale for this house/neighborhood, so it will have to wait for my next house . . . <grin I have had a stove separate from the sink for 5 years, and never had a problem with either pots or dripping dishrags, but then, with 3 sloppy dogs drinking water, maybe I just don't notice? Diane, the closet closest to the back wall is a hot water heater, and the other end of it (next to the stove) will be a pantry. Have no idea what the flooring or counters or cabinets will be - I'm running out of money LOL . . . my sister wants to do it all right from the ground up - and I really just need to get it done. I guess the flooring will be plywood for the foreseeable future. I'll paint it to look interesting. The countertops will probably be tile, or - concrete! Which is what I really want, but . . . . we'll see . .. tile is easier and I can do it myself. My sister wants me to let her build the cabinets, and pay her instead of a cabinet company. I have no problem with this idea, but it means I won't have any cabinets for a long time LOL . .. I have 2 hoosiers and another old metal top table, so I'll be okay. Trinity, you can have any room you like! I will sleep on the floor if you'll come out and visit!! Please?? Please??? I would love to have you or anyone else on the list come out for a visit . . . if I ever do actually get into that house!! Speaking of minimalism, I am planning to build in some benches for the table, then I will have a lot of storage under them :O) - I am unfortunately losing the overhead cabinets between the dining and the kitchen. I will probably build another pot rack like I did here to hang over the stove area. I do have a range hood, but not sure how to put it up without a wall, since it's just a regular ol' rangehood and not a fancy-schmancy one. Denise, I will have to look up Becky Freeman - sounds like my kind of writer! The shower that I had was 32" OUTSIDE measurement - it was like an old phone booth LOL . .. I figured it was cheaper in the long run to just put in a good shower, than to take that one out in a year or two. I saw a woman on Christopher Lowell (I think?) who did a really neat mosaic on a shower wall, by breaking up the cheap big tiles that you can get at HoDe and using smaller tiles as accents - it looked really neat! That is my plan, so all I'm actually installing will be the floorpan. Someday, when I have nothing else to do, I'll tile the shower. I think I answered eveyone's comments, if I missed anyone, just slap me upside the head and say "HEY!" Liz

Hi Everyone: I'm new to the group and begging for help already......the nerve!!..:- ). My husband & I have just purchased a home, my current living room is 10 x 13 and the living room in the new house is 27' x 27' with cathedral ceilings. New furniture is not an option at this point. Any idea how I can fill the space so my current furniture doesn't look so lost? My husband says he will need binoculars to see the TV, I can see a large screen tv on the way.....heaven forbid. Wanted to e-mail Candice Olsen and ask her to pick me, pick me,but she doesn't come this far from Toronto.....darnnnn....lololol. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Liz, there are some similarities between my kitchen and yours: they are about the same width, and the stove is across the floor from the sink. It happens that my refrigerator is in line with the stove, separated by 12" of countertop. I HATE having the stove across the floor from the sink. The refrigerator gets washed <not often enough Anyway, EVERY stinkin time I clean it, that means carrying a dripping rag or sponge back and forth across the floor. I have a list of "compromises I will not make" in our dream home. Near the top is having the stove across from the sink. Once I can choose, the sink will be in line with the stove, so that when I clean the stove, the drips will go across the counter, which has to be wiped anyway, and save the mess on the floor. ( no sense in needing to mop more often than absolutely necessary, right?) I commend your decision to NOT settle for a too-small shower. Ours is so small that DH, who is 6'2", can't bend over and pick up the soap without opening the door. You can imagine that this is a real pain. Oh BTW have you ever heard of Becky Freeman? She lives close to your neck of the woods... Tyler if I remember it right. Try her book called "View from a Porch Swing". I don't know you all that well but have a sneaking suspicion that you, as I did, will find a lot to identify with. The whole ditzy thing just worked for me because I live there all the time... like the time she so virtuously cleaned out the car, thinking that she'd drop the bag of trash in the can beside the *mall* door on the way in. Instead she dropped her purse in the can and carried the WM bag of trash all through the mall with her - never noticing till she went to grab cash for a purchase. Or the time she flipped out because she locked the keys in a rental car and was trying to decide what to do, then her husband ambled over, stuck his hand through the OPEN window, and pulled out the keys.... yeah, you can get a big dose of Merry Heart medicine reading this book. Denise Becky Freeman on the subject of the ectsasy of our days: "It's laundry hung in sunshine; duty dipped in joy."

Hello, I'm wanting to glaze the living room walls in tones of golden yellow, more like old world not bright day glo yellow. Anyway, what parts glaze and what parts paint do I use? 2 to 1 or what? My husband has no idea this is going to be done so I need a lot of info before I spring it on his head! Can anyone direct me to any websites or give me the paint ratios? Thanks!!! Melody

BlankWe recently put down prefinished Brazilian cherry flooring, and now we are finally getting around to putting in baseboard molding ... well, soon, anyway! :) The manufacturer sells prefinished baseboards in the same wood, but they only come in short lengths (6 1/2 ft) and they are $35 each ... a little pricey. So I have been looking into the possibility of using baseboard molding that I can get locally (for $2 per linear ft) and staining it to match. The problem is that the Brazilian cherry is a dark wood, very much like mahogany, and the baseboard that I would like to use is oak, which is fairly light colored. I got some samples of the oak baseboard but have been having difficulty getting it to go dark enough. I know that if I put on enough layers of stain, it will eventually get dark enough, but that gives you an extremely opaque and artificial look, IMHO, which I really don't like. Does anyone have any tips for getting the stain to really soak into the wood? Or a particular brand of stain? I am using Minwax right now. Thanks for any ideas! Ann

I have a painting question -okay. my dining room and kitchen are side by side, and fairly open to each other. The cabinets/shelves that the stove is set into actually faces the dining room -so it is kinda like a bar area.(with upper and lower cabinets and an opening in between) I have painted the dining room,but i don't know what to do with the wall that is actually the back of the cabinets. Is that confusing? Do I treat it like the cabinets and paint it the same off white gloss that the front of the cabinets are? Or do I treat it like a 3rd wall of the dining room and paint it the dusty blue? Any thoughts or advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Kat

Hi - I have 3D Home Architect Deluxe. It's the best one I've found. I have another one, but it is not user friendly and I haven't figured out how to use it yet LOL. The 3D one that I have is a few years old, but works great, and the walk-throughs are pretty good, if cartoony. They give you the idea, anyway. I don't know how to figure out where the recessed lighting goes. I just drew mine where I thought I wanted it (not in 3D home design, though, I couldn't figure out how to do them in there) That's one reason I am thinking about track lighting, I love it, and it's adjustable, I can change my mind about where I want it to shine, and they have some really cool kinds now - I had track lights in a prior kitchen and loved 'em. About the new project - the original plan was to fix and resell. I bought it in January, the plan was I bought it and my sister would do the work on it and we'd split the profit - but she never had time, then I decided to move into it, so we've been working on it a bit. I now have a bathroom, ok, a toilet, and so I can actually stay there. If I live in it for 2 years, I can sell it tax free :o) which is also an incentive. Although if I get it looking like I'm planning, I