posted on January 12, 2001 09:09:49 PM new
G'night Kel. One more thought. If they're saying that you have to stick to one color to save $$ then they're only worried about having left over scraps. Depending on the sizes of your rooms you could work a way around that. I'd push them to remeasure based on what You really want - then go from there. They may end up finding that the cost would be the same. A lot of times they just don't want to bother with going through the trouble. But, you're the one that's paying for it so I'd have them at least give an estimate.
We were comparing the price of pergo to linoleum a while back and they were about the same price. But, it's been a long while since I've looked at the price of carpeting.
When you peek back in tomorrow, tell me if you like Victorian Country. I've stolen a fabulous bathroom idea from a friend of mine that I'll fill you in on if you like that look... not expensive at all but looks so fabulous!
posted on January 12, 2001 09:38:03 PM newkitsch1: Good news!! Berber carpeting comes in a variety of colors, not just beige. "Berber" is a weave type, not a color. I recarpeted last spring (left that yucky beige behind ), and I went looking for Berber as the most practical--I really like the short looped fibers for low-care.
I ended up getting a "mixed Berber"--a pattern is formed by cutting some of the loops very short & leaving others intact. I got an interesting color called "Currency" Hard to describe, a mix of blue, pale green, gray & misc. flecks--sometimes it seems blue, sometimes green, depending on the lighting.
The batteries are low on my Mavica, but here is a quick photo taken in bad lighting just to give you an idea:
Edited to say: it looks a bit darker in this picture than it really is.
[ edited by bunnicula on Jan 12, 2001 09:39 PM ]
posted on January 12, 2001 09:52:13 PM new
Hi Kel! I'm very excited for you...getting the new place fixed up, and making it uniquely YOUR home! And that is the point, hey?
I'd have to agree that if the existing floors beneath the current carpet are good hardwood (oak, maple, heartpine)...refinish them. Any woman who can build a straight and solid wall can handle one of those floor sanding machines, and that's the fact. But if the floors aren't great...carpet is actually your best choice, from the standpoint of insulation, ease of care, and comfort, as well as individual expression.
You know, there really is no problem with the plum carpet and the red couch...you tie it all together with your throw pillows on the couch, and your other accessories...some variety of prints and patterns that combine the plum and red, plus some of the 'transition' shades between the two. And by "accessories", I mean to include some of the smaller furniture pieces in the room. For example, you can pick up a good old steamer trunk (flat top, wood slats) at a 2nd hand store...okay...you strip the wood slats, and stain and finish them. There will be metal hinges and accents...paint them in a lighter shade of the plum, just headed toward the red. And the trunk will have some large areas that are neither metal nor wood...paint them in a darker shade of the red, just headed toward the plum. The trunk you want is flat, because it just became your combo end table/storage unit next to your red couch...top it with a fuscia lamp, with a dime store shade, which you have 'spatter painted' with four colors...the plum, the red, and the two colors in your trunk. Find an interesting table at the 2nd hand store, or a yard sale--with a flat, more 'squarish' top. The lines are critical, the quality is not, because you're gonna paint it...the 'plummy' color in your new trunk, and then, you're gonna pick out the accents in the lines of that table with the 'reddish' color in your new trunk...and did I mention...you should saw off the legs (evenly of course). Voila! Coffee table. Your walls...neutral, but a light sunset pinkish/purple. Perfect backdrop for your art. Toss a bit of orange/yellow on a deep purple background into one of your throw pillows...a colorful throw across the back of a side chair. More funky lamps. If you pick up your plum carpet color (or some saturation of it) in a lot of your accessories, it all comes together.
But your carpet is the canvas on which your paint. And you ought to love it.
By the way...I think the plum carpet is great! And by the way, I absolutely agree that your house comes together with a 'tied in' color scheme from room to room. But it doesn't have to be the same (exactly) throughout...just tied together with the same carpet and maybe wall color. One room could be mostly plum and red, another plum and yellow, another plum and turquoise, etc. Make your transition areas (like your bedroom hall) a combination of 'where you're going' and 'where you've been'. Make the kids rooms what they want them to be, and close the doors if you're trying to show it all off.
You know, this all sounds very avant garde to me...and quite nice!!!
posted on January 13, 2001 05:28:38 AM new
I find the idea of resorting to neutral carpet not only depressing, but a huge waste of money. $15-50/yard for something that will just recede into the background? I don't think so.
Go with the plum. You love it, and the likelihood of your completely redoing your taste (let alone your color scheme) before the carpet itself wears out is pretty slim. If you like plum, you probably always will. It's a good base color and works with not only reds and golds, but blues and greens of every hue, so assuming you DO want a complete change at some point, you can go from "warm" to "cool" colors with this carpet.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:16:45 AM new
Sure, and you can force the kids to drink plum colored everything so spills won't be so bad, but beige is the color of cat puke and hair balls, so if you have those creepy lurking barfing animals the stains will blend more easily.
