#6 Pictures

Question #6- I like pictures as well and would like some fun ideas of how to hang them on the wall.


I love pictures. LOVE IT. some tips.... try to have some similarity in the frames...above they are all black (but not same size, shape or form)
below they the frame is similar and mattes are same color, as well as the pictures. but different color frames.

#5 THE mirror

Question#5- We have a VERY large mirror in our room that is just leaning against the wall. It isn't in a frame or anything. I love mirrors and would like to have a few more. What should I do to prevent this mirror from falling down? Frame it? And any ideas of how to design rooms with mirrors?

Mirrors are awesome. They reflect the light making the room brighter, happier(much needed in MI). This also makes the room feel open and spacious. Hang above a window and you have extended your wall length. Hang in the middle of the wall and you have a nice focal point (every room needs one) more light and space.

I would suggest framing it. If it is REALLY large like you said, that could cost an arm, possibly a leg. Even if on sale. There are great moldings out there. cut them at an angle, nail, and paint and you could have a frame like this....kind of. The moldings will angle out like this frame- as for THIS decorative or gold...probably not.

I love this frame though. You can find treasures similar to this at thrift stores. Back around our grandmothers time there was a big fashion to buy these fun gold frames and clocks ...in ovals and squares all shapes and sizes. They would have parties like our pampered chef parties, or shade, or Tupperware-and buy. Therefore- now that they are starting to pass away and their children have looked at the same frame for years they donate it. Usually they have some type of a painting in the middle though. Pop it out and make something beautiful with it! My own Grandma personally has tons...I hope to inherit some of them one day. That will probably be a while though.



These are at homedepot. Not the most creative thing- but I would hang the mirror. A. so it doesn't fall and break. Those things are expensive. And B...for the reasons listed about-- light space etc. it's a nice focal point.
These are $10 at homedepot. I know there are little clear plastic ones available too....
ALSO...depending on how large this is another idea. It will create a floating look. The 3M command stripes. Ever heard of them? I use them all the time- they have hooks, stripes, lots of hanging help. These are INTERLOCKING picture hanging strips. They lock kind of like velcro but tighter. I have used these to hang mirrors with that were fairly large (about 2 feet) I just used several of them so the weight was distributed evenly.

#4 Windows/Kids Rooms

Question #4- Window coverings.....any fun or unusual ideas for kids rooms?

I think I need to do some more research on this one. But here is some things that I thought of and found and wanted to share right now. Nursery Ideas are SERIOUSLY NEVERENDING. I have had a couple requests on nursery ideas....it is easiest for me if you tell me your style. If you like vintage, or comtemporary. Animals or a stripe and dot person? flowers or cars! cowboy or superhero...see what I mean. on and on.

I really like this idea for the window coverings...it is different. I am not a fan however of the fabric.
Sometimes it is to cheesy to use the same fabric that you did elsewhere in the room. You do need to be careful when doing this. BUT it is good design to create repetition in your rooms. It draws the eye from place to place and creates cohesiveness.




Depending on the age...like Jack would hang on these like no tomorrow, this is fun. More of a chance to be creative and give the room color.

Here are some fun nurseries. not a fan of these butterflies. but I like the quilt to the bumper to the bed skirt.

Love this room. I would like to make Jacks like that. the square above the bed. SO easy. a little molding and nails. Two Toned paint, floating shelves. wa la.

This room has potential...most of it I like. That is another fun giraffe. I like this one a lot better than the one below in the previous post.
Chalkboard paint definitly spices up a room. in many colors and how ever you want.

idea: take the picture two up, instead of paint use chalkboard paint....and put it at kid level. fun and yet sophisticated.

#3 Fabric on Walls

Question #3- I am redoing the kids' room and would like to make some large animals, trees, owls, butterflies on the wall. I don't want to use paint. I was thinking fabric, contact paper, wallpaper, anything but I don't know what would work OR how to attatch it!:) HELP!!!!

Wallpaper would work awesome. I didn't do much research because it is pretty simple with that, but there is also Decals that can run pretty cheap. Alot of women have their own little sites. But I did research Fabric.... here is what I came up with.

