You're going to regret you ever asked me to write about my new house. I've been making decisions left and right. It's enough to make a girl a bit dizzy. Thankful for sure...for the opportunity to pick stuff out that I like. But being so close to it all, it's becoming harder for me to see the forest for the trees (or the paint for the wall, I should say).
Here's where I need your help. As you know, this is where we started in this paneled room.
Then, we painted the paneling Tobacco Road on 3 walls...but on the fireplace wall, we painted the whole thing a few shades lighter, Believable Buff. It seemed like it would help it to look like a wall of fireplace, instead of cutting it in 1/2 with Tobacco Road on top.
Turns out that Buff wasn't so Believable after all. I thought it looked like those shelves needed their teeth brushed. The Nester said it looked like a powdered face with no lipstick on. We had to do something.
So we painted just the mantle and the wooden bookshelves white, same as the trim. It still ain't right people. Or is it? It isn't...right? I just can't tell anymore. This photo was taken without a flash so it's kind of hard to see the true color. The two walls on the sides are still Tobacco Road and the wall above the FP as well as the brick is still (un)Believable Buff. But I just don't know.
Should the brick be white, too? Should the shelves and mantle be Buff and the brick be white only? Should we paint the wall above the mantle Tobacco like the rest of the room? Should I light a match and burn the whole thing down?
I know in light of starving kids in Africa and Hurricane Katrina victims and that homeless man on the corner that always looks me in the eye when I pull up at the stop light, this stuff is so trivial. I know that. Still...I have to decide on something and quick. I may not take any of your suggestions (well, except you Nester. You're opinion is always gonna be a bit weighted), but I still want them. So....what do you think?
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
help wanted
Todays topic:
a freak,
a house-lover
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48 comments:
I love it just how it is! I think once you get your beautiful stuff in there it will all come together! You could do all your white frames over the fireplace and a BIG on in the middle with your family picture!
hi, emily.
i am somebody you don't know. i found your blog today randomly (pressing the "next blog" button), and i had to say i really liked reading it.
i'll be coming here often, i'd say.
:)
Ha, you don't know me either, but I've been reading your blog and the Nester's for a few weeks now, so I feel like I know you. :) Well, kinda.
Anyway, I say it looks fine just the way it is too...so I was thrilled to see that I had the same opinion as the Nester. Yes! Score one for me! ;)
I imagine you will have some sort of stove in the middle...so try imagining it with that. I think that helps. :) Regardless, it looks SOOOO much better than it was!
I think it looks really good. I also think if you painted the shelves and mantle Buff and the brick all white it would make the fireplace pop-the focal point. Either the way it is now or the other way suggested I think. And like Nester said, once you get your accessories in there it is going to look smashing. IN fact it already does. HUGE improvement, light and airy!
Hmmm. You don't know me either and I've been reading your and the Nester's archives so I know YOU a tiny bit.
I have to disagree with the previous posters. In my own little opinion the focal wall - which this qualifies as - should "pop" out more. I would paint the buff stuff a shade DARKER than the Tobacco Road but leave the white trim for contrast and stuff. Also, leave the brick buff as well to visually separate them. Then, your white accessories will really stand out against that wall.
It seems to me that having the focal wall lighter than the rest of the walls would give an over-all washedoout look rather than making it "focus-worthy". Just my opinion...! ~v
I just recently found your blog as well:) Love it!
I really like how the wall looks now. IF you were to do anything different I would go a darker color on the fireplace wall-which I think is what V said.
I wish I could comment. I so don't have a decorator bone in my body...that must have been the rib, that I decided I didn't want! J/K. Besides, my thought was different than The Nester and her stuff is just as cute as yours, so again, I don't dare! I know it will be great when you finish it!
hey there. you do know me. and this is just a musing really....what do the shelves look like without the doors? if you took the doors off, and had the shelves painted the buff, but kept the other things the way they are, would you feel like it was more you? or, i also thought, what if you had different doors on the shelves....?
Emily,
I have to agree with you sister... get your stuff in there and then see what you think! :) It always looks different with your stuff anyway. What about your wall of photos, would you do something like that above the crematorium, or big pics? You definately need pics - lots of them!
Teehee! I like it now. LEAVE IT ALONE. :-)
I don't like those doors. I would take them off. I had a friend who had a simular problem. Her husband is a handy-man and he took out everything! Mantel and all. And then he purchased the brick she wanted for a mantel and proceeded to make her a new mantel. Gee, I hope that made sense? If you are interested in a picture of what it looks like now...I'll email you one. I don't know if she has a before..I'll ask but, I can tell you, her space is just about the same.
Just let me know.
Susan
on my first comment I meant to say get a Big ONE {meaning a huge family photo framed} it was hard to type while on the phone with you.
I do agree with v about having an accent wall be darker--that is usually what one does!
But, I know you were afraid that the room was dark! It's not and I totally think you could do it even darker on the top. Gosh, I wish I could see it in person! Why does gas have to be so much? I put $20 in this morning and had to put $20 in again by 3:00. My car is thirsty and addicted to gas.
