Torn between character and personal style…
Sarah Kern
29 days ago
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BeverlyFLADeziner
29 days agodeegw
29 days agolast modified: 29 days agoRelated Discussions
Question: Preserving character & details
Comments (46)Mama Goose, I always imagined using old barn siding in a house, but never in a living room. More likely in a family room or more casual surroundings. Definitely not near a kitchen which has a way of depositing greasy stuff on any paint job or other finish. Very difficult to keep that coarse finish clean, IMHO. I sympathize with your desire to redo the trim in a 1920s period style, smoother finish. Mama Goose, epoxying the bathroom tile instead of removing it is inspirational to me. We have a totally BLUE TILE, BLUE TUB, BLUE SINK, BLUE TOILET bathroom in DH's little cape up in Massachusetts. He hates the tub surround because it leaks, is not tiled in. I'm now thinking we could change out the toilet and sink, have the tub refinished in white, remove the surround and have a newer tile put in. Of course, If the epoxied tile does not match closely, I suppose we could just rip it out. I saw where a towel warmer in the bath was used in place of a bathroom heater. Possibly the floor tile, white with a tiny diamond in the middle of a 4" area, could be taken out and a heated floor put in. But right now, we are wanting to be done with that house so we can enjoy it a little while before putting it up for sale. I will miss that little house, and the lovely yard too. It was a brief taste of what it would have been like if DH and I had married 50 years ago when we were first engaged....See MoreTorn between selling my traditional furniture or painting
Comments (30)The issue is really whether you want your basement decorated with what is very ornate formal furniture. IMO painting is not going to change what that furniture is and would look a bit odd - but that's me. You spent the money years ago and got use out of it. If you really don't want a remodeled basement that looks as though it is being furnished with castoffs from rooms decorated thirty years ago, release it into the universe. You appear to be someone for whom the tax deduction makes more sense than a minimal amount you would make on a sale. Your furniture is not worth anything in today's market - I know because I tested the waters a few months ago when I got rid of a lot of good "used" furniture. No one wanted it - not even the real antique pieces - not consignment stores; not used furniture stores; not craigslist. Most people didn't even want it for free although I am sure I could have given it away with a listing on on the free section of craigslist but I didn't want to deal with strangers traipsing there - for what? I do understand wanting to reuse it and it is certainly what my parents would have done - in fact our finished basement was furnished with the castoffs from here, there and everywhere and my first apartments were furnished gratefully with stuff gleaned from family and friends until I could afford replacements. But unless I actually still liked the furniture and would purchase it again, I personally would replace it with pieces that didn't look so out of place. But of course it depends on your economics and what your ideal look would be for the finished room There are relatively inexpensive stylish sources which would make more sense than an ornate desk and china cabinet - but in the end it really is what you like and what you can afford in terms of furniture for that room....See MoreTorn about hood chimney...advice?
Comments (11)@Jennifer Gullo - Some on this forum have a bad delivery, but most are trying to be helpful (even if brutal at times). All of these choices are yours to make - after all it's your home and your kitchen. When you open yourself up on this forum you're going to get people's honest opinions, many from professionals who know more than the person asking. As a designer, I think the first hood picture you posted looks the best. Using a valance was done a lot in the late 1990's and is therefor considered a dated look. If you like it, it's your space. I would advise if going this route to go straight across and not use an arch. In terms of your selections, I'm not sure if you are mixing the wood cabinets and cream or just using one. The door style you have chosen is a traditional raised panel, therefore leaning to more traditional selections. The counters and backsplash go well together color wise but imo, do not go with your cabinet selection. The counters and backsplash are "cool" colors, and your cabinet colors are "warm". In addition, both your counter and backsplash are busy. It would be best to keep the backsplash "quiet" so your eye has somewhere to rest. I don't know what your floors are. In the spirit of trying to be helpful those choices don't play well together from a design standpoint. If wanting to do the gray's, then do white cabinets and a less busy backsplash. If wanting the cream (which does look extremely yellow on the monitor), I'd make other counter and backsplash choices that are warm toned....See MoreHelp choosing kitchen sink! Torn btwn cast iron and granite composite.
Comments (35)I always install Kohler cast iron when I can. I love that creamy, satiny look and never clean with more than BKF. I have never seen a Kohler finish wear out, not saying you could not do it. I have hated every stainless sink I have ever had. That said, the Elkay is gorgeous. As to bowls, I went to a single in this last reno and LOVE it. I keep a small white silicone mat by the sink for draining those items I do not instantly dry. I keep a pop-up dishpan tucked under the sink for that rare occasion I might need to soak and drain at the same time. I have needed it twice in 2+ years. My only regret is I installed a 33” and didn’t need it. I could have gone with a 30” or prob even a 27” and saved precious cabinet space. The Kohler Whitehaven bowl is huge....See Morehousegal200
29 days agoKendrah
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29 days agoJennifer Hogan
29 days agoShadyWillowFarm
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29 days agolast modified: 29 days agoSarah Kern
29 days agoDebbie Downer
29 days agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
29 days agoRho Dodendron
29 days agoarcy_gw
28 days agoJennifer Hogan
28 days agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
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28 days agoizeve
28 days agoDebbie Downer
28 days agolast modified: 28 days agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
28 days agoShadyWillowFarm
28 days agoDebbie Klausing
28 days agoelcieg
28 days agolast modified: 28 days agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
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27 days agolast modified: 27 days agoJilly
27 days ago
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