Decorating Trends

[Boomer]

I have been sitting here in this Ohio kitchen for the last 10 minutes or so debating which forum to use to start this thread. It is about decorating trends. It really is. I have titled the thread exactly right. It's the forum that I had to figure out.

I considered the "General Villages Discussion" forum because that is where most are facing those decorating dilemmas as they move into their new homes in TV. But then there are those TOTVers who are still tied to home base, but who find themselves involved in sort of a long distance romance with the world of TV. But some of those TOTVers might like to read about decorating, too. (I know I do.)

My goodness this place is getting to be quite huge. (Not my kitchen. Not TV. This website.) So anyway, after all the angst, I finally decided on "Non-Villages Discussion" so here goes:

I have just returned from a quick turnaround trip to Michigan. The trip was so short that I did not even have time to stalk the blueberries which is what I always try to do in Michigan at a certain time of year. (I may have been a little late for that anyway. I digress.)

Well, while I was there I was reading "The Detroit News" one morning and I became quite taken with a little supplement called "Homestyle" that was included that day. I brought it back with me and I am sitting here clutching it. An actual piece of newsprint. It has been awhile.

The featured article is called "Awash in Color: Outlook for Home Interiors is Bright."

It seems like the trend is to use splashes of gorgeous color in decorating. Sometimes more than splashes.

I try to resist trends in decorating. I keep having flashbacks to all those hours I spent raking that avocado shag carpeting in my first home. Even in those days, I could not quite venture into the orange shag, but I did so love my avocado. Both it and I were pretty daggone groovy.

But I gotta tellya, these beautiful new color trends are talking to me. So much so, in fact, that I absconded with the supplement to bring it back home.

These colors are bright and pure. And happy stuff. It makes me think about that old thing about skirt length and its correlation to the economy. (Wow! That one is sure out the window now. The shorter the skirt, the better the economy? Well, I don't think so anymore. At least not where the Teen Queens are concerned. I digress, again. Hey, gimme a break. I have been gone for a few days.)

Pop psychology, be it skirt length or whatever, can be a lot of fun. And now it looks like decorators are trying to cheer us up about something. And that is just plain OK with me.

So anyway, back to the "Detroit News" stuff. I found a website listed there that I think some of you may really like. You may already know about it, but Boomer is a bumpkin and she is in Cincinnati where everything happens 15 or 20 years later, according to my man Mark Twain.

Now, while I am quite sure that Stickley this stuff ain't, who cares? It is a trend. Maybe a little splash? Maybe a little yellow wicker table? Get that whole Shabby Chic thing going on.

Anyway, here's the link and I hope it helps somebody out there in TOTVland to get their feng shuied.

http://www.mainecottage.com/

Boomer, Back in Town

[sschuler1]

I liked that website, they had some unique pieces. I love to use color on the walls in my decorating. My husband was a bit resistant at first, but now he is resigned to living in a colorful environment. I have a few pics here of our home in Plymouth...

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/sschuler1/familyroom2.jpg

This is our family room. There is a large purple wall behind the couch.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/sschuler1/office.jpg

This is my home office. You can see the yellow wall, and in the background is the large red wall that leads into my kitchen.

[graciegirl]

Schuler....I love it!!

Boomer I loooooooooooved the site. They have people names for their furniture like IKEA. Do you or anyone you know have Billy shelves in your home?

I liked Norma in this site. BUT I would NOT choose Norma for a name for a granddaughter, but maybe a kitten.

I love the colors. I would be wilder with more painted furniture if Sweetie would just loosen up a tiny bit.

[Boomer]

ss,

"I like it. I love it. I want some more of it."

Wow! Lookin' good.

And. . .

gg,

In my head there lives an entire thing I wrote titled "Boomer Does IKEA." That was quite a trip. I finally plopped my poor tired behind down at one of those desks and began to write down stuff in a notebook I had in my purse. -- about the whole IKEA experience. I kept writing and writing. (Whatinthehellisthematterwithme?!)

Anyway, guess who got to go home with Boomer. "Billy!" Yep. It was Billy.

Now, I have to get out of here to go have lunch with someone I can actually see.

But I am so glad this website connection hit home in TV and elsewhere. I really liked it, too.

Boomer

[travelstiles]

Thanks for starting this thread - it's so much fun to see and share ideas like this!
One of the reasons we fell in love with our home in TV (aside from the beautiful pond and golf view) was how the interior was painted. Believe it or not, the colors matched our furniture from home, so Mr. Travel was thrilled that he did not even have to paint one wall! I've attached some pictures below - I love that one wall in each room is painted a lively color and the other three are neutral. Just enough, and if you change your mind, you only need to paint one wall!

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/travelstiles/539962444605_0_ALB.jpg http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/travelstiles/360872444605_0_ALB.jpg http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/travelstiles/812672444605_0_ALB.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/travelstiles/160182444605_0_ALB-1.jpg http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/travelstiles/907482444605_0_ALB.jpg http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/travelstiles/631382444605_0_ALB.jpg

[graciegirl]

Travel! I love it. What a warm and welcoming home. The colors are so perfect for your furniture and................... I just ran my mouth in another thread that I didn't think I would like a resale because of someone else had painted and put their touch on it. This is certainly not the case with your lovely home Travel. It looks like this was your choice. I think one wall is a very good idea indeed.

[swrinfla]

travel:

While I decided to stay completely neutral (that is, off-white) in my new TV home, my old place up north was color everywhere. I am, after three-plus years here, thinking about some color now. Several neighbors and friends have adopted what appears to be The Latest Thing: each wall in a room is a slightly different shade of the same basic color. I like that concept!

BTW, I assume that Your Cat enjoys the color pallette, so long as he/she has space to bask in the sunlight!

SWR

[JohnN]

Although I leave the decorating to the Mrs, those are some very nice colors there!!!

[Cassie325]

I love these colors!!! Wouldn't they be perfect in one of the cottages at LSL???!!!

[Sidney Lanier]

sshuler1 and travel: Your use of colors is fabulous!!! (travel: We've actually seen yours and it looks better 'in person' than in the pics!)

When we first looked at what became our house in TV, my wife was very much put off by it (and she has a hard time visualizing): It had white ceiling, white walls, white carpeting, white kitchen cabinets, white countertop, and the sellers had virtually all white furniture! The living area of our NY home had been like that (not white furniture, though) until we lost the first floor in 'the flood of February 07,' when a heating pipe had frozen and burst in the kitchen and dumped thousands and thousands of gallons of water through the house while we were happily vacationing in Hawaii. (Picture the cartoon of opening the front door and having the water come pouring out with lots of items floating out with it....) After everything was rebuilt and we had to pick colors, I strongly urged historic colors, and since I do visualize well, my wife let me select with her agreement. It came out absolutely striking!

In TV we put our heads together and selected multiple colors in each room--three in the open room and two each in each of the three bedrooms (one of which is an office) and in each washroom, with the master bedroom coordinated with its washroom and the guest bath coordinated with the guest bedroom. We used one of the three colors from the open room in the hallway for contrast. We do all our own painting, and while it's not 'professional,' we are thrilled with the results. The change from all white is remarkable and we are both very pleased with it; now there is contrast not only with the white ceiling and carpeting, but the beautiful cabinetry with the cove moldings, the white vertical blinds on the lanai doors, and the white venetian blinds on the windows now stand out beautifully. Not exactly Florida colors, but we're really pleased with the result. If I had a clue how to upload pics into a posting, I'd put some up to share them and maybe offer others ideas (or the opportunity to cringe, whichever...)!

[travelstiles]

Sidney and HB -
Post some pics when you can!

[Hyacinth Bucket]

For 30 years I have opted out of the decision making process of what color to paint the walls. What I did do for all those years were fill up the walls with pictures. That way no one ever really saw the walls.

In our three bathrooms one is painted a color my husband chose to match the tile and shower curtain. Looks good, in that room, I covered the walls with antique plates that had painted scenes on them -another bathroom has wonderful pictures from the historic pictures plus nudes and pictures we like and have no other space for, like wise with the last bathroom.

Kitchen - hubby wall papered and I covered the walls with old Native American baskets, all shapes, sizes, and I think I had a basket for every use known to man and woman. If I did not have a basket, on that wall I hung ribbon pictures, the last wall I could clutter had a showcase on it where I put all small items - usually Native American items.

Living room - we had oils that were of the vintage from Hudson River school of painting, than there were the snow scenes with old houses and the list goes on.

I guess you get the idea - no wall in the house, hallways included, were picture less.

