Thank you -- I guess I am kind of rambling here and not getting to the point. Pal I do love the idea of wood verticals, but they are just too pricey . If i was planning to be here another 20 years I would consider but I think we will be moving within the next 5 years. With that, I want to update with resale in mind (and not spend too much $$(. I have 2 points; the first starts with the sliding patio door window treatment. While we rarely do close the blinds, (more for sun than for privacy)I still need that option. I could probably just get new slats to put in the track for the vertical (cause a few have sort of split and fallen off..)but I keep thinking that they just look so less than good in general. That started me thinking that I should consider perhaps some panels on a rod? Then I wonder because the blinds are 80 or 81 inches long (that little recess of course is not at 84"). Then I wonder if I should add same similar panels to the family room. Secondly- I think about how the couches are 10 years old or older, and are uncomfortable to sit on need replacing....I have looked somewhat but there are so few furniture stores any more and I barely see any blue shown though I love the blue...... . I do love the way the blue plays off all the beige(walls, carpet, cabinets etc). all I see when I look is beige/brown (which might work?) or reds and greesn which I dont think I want. Well I think you maybe helped me out here.I am thinking maybe I should just replace the slats in the vertical blinds... and then ask for help on my wall arrangements? But just to show how my brain works, after I semi came to the realization that I might just replace the verticals (because they ARE functional and they do work- I just have never loved them)... do you think a beige/tan couch could work well in here? and or do you think these would work if I kept the blue? (LINDEN PAISLEY in lake mist?) or if I did add panels would you go with a white like the blinds? Or just leave it alone and just replace /renew the vertical blinds? Here is a link that might be useful: lake mist linden?

My son has the same car bed and I am planning to redo his room next year in the same style. I am trying to find a real used diamond plate tool box to use as a dresser. I am also in the process of researching rubber flooring. I would prefer a solid (or rolls that the seam can be fused) rather then the puzzle pieces with a texture. I hate his rugs because he is unable to build (blocks, legos, trains, etc.) or use his remote control cars. It would also add some sound proofing (never a bad thing!). I *believe* they sell a 1/2" thick mat for horse stalls that are in 8' wide rolls, it's affordable but I have to see it. Your rooms look great! My son's room is a Nickolodeon color "Binky Blue" alittle darker then "tiffany" blue. I have to admit that the blue and silver makes me happy....

I cannot give you a direct answer, but I can tell you some of my experience. I have a strong preference for very flat finishes and so I gravitate to the Estate Emulsion. However, in my laundry room, which has many walls and a weird sort of dog leg shape, one area has Modern Emulsion in Teresa's Green, a much clearer color than Pigeon. ME has 2% sheen level. That's pretty low. Honestly, I do not notice the shine at all, unless I really look for it and the lighting is just so. Unfortunately, I have no Ben Moore, so cannot compare. What I can tell you, though, is that DH has done a lot of painting in his day and the first time he hefted a can of F&B he was amazed at how heavy it was. All that clay and pigment is heavy stuff; I fail to see how that could fail to affect your perception of the color. I have Estate Emulsion in Red Earth and Blue Ground elsewhere. The color seems to come off the walls and envelop me in the rooms. I love this stuff. However, I recently discovered, after two years, that the Red Earth isn't scrubbable, unlike the other colors in Estate Emulsion. Go figure. I'm not fond of the texture of our walls (too heavy and really soaks up the paint). F&B definitely mellows out our texture, a phenomenon that contributes to the depth of the coloration. Frankly, were I in your situation, I would buy a quart of the real deal and do a head to head head comparison with the Ben Moore version on a wall. I don't know what your wall texture and light are like. As an aside, I have EE Radicchio on a wall in a game room "kitchenette" and it appears shinier than usual. I don't know if that's because of how dark it is or because of the light in there, but that's been a disappointment to me. I must say, your photos of Pigeon look like I would expect Pigeon to look, but that a very vague statement.

On the ceiling, what kind of plywood did you use? usually luan is cheapest good looking plywood in HD, so that's what I have used mostly. Did you paint the designs with a brush or stencil them? stained designs are painted with a very small brush. How did you keep the stain from bleeding out to surrounding areas? Fist I make a stencil and trace the design with pencil and then fill in with stain, making sure that I have very little stain on the brush. What brand of stain did you use? I have always used Minwax --------------------------------------- wondering what to do with them. I would love to do this! Have you written up any instructions for how you did it? Or could you tell us please? What product(s) did you use? Decosup How did you transfer your design to the concrete? I drew the design on the floor with pencil based on smaller scale design on the paper Did you mask off areas? it was not necessary, as My husband cut the lines around the design before I stained and that prevented most of the bleeding issues. How did you apply the product? with the cheap foam brushes from HD What do's and don't's did you learn along the way? Don't too it on a hot day, the stain dries too quickly and you will not get as deep color. Thanks very much for any help you can give me! Where did you learn to do all this? Trial and error ;) Do you do this type of work for your job? Not yet at least, I have thought about doing it professionally but I am really lousy sales person, so this might for ever be just my obsession and hobby :) PS. I have a long e-mail I send to people that ask about my concrete work, so if you want to receive it, drop me an e-mail.