However, for cat puke, a contrasting color might make spotting their so cleverly placed landmines easier in the morning when you're on the way to the bathroom too groggy to see well.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:43:46 AM new
Go for the color you like. Just as hellcat said - you can make subtle transitions between colors.
My concern would be with the light level in the room. Would it bother you if the room darkened substantially? When I moved into my house, I painted the orangish wood panelling in my dining room bright white. The room was so bright that it became my favorite place to sit and read. But after a few years I decided that it was too boring and painted the wood walls a deep saturated blue with an aqua ceiling and white trim around the windows. I used yellow and aqua and white accessories. But that room is so dark now that I find I don't spend any time there anymore. My friends love it but they don't have to live with it. So make sure that the room will still be light enough for you if that matters.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:50:20 AM newBob, you're not at all off track here...it really depends on what lifts the individual spirits and calms the individual soul...different for everyone. Personally, I'm a hardwood floor kinda gal, and that's what I have through my house (except for three rooms where I have put the Pergo-type laminates over old hardwood which wasn't going to refinish decently). And I use larger 'oriental' style rugs, but sparingly. So, your 'style' and my 'style' are pretty close, I think. But maybe not Kelly's?
Ken, you may have really hit on the key to all decorating decisions...should we choose a flooring which will highlight (or blend with) the cat yack? So simple, so practical.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:54:35 AM new
Anyone with preschool aged girl children should never consider hardwood floors for so long as they continue to manufacture those infernal flourescent LOUD plastic shoes for kids.
posted on January 13, 2001 06:55:20 AM new
My opinion is heavily imbued with my Libran sensitivites (just ask Very Modern) bt here goes:
Buy ONLY what you LOVE. Surround yourself with things and colors that you love. It will all work together and will be a pure reflecion of your personality. However, if you live with someone or are married you may have to temper or compromise your needs. Go for items and colors that *speak* to you.In the long run you will be happiest.
I love the plum but as others have mentioned the natural light level in your home will determine how it looks.
PS~ My above theory also goes for clothes....If you deep down don't love it, why wear it?
I wasn't being facetious, I do think your ideas are better. My suggestions reflected a personal aesthetic. Yours, OTOH, displayed an understanding of Kelly's. It hit me like a sack of doorknobs as soon as I read your post.
Glad we're in accord on the wood floor thing though. If there's some nice heartpine under those old carpets it would be like buried treasure to me.
Kelly,
There's certainly no shortage of inexpensive, quality light fixtures and lamps available on eBay. It's one of the few remaining areas where there are many hidden gems. I seem to recall that you found a really great one not too long ago. Any darkness issues can be overcome with the right lighting. I'll add my voice to those that advise trusting your instincts.
posted on January 13, 2001 11:53:49 AM newKelly, what ever happened to that totally great, retro (50s, I think) orange glass hanging lamp that you found, probably about a year ago? Do you still have that beauty, or did you sell it?
The carpet against the couch didn't hurt my eyes, kiddo...actually a pretty easy tie-together, I think. And I love the texture on the couch! It's too bad about Ken, though...I mean, he had such nice, solid ideas about decorating, and gave us the "hairball theory" along with the "loud plastic shoes rule of thumb".
posted on January 13, 2001 12:07:40 PM newKel
I love your wild plum and if that is the color that grabbed you then you will be happy with it.
Now, I would probably chose a forest green color for the whole house - and that goes great with wild plum
When we vacation in NH I get a real kick out of the state police cars - they are forest green and a mauve-y color.
How about something in mauve ... it is a sunset color that is a little more neutral than wild plum and a little lighter ... goes well with your favorite colors and will still be in the same spectrum of what reached right out to you.
posted on January 13, 2001 12:08:00 PM new
Hi Kel, I couldn't tell enough from the pic - great couch though! Another idea. If you get the wild plum and then decide that the color of the couch fights it then you can always find a nice throw or decorative pillows to help balance it out and bring the colors together.
Whatever you do - have fun! It'll be interesting to learn what's under that carpeting.
posted on January 13, 2001 12:16:49 PM new
I think you could really make the couch and other accessories work with the Wild Plum. After all, you're not going for classic or Martha Stewart, you're going for bold.
What could be bolder than that fabulous couch on top of plum carpeting? Almost all other colors -- greens, blues, yellows, pretty much anything except orange -- can work with the plum, too.