When we moved to TV I agreed I would not cover the walls with pictures, but paint the walls. Even if you choose not to paint your walls - you have to see the names they give the colors. No, I will not give you a clue. I am not to sure if I helped choose the colors by the colors themselves or the names they gave the colors.

So now my hands are tied - no more pictures, but we did decide that what we would put on the walls here are pictures from our travels, artifacts and what ever else.

My personal feeling is make your home feel warm and welcoming to you and your family. That is the most important thing -since I have never been a trendy person, I am not starting now.

I have been very lucky in my life, I have never visited a home I did not like. I usually love what they did and want to copy it.

Boomer I am rambling.

I still have my smurfs along with other wonderful treasures.

HB

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Boomer - while you are looking for ideas - think about neon signs.

I have a wonderful one over where the coffee maker is, it is a large cup of coffee with the aroma sign. We use it as a night light, it is my favorite thing in our home TV.

It is about 2 feet wide and l 1/2 feet high.

Back to work I go.

HB

[jojo]

Boomer,

I raked avocado shag too! What were we thinking?

[Hyacinth Bucket]

I had the orange shag in a bedroom and an avocado rug in the lr. Also had a blue one.

Forgot all about my raking days. ;D

HB

[travelstiles]

What about the hippie beads in the doorways...HB I have a feeling you had those, too!
I'm thinking of ordering the ones below with the Grateful Dead dancing bears to match the window sticker on my Mini Cooper!

http://www.aromasunlimited.com/images/beadcurtain/plastic/dancingbears.jpg

only kidding (don't want to be known as a Dead Head decorator in TV)

[Boomer]

Boomer,

I raked avocado shag too! What were we thinking?



I had the orange shag in a bedroom and an avocado rug in the lr. Also had a blue one.

Forgot all about my raking days. ;D

HB


But did you have a Peacock Chair? Remember the rattan with the big round back on it. I loved that chair. And guess what. In the Spring issue of Oprah's At Home magazine, on p. 22, there is a one-page article about the Peacock Chair in Pop Culture.

The article has little pictures of famous people in their Peacock Chairs. Fay Wray in 1930. Morticia of the Addams Family in 1964. Kennedy women pictured at the Cape Cod compound in 1979. (Rose is sitting in the chair.) Mr Roarke on Fantasy Island in the late 70's. (Tattoo is standing beside the chair.) It was Charlene's desk chair in Designing Women in the mid-80's.

And, it was indeed, Boomer's chair in the 70's.

Shag carpeting. Shag haircut (my favorite ever) and bell bottom hip-huggers to wear while raking that carpeting. Groovy Boomer. I can get that haircut again. And I can probably find a new Peacock Chair. But I am afraid those pants are history.

Do you realize how nutty it sounds to tell our grandchildren that we raked our carpeting.

Oh my gosh. Just tried to post. Red sign. Looked down. Travel has posted her hippie beads hanging in her doorway. You know, I have a dream of having "Ina-Gadda-Da-Vida" as my cell ring. No. Not the whole thing. Just "Bawmp-Bah-Bawmpa-Bah-Bawmp-Bah-Bawmp-Bah!" (How'd I do with that? Are you translating OK?) Try singing that one for the kid working at the Verizon store. I don't think he has ever quite been the same.

Boomer

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Boomer you brought back a flood of wonderful memories that I had forgotten. Thank you.

I no longer remember the name of the Hawiian restaurant in NYC that we took our parents to for their 25th wedding anniversary.

Each one sat in a chair just as you described. I don't recall them being called Peacock chairs though. They were a very popular item indeed.

Thanks for the memories.

HB

[travelstiles]

I loved those peacock chairs! And the wicker basket chairs that hung from a hook in the ceiling.
A funny side story - when I met Mr. Travel 10 years ago he had been a bachelor for about 25 years. I think his late wife had bought the curtains he had hanging in his living room - upside down, hung from the hem (but clean!)
He also had 'mylar' wallpaper in his bathroom, and 'guy paneling' (maintenance free, of course) in almost every other room, with his travel posters thumbtacked to the paneling
:o
However, he did vacuum and clean regularly, and even had the living room painted (Pepto Bismol pink) just before we met. How can you resist a guy with such decorating taste?

[chelsea24]

Travel, I've seen your home and it's beautiful. SS I love you pictures! Ours is lots of earth tones, but I did use Paprika (I think it's called???) As my bright color, and lots of copper around, including my kitchen set. Copper chairs with a glass table. I love bright colors. Yes, they send off a very positive energy. I'm so glad they are all back in fashion. Still plan to paint one or two accent walls.

Boomer: I sent for that catalogue. It looks great! Thanks for the post. :bigthumbsup:

[nONIE]

I guess Im really really old! When we bought in TV I furnished the only way I knew how. 1800's victorian country. I do love this style but do I need to get with the times and come up to date with say., tropical?? Suggestions?
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg287/Bugb8/P1010071.jpg
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg287/Bugb8/P1010074.jpg

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Nonie, I love Victorian. I love your home here.

HB

[nONIE]

Thanks HB, I just feel so OLD!

[barb1191]

I get a lot of ideas in decorating from the television HGTV; love that program.

Boomer, this program also seems to incorporate bold one-wall paint which results in some beautiful settings. I particularly love to see how they actually build so many unique furniture pieces, lamps, etc. and pick up bargains in used-furniture stores and makes magic out of it all to such beauty.

Great forum, gal; what a vivid and ubiquitous imagination you have!!

.....barb

[Boomer]

Nonie,

I think you would probably really like one of my favorite pieces of furniture. It is a knockdown wardrobe or armoire or whatever they are called. It's walnut. The doors are burl. I went to antique stores on a mission to find one of these. It is not quite 8 feet high. Mr. Boomer made shelves for the side that did not have them. I guess the Victorians must have hung up their clothes on that side. The best thing about this is the knockdown part. I think it is 5 pieces, might be 7, can't remember, maybe 3. Anyway, easy to carry into the house and set up. I guess the Victorians had to think about their stairs with all the turns.

Why did I search for it?

It is the very best piece of office furniture I have ever seen. It stands there, just looking all gorgeous. Whoever did the refinishing did a great job. So there it stands. Just minding its own business. Looking like it knows all kinds of stuff from more than a hundred years ago.

My antique knockdown wardrobe, armoire, whatever makes me look organized. No junk all over the desk. But then when I open those burl walnut double doors, there is all my stuff. Books. Papers. Files. Office supplies. Works in Progress. This thing can hide lots of secrets. Just like those Victorians did.

Boomer

[nONIE]

Boomer, It sounds beautiful as well as functional. Now why didnt I ever get one of those?

Would you consider using it in TV?

[KathieI]

Great thread!! Love to decorate.

Spent all night, last night until the wee hours, on Ebay. I love so many periods of furniture, mid-century retro, art deco, art noveau, early American antiques, Boomer's Maine Cottage, Shabby Chic, color, color and more color!! What am I to do with this new house in Hadley. Its gonna become a hodge-podge of everything and anything, all the stuff I love, not one theme, probably 50 themes, don't they call that eclectic ??

Glad I gave most of the furniture to hubs this way I can buy new... (or old as the case may be)

Love your homes, ss, trav, HB, Chels, barb and Nonie. Thanks for sharing. But they're all so neat and orderly. Hope I'll be better organized in this house. We'll see.

[Boomer]

Boomer, It sounds beautiful as well as functional. Now why didnt I ever get one of those?

Would you consider using it in TV?


Nonie,

Absolutely. If the room space will handle it. These things pick up so much storage, you can't believe it. The height of the walnut knockdown fits a standard 8-foot ceiling. Just barely, but it works. The width is 55 inches.

In my family room I stash stuff in a smaller wardrobe. It's oak. It's like those pressback oak chairs, maybe the 1920's, not sure. That one is not a knockdown, but it is not hard to handle. There is nothing imposing about it. It is 77 inches high and 44 inches wide. It has double doors, too, with one of those pressed oak designs on the doors. It is a lot more casual than my walnut baby. There is room on top of the oak one for the locomotive, the caboose, and 3 cars in-between of Mr. Boomer's childhood Lionel to have a place.

Those old wardrobes can do the trick for a place to hide stuff. I like the oak one. But the walnut one, the big one. That one is my favorite.

I learned a little about antiques at a fairly young age. I like to tuck them in, here and there. One time there was a silly lady who was visiting my house. She looked around, spotted the antiques, and said, "Why do you want that old furniture around? You don't know who it's belonged to or where it has been." That was one of those lines that my sister and I have repeated for years when we go antiquing. I guess you could say we make a little fun of that silly lady. But, oh well, she's probably out there somewhere making fun of me.

