how do I cheer up this dark garden level apartment?
5 years ago
The windows to the outside are woefully inadequate but there is nothing I can do about them. I’m contemplating asking my landlord if I can have recessed lighting installed (at my expense), that’s how much I hate the darkness. If he says no, what sort of free standing lighting should i use? How do I disguise/keep attention away from that part of the ceiling that sticks down?
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5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoRelated Discussions
let's give a cheer for the dark greens
Comments (35)I'll come back later with the picture which is in my camera now. It is my last standing bloom scape, on Royal Accolade, which is of course fragrant and a sport of Royal Standard. Of note, once again, the assassin bug nymphs are all over the stem around the flowers. I am keeping a list of hosta which hosted those fragrant hosta lovers, in case they know something I don't know.....that these are the hosta which get their approval for scent/fragrance....some pheremone? There must be some distinguishing characteristic for these hosta scapes that others, such as Mama plantaginea herself or Aphrodite or Venus or Doubled Up, do NOT have. Because these nymphs do not go from one plant to the next which is nearby. All the hosta they are seen on are in all different places in my garden. I put this comment into this particular thread because Royal Accolade is a dark green. I found a spiny yellow orb spider and its web in the same corner too. It was eating a fly when I spotted it....See MoreStolen garden gnomes - cheers or jeers?
Comments (45)Herbalicious - I love the Elvis thingy! Would love to see it - Elvis get's blamed for All kinds of things in my family just like "Not ME" from Family Circle. I have 3 garden 'objects' in my yard. One is a frog that my Mom made me - (love him & is extra special since she is no longer with us) and I have a small turtle that has a 'bobbin' head (VERY cute, I just couldn't resist )but I haven't decided where he will go as I just got him. The 3rd is an old iron wagon/tractor wheel raised up in a sqare shaped mini flower garden. I have placed a 3' rooster weather vain in the center of the wheel. The first year I planted r/w/b flowers in memory of my father but now it is a 'catch all' for left overs from the annual flower beds. My daughter cares for it and plants them where ever she wishes and it looks all willy-nilly but is very pretty. I am not a uniform type person -I just plant what catches my eye every spring. I do have an old cast iron bath tub and an old wash machine tub that in hid on the north side of my house for mint. That stuff takes over, if not contained!! They belong to my husband, I guess it is a 'guy' thing??? I plan to put a pond & fountain in my back yard next year but no plastic wild life,(we have wild turkeys, deer, pheasant, grouse, geese and a multitude of other critters) just live fish and vining plants will be added....See MoreHow to Lighten Up A Dark Stairway Entrance
Comments (14)Since it's an apartment, I'm guessing there's not much you will be allowed to do. First, I would clean the carpet (Ideally, call someone in to do it as stairs are a beast to do and it will be worth the money). You don't have any width to do much here, so what about something like this that you can wrap around the door/wall and and up the stairs a little? They're vinyl decals and easy to remove and are kind of cute. My favorite color-of-the-day is red, so I would say have it done in red to brighten up the area. I would also get a red door mat that coves in front of the door.. This one: https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Bacterial-Non-Skid-Interior-Decorative-Home/dp/B00TMAONLQ/ref=sr_1_21?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1503778753&sr=1-21&refinements=p_n_feature_twenty_browse-bin%3A2972994011 is thin enough that the door won't catch on....See MoreHow do I lighten up my Mom’s basement living room?