OK...just another opinion. I would paint the wall above the fireplace the same color as the side walls. Then paint the brick of fireplace a darker tone of the same color. Then, I would remove the doors to the bookshelves. They look a little dated (sorry)...but I had some very similar and I can relate. Are the shelves inside one long shelf? Or are they broken up. I think they would look very nice if if was a continuous shelf filled with colorful books and a few pictures and plants.
Isn't this fun? I think you are doing a terrific job. Just enjoy...and have fun bringing your ideas to fruition.
Good Luck!
This is so great. I think I'm gonna do this with every decision I ever have to make...
Melissa, you and Tonja and maybe someone else mentioned maybe to take the doors off. That may not be a bad idea. That could help it not look so...heavy over there. And I agree to paint the top the same as the other walls. I think I like that idea.
Question: If I paint the back wall the same as the others (Tobacco Road) and the brick a darker shade of that, what do I paint the actual mantle part? Leave it white?
I WANT TO SEE IT IN PERSON!!! I LIVE 5 MINUTES AWAY!! I KNOW I AM YELLING, BUT I AM SO EXCITED!!! COME ON, EMILY!
hmmmm....looks like I got into this one a little late. First I'll give you my two bits, then i'll go and see if they're the same two bits all these other hundred people left :)!. I like the brick beige with the cupboards and mantle white, but I think the top wall should be tobacco road. There's too much other stuff going on (fireplace, built-ins) to need an accent color on the wall too. It's already a statement in itself without needing a seperate color to draw attentioin to it. And I'm afraid that once you put things on the mantle, it REALLY has the chance of looking too "busy" in comparison to the rest of the room. I would also love to see you put fabric (or scrapbook paper ;)!!!) in the windows of the built-ins. There you go!--and with all that said and done, i'm sure whatever you do to it will end up looking fab-u-lous!!!
Thanks for letting us help :)!
I'd make the brick white and call it a day.
Looks really fabulous. Nice transformation!
I have not a decorating bone in my body, but I was going to comment that you should remove the doors. Then I saw that other people had already commented that, so I feel validated and all that good stuff! It already looks a bajillion times better, so whichever route you choose it'll look good!
Dude, buy Nester a tank of gas and let her go to town on it. That's what I'd do anyway.
Paint the brick white. Pour enormous glass of wine. Empty glass in four gulps. Repeat. Take two Tylenol and call me in the morning.
Jennifer P. - I was waiting to see your advice :) I think fabric is a FAB idea for those doors. That is, if I keep them. And I think I will definitely paint the above mantle Tobacco Road. Yes. That is a definite.
Laura - Will you be my doctor? With that advice, I don't think I'll ever have another problem again.
I'm agreeing with lots of people, including you, about painting it over in Tobacco Road and taking the doors off (they're dating the whole thing and the relationship can't end well) and painting the insides white (so they'll look like pearly whites). But I wonder how it would look with the brick all painted white too? It would help to make it less busy, as Jennifer P. mentioned.
I think painting the wall lighter bugged you because it made the room seem longer and narrower--painting it the darker TR will bring it in more. I do remember that from my long ago Interior Design classes.
I was going to add--too bad there aren't a couple of windows above the mantle to bring in extra light. I love seeing fireplace walls like that in magazines.
I would paint the top of the wall tobacco road, and then sand the heck out of the brick around the fireplace....and leave the mantle and cabinets white
You totally don't know me....I've been secretly reading your blog (as well as the Nester's) for a couple of months now. It satisfies that craving I have of looking into other people's windows to see how they live. I actually got to your blog through Zoe Stalvey's (I used to work with Heather) and am now completely hooked on you and your sister (wow, it sounds really creepy when I type that out...sorry!). Anyway...I totally don't have a decorating bone in my body and have learned a ton from the Nester, but I'll give you my two cents anyway. Now, I can't really tell by the "before" picture, but what did the wood mantle look like before? Was it really bad? If not, I think it would look awesome if you stripped the paint off of the mantle and stained it. It would look soooo warm and cozy in that room with the Tobacco Road walls and a stained mantle. Oh, and I totally agree with the consensus of removing the "dated" doors.
p.s. Thanks for letting me "peek" in your window...you and your sister brighten my day! I'm signing my name at the bottom because I'm not nearly cool enough to have a blog.
Michelle Clarke
Maryville, TN
well, i just had to come back to check and see what else people had said about this fun cozy den of yours. i'm not a tank away, so i'd love to come look with you today! and i'm so glad that the no doors idea was well received with the other gals. =)
Why not try fabric/paper on the back walls of the shelves after you remove the doors?
And I'm for TR on the wall and darker on the brick. Although, I don't know that painted brick always turns out un-gummy looking and tiling over it with cool Tuscany-looking tiles is an easy, not-too-expensive alternative...
love this house LOTS! emily, love your blog and tagged you on my post today if you have time.
Adding my $.02 -- I think it's the doors. Not the idea of doors, just the style of the cutout -- it's dated. If you put in traditional panes or even clear glass, I bet you'll like the effect better.
I like the colors they way they are now. However... I would probably remove the doors from the bookshelves. They look a little dated in my very unprofessional opinion. Good luck and I can't wait to see the final result!