I have heard that the weird actor Billy Bob Thorton is afraid of antiques and has to move from any hotel room that has them. And I don't think I want Billy Bob Thorton to visit me. So it works out.

I think decorating really boils down to whatever fengs your shui.

Boomer

[Shirleevee]

OMG! Horror of horrors......................Shag rugs.
I raked a Spiegel Special............gold and orange. What were they (we) thinking? I see that they are making a comeback. Should we post the warnings?

Love this thread!

Shirleevee

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Nonie, you are a spring chicken in my eyes. Hubby took a language immersion course and I waited for him at the local college. I was more than three times the age of the kids going past me.

I just felt so old watching all of these "babies" go by.

I think one of the reasons I like the Victorian era - I am young on a comparison basis. I also like the workmanship like in BBB's furniture.

I like trying to figure out where all the secret compartments are.

HB

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Kathie what are you looking for on ebay?

I think you will create a wonderful home, looking forward to seeing it.

Have fun making is your home.

HB

[travelstiles]

HB ~ You and Sidney are so young in spirit I can never imagine you feeling old! Now stop that kind of thinking, or I'll give you a time out!

PS - that goes for you, too, Nonie

[graciegirl]

Travel. Lights are going off!! Do you have a Mini Cooper and cats and did you sit next to me at Whiskeys????

[travelstiles]

We have a red Mini Cooper, cats, Grateful Dead sticker on our car and I believe we did sit next to you at Whiskeys! Let's get together again, Gracie...but not at Dominics, please ::)

[sschuler1]

Boomer,

You forgot to mention the macrame plant hangers. I had one for years, and finally got rid of it about 10 years ago. Now I am starting to see patterns for them showing up in my crochet magazines. It has to do with all this retro decorating that is coming back in style. We decorate strickly for comfort. My husband is 6'4", which severely limits our choices in furnishings because he dwarfs most typical pieces. (or I'm afraid he will break them in less than 6 months) So I guess you could say that my home is furnished in eclectic giant. Nonie, your decorating style should be whatever makes your house feel like home to you. Your pictures look like your furnishings are very pretty, and it looks comfortable and homey. Don't change a thing if this makes you feel relaxed and recharged. I don't think we need to change our home decor every time we change our hairstyle. Let the length of our skirt hems be dictated by the changing wave of fashion, but leave me my comfort in my home.

[chelsea24]

OMG! Horror of horrors......................Shag rugs.
I raked a Spiegel Special............gold and orange. What were they (we) thinking? I see that they are making a comeback. Should we post the warnings?

Love this thread!

Shirleevee


Post a Warning! Post a Warning! Didn't we all rake a shag at one time or another! (Or is it shag a rake! :o) 1rnfl

[Boomer]

OK Girls,

I am trying to work in the yard and I just came back in and now I am all sidetracked by this thread again.

Chels, thank you so much for reminding me to order the catalog from the link in the first post. I got so carried away with all the flashbacks and the fenging and shuiing that I almost forgot to order it.

Macrame plant hangers!!! I had forgotten those. And did you ever have a print on the wall of those kids with those huge eyes? What were we thinking?! And wallpaper with prints so big, you could camouflage yourself in them. We once put some up upside down and could not even tell.

And who remembers that tacky :edit: Mediterranean :edit:? The plastic fake carvings on the doors. I left that stuff back a long time ago. The first husband got to keep it.

I just have to ask this and then I will go back outside before I really get embarrassed. But I just have to know. Did any of you ever entertain guests while wearing one of those hostess outfits? The flowing pants. The big sleeves to dip in all the food. Those enormous hoop earrings. In possession of the perfect frozen daiquiri recipe to serve with those cocktail weenies. (still love them, btw)

(IwillrunlikehellnowbecauseIknowIam probablytheonlyone!)

Boomer Stewart

[Shirleevee]

Boomer,

The prints of the girls with the hugh eyes were called Keane (sp)....I had two......OMG! wet-look wallpaper. Mine had yellow, orange and red poppies on a kitchen wall. After a month, I would get a headache looking at that wallpaper.

Shirleevee

[Hyacinth Bucket]

I am truly enjoying walking down memory lane with all of you. ;D ;D ;D :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

My hubby macramed plant hangers for me, one even had a socket in it - so that I could light up my favorite plant, he also did an owl.

I still have some of the pieces he made. He also made me beautiful jewelry which I still wear.

S-in-law had wall paper hung upside down and I do not remember when finally someone realized it.

The wonderful painting with the children with big eyes - never thought they would go out of style. I liked them.

And Boomer I just took it for granted that this is the way you work in your garden and that is why the hibiscus is thriving -"I just have to ask this and then I will go back outside before I really get embarrassed. But I just have to know. Did any of you ever entertain guests while wearing one of those hostess outfits? The flowing pants. The big sleeves to dip in all the food. Those enormous hoop earrings. In possession of the perfect frozen daiquiri recipe to serve with those cocktail weenies. (still love them, btw)"

Isn't this why you bought the Victorian Armoire to put this outfit in. ;)

HB

[Boomer]

I have got to stop looking at this thread every time I come back in the house. But it is too much fun. And I can see those 70's homes of ours just like it was yesterday.



Boomer,

The prints of the girls with the hugh eyes were called Keane (sp)....I had two......OMG! wet-look wallpaper. Mine had yellow, orange and red poppies on a kitchen wall. After a month, I would get a headache looking at that wallpaper.

Shirleevee


Shirleevee,

You and I shared the same ever so exquisite taste in wallpaper. I have a picture of my daughter sitting at the kitchen table in front of said wallpaper and truly, at first glance, you really don't see her immediately.


I am truly enjoying walking down memory lane with all of you. ;D ;D ;D :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

My hubby macramed plant hangers for me, one even had a socket in it - so that I could light up my favorite plant, he also did an owl.

I still have some of the pieces he made. He also made me beautiful jewelry which I still wear.

S-in-law had wall paper hung upside down and I do not remember when finally someone realized it.
HB



HB,

Those owls! I had forgotten all about those owls! And HB, a socket so you could light your favorite plant! I think you just may be winning the groovy award for this entire thread.

And thank you HB for letting me know that there were others out there in the 70's hanging that hideous wallpaper upside down and not knowing the difference.

And thank you also for reminding me about my hibiscus. You know, maybe that whole hostess ensemble, or whatever that thing was, might just do the trick. I am trying to remember what kind of shoes I wore with it though. For some reason I am thinking? --none. I don't know why.

Aw, c'mon. Surely I was not the only one wearing one of those getups when I had very special company back in the 70's. Not every time. But sometimes.

Sometimes I was more hip and served Sangria and beer, instead of those frozen daiqueris, and that Lipton Dried Onion Soup in sour cream chip dip and chips on my very special chip and dip plate.

A Sangria story:

A few weeks ago, I had a little get-together. (No, I did not wear the lovely hostess ensemb.) Anyway, one of our longtime, good friends said to me, "Hey, Boomer, ya know ya been servin' us Sangria since the 70's."

"And how's that been workin' for ya, Bobbo?" I said.

"Good, Boomer, good."

Well, I think I am hijacking again and I really must move forward with my life. For a little while anyway. Maybe next time I come back in here, I will actually talk about decorating trends and stop reliving my hostess outfit. I would not bet the farm though. ;)

Boomer Stewart

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Boomer I forgot about all of those casseroles and the cookbooks written about making delicious meals using Campbell's soup.

Lipton onion soup - I think every recipe called for that.

I still like Sangria and make it - hubby bought me a beautiful, yes Victorian, ladle to serve the Sangria.

I still have a chip and dip set that dates back to 1962 - yikes - I am dating myself.

Remembering colors what about the refrigerators, avocado, almond and ? can not recall the other color. As for decorating colors, until about 10 years ago, we had a freezer that was pink on the inside.

And then in came Correlle - I am still using the original Correlle set of dishes bought, once again in 1962. Now have the original pattern in blue also but gave away the avocado set. I am so tired of using that set. I keep them because I have a hard time breaking them.

I just realized I know why the economy is doing so bad - I have stuff that I bought new and it is older than my kids.

HB

[Sidney Lanier]

HB thought she felt old as she waited for me in the parking lot at the college where I took my Spanish immersion course this past weekend. I was by far the oldest person in the class; the other students thought I was nuts when I explained that I have memories of La Segunda Guerra Mundial (WWII) that came up in context. The youngest student was less than one-fourth my age.... (Sorry, Topicop!)

