True Home Confession: Hodgepodge Stair Landing
We all have our problem spots around the home. This one is a disorganized mishmash with an ironic twist
Becky Harris
April 23, 2012
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Here at Houzz, you usually see only beautifully designed spaces and gorgeous photography. While these provide all the inspiration anyone could ever need, sometimes it makes me feel dreadfully inadequate, especially when I pull myself out of denial and look at my problem areas. As a desperate measure, I'm sharing one of my biggest problem areas with you in the hope that you can lend me some Houzz community pep.
When I say problem areas, most of you know what I'm talking about; it's that unsightly area in your home that you cope with by not even noticing it anymore. It's where stuff collects; it's where you dented the wall with the sofa while vacuuming; it's where you need to get the carpet cleaned but you never do; it's that piece of furniture that is desperately in need of a new coat of paint.
I'm going to share with you an area of my home that needs a makeover from top to bottom and ask for a kick in the rump to get it together. I hope you'll share yours in return and this post can become the nudge some of us need to get out that can of paint, call the carpet cleaners, order that wallpaper and find a place for the clutter or simply get rid of it.
When I say problem areas, most of you know what I'm talking about; it's that unsightly area in your home that you cope with by not even noticing it anymore. It's where stuff collects; it's where you dented the wall with the sofa while vacuuming; it's where you need to get the carpet cleaned but you never do; it's that piece of furniture that is desperately in need of a new coat of paint.
I'm going to share with you an area of my home that needs a makeover from top to bottom and ask for a kick in the rump to get it together. I hope you'll share yours in return and this post can become the nudge some of us need to get out that can of paint, call the carpet cleaners, order that wallpaper and find a place for the clutter or simply get rid of it.
It's at the top of my stairs. This is where stuff that needs to go either downstairs or up to the attic collects. Here's the inventory:
Bench that needs painting that I use to display framed photographs that I don't have the wall space for.
Federal-style mirror I swiped from my parents after seeing one painted black in a magazine years ago. After sending it to me, my mom described how much she loves the antique gold paint, and I decided covering it in black spray paint was not in the cards.
A smushable container that should be in my closet; when something doesn't fit or I don't like it, I toss it in there, then take it to Goodwill when it's full (this is a great tip closet designer Lisa Adams told me). After the last Goodwill trip, it made it up the stairs but hasn't gone that extra 10 feet into the closet, and it's had about two months to do so.
Bench that needs painting that I use to display framed photographs that I don't have the wall space for.
Federal-style mirror I swiped from my parents after seeing one painted black in a magazine years ago. After sending it to me, my mom described how much she loves the antique gold paint, and I decided covering it in black spray paint was not in the cards.
A smushable container that should be in my closet; when something doesn't fit or I don't like it, I toss it in there, then take it to Goodwill when it's full (this is a great tip closet designer Lisa Adams told me). After the last Goodwill trip, it made it up the stairs but hasn't gone that extra 10 feet into the closet, and it's had about two months to do so.
I've been dying to wallpaper this wall for months. Well, clearly, "dying to" is an exaggeration, as these samples of Tapestry by Cavern Home have been taped to the wall for at least six months now.
It also has an unsightly thermostat that I wish was in my bedroom, tucked in a spot that doesn't ruin the look of an wall.
Another confession: In an effort to be greener, I replaced my old thermostat downstairs (also in an awful spot) with a programmable one (that instruction manual was swallowed into another hodge-podge black hole long ago), and I hate it. Seeing as I'd need a degree from M.I.T. to actually program the thing, all I do is press the temperature I want and press "Hold." I've asked techie friends to figure it out when they've been over and they can't either.
It also has an unsightly thermostat that I wish was in my bedroom, tucked in a spot that doesn't ruin the look of an wall.
Another confession: In an effort to be greener, I replaced my old thermostat downstairs (also in an awful spot) with a programmable one (that instruction manual was swallowed into another hodge-podge black hole long ago), and I hate it. Seeing as I'd need a degree from M.I.T. to actually program the thing, all I do is press the temperature I want and press "Hold." I've asked techie friends to figure it out when they've been over and they can't either.
Finally, the ironic icing on the cake: Martha Stewart's organizing issue, which I want to reread and save. But in my own lack of organization, I have neither reread nor found a place for Martha. Along with my dreams of an organized home, a chicly wallpapered upstairs hall with an updated federalist mirror and a bunch of beautiful photographs of my favorite places, the magazine sits in limbo waiting for me.
So, who's going to give me a big nudge about what to do with this area? Any opinions on the black and off-white wallpaper versus the creamy tan and off-white one? Is it worth the cost to have the thermostat moved? What color should I paint my bench? Or will 86-ing the bench help me stop letting things collect in this spot? I'd love to be able to show this off as a decor success "after" photo someday soon, but I need your help!
Want to make a problem area true confession? Let it out below.
More: Clutter Clearing 101
So, who's going to give me a big nudge about what to do with this area? Any opinions on the black and off-white wallpaper versus the creamy tan and off-white one? Is it worth the cost to have the thermostat moved? What color should I paint my bench? Or will 86-ing the bench help me stop letting things collect in this spot? I'd love to be able to show this off as a decor success "after" photo someday soon, but I need your help!
Want to make a problem area true confession? Let it out below.
More: Clutter Clearing 101
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I don't care for the wallpaper with the other elements. I love the framed pictures and I love the mirror, but not on the same wall. To keep it easy, I'd paint the wall the same gray as the mats. Then hang the framed pix. Leave the bench as is. Add baskets under the bench to hide things that collect, and hang a couple of shallow baskets either side of the pix so that one cleverly covers the thermostat. Add a cushion to the bench in a print/color that continues the rustic-meets-modern theme of the bench and barn pix.
Pour wine and enjoy. :-)