Displaying posts from April, 2009

I need your help with this one folks. Lauren wrote us with this problem: “I am going back to school, and my friend is oh so graciously letting me move into his house (rent free!). So, I feel like I should not complain too much, but the room needs a lot of help. I attached a picture for you to see the bedroom, just to give you an idea of the wall-to-wall maroon carpet I have to deal with. He has taken down the wallpaper boarder and painted the room a buttery yellow, but I think it kind of looks like a nod to McDonald’s now… He actually just replaced the carpet (but kept maroon, I’m not sure why), so I have to live with that – and the room is pretty large: 16′ x 13′. But he did say I can paint, which is a good start. So, my question is, do you have any ideas as to what color scheme would work with this carpet? I am normally a “blue” person, but just feel like I can’t completely disregard the carpet color. I was thinking maybe repainting the room white, and doing an accent wall – possibly relating to the maroon carpet, but I’m not so sure. Any ideas would be much appreciated!”

When I see maroon/burgundy I practically break out in hives. So I’m a bit at a loss as to what Lauren should do with this. My only thought is getting sisal rugs and trying to hide most of the carpet, and maybe painting the walls a pink (on the pale side). That’s all I’ve got. I’m hoping our readers might have better ideas.

Abena wrote us with a design dilemma she thought we could help her with. “I would love a post on how to decorate around those weird hanging fireplaces from the 60s and 70s. My husband and I are moving into a new (rental) apartment in June with one. I attached a photo from a similar apartment (w/my hubby in it, who you can see needs lots of space).

Our fireplace is rounder with no base in a larger, long room. It is also hanging near the back wall between a balcony with large sliding doors, but there is also a floor to ceiling window to the right. I would love something like what was achieved in this Richard Powers photograph.

Except our view is not quite as stunning, nor is the scary black fireplace in a nice symmetrical location. My husband just says we should put a tall plant in front of it and forget about it, but I think we should do more!” And I agree with you. Why not just place a couple mid-century chairs around it and make it a little conversation area? I found some photos of suspended fireplaces that hopefully will give you some ideas. For the record, I always wanted one and am REALLY jealous.

We have received several emails recently from reader’s who wanted to share their homes so I thought I’d feature a bunch of them today.

The first is from Melody, of the blog me melodia. The following photos are of her friend’s bedroom in Berlin. She posted them on her blog for a new series she’s working on of her friends’ interior spaces. It’s such a comfy, relaxing space, and I ADORE the branch used to hang clothes!

We heard from Julie of Belle Vivir who recently made over her bathroom. She sent us some before and after photos. What a huge difference! I love the colour scheme and the totally cute toilet paper holder. Bathroom redos always make me jealous, as mine are embarrassingly horrid. I’m taking notes. (Click here for more photos).

Jen Venegas sent us a really sweet email the other day. A 25 year old woman who loves the notion of people turning their home into something that’s a direct reflection of themselves, Jen just moved into a home and has been having fun making it her own. Her income is somewhat limiting (I hear ya), but she makes do with garage sale finds, and sort of prides herself on that (I hear ya again!). It excites me to no end that junk finds are making their way into so many people’s homes, as it adds so much character to a space when it’s not all item after item found in any major home decor store. (Jen, I will send you a great big virtual kiss if you hang your art much lower – I’m so anal about that).

Claudiu of Cluj, Romania wrote us wanting to share his work-in-progress home. He’s an artist and his creativity is evident throughout his home, inside and out. The kitchen looks so cozy, and I love that he took his artwork to the exterior of his house as well.

Thanks to everyone featured here for wanting to share their homes with us and our readers!

Evan emailed us looking for some help. Knowing our readers, I’m sure there will be lots of great advise provided that he can run with – just wait till you see what he’s working with!

Evan just moved to downtown Los Angeles and he’s facing his usual dilemma – he starts off strong and then doesn’t know how to finish. “As usual I rushed into buying things that I wish I could replace but that will have to wait. My problem is I always end up at this point and don’t know how to finish or were to go from here. I know something HUGE over the sofa will help and the building offers to paint two walls…should I take them up on their offer and most important – which two walls and what color? FYI: It’s only been two months and I’m already looking to replace the dining table, cocktail table and entry hall table. I am notorious for rushing into things especially when I’m on a budget.”

I was rendered speechless when I saw Evan’s photos. The space ROCKS, and I love just about every piece of his furniture. So how about I show you all the photos, then I’ll give my 2 cents and I’d love it if you guys could pipe in with ideas for Evan as well.

First thing is I would definitively paint 2 walls out, especially if the building is offering. I would paint the wall your sofa is on, and the long wall opposite up to the bathroom. (I’m guessing that area is the bedroom?) I do agree that something really large over your sofa would be great to really showcase the height and size of the space. If you want the sofa wall to be a bit of a bold accent colour then perhaps you should chose some artwork and then choose a wall colour that will highlight the art. The loft seems to get so much light from those windows, so you might even be able to get away with a dark colour, like a chocolate brown for drama. Or even black!! That being the case I’d chose artwork on the lighter side. The other wall I would do a concrete grey because I am a huge fan of grey as a neutral. It will go with everything. As for the furniture I agree about losing the dining table…and chairs. They look way too small and insignificant. I like the rest of the furniture ALOT, but the console table with the mirror above – I’d paint that out black. It looks too traditional with the rest of your furniture. While you’re at it paint out the mirror too. 🙂 A huge rug in the living room and another under your dining table and you’ll be good to go!

I think I’ll stop there and turn it over to everyone else. (Thanks for sharing your home with us Evan! Hope we can help!)

Whether crisp bright and white or brooding and dark, photographer Paul Raeside understands the nuances of light as well as the emotions it can convey. His portfolio is as extensive as it is wonderfully inspirational. The work in a word is gorgeous. Enjoy.