I'm seeing if I can post pics of our house in TV and the colors we used there. So far I managed to get them onto PhotoBucket; I'll now try the next step.... Let me just mention that I took these in the last hour before we left to come back to NY and things are a little messy. And we've only just starting hanging travel mementos on the walls. What fun we had furnishing from the clearance center, craigslist, and yard sales! Here goes:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/sdavison78/LivRm1.jpg
These two walls are the same color (the medium shade), whereas the wall 'around the corner,' that you see just a little bit of on the right, is the lightest color. We use a lot of area rugs on top of the white carpeting to tie areas together.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/sdavison78/LivRm2.jpg
This shows better the two shades of butterscotch (yes, the names of the colors are hilarious, something out of Madison Avenue, we think...).We did the hallway in the same color as the wall around the entry door and windows for a little contrast; there is so much light coming in the solar tube in the guest bath (that you can see a sliver of in the pic) that the hallway is not too dark.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/sdavison78/DinRm1.jpg
Here you can see two shades; the longest wall is the lightest color for reflectivity purposes, while the medium shade is on the end walls around the lanai doors in the back and the living room windows and entry door on the front wall.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/sdavison78/Kit1.jpg
The entire 'big room' area is done in three shades of something like a butterscotch, and in the kitchen is the darkest shade. Can you imagine how lost these beautiful cabinets were when the walls above and below them were white? The neon coffee cup is HB's favorite piece in the house....

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/sdavison78/MasterBR1.jpg
You can't see much of the lighter blue, just the small strip on the right side of the pic; that lighter color is the same on three walls of the bedroom, and the two different blues follow through into the master bath, with the darker blue on the three ends walls (in the walk-in shower, above the vanity, and behind the toilet in its own little room) and the lighter blue on all the other walls.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/sdavison78/GuestBR1.jpg
We used these same two greens in the guest bath to tie the two rooms together. We even painted the hokey glass-top end tables the lighter green. (Anything look familiar, samhass?)

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/sdavison78/Office1.jpg
HB says we need sunglasses for this room. Both walls are the same color; the other two walls (not in the pic) are a more pale yellow. The pic on the right above the sofa is not blank; it's just the way the daylight hit it.

[sschuler1]

Sidney,

I love it!! So bright and cheerful. You are definitely not afraid to use color! And I agree with HB, the neon cup is terrific!

[uujudy]

Remembering colors what about the refrigerators, avocado, almond and ? can not recall the other color.

Harvest Gold. I had the harvest gold fridge, stove, AND washer & dryer! It seemed so lovely at the time. LOL

[swrinfla]

Boomer's wardrobe sounds just like the one that lived in an apartment I had at college something like 50 years ago. It wasn't in the slightest way portable, and my rommate and I decided that it must have been built in place! A wonderful storage device, however.

I still have and use large (3- and 5-quart) avocado pots that I bought in the mid-60s. Got rid of my coppertone fridge more than fifteen years ago, but the washer and dryer I left when I moved to TV were Harvest Gold!

Seems like white and stainless are all the rage, these days!

SWR

[Hyacinth Bucket]

swr here in TV you can grow your own avocado tree in your large avocado
planter. ;)

HB

[Boomer]

Boomer's wardrobe sounds just like the one that lived in an apartment I had at college something like 50 years ago. It wasn't in the slightest way portable, and my rommate and I decided that it must have been built in place! A wonderful storage device, however.
SWR


SWR,

Wait! Wait!

Are you sure that wardrobe was not a knockdown? You cannot tell at all when it is all together. Mr. Boomer is on a little junket and he has the camera with him. When he returns, I might just take a picture of my knockdown, antique wardrobe so you can have a close look and see if maybe that one from your college days might have had you fooled. But I have a feeling, SWR, that you are not easy to fool. So you were probably right. :)

Boomer

[chelsea24]

Oh, I just love your bright colors HB. It reflects your and Sidney's sunny wonderful personalities! :-* :bigthumbsup:

[nONIE]

Wow! What beautifully colored walls HB. All this great color is making me envious. And I thought the only way to go colorful was Wallpaper!

Same ol same ol mindset as the old victorian country. This is a really great learning experience for me. I think Im ready ro brighten my world!

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Nonie, you brighten the world.

For me, I like your Victorian look. Here in NY I still have a lot of Victorian items including tables.

HB

[nONIE]

Awwww HB, your making me blush, Im getting a little too colorful. Love you my sweet friend!

[graciegirl]

And did your childrens nursery sport those adorable prints of babies from Northern tissue? Yes, my dear buddy Boomer I wore hostess skirts, pants dresses and Sweetie wore a suit when we had dinner parties, TRY THAT NOW. lol. Also I wore my hair up and teased and had it done once a week. OMIGOSH. I did. I had a fall and white vinyl go go boots and I went went in them.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Do you remember the Bee Hive hair do. I had my hair done in that style when I got married.

When I went to comb my hair it was more like a rats nest. I think it took two days and many washings to get my hair untangled.

I had linoleum on our bedroom floor as a child that had all sorts of games on it; hop scotch, checkers, and I do not recall what else.

HB

[nONIE]

Gracie,

Wouldnt it be fun to dig up one of these entertaining old pictures of us and print them in a forum called lost in the 60's! Oh how I love looking at old pictures ;D

[Boomer]

And did your childrens nursery sport those adorable prints of babies from Northern tissue? Yes, my dear buddy Boomer I wore hostess skirts, pants dresses and Sweetie wore a suit when we had dinner parties, TRY THAT NOW. lol. Also I wore my hair up and teased and had it done once a week. OMIGOSH. I did. I had a fall and white vinyl go go boots and I went went in them.


GG,

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??

Think, Graciegirl, think. "NORTHERN TISSUE!" Aaaaaaugh!!!!!

OH HORROR OF HORRORS!!!

Oh GG, I am afraid that I must, in polite Cincinnati style, tell you that your mouth must be washed out with soap. And that soap, my dear Cincinnati buddy, must certainly be Hellooooo -- IVORY!

And that tissue, depending on which end needs it, must certainly be PUFFS or CHARMIN!!

Oh, GG. Oh, GG. Whatareyathinkin????

(But I will forgive you because you confessed to wearing one of those awful hostess getups.)

Boomer

[nONIE]

Boomer, Your post lost me, whats wrong with Northern tissue???

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Boomer, yes please explain

HB

[Boomer]

Boomer, Your post lost me, whats wrong with Northern tissue???


Apologies Nonie and HB,

I know Northern is fine. I was just playing Cincinnati with GG. I should not hijack threads to do things like that. That's not very Cincinnati polite of me. Anyway, Cincinnati is the headquarters of Procter and Gamble which makes Charmin, a competitor of Northern. In Cincinnati, a lot of people are employed by P&G and are loyal to their products. It's just a Cincinnati thing. The next thing you know I will start trying to talk about Skyline Chili and the Reds. I'll behave. For now. (I guess that did look a little weird to anybody not from Cincinnati. But I was just kidding around with a fellow Cincinnatian.)

. . .

Back to decorating:

I just found the link to the Detroit News article I used to start this thread. It's a little different than the actual newspaper copy that I still have here beside my keyboard. The one I can hold in my hand has more pictures.

And speaking of pictures. Wow! Those of you TOTVers who have shared your beautiful, colorful decorating pictures here, could have written this article it sure looks like to me.

Here's the link to "Awash in Color" from last weekend's Detroit News.

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/LIFESTYLE01/807260403/-1/ARCHIVE

Boomer

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Whenever I go into a store like Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Bloomingdales etc, all I want to do is throw out so many things in the kitchen and start all over again.

Boomer, thanks for info on Northern.

One good thing about living where we live in NY, these stores are ot close to us.

HB

[nONIE]

Boomer, 1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl

I really thought you were going to say its too rough! and, I was going to sheepishly admit that we still use Scott even tho it feels like sandpaper because there is 1,000 sheets per roll. Do I sound like I am a little on the thrify side? LOL

[redwitch]

Sigh, you guys make me feel downright guilty. I hate decorating. It's like, um, work. My walls have always been a simple offwhite. I break down and paint them only when I have to. Heck, once I actually sold my house and moved rather than paint it -- too much like work. I do love art and have some special pieces from an artist named Lu Hong from the Hunan School. They were great in California -- I get some odd looks here .... they're nudes done in a contemporary/Asian mode. My taste in furniture is contemporary and Asian.

Nonie, at least your furniture has some style and fits TV. And HB, I loved your house the first time I saw it. It so suits you and Sidney. Even DickY's house has more flair than mine does (or would if I had decorated it). lol (Actually, DickY's house is quite nice and suits him to a T.) I know SamHass doesn't believe me, but her home so reminds me of Northern California. The furnishings would fit perfectly around the Carmel Highlands or Berkeley/Oakland Hills or Marin County.