I think dark carpeting is a good choice. Back in my art and interior design classes I learned about how color schemes could mimic natural patterns, with the darkest colors at the bottom (earth/floor), medium tones in the middle (growing things/walls), and the lightest at the top (sky/ceiling).
posted on January 13, 2001 12:55:57 PM new
Ha! My Mom totally shocked me. She likes the plum and thinks I should go with it.
She knows I'm no beige.
I hope the floors are pine! If they are I'll have heck trying to find throw rugs~!
uh-oh
I'm going to take a nap. Was supposed to take kids to skating rink but we went to the park instead. So cold! How can kids stay out and play all day in this???
[ edited by kitsch1 on Jan 13, 2001 12:59 PM ]
posted on January 13, 2001 01:09:59 PM new
I have some opinions. In fact, those that know me would agree that I'm very opinionated. LOL
First of all, I don't think there is ANY one colour of carpeting that won't show any of the dirt. (Except maybe a multi-coloured one, and those often aren't so attractive, although they have their places.) My mother has tried to find one.
Second, as others have pointed out, if the room is small or not very well lit, lighter colours will help to make the room larger and brighter. And personally, I think I prefer to use lighter or softer shades for flooring and wall colours, and save the bright bold colours for accent pieces or trim. The other risk with a bold coloured couch AND a bold coloured carpet is that they may compete for attention. (Carpet should be seen and not heard? ) I don't think lamps will completely combat the problem if it is a dark room, although they will help. And they would have to be on during the day if it's not getting enough sunlight through the windows.
Another consideration if there is a possibility that the house may be sold before the carpet is worn out, is how easy it will be for the future occupants to integrate your choices to other decor styles. This is another good reason to keep the bright bold colours on the portable furnishings so that you can take them with you, and leave the less vibrant folks with their "safe" colour schemes. Unless you plan to retire there, resale values can be an issue. Although my choices probably wouldn't be the same as your choices, I know that you DO have good taste and an eye for colours.
Next, the thought of red and plum together makes me cringe, but it is possible that you could find shades that would work well together. (If anybody can, I'm sure you can.) It's difficult for me to tell without seeing them. (And the colours aren't showing very well on my monitor, so I still can't really tell.) The couch seems to be more like a burgundy than true red from here. Maybe a carpet in the burgundy range would be better with it, such as the top one next to the plum. I went and had a look at those throw pillows you mentioned. If you are going to use them with your couch, a good carpet choice might be one of the other colours in the pillows. That way, the couch and flooring will be tied in together, and if you ever change your couch (but keep the pillows) they will still be tied together.
Now, as for other possible choices, there are quite a few options. In spite of your promise to your daughter about green carpeting, there are many shades of green, or variations on the theme, that you may be able to find something you like that she would "let" you have. There is emerald, turquoise, aqua, jade, grass, apple, mint, teal, sea, azure (OK, that's more into the blues, but some of them might work too), forest, and on and on. I expect you would like something in the turquoise/aqua blue>green range. I know your tastes usually tend to the warm tones. Then there are the beige to brown shades. I know you don't want boring beige, but there are colours that would be similar that would be nice. Perhaps a spice brown, or a copper shade. Or how about gold? Gold would be quite light so as to not darken the room, but is a bright enough colour that it hopefully wouldn't look boring. It could be a bright gold, or a darker antique gold to bronze shade. And gold goes well with most reds, as well as many other colours. Then if you really have to get the same colour for most of the rooms (I also think they are trying to pressure you without a really good reason), you could have gold and red in the living room, gold and green/turquoise somewhere, gold and blue, gold and brown or orange/yellow, even gold and black.
Yeah, I know, more things to consider and confuse you. Sorry. Ultimately it's your choice, and you have to live with it. So think about all these things, then throw it all out the window, and go with your gut. LOL I know you'll do a good job.
posted on January 13, 2001 07:03:42 PM new
I think that you should use the plum color
that you like so much and if necessary
replace or recover the sofa .
posted on January 13, 2001 07:50:51 PM newSnarky raises some good points--some of which I completely agree with, and some not. (Hi Snarky! Darn nice to see you, kiddo!). First of all, I strongly urge you to stick with one color of carpet throughout the carpet areas of your home (I understand the exceptions made for the kids' rooms, I have one of those independently-minded kids myself, who did not feel that forest green and pink was the proper expression of his taste, so "his room" and "his bathroom" have always been built on shades of blue and beige...and while it's perfectly nice, I keep the doors closed). The reason for "one" carpet throughout a home is not just economic (although it is a more economical decision). Particularly in a smaller home, but even in a large home, one color scheme (or one basic carpet throughout), ties a home decor together. It helps the rooms and 'areas' flow, makes the home appear to be larger and more unified, and is less jarring to the senses. Take a day sometime to visit "open houses" (of homes for sale) in your town. The homes which have a separate color and decor in each room appear to be 'chopped up'. It has nothing to do with how 'nice' each room is, as a separate entity...it just gives you a headache to look at it all (ever been to Graceland?)...there is no continuity, and there is no 'peace'. Contrast that with the feeling you get in a home with that continuity of decor throughout...each room has a character of its own, but the house is 'one', and when you leave it, and have seen other homes, you will remember, not each room, but rather, the fact that the home was 'unified', 'peaceful', 'tasteful'. But in the multi-colored/decorated home, you will remember "the red room," "the blue room," "the orange room," etc.
