More Makeover stuff

[susandennis]

I started out this journal as if there was no audience and I've kind of kept it that way - no memes, no polls, etc. And I don't plan on adding memes or polls but it is clear to me now that the people who read this journal - specifically those who comment - are really and honestly the reason I am, as pheon notes... so mouthy.

Sheri has been reading it all - and said yesterday that this was the first time she had every designed for an international committee! So officially

Thank You to my International Design Committee

I had a hard time sleeping last night - there were just too many ideas in my head. And I needed my latest Dwell. I had put it down in the garage Share-A-Magazine rack last Friday and, as usual, it was snapped up immediately. But, happily, it was back there this morning and I got to snap it up myself! I need it for websites of cool furniture.

One of the chairs that Sheri showed me was a nice chair but I got to thinking about it later and it is just so not the kind of chair I want in my life. I understand why she picked it so I need to find chairs that do the same thing but are way more me. I needed all the URLs off of all the ads in Dwell. I got 'em now.

I know that life without a wealth of wonderful URLs happened and not that long ago but I have obliterated it from my mind and stuck a sign there that says 'Bad Old Days.'

And color. I want wild, bright, vivid, Mexico kinds of colors. Sheri believes we need to go with muted, rich, Seattle colors - earthtones, etc. Mainly we're talking paint here but also maybe furniture fabrics. She says I will get tired of the wild colors and that Seattle does not have the kind of light that makes them work. And I'd be happier with the boring colors on walls and furniture and then use accent stuff - pillows and stuff - for the wild bright colors I want.

I know she's right. She is the professional. I told her she is right but there's a part of me and it's not a tiny part that still wants a little wild and bright and vivid.

Damn you, kjaz! Why did you lose those pictures of your puple bathroom. That's what I want. Your purple bathroom. I wish I had those pictures to show her.

Now I have to get to work. My job here is making this possible, I owe it to them to at least do the work!

Comments

[cathboblet.livejournal.com]

I'm loving this whole process -- watching it come together is so much fun!

And while I have only the tinest bit of experience helping people put together the look of their homes, I think Sheri's right. Big blasts of color 'age' quickly, where as color in pillows and accents is *always* fun and it means you can change the entire look of your loft for a fairly small sum if you get tired of it in the future. IT's like the carpet and the walls are the canvas, and then you get to paint everything else in throws and pictures and books and rugs :)

[susandennis]

I hate that. But, I know you are right and I need to hear it. Maybe if I hear it enough I'll get happy with it. :) Plus, I forgot about rugs...

[fj.livejournal.com]

Actually... there are some compromises available here.

But never on the furniture, no. The shape and function has to be just right for you. Perfect.

But you could do accent walls. I have a habit of not painting all four walls the same color -- too much like living in a box -- but one always goes in an accent color of some kind. Your 3/4-height walls throught the flat should have plenty of possibilities for a very wild splash here and there, punching up the whole place, while keeping the large continuous surfaces neutral and pleasant for the ages. And when you get tired of it, painting one single wall is so easy. 3 hours of work.

In fact, the punches here and there make me leave everything else very neutral. But I am a minimalist. The office/guestroom has one wall which is this huge white curtain that hides metal shelves of hardware, and one big sleep couch that I wrap in a white blanket (easily washed since tha cats sleep /puke on it) and has otherwise white walls. Why is it the most festive room in the house? Because one small wall is a vivid living green.

We did the same in the bathroom, which is all white tile, (http://www.exonome.com/bathroom/) and one bright blue sink and blue floortiles. Sterile? Not if the ceiling is a textured cadimium-yellow that colors all the light.

Susan, from the pictures Sheri took it is obvious you thrive on visual stimulation. You can't make an entry without adding visual punches. I would have gone bonkers in 3 days in your cluttered house, but this is the environment you created for yourself. Your brain needs this. You should have plenty of backsplashes, half-walls, walls below breakfast bar counters, closet-framing walls, etc, to select one or two and just throw a wild wild color that works with the neutral tonalities.

Embrace the power of 'And'.

And if Sheri really doesn't want to do it, do it yourself later. You can always paint it back.

[susandennis]

Ohhhh I had forgotten about your wonderful bathroom. I loved visiting again with a new eye. It's a marvel.

Sheri's way ahead of you on the different colors on different wall sections. And, it is a natural in the place because there are so many soffets and bump outs and different planes.

I love the power of 'And.' It is now mine!

[vetch.livejournal.com]

I was about to concur with fj- there's always ways of making bright colours work.

[pinkrose70.livejournal.com]

I don't know a hill of beans about interior design, so I'll sit back and watch the process eagerly and vicariously through your journal!

Oh wait...I did make the suggestion of the "big chair" for you to sit and knit and watch TV in. Hmmmm....is that getting tossed? Maybe it can be a spot in the bedroom now for Jake and Betty. ;)

As for reading your journal, when I stumbled upon it I read and read for about 2 days until I covered everything, including the New Zealand trip.

It continues to hold my interest daily. Thank you, Susan.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

Well, I am with her on the bright colors, I am kind of neutral lover, but I love art on the walls Lots of color from my Mom's paintings, and other things.

I know you both will come to the perfect compromise and you will love it.
Or, where should I bail you out?

[kyrielle]

Also, if you go "her way" - you can always put bright things ON the walls or floor. Rugs as noted, but also wall hangings, posters, bright paintings (probably easy to get affordably at your local art school next time they have a sale), also pillows, slipcovers, throws, beaded anything that can be tossed over, hung up, etc....