So, when I finally get my own place, I'm just gonna let you guys come over and decorate to your heart's content. The only thing I'll ask is please no antiques -- they're just not my style.

[graciegirl]

Boomer Sharon Nancy Sandra Linda BeBack. (I am guessing your real name!) You did not offend me, nor could you ever. It was alright that I used the Northern tissue baby prints in my widdle princess's nursery because I lived in COLUMBUS at the time and the Proctor and Gamble people didn't get wind of it. Anyway P & G didn't offer sweet little pictures to frame at that time.

You are the greatest, dear Boom, if only I knew who you are.

Your devoted fan,

GracieGirl

[kyblue]

I absolutely love the Cincy thread in todays reading. I work at P&G and found this so cool - sometimes I slip and say "Colgate Smile" and am quickly told "Crest".

You mentions Skyline - but I think Graeters is getting a bunch of attention now. Oprah has it delivered and I hear others do to.

I know this was not a Cincy thread - just wanted to connect with other Cincy people.

Even tho I bleed Kentucky Wildcat Blue!!!!

[Boomer]

GG & KYblue,

Now watch ol' Boomer do her thing here while she weaves the Cincinnati stuff into the decorating theme.

Go Boomer. . .

Well, I just want you to know that my Cincinnati laundry room has a little print hanging on the wall. The picture is of two children. The sweet little girl is carefully building a house out of bars of Ivory soap. She is completely immersed in her architectural endeavor. She knows that it is looking good.

But standing beside her, arms crossed behind his back, is her slightly older brother. Just waiting. The little girl is not quite finished with her perfectly constructed little Ivory soap building.

I was doing a little art apprec. or whatever one day when my grandson, who was maybe not quite 5 at the time, a little older than his sister, my favorite granddaughter, was visiting.

"Tell your favorite grandmother, my favorite grandson, tell me true," I said. "What do you think that big brother in the picture is going to do next?"

"Kick it over," he answered, without hesitation.

So there you go. You can combine P&G and decorating. And even a little art appreesh on the side.

Yes! Boomer is redeemed!

High Five, Boomer!

NowIgottagetoutahereandnotlookbackuntillatermuchla ter.

Seeya.

Boomer

[kit9240]

Boomer - thank you for the link to "Maine Cottage" - I have ordered the catalog! I think this is the way I will decorate my home when I get to TV (1 yr). I decided I would leave everything behind and start over with a new theme. Besides, my daughter told me my floral couches are "old lady" looking! I want my home in TV to be colorful, comfortable and friendly! I'll be buying a Patio Villa and I frequently go on Villages4Rent just to see how they are decorated. New homes are like a blank canvas, very neutral. It's interesting to see how creative people can be and how they can transform a bland space into something inviting and interesting. Travel: I love the colors in your home. Painting one wall a vibrant color and the rest neutral adds interest. Your furniture is perfect!

Thank you all for sharing pics of your homes! I love to see how other people decorate their homes!

[swrinfla]

Having already confessed to having avocado pots and, until recently, Harvest Gold washer and dryer, I suppose I should also tell you that a lot of my walls "up north" were papered! Not only did it seem to be The Thing to do, we learned early on that the paper helped keep our ancient plaster (the house was just over 100 years old when I sold it) up and on the walls!

:joke:

SWR

[Boomer]

Well, maybe I should pay attention to a decorating tip that says, "Do not ever put a computer in your kitchen. The kitchen is where the coffee is. Where lunch is. Where you have to stir the chili for supper sometimes. Too close to the laundry room. Where you have to go in and out and in and out. It is not a good decorating scheme to put your computer in the kitchen."

But I do not pay attention. And here I am. Back in the kitchen. And I just had to look at TOTV and at this thread. And I was not going to do that until tonight.

I will try to not talk so much about Cincinnati. Not even about how to decorate Cincinnati style. I will try to remember that Cincinnati is not the center of the universe. Well, maybe my little universe. But I will try to behave.

And besides, what started all this was my little trip last weekend up I-75 where that little decorating supplement to the Detroit News made me a whole new woman. Here I am back in Cincinnati ready to "color my world."

Now, I have to show you what I have been doing since that Maine Cottage site came into my life. I have found the most wonderful sofa. (My people call it a couch, but OK, I can say sofa.)

I saw this one in the newspaper article. It is called "Venus." It is a little channel back honey. But it costs a blue fortune. I think so anyway, especially to put in a sunroom/snowroom/whatever. But this little sofa-couch-davenport is calling to me. I have been going into the site and changing the colors of that upholstery since I got back in town. I am not even sure that we are permitted to have such wild looking pieces of furniture in Cincinnati.

So here's "Venus." (Whoops! I checked the link and see that it shows up without the fabric I keep putting on it. It has some dull, bland color on it in the picture. It must think it has to be more subtle to live in Cincinnati. I keep playing around with the blues. If you want to have a shot at it, you can upholster away, too. All those colors are right there.)

http://www.mainecottage.com/ProductBrowseCustomize.aspx?prodType=1&cat=1&prod=42&step=PRODUCT_BROWSE

Boomer, A New Woman After Traveling Abroad to Michigan

[Peggy D]

Love this thread. The pictures are stunning. I am not brave enough to paint in bright colors, but after seeing what everyone has done, I'm searching for paint and a brush.
Thanks Boomer for starting it.

HB
LOVE the coffee sign. That is just my style.

[graciegirl]

Well, maybe I should pay attention to a decorating tip that says, "Do not ever put a computer in your kitchen. The kitchen is where the coffee is. Where lunch is. Where you have to stir the chili for supper sometimes. Too close to the laundry room. Where you have to go in and out and in and out. It is not a good decorating scheme to put your computer in the kitchen."

But I do not pay attention. And here I am. Back in the kitchen. And I just had to look at TOTV and at this thread. And I was not going to do that until tonight.

I will try to not talk so much about Cincinnati. Not even about how to decorate Cincinnati style. I will try to remember that Cincinnati is not the center of the universe. Well, maybe my little universe. But I will try to behave.

And besides, what started all this was my little trip last weekend up I-75 where that little decorating supplement to the Detroit News made me a whole new woman. Here I am back in Cincinnati ready to "color my world."

Now, I have to show you what I have been doing since that Maine Cottage site came into my life. I have found the most wonderful sofa. (My people call it a couch, but OK, I can say sofa.)

I saw this one in the newspaper article. It is called "Venus." It is a little channel back honey. But it costs a blue fortune. I think so anyway, especially to put in a sunroom/snowroom/whatever. But this little sofa-couch-davenport is calling to me. I have been going into the site and changing the colors of that upholstery since I got back in town. I am not even sure that we are permitted to have such wild looking pieces of furniture in Cincinnati.

So here's "Venus." (Whoops! I checked the link and see that it shows up without the fabric I keep putting on it. It has some dull, bland color on it in the picture. It must think it has to be more subtle to live in Cincinnati. I keep playing around with the blues. If you want to have a shot at it, you can upholster away, too. All those colors are right there.)

http://www.mainecottage.com/ProductBrowseCustomize.aspx?prodType=1&cat=1&prod=42&step=PRODUCT_BROWSE

Boomer, A New Woman After Traveling Abroad to Michigan



Boom.

It looks like it is from the 40's era, when our moms were gorgeous. But she says, But it looks like a two but sofa not a three but couch. And it looks beautiful but not comfortable.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Peggy - I could not resist it. The moment I saw it and heard about it I knew I had to have it. The owner was absolutely wonderful. He held the sign for us for two weeks, did not want any money to hold it - he trusted us. I was impressed.

Boomer - I love Venus - fortunately they have a color that would go in each room of our home in TV. Only two things stopping me from buying three of them 1. Hubby and 2. cost.
Other than those minor details I would order it.

The only thing I did wonder about is - how comfortable is it to sit in. I was thinking specifically of the back of the chair.

swr - I know what you mean about plastered walls. Our son has a hand painted oil of sunflowers that was done by a noted artist. I wish there was a way I could take it off the wall and bring it to TV.

kit9240 - I did the same thing. I also went to The Villages resale homes. I looked at every one of them. If any of them had done something I liked I wrote down the vls number for future reference.

I love this thread. Now I want to go out and buy another home just to decorate it. It was so much fun doing this home.

HB

[Boomer]

Boom.

It looks like it is from the 40's era, when our moms were gorgeous. But she says, But it looks like a two but sofa not a three but couch. And it looks beautiful but not comfortable.


Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!!! Thank you, GG. You just saved me about 3 grand! That thing is too much money anyway.

And it does look pretty uncomfortable. Who says the internet is not a wonderful thing! I love the advice. I would not have put it out there if I did not want to know.

I am sitting here laughing out loud. Truly. You must be a hoot and a half at an art museum.

Now, I will resist talking about my new objet d'art, my Graeter's clock. (Cincinnati again.) I am going to hang it above the bulletin board in my office. It has an ice cream cone in place of each number. Twelve flavors in all. The best ones that we all know and love. It is the most exquisitely tacky thing you have ever seen in your life.

I guess I had better go back to Maine Cottage now and start all over looking for the perfect couch/sofa/davenport.

Whoops! Just tried to post. Red sign. Looked down. HB is here. Hi HB. Yeah, I know. Venus does look pretty uncomfortable. I guess they were going for the look of "Venus on the Half Shell" or whatever the name of that famous painting is. (GG will know. She knows stuff like that.) I am pretty much over Venus now.

Boomer

[Sidney Lanier]

I really enjoyed wallpapering for many years and frankly did it fairly well (mostly...). Nowadays I prefer the paint colors that we selected not only at our home in TV but also the historic colors we recently redid our Hudson Valley home after the flood took out our whole first floor. My funniest wallpaper story was being asked to do the kitchen in my brother's and sister-in-law's house. My brother could do--and did--absolutely everything (an engineering type) in their house--even built their first color TV and gave circuitry improvements to the company that had manufactured the kit!--but he couldn't do wallpapering. They had a floral pattern above the chair rail and a geometric pattern below the rail and on the soffits. The paper was up for some 15 years until she decided to replace it (my brother had died...), and it wasn't until that point that we realized that one of the geometric sections was upside down in relation to the other. Imagine, 15 years! She hired someone to do it that time, my having given up that particular joy....

[graciegirl]

I am in our Hadley house and I have just used three rolls of blue masking tape to tape the baseboard and ceiling and other nooks and crannys. I have "cut in" I guess they call it , when you paint around the edges with a brush and then use a roller. As you can tell, bargain breath here did not give a thousand dollars to a decent painter, she is gonna do it herself. Sweetie's last day of a contract ends tomorrow, so he has been hunched over the computer and although it isn't quite the end of his career it is close. It must be a mixed blessing, having worked for the same huge company for 47 years. I digress.

Tomorrow I will roll on this shade of Ralph Lauren's shoreline blue in the kitchen and hall, leaving some walls white. Then in November, I will put the lighter shade on walls in the great room. We will see if when it is done it spells MOTHER.

I love this whole experience of making this house home, and I am so enjoying this thread.

[Sidney Lanier]

Though HB and I collaborated on selecting colors (in some cases based on their marvelous Madison Avenue names...), I did all our own painting which, though not 'professional,' I really enjoyed--and we now enjoy the satisfaction of knowing we're decorating our home by ourselves--and having fun doing it together! As I mentioned earlier, our resale was all white--a fresh and clean slate, so to speak--so it was a ball! I should add, however, that when I finished the last room, I wrapped up the paint tray and roller in plastic and put them out with the trash....

[Boomer]

I am in our Hadley house and I have just used three rolls of blue masking tape to tape the baseboard and ceiling and other nooks and crannys. I have "cut in" I guess they call it , when you paint around the edges with a brush and then use a roller. As you can tell, bargain breath here did not give a thousand dollars to a decent painter, she is gonna do it herself.


Dear GG,

Here is my favorite DIY painting tip:

Step 1 Ask husband to help.
Step 2 Proceed with painting for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3 Drip a little paint here and there.
Step 4 Maybe blob just a small amount of paint on a window.
Step 5 Get fired by husband who finishes job perfectly all by himself.

Princess Boomer

[barb1191]

Dear GG,

Here is my favorite DIY painting tip:

Step 1 Ask husband to help.
Step 2 Proceed with painting for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3 Drip a little paint here and there.
Step 4 Maybe blob just a small amount of paint on a window.
Step 5 Get fired by husband who finishes job perfectly all by himself.

Princess Boomer


Ooooooh you sly one, BBB; does hubs read these threads? If so, you had better find another strategy, yes? 040 1rnfl

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Dear Princess Boomer - :bow: :bow: :bow: very impressive.

HB

[Boomer]

Good Morning,

This thread waned about a month or so ago, but it sure was fun while it lasted.

I am bumping it this morning because I have some additional info.

I talked to the company "Maine Cottage" the other day. One of the questions I asked was where the furniture is made. I was happy to learn that it is right here in the USA. The wood is done in Maine and the upholstery in North Carolina.

The last time I bought any furniture was 5 years ago and at the time, I was concerned about the amount of work that had been shipped out. Or is it shipped in, I guess. Buying American made is important to me. And it sure is hard to do. Furniture seems to be one of the last places to be able to buy American. But that has been getting more difficult by the minute, too, it seems.

I got a small catalog from Maine Cottage and then I got the bigger one. It sure is purdy! I love catalogs. And I want to hold them in my hands like in the old days. I am such a relic it seems.

Maine Cottage has a store in Yarmouth, ME, and also one in Charleston, SC, and there is supposed to be a new store in Florida somewhere.

Like I said back in the beginning of this thread, I read about this company in the Detroit paper when I was there visiting. The article was about use of color.

I had never heard of Maine Cottage. I guess they advertise in magazines like "Coastal Living" or something and the Ohio River coast just doesn't get it.

Anyway, just wanted to update those of you who like to look at decorating stuff and let you know the great news about where this stuff is made and also tell you that this catalog sure is purdy. Kind of pricey but oh so purdy.

Oh, and here's the link again.

http://www.mainecottage.com/

Boomer

[graciegirl]

I have been buying past copies of Cottage Living and Coastal living on ebay. I have been putting together a beachy type of decor. I have liked it until today when I decided I should NOT have put the faux fireplace in.

I am having major second thoughts about my decorating scheme for our place on Havana Trail. I hate when that happens. I want to be there so I can haul the fireplace out to the garage and see Sweeties "Are you crazy" look.

And then haul it back in.

[Boomer]

Oh graciegirl,

I love decorating magazines and have a plastic bin of them on a shelf. Cottage Living is one of my favorites, too.

Oh about that Made in the USA stuff I talked about above. I forgot to say that the woman I talked to said that the only thing they can't do here is the rattan. That makes sense, of course.

And gg, the style you are using can't go wrong. It will be lovely. And please do not get Sweetie hurt hauling that fireplace in and out and maybe even up and down I-75.

Boomer

[Cassie325]

thank you for the link!! I love looking at catalogs for ideas!!!

[sschuler1]

GG,

What decor doesn't need a fireplace? You just need to decorate the fireplace to fit the new decor. If not, master bedrooms are ooooh so romantic with the addition of a fireplace. Don't relegate it to the garage!!

[graciegirl]

I love to talk about decorating and I thought I would start this one up again.

We are leaving for TV on Friday and pulling a trailer, again, and this time we have two artificial trees to bring. (I couldn't find what I wanted (cheap and gorgeous) in the short time we were there last time, and what I did find that I wanted, (?) was way too expensive.) YOU know how tight I am. Since then I have watched HGTV's 25 worst decorating mistakes and artificial flowers arrangements were on it. I do think that the house needs a little greenery in Florida and you just can't go north and leave real ones to die....or can you?

Mostly I was just hoping someone would show house pictures. I love house pictures.

[sschuler1]

I think artificial greenery is fine when used tastefully.
Don't let a tv show inhibit your creativity. Go for it!

We are getting ready to upgrade our kitchen countertop to granite. I was out yesterday looking at tile for the backsplash. We are having the granite installed in a few weeks, and then we are going to do the backsplash ourselves. We are also going to remodel both bathrooms in the next few months. We are hoping this will help sell the house next spring when we put it back on the market. I can post before and after pictures as we do the projects.

Boomer - where are your after pictures of your new room? Can't wait to see what you did!

[graciegirl]

I have a remodeled bathroom picture, but last time Peachie thought it was R Rated. We enlarged our shower and found a tile mural of a turn of the century woman entering her bath, she is thinly veiled.

