Decorating big walls cheap
Michaela
with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
want to do something interesting with them -- something horizontal over the
sofa area, and something vertical over the fireplace. They don't need to
take up the whole wall, of course; just be big enough not to get swallowed
by the expanse. However, I've looked into Big Dramatic Pieces of Art and
they seem to cost big bucks.
If you had a couple of huge walls to deal with, but you weren't interested
in spending a coupla grand apiece for large paintings, what would you do?
(One idea I've got is getting a big tapestry or area rug with lots of bold
colors, and hanging it on the wall. I also love the idea of using calendar
pictures as modular art.)
Michaela
Sue Larkin
<mschlock-66A9EF...@newssvr14-ext.news.prodigy.com>,
Michaela <msch...@nicetry.flairmail.com> wrote:
: (One idea I've got is getting a big tapestry or area rug with lots of bold
: colors, and hanging it on the wall. I also love the idea of using calendar
: pictures as modular art.)
This reminds me of a funny, true story from decades ago. The Festival
of Arts and Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, Ca is an annual
event. One year a painter, who was also an exhibiting artist, was
working on the Pageant's sets, painting the large backdrops and using
lots of canvas drop cloths. He decided to frame large sections of the
used, paint riddled, drop cloths and hang them in his booth. They sold
like hot cakes!!! While that might not be in keeping with your taste it
does show that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder! And since
you'll be the one to see those walls on a daily basis, whatever pleases
you, regardless of it's origins, is the way to go!
The area rug idea was my first thought, too...
The calendar pictures are a great idea...
Or, a quilt...
Even a sheet with a unique print...
Maybe a series of 3 (or more...whatever works) same-size posters with
the same theme...travel, music, old movies, animals, flowers, whatever
interests you...
A wallpaper mural glued to poster board and framed. (My condo doesn't
have a bathroom window. Some day I'm going to glue a wallpaper mural of
a snow scene...it's an actual photo...to 1/4 inch plywood then attach a
window pane frame...the kind with several panes within the window
frame...over it to resemble a window with a view and hang it above the
john! The snow scene is significant 'cuz I live in the tropics, nowhere
near snow!)...
Possibly the Trading Spaces web site has some unique ideas...
Ditto the HGTV web site...
Have fun with it. I'll look forward to hearing what you do.
Aloha...Sue
His Jadedness Andy
>used, paint riddled, drop cloths and hang them in his booth. They sold
>like hot cakes!!!
I was at that event! The story goes that he heard someone remark that the drop
cloths were more attractive than a lot of the stuff that had been at the
previous year's event- the rest is history <G>.
"May your Morn be bright and sunny, your Noon be warm and clear, your Dusk be
calm and tranquil and your Night without a fear"
His Jadedness, Andy
Known Descendants of Queen Victoria Message Board
http://members3.boardhost.com/KDQV/
Leigh Melton
<msch...@nicetry.flairmail.com> wrote:
>I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to deal
>with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
>want to do something interesting with them -- something horizontal over the
>sofa area, and something vertical over the fireplace.
When we first moved into this house, I had a huge blank space in the
living room I needed to fill while saving up for what I wanted in that
space. While shopping in Chinatown for other things, we found a
beautiful fan which when unfolded was about 6' across and about 4'
high. IIRC it cost about $20. Really heavy paper, blue background
with cherry blossoms painted on it, just like a regular fan except the
size. If fans aren't your thing, how about bamboo scrolls or similar.
Also very inexpensive and not just the usual printed posters.
A friend of mine found some fabric she liked (at Hancock's or Joann,
one of the usual fabric stores) and stapled it over a balsa-wood
frame, it made a very nice hanging for just a few dollars.
Leigh
--
Consequences, shmonsequences, as long as I'm rich. - D. Duck
Don K
news:170520032129110935%sue...@hotmail.com...
> This reminds me of a funny, true story from decades ago. The Festival
> of Arts and Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, Ca is an annual
> event. One year a painter, who was also an exhibiting artist, was
> working on the Pageant's sets, painting the large backdrops and using
> lots of canvas drop cloths. He decided to frame large sections of the
> used, paint riddled, drop cloths and hang them in his booth. They sold
> like hot cakes!!! While that might not be in keeping with your taste it
> does show that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder!
It also shows that much of the "art" that requires no special talent
or skill to generate, are simply scams seeking to victimize the gullible,
egged on by pompous art critics who declare the random splashes
have deep meaning.
Don
hchi...@hotmail.com
<msch...@nicetry.flairmail.com> wrote:
What fun! I'd _love_ to have a couple of walls like that.
On a movie theme, one sheets of movies are inexpensive and easily
mounted. 2, 3, and 6 sheets are even bigger. A good six sheet can be
awesome. Mixing a bunch of these based on a theme or artist could
provide a great collage.