Comments (32)Condolences for your loss. Mother's Day is coming up. You might consider a digital picture display with a light colored frame with happy pictures loaded to add light and prompt happy memories.. https://www.google.com/search?q=electric+digital+photo+frame&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd_b7llbnoAhXEmuAKHRT1DIgQsxh6BAgOECs&biw=1366&bih=654#spd=9152850867742305625 You might remove the too small rug altogether and add a small light/bright colored storage ottoman or even a coffee table where she can keep family photographs. Agree with the suggestion that you try swapping the loveseat and rocker locations. With the loveseat moved, you can dress the patio door/window. If that is a sliding door, a wood or metal rod in the bottom rail might make the room "feel" more secure -- no need to block it with a sofa. A lot of people don't care for vertical blinds but I consider them perfect for a patio door or even a large row of windows in an informal / contemporary room. White vinyl vertical blinds would provide more privacy and light control options than drapes. If your mom's window is on the north side of the building, she'll not be getting any sunlight directly into her room and that may be one reason why the room is "dark" . If any light comes in ... or even if it doesn't ... consider adding a brightly colored sun catcher or two that can be attached to the window via small plastic suction cup. https://www.google.com/search?q=tiffany+suncatchers&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigr7T2k7noAhUvmuAKHahuBwcQ_AUoAnoECAsQBA&biw=1366&bih=628 There are fabric covers for sofas and love seats. Perhaps you could find a light colored one for at least one of her pieces. Alternately, a light colored afghan or throw might help. Instead of getting rid of the cabinet(s) in the corner(s), you could add a tall thin lamp with a large white shade there. If the big box store options are out of price range, check with Habitat for Humanity or Good Will or other local charity sponsored thrift stores for bargains....See More
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PRO5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoWhere the two chairs are in the photo, hang mirrors on that wall to reflect the light from the two front windows. Love these…they are at Furniture Consignment Gallery in Hanover…I think it is exit 13 on Rte 3. I would hang them side by side. Also check out its sister store in Natick. You'll find some great stuff. I scored a Barbara Barry coffee table for a client, in perfect condition, for $300.00 (list price $4750.00)
Another great, cheap addition: measure the window sills and go to a gas/mirror shop and have them cut to fit. You will be amazed at how the mirrors reflect the light into the space. The windows are small, but fun. Like a shadow box, fill with colorful clear glass objects.
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W 40" / D 2" / H 34.75"
https://www.houzz.com/products/estrella-wall-mirror-prvw-vr~59952376
Estrella Wall Mirror · More Info
- 5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
What cheers you is an individual matter. Let's say you want barely much color. Could have very subtle contrasts for excitement, using metals.
From houzz: "Play with vignettes. Don’t feel like they need to be elaborate: Moving a silver chair beneath a [gold-framed picture[(https://www.houzz.com/products/gold-picture-frames-prbr1-br~t_520~a_77-13172) will give you a sense of how each element acts within the space."
For instance, to side of window, linen woven with metallic threads in basic curtains: a chair under it for interest.
Amoroso Design · More Info
[https://www.houzz.com/photos/amoroso-design-contemporary-dining-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~38428[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/amoroso-design-contemporary-dining-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~38428) - 5 years ago
A light fabric roman shade for your windows, bit of warm wood, and lightly crystaled/ sheen in dining area:
https://www.houzz.com/photos/bridge-street-residence-breakfast-nook-traditional-dining-room-minneapolis-phvw-vp~388113
Bridge Street Residence Breakfast Nook · More Info
- 5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
above sofa? seems to pick up floor color -
Sea Fan Wall Art · More Infohttps://www.houzz.com/products/design-accents-hand-woven-poly-nubs-funberry-stripe-pillow-cinnabar-14x20-prvw-vr~54842414
Hand Woven Poly Nubs Funberry Twin Stripe Pillow, Cinnabar, 14"x20" · More Info
[https://www.houzz.com/products/sea-fan-wall-art-prvw-vr~89243344[(https://www.houzz.com/products/sea-fan-wall-art-prvw-vr~89243344) - 5 years ago
I would skip the mirrors. Often they can look cold and uninteresting. Use colorful art instead.
Add lighting. Avoid bluish hue bulbs. Go with "warm" bulbs.
Up lighting behind plants.
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I have no idea what your style is or what your furniture is like but even using some string lights or this fun tree could enhance the feel of the garden level rooms.
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- 5 years agoThe sofa I bought is this one from Ethan Allen. The upholstery is called “stone” but when I picked it out it read more “camel” to me (up close the pattern is a very small herringbone with tan and really light gray threads— from a distance I guess that looks like stone). I know I probably should’ve gone with something “slimmer” like a midcentury modern sofa, but I will (sadly) be spending a lot of time on this sofa so I want it to be comfortable. I’m guessing I should find thin legged tables to offset the heaviness of the sofa. It’s 78 inches wide so it’s not huge or extremely deep.
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- 5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
Add two smallish chairs, comfortable with arms to pair with the sofa.
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoMy solution would be peel & stick mirror on the back wall where the chairs are, augment the outlets with 6 plugs at each, and can uplights placed strategically. Then brighten the walls with colorful art or posters that suit your taste.
Reflections Peel & Stick 3x6 Beveled Glass Mirror Subway Tile in Glossy Silver · More Info
6-Outlet 270 Joules Plug-In Surge Protector · More Info
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