[PGB]

I love decorating! :a040: If I were better at it would help. :cus: Most times it takes several times to get what I want. Would love to do it right the first time!:laugh: I get magizenes all the time. Cut out what you think you will like and collect each room and color. I changed styles 3 times before I finally decided that I really tend to go "Tuscany". My villa is 3 styles. Livingroom/dining(really media area) and kitchen is in the Tuscany colors.
Bedroom, Zen or Asian, bath to match color wise. Guestroom, totally different. Lime green walls, black and white Troille, not sure spelled right, with white wicker furniture and black and white accessaries. Love it. Lime can always be changed with just a coat of paint.
I would love to start some kind of decor group for comparing styles and colors. Have decorators come in and give seminar's and just beef up our interest.:coolsmiley:
I have enjoyed reading all the messages and hope we can develope something!
PGB

[graciegirl]

I love decorating! :a040: If I were better at it would help. :cus: Most times it takes several times to get what I want. Would love to do it right the first time!:laugh: I get magizenes all the time. Cut out what you think you will like and collect each room and color. I changed styles 3 times before I finally decided that I really tend to go "Tuscany". My villa is 3 styles. Livingroom/dining(really media area) and kitchen is in the Tuscany colors.
Bedroom, Zen or Asian, bath to match color wise. Guestroom, totally different. Lime green walls, black and white Troille, not sure spelled right, with white wicker furniture and black and white accessaries. Love it. Lime can always be changed with just a coat of paint.
I would love to start some kind of decor group for comparing styles and colors. Have decorators come in and give seminar's and just beef up our interest.:coolsmiley:
I have enjoyed reading all the messages and hope we can develope something!
PGB

That sounds like fun to me!

[nONIE]

Question! I am looking for the fringed or beaded type of lampshade. Basically victorian.

Has anyone in their shopping travels come across this type of shade or know of someone who makes them? Thankyou in advance.

[sschuler1]

Nonie,

That is such an easy do-it-yourself project. I have confidence that you can do that yourself!!! Many of the craft or fabric stores have beading already on a strip of fabric that you would then just glue to the bottom of your lampshade. I even saw some at Walmart recently. JoAnn fabrics has some in their trim area. Search around until you find one you like. Then get out your scissors and glue and have some fun!!!!

[samhass]

My decorating style is eclectic. I like dramatic earth tones and have a rich chocolate on some walls and another brown on contrasting walls. It's not dark at all.

[tony]

Really, now?

Who can tell the difference in browns?

I swear you women invent colors and the words for them. I think my wife invented ecru.

[Boomer]

My decorating style is eclectic. I like dramatic earth tones and have a rich chocolate on some walls and another brown on contrasting walls. It's not dark at all.

Sam,

I do not know how to put two quotes in here so I did not grab Tony's which is immediately after yours. I had just logged on, read your post, and thought to myself, "Yes! Sam knows all about how wonderful browns can be." Anyway, I was just getting ready to respond when Tony showed up here and said that brown is brown. HAH! Tony does not know what he is talking about.

I, at this very moment, have in my possession 40+ different shades of brown on those little paint sample squares. I look at them next to the fabric samples and floor tile that have already been chosen. I pile them all on top of that 18x18 piece of porcelain tile and I carry them in and out of my house, at different times of day, trying to catch different types of light, natural light and electric light, and combinations thereof. I want the brown that best brings out the warmth in the tile color.

And Mr. Boomer does not understand what I am talking about.

I ask Mr. Boomer what he thinks about the various color families and tones of the browns and which one best picks up just the right amount of warmth in that heavy tile I'm always carrying around, in and out. Sometimes I drive the tile around in my car and take it places to look at things like shades. The shades must also bring out the warmth in the tile. The shades I think might need to be ecru.

I continue to try to get Mr. Boomer's opinion on those little samples of paint.

But Mr. Boomer just stares at me blankly and says, "They're all brown."

(Sigh)

Boomer

[graciegirl]

OH Brown is not just BROWN.

Carefully chosen and used with other browns, taupe, golden brown, creamy brown, (cafe au lait) and pale beige, it is lovely.

Sam Hass' house is a wonderful example of browns used beautifully. It is majestic, warm, dramatic, comfortable, arresting and so very welcoming.

I think I had the worst case of house envy in my life when I went into Sam's house. The view is beautiful and it is guarded by a huge and beautiful oak.

Sam could be a brat but she isn't.

[renielarson]

I decorate with brown tones also. My walls throughout my home are light beige. I did that so I could add color with my furniture and accents. I add deeper browns with wood shades and stained oak flooring. I add more vibrant accent colors such as greens and different shades of reds including mauve as candles, pictures, pillows, table accents, and area rugs.

[graciegirl]

OH Bright and all. I wish you would post pictures.

I am in the midst of painting the bathroom here Ralph Laurens Sea...something. Same color as the kitchen and accent wall. Then applying 30 6"X6" mirrors in carefully measured intervals onto the ten foot wall that you can see from our bed, it is down an 18' (?) hall. The mirrors will reflect the chandelier that Sweetie took down from the dining area and used to replace the rather flat ceiling light in the bathroom hall. We replaced dining room fixture which was brushed nickel with one in off cream with wicker (baskety) shades, more...cottagy, beachy, tropical.

(I am going to have to lose a lot of weight! Crawling under the knee area in the cabinetry to paint ain't what it used to be.)

[Barefoot]

GG, I must have missed the invitation to your home tour. When is it scheduled?

[samhass]

Gracie's home is lovely as well. Where I used a rich tapestry of browns, Gracie has opted for the light, open, airy colors of a seascape. She painted many of the pictures that grace her walls and her talent is impressive. Her colors are soft and welcoming...much like GG herself. We both opted for a look that offers comfort. We "live" in our houses.

[Boomer]

This is a pretty specific question, but I thought I would ask it anyway, on the chance that someone out there might have a suggestion.

I really like nesting tables. They work especially well in a room where you don't want to have a coffee table taking up space. Some sets of nesting tables have the top table big enough to use as a lamp table. But other sets are fairly small and just sit politely in the room, looking pretty, and waiting to be called into service when your guests need a place to put whatever you might be serving to them.

Anyway, I need some nesting tables. And I was wondering if anyone out there can suggest a company that makes these.

So far, here are the ones I have found:

I kind of like this set. It's a little different and has some attitude. But it's a little more contemporary than my usual:

http://www.crlaine.com/ViewDetail.asp?Style=033083133131135210063053&Category=217034096018132076101150182059&Collection=217034096018132076101150182059&id=107036082098&IsPrimary=1

Now, this one is not a set of nesting tables, but I ran across it while I was searching and you just have to love this little thing, and its name, too:

http://www.fairfieldchair.com/show_product.php?Image=8130-88.jpg

I thought about these little guys, but they look like they might be plotting to trip me:

http://www.fairfieldchair.com/show_product.php?Image=8120-12.jpg

And this company has three sets that I found, but something tells me that these may cost a blue fortune:

(The following link will not cooperate and will only go the main page of the company. If you want to find the tables, go to the upper right part of the page and find "search for furniture" and type in "nesting tables" and it will take you to their 3 sets.)

http://www.hookerfurniture.com/index.cfm/go/search.show_results

So anyway, so far, that's all I can find. So if you know of any other companies to suggest, I would really like to know about them.

Mr. Boomer thinks some old t.v. trays from Goodwill would serve the same purpose. But I know you all will understand.

Thanks.

Boomer

[graciegirl]

Have you looked at Bombay? I hear they are going out of business.

[samhass]

Boomer, I know a wonderful custom furniture/cabinet maker that makes some incredible pieces. They will design for you or build to your design.
They are located in Spinnerstown, Pa. The shop is called simply "Waters..pretty good cabinet makers" . I have some of their small tables. They also did a sofa table for us and the finish is amazing.
They copied a 60 thousand dollar bed for a client and did it for 21K. They could make nesting tables in the most amazing woods and finishes. If you are interested, their number is 215-536-9058.

[Shirleevee]

http://www.furniturelandsouth.com/search_pages/accent_furniture.shtml

Have fun. Sorry I couldn't narrow it down for you.

[Boomer]

http://www.furniturelandsouth.com/search_pages/accent_furniture.shtml

Have fun. Sorry I couldn't narrow it down for you.

Gracie and Sam and Shirleevee,

Thank you. I knew that nobody here would try to make me go get some old t.v. trays to do the job. (And, Sam, custom furniture is truly art. Beautiful stuff.)

Shirleevee,

That site you linked is really something! I found the nesting tables. Wow! I must shut this computer down in a hurry or I will get nothing done. I'm afraid that I could point and click the day away on there. (I will be back to it later though.)

Boomer

[Boomer]

Shirleevee,

Well, I said I would be back to look more closely at this site later. Here I am. I have been sitting here pointing and clicking around for awhile. I am supposed to be doing something else. This is amazing. BUT I CANNOT STOP!!!!