Okay...let's talk about light. Very important (at least to me) is light, and others have expressed it well here. Homes may be lighted two ways--naturally and artificially. For many people, including me, "natural" light is a matter of well-being. This is why I use surfaces (like polished hardwood floors, glass, high gloss paint and wood finishes, and white/light colors) in my home. My floors, glass, light walls--capture light, even low light, as the sun rises and sets. Certainly, many things are important to the psyche, and for me, it is light. The only windows that are curtained (with more than superficial lace) in my home are in my bedroom, where the lace is decorative, and the miniblinds are the privacy filter. If I did not live in a 'close' neighborhood, there would be no blinds. But although the natural light is something I need...the fact is, in no geographic location save those far closer to the poles than are most of us, will night fail to fall, earlier or later, but inevitably...and artificial light becomes the only light available. And within artificial light can be much decorative power...merely the choice of incandescent vs. fluorescent vs. halogen vs. firelight--it makes a difference. All have their place, each to its task, each to its mood, each to its use...and where natural light is not present or inadequatae (either due to a darkness of decor, or the darkness of night), marvels may be brought by the creative use of the artificial.
A darker decor may not make the best use of natural light, even during the day; however, a darker decor may seem warmer simply because the natural light is not so stark within it. With the enhancement of artful artificial light, 'warmer' becomes 'cozy'--"house" becomes "home".
Determine the appropriateness of the dark carpet within the context of your home's own bounty of natural light, and your own need for that (as opposed to artificial). Unless you plan to also paint your walls and woodwork in a dark tone, and drape your windows in heavy cloth, the natural light will shine through. It's all paint, smoke, and mirrors anyhow.
Kelly, I am absolutely thrilled for you, as I think we all are, on the purchase of your first home! Make it your own, and let it shine (or shadow) as a reflection of your own personality. It is really no different than your children's wish to express themselves in the decor of their own rooms...but yours is not a "room"...yours is the home!
I will, however, impose in my post, but one preference and plea...if the old carpeting hides restorable wood floors...for God's sake, restore them and then scatter your rugs where you may.
Beyond that...make your home your jewel! Your pride! Your refuge!
I am somewhat balmy on the value and absolutes of individual expression, as opposed to the value and absolutes of 'resale value'. Don't we all expect to redecorate the homes we buy? Should we live with beige for 10 years because the eventual, potential buyer of the home is more likely to like (or not be affected by) beige? Bah!
I say, dance a wild plum dance! You, Kelly, more than anyone I know, deserves the dance, and can pull it off!
posted on January 13, 2001 08:15:48 PM new
Thank you so much Beth. I can't describe how this feels. Ive bought a home before when I was married but this is so different. My Mother inlaw is in the home I worked so hard on because we all bought it together. I ripped out cabinets and refinished them and tore out paneling and sheet rocked texured and changed the back porch into a laundry room (cost me 2 thousand with the help of a local handy man) I framed in and screened in the upstairs master bed porch with the help of hired hands.
I even reroofed the damn thing with my brother in law. My ex made 25 dollars an hour and I guess felt it not his job to do that kind of menial labor.
This is MINE tho. Mine and my kids, and all the work I put into it will benefit us and enrich us and improve the value of this little 23 thousand dollar home.
I KNEW that I would build or buy a home in the next couple of years but had no idea I would buy one so soon. I have my Mom and Dad thank for this and that in itself chokes me up and the emotion of it all almost hurts.
They knew what he did to my credit and they are guaranteeing my loan. They have been super kind to the kids and I and even offer to babysit now.
Everything is new, love and understanding is found between us. I don;t know how or why it happened but I'm so very very happy it did.
So it's not all about buying a house. It's about so many things and I can hardly deal with this happiness.
posted on January 13, 2001 08:19:30 PM new
The ONLY down side is that my ex is acting up again. He sees that I'm making it better than he ever imagined and he hates it.
He'll get over it, he's still a good Dad and thats all I care about.
), and I went looking for Berber as the most practical--I really like the short looped fibers for low-care.
Hard to describe, a mix of blue, pale green, gray & misc. flecks--sometimes it seems blue, sometimes green, depending on the lighting.