I'm going to give my two cents and then go back and read what everyone else says, so I'm terribly sorry if this is repetitive.
It's hard to tell without being there in person, but I think the Tobacco Road, beige and white combination looks really good. What if you put fabric in the little doors? That might be your "lipstick". Once you get the mantle all decorated and furniture and lamps and plants in there I think you're really going to like the contrast.
You're doing great!!
And to add to the long list, I agree with most of the comments on here. Doors off, TR over the 'buff' er bluff :) The one thing different that struck me right away, but I don't think anyone else has mentioned yet is to paint the front of the brick just above the floor white like the other trim. I think that would ground it some. And once you get all your goodies up - especially pictures because they're the most personal and alive things - it will look fantastic! I'm so jealous (in a good way) of your beautiful new home and all the fun it must be to dress her up. Today is a hate day for my love/hate with my house and I would love to be dressing up a new place.
ok, my 2 cents is this: Tobacco Road on the wall above the mantle, take the doors off the cabinets, do all the cabinets inside and out and the mantle in your trim color and then paint the brick just a bit darker than the T.R.
It looks lovely already but too light on that end!
I go with painting the wall above the mantle TR, take the doors off, paint the inside of built-ins white, maybe line the back with some scrapbook paper, paint the fireplace a darker color then sanding it to get some distressed shades of TR and the darker color. How fun!!
I'm not going to read through all the comments so ignore this if it's already decided, but: I'd do TR (or a darker accent color) above the mantle. I'd paint the rest white and do a small (like 2" tiles) complementary tile in a few colors on the face of the fireplace (not on the step thingy, just on the part that actually surrounds where you put the fire). The end.
I think it would be great if you tile over the fireplace with dark colored stone looking tiles. We tiled over ours, and it looks soooo much better than paint. Our friends did theirs with slate, and it looked fabulous!
Love your blog!
I have no advice, but I love the tobacco road color! Hmmmm, I may have to paint soon.
Okay, I know I'm a little late on this, but...definitely, definitely paint the wall a darker shade of TR. I don't think you'll regret it. I would leave the mantel white or else the cabinets will kind of look like they're...ummm...floating, dontcha think? I think I would take the doors off the cabinets. Can't wait to see what you do. What a gorgeous, big room. So...have you thought up a name for your new house yet, or are you still waiting for inspiration to strike? :o)
I think paint the top half Tobacco Road, and leave the rest of it as is. I'm also going with the Nester in that once your stuff is in there, it will be amazing! Even though I don't know what your stuff looks like...but a bunch of white frames sounds really good to me!
Leave everything painted like it is, but paint the fireplace surround in "BLACK".
It will make it pop!
Black adds a lot of drama to a room!
I agree with kimberly, I think painting the fireplace black would really make it pop w/drama. And then either add some cute scrapbook paper against the wall behind the shelves (maybe bringing in the black...like your sister's damask paper), or lining the doors with some snappy fabric (again, black damask would be a nice dramatic choice).
Hi, My name is Meme...I came over from the Nester's....I think you should do something whimsicial and fun...So, when you come in the mantle/accent wall grabs your attention...What about painting the accent wall( above the mantle with a harlequin(diamond) design...either with a darker color and the existing color or staying with the same color but using a glossy finish...so you could see the design...If you go with a darker color...paint the brick that color...to ties it in...You can do stripes or any shape...If you want to paint the diamonds on...find a big sponge or even make one with foam that you find at your craft store...cut it the shape you want...put paint on it and work your way across...then when you have the design you can go over it with a paint brush...It's easier than hand painting...i'll have it on my blog in a week or two...if you want to come and see step by step how to do it! Right now...I'm painting faux bricks (with a sponge) and using joint compound to make faux plastered wall with exposed brick....then I'm distressing the wall with glaze and faux cracks...Super easy.....Have a great day! Meme
I didn't really look at the other picture..paneling...hmmm...and if you are lazy as I am...it's not some thing you want to deal with... I think painting the tobacco road or a darker color that is in the same family would be best...Unless you what to stripe the paneling with a glossy finish...every other stripe or you can fill in the grooves with joint compound( mix a little water in the compound...put it in a trowel thing you get by the compound and get one of those flat knife things :)...scrape the knife over the grooves...let it dry over night and lightly sand flush to the wall in the morning...wipe down with damp cloth...and by the afternoon you can paint whatever you please...Just an idea....:) congrads on the new home...I love it!
By doing the Joint compound...you basically are making it like the other walls....Okay I'll leave you be now....:)
I agree that you should paint the upper wall tobacco road, but what if you painted the fireplace and surround the buff color. I think it would coordinate better than the white. I also agree that you should remove the doors, but paint the inside the buff color. Just my opinion1
I think (one month later - hope you're not having painters remorse) that the third pic looks great. Stop painting - you've done it! What you CAN do to help your fireplace pop is to add some crema marfil marble mosaic tile over the brick surround - around the fireplace opening. That will finish it off and help you bridge the blondes and tans in the room - with a little modern sophistication. What more could a girl ask for? Great room! If you do the tile - hope you post a pic!
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