I think I will email the link to my sister. Or maybe not. We might miss Thanksgiving Dinner completely.

Boomer

[Shirleevee]

Boomer,

So glad you are enjoying the site.............

[graciegirl]

Shirleevee, I found just the console table I had been looking for. HOWEVER, I can't afford it. It is better to know what you want and can't afford than to wander aimlessly around furniture stores.:shrug:;);)

[Boomer]

:cus::cus::cus:

This is the third time I have tried to write this :cus: post.

I had been up since 5:30, reading and drinking coffee, when I decided to log on here and ask a question about antiquing kits.

Well, you know I can never just ask a simple question. I had told all of you why I wanted to know. I had talked about my loyalty to US-made furniture. I had shamelessly confessed about the wood chairs I just bought that were from nowhere near the US. I had linked you to a picture of them. I had explained that "Antique White" must have lost something in the translation because these chairs have arrived and they are beige or yellow or something like that. Therefore, I am thinking maybe they can be saved by an antiquing kit. But do such things still exist?

Then I told you about all the stuff I used an antiquing kit on in my first apartment -- long ago.

Then I waxed philosophic about the American-made Nichols and Stone kitchen chairs that I bought 5 years ago and how I love them so.

On and on I was going.

But, alas, it is big, ugly, wonderful, fluffy robe season here in Cincinnati. And the big, ugly, wonderful, fluffy sleeve of my robe caught something on the keyboard and wiped out my whole post.

So I regrouped and started over. And then the power did one of those flash on and off things. I lost it all again.

Is the universe trying to tell me something????

So anyway, does anybody know if there is still such a thing as an antiquing kit?

Boomer

[graciegirl]

Boom.

I haven't seen one lately, but one can get the same results by painting a base coat, in your case white and then painting a glaze and wiping it off.

Boomer, I also thought of you as we went to the Frontgate outlet in West Chester. Today and yesterday was 40% off EVERYTHING. We bought a secretary in cherry and a demilune table in antique white. Wonderful price.

[Shirleevee]

Boomer,

Try EBAY.........or www.howstuffworks.com

I have a Nichols & Stone (who are closing up shop), trestle table, six chairs and a bench at home in NY.......it is over 30 years old and still looks like new. About 15 years ago, I had it re-done from very dark wood to its natural oak finish.

[Boomer]

Boomer,

Try EBAY.........or www.howstuffworks.com

I have a Nichols & Stone (who are closing up shop), trestle table, six chairs and a bench at home in NY.......it is over 30 years old and still looks like new. About 15 years ago, I had it re-done from very dark wood to its natural oak finish.


Shirleevee, I think Stickley has acquired Nichols and Stone. The chairs, which I bought on sale 5 years ago, are wonderfully comfortable. The advertising at the time, I think said something to the effect of "so comfortable that your dinner guests will not want to get up from the table." They are big, sturdy ladderbacks. (the chairs not the guests)

I hope Stickley lets Nichols and Stone continues its tradition. It is getting more and more difficult to find American-made furniture.

GG, thank you for the information. I would never take a paint brush to the good stuff, but I am ready to give these other ones I was talking about a try. I will probably make a mess though, like I usually do when attempting a project like that. And I will no doubt find that I would have been better off just going to that sale.

Boomer

[Boomer]

This is a good thread to dig up for decorating questions. We have talked about all kinds of decorating things in this thread. It has been helpful, and fun, too. I find myself coming back to it from time to time.

So here's my question. It's not the most general of questions. That's for sure. But what the heck, I'll ask anyway.

Does anybody know a good source for decorative floor register covers?

I have been searching on line for the past hour and have found what I am looking for, sort of, but not really. Anyway, I thought maybe somebody out there in TOTVland might know.

These things are to go over the openings for the registers in a tile floor. Several years ago, I bought some of these for openings in hardwood floors. I liked the ones I bought then. They had a little weight to them, a little substance, yet they did not cost a blue fortune. They were not custom made, but they were really nice -- and reasonably priced.

So far, I have looked at Restoration Hardware's site. They have a few but don't have the size I need for the room next to the room with the tile floor. That room just got a new register, too.

At Home Depot I saw some, but they did not look right. They were flimsy.

Has anyone among you bought any of these things lately, and if so, where? And do you like them?

Thanks.

Boomer

[Shirleevee]

http://www.floorregisterresources.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4x12-Wicker-Floor-Registers-SN

You can try a search for Signature Hardware. I bought some things from them a while ago.

Good Luck

[sschuler1]

There is a chain of stores called "The Tile Shop" that I have spent some time in lately. If they have a store in your area, you might want to check there. It seems to me I remember seeing some register covers there that were appropriate for tile flooring.

[uujudy]

:cus::cus::cus:
. . . the power did one of those flash on and off things. I lost it all again.

Is the universe trying to tell me something????

So anyway, does anybody know if there is still such a thing as an antiquing kit?

Boomer

Boomer, YES! :a20: That's the Universe talking to you.
I think the new glazes are today's answer to yesterday's antiquing kits. You paint your chairs whatever base color you want (no more avocado or federal blue kits) and then "glaze" the furniture. At least this is what the woman at Lowe's told me, and she was old enough to know what an antiquing kit was. They have a gazillion colors of glazes.

[Boomer]

Shirleevee and SS and UU,

Thank you.

SS, tiling, too, huh? I have the skinniest grout lines possible in this floor. I live and learn.

UU, WHAT!!!!! NO AVOCADO!!!!!

And Shirlee, has anyone ever told you that you are a genius? You always know about the best sites.

btw, I have been spending the day cleaning out drawers and files. It's a New Year, right? I am sure I will get over this cleaning frenzy soon.

But I gotta tellya. Today, I found an old notebook where I kept track of the stuff we did to our house when we bought it. And there, in that notebook, I found the LIGHTING FORMULAS! Yep. I did.

Now, you may be thinking, "WTH is Boomer talking about?"

Well, a long time ago, in this very thread, I asked about lighting formulas. I knew I used to know what I was talking about, but I could not remember those formulas.

Here is what my notebook said...

Size of a chandelier: 1/2 the width of the table and hang it 30 inches up from the table top.

Room Wattage: To have enough lighting in a room, do the old A=LW thing and then multiply the square footage by 1.5.

Well, here I am, just being the queen of information tonight. But you know what I really think? The chandelier? That's a start, but other stuff can work, too.

And about that wattage for enough light in a room. It depends on what you want to do in that room I think. I have sconces and I will have lamps and the ceiling fan has a light and then there are some more lights.

I am always trying to light up my life I guess.

For this project, I have enough light available to be able to perform an emergency appendectomy on a dinner guest if need be. (only thing is -- I am not a doctor.)

That's the way I like it. But I also make sure there is a dimmer switch or two.

Thanks, again. And I think I have found the register covers of my dreams on that site, Shirlee. And they do not cost a blue fortune. (I must confess. I have no idea what a blue fortune is. Why is the fortune blue? I do not even know why I say that. Or where I got the expression. Oh well.)

Boomer

[sschuler1]

Boomer- I posted pictures of the tiling that my hubby and I are doing in our house. It is listed in the Feminine Forum under "Remodel Report". I promised that I would post pics to let you see how we are progressing. You need to post pics of your new room that you put in too. Let us see the before and after! Can't wait to see what you have been up to!!!

[Boomer]

,,,,,,,,,You can try a search for Signature Hardware. I bought some things from them a while ago.

Good Luck

Shirleevee,

I just placed an order with Signature Hardware. Their selection of register covers is impressive. I have never seen so many choices of styles and finishes.

Throughout this thread, you have consistently come up with places that I have never heard of. You sure make wonderful connections. And I just want to say thank you.

And something else -- As it turns out Signature Hardware is located in Erlanger, Kentucky, right across the river from Cincinnati where I live. They even have a showroom there. And also, their prices are not ridiculous.

Again, thank you.

Boomer

[chelsea24]

SS, you inspired me! We ordered our tile today. Glass. Here's a close-up picture of it. We have mostly earth tones in our home and many copper, other metal and stone accents. I'll post another picture when it's finished. You can't really tell from the picture, but the copper is very bright, sage green, black, tan, ivory. I love it! Thanks for the inspiration! ;)

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm63/chelsea24_photos/IMG_0125.jpg

[Shirleevee]

Boomer,

So glad you found something useful. My dil was looking to replace registers and I found this place for her. They were very happy.


Chelsea,

ILove your colors. I have this palette in our NY home and hopefully one day here. Beautiful!

[sschuler1]

Chels,

I love your tile! Glass tile is soooo beautiful. Please let us see the pics when you are done!