Instructions: SO EASY

Materials:

• LINIT® Starch OR LINIT® Starch-n-Crafts™ Stiffener
• Fabric
• Clean sponge or paint roller
• Pan

Process:

1. Wash the wall to remove any dirt or film.
   

2. Lightweight fabrics, such as polished cottons, ginghams, and chintzes, are easiest to use. Measure from the floor to the ceiling and add a couple extra inches.
   

3. Cut the fabric accordingly. If fabric has a design, be sure to match the design before cutting the next panel as when using wallpaper.
   

4. Pour starch into a clean pan or paint pan or spray on if using stiffener (see Tip section if using spray stiffener). Apply starch to the top half of the wall with a sponge, paint roller or spray on if using spray stiffener.
   

5. Smooth fabric into place at the top of the wall, leaving about one inch to be trimmed later. Use push pins to hold the fabric temporarily in place. Apply more starch going down the wall as needed until you get to the floor, leave approximately one inch overlap at floor level.
   

6. Apply starch to the top of the fabric, brushing and smoothing the fabric in place to remove bubbles and wrinkles. Be sure the starch penetrates the fabric evenly.
   

7. Work your way down the panel, continuing to sponge or spray starch onto the wall, smoothing the fabric, and applying more starch.
   

8. Position the second panel, matching the design along the edge. Repeat steps.
   

9. Around windows and doors, leave a one inch overlap as with the ceiling and floor.
   

10. Fabric overlap should be cut when the fabric is completely dry. It will then cut clean and easily and any shrinkage will have occurred before you trim.

When Using Stiffener in Spray Bottle: Be sure to mask edges of ceiling & floor to avoid over spray.

To Remove Fabric From Wall: Peel one corner loose, then gently begin to peel the fabric off of the wall panel by panel. If the fabric does not peel easily, dampen the fabric with water using a wet sponge and it should come right off.

Whether you choose to cover your entire wall or only a portion, you will enjoy the look of a professionally decorated room, without the permanence of paint or wallpaper!

Here is some ideas:
This is my inspiration, a giraffe! But to me this looks soo....umm. it's not me that's all.

But I can invsision using a fabric like this for the body. Finding another patter for the legs and head that is less busy, maybe even a solid.

For the different leaves using fabric like this, and different tones, solids, stripes ALL different for each leaf.
For the feet...

You get the idea. See how fun and crazy it could be. Yet it would be to busy to look at that you would go crazy. From a distance it would look a lot like you used solids but when you arrived to the masterpiece it was different, unique.

Chalkboard Paint

I love Chalkboard Paint. I love chalkboards. When I was little I wanted to be a teacher seriously so I could draw on the chalkboard all day. I loved to sit under the chalk board (when our center was sitting around the teacher at the board that is) and to smell it,watch her... I loved to draw at the chalkboard and play games with my friends when it was indoor recess time. So Naturally I have done it in my own places of living. I'm thinking I"m going to do it here soon...just need to decide where. We have incredible ugly cabinets but that are also fabulously smooth- they would be awesome for this kind of project.

There are so many different ideas and places for this type of thing...SO MANY here are some. And even if you just google it- the rooms that you will get. amazing. love it.

YES! chalkboard paint comes in ALL different colors



I love this idea- adding it to little things. napkin rings, labeling on bins the list is endless.
These are cool- no labor at all! just peel and stick. online or at wal-mart. cheap and fun.
You can even make your own custom colors. This is cool- cause you don't always want it to stand out with the black....


I got these instructions from Martha...

Custom Colors How-To
Start with flat-finish latex paint in any shade. For small areas, such as a door panel, mix 1 cup at a time.

1. Pour 1 cup of paint into a container. Add 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Mix with a paint stirrer, carefully breaking up clumps.

2. Apply paint with a roller or a sponge paintbrush to a primed or painted surface. Work in small sections, going over the same spot several times to ensure full, even coverage. Let dry.

3. Smooth area with 150-grit sandpaper, and wipe off dust.

4. To condition: Rub the side of a piece of chalk over entire surface. Wipe away residue with a barely damp sponge.