Making your own art is not that difficult or expensive. While
commercial artists use canvas and gesso and special frames, you can
use unbleached muslin or old sheets, white ceiling paint, and 1 x 4s
to make canvas and frames. Discarded paint can sometimes be found in
a storage area or recycling facility, and spray cans of paint are
cheap.
I remember when "The Color Purple" first came out there were no large
lobby displays. I used this technique to make an 8' x 10' painting of
the woman in the rocking chair. The first evening that it was up a
movie customer offered $500 on the spot for it. I had to decline
because I didn't have the time then to make another, but it serves to
show that passable large bold artwork can be easily made.
If you look at some of the older castle interiors and interiors of
mansions, you'll see entire walls covered higgledy piggledy with
painting of various sizes and styles. Paintings and frames go cheap
at yard sales. You could have a rotating art exhibit for next to
nothing.
Flags could be another interesting wall treatment. State flags are
inexpensive of eBay, and yachting pennants, old broadsides, early
tools, maps, and other americana could make a great display.
Lest it be forgotten, a big wall makes a fantastic screen for slides,
movies, and video projectors. It could be fun to have three or four
projectors aimed at different spot on the wall showing varied scenes,
people, artwork, etc.
Arri London
Nothing wrong with hanging rugs on the wall. Done worldwide
for centuries.
You might consider a collection of small Asian rugs, bought
one at time. They aren't always hideously expensive and many
small rugs can make a real focal pont.
The Real Bev
>
> I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to deal
> with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
If I had that much wall space I'd put in floor to ceiling bookshelves and
one of those classy rolling ladders.
--
Cheers,
Bev
*****************************************
"Don't force it, use a bigger hammer!"
--M. Irving
Billy
> I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to deal
> with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
> want to do something interesting with them...
Get yourself a couple of Mismixed paint at Lowe's etc.....in your color palette,
a roll of masking tape and get busy painting. Create your own design on graph
paper and then transfer it to the wall.
Don't like it....paint over it. Really inexpensive and can make quite a
statement.
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
- Elizabeth Bibesco
Kate Hadley
news:3EC7D65F...@myrealbox.com:
> Michaela wrote:
>>
>> I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to
>> deal with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to
>> ceiling, and I want to do something interesting with them...
>
> If I had that much wall space I'd put in floor to ceiling bookshelves
> and one of those classy rolling ladders.
>
My first mother-in-law made a beautiful wall decoration - I can still
remember how she made it. She purchased some strong wood (4' by 2'),
glued several mechanical pieces in place, ie. cog wheels, large & small
washers etc. she then poured a very thin layer of plaster of Paris over
all of it making sure every thing was covered. When this was dry and
hung, it was so eye catching. If you have a white wall and need a
contrasting colour, mix the Plaster with coloured paint.
Kate (UK)
Kate Hadley
> Michaela wrote:
>>
>> I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to
>> deal with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to
>> ceiling, and I want to do something interesting with them...
>
> If I had that much wall space I'd put in floor to ceiling bookshelves
> and one of those classy rolling ladders.
>
But surely the cost of this is not frugal is it?
Me
<mschlock-66A9EF...@newssvr14-ext.news.prodigy.com>,
Michaela <msch...@nicetry.flairmail.com> wrote:
> I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to deal
> with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
> want to do something interesting with them -- something horizontal over the
> sofa area, and something vertical over the fireplace. They don't need to
> take up the whole wall, of course; just be big enough not to get swallowed
> by the expanse. However, I've looked into Big Dramatic Pieces of Art and
> they seem to cost big bucks.
>
> If you had a couple of huge walls to deal with, but you weren't interested
> in spending a coupla grand apiece for large paintings, what would you do?
With the spring season upon us, I would shop around at art festivals,
flea markets, etc. for tapestries for the high areas of the walls. For
the low areas, I might hang some cherished photographs, but that's just
me.
Colt
If you have furniture against these walls, you may find that large
artworks dwarf the furniture and make the room proportions look odd.
Some designers recommend decorating a high wall as if it were only 8-10
feet high (ignoring the space above 8-10 feet high).
Ariane Jenkins
> If you had a couple of huge walls to deal with, but you weren't interested
> in spending a coupla grand apiece for large paintings, what would you do?
>
> (One idea I've got is getting a big tapestry or area rug with lots of bold
> colors, and hanging it on the wall. I also love the idea of using calendar
> pictures as modular art.)
and the effect was lovely.
I second the recommendation to check out posters. Ebay is
actually not a bad source for them, and college towns (if there are
any near you) often have little stores which carry lots of posters for
dorm rooms. Granted, not everyone wants pictures of beer bottles on
their wall, but they also sometimes carry posters of well-known works
of art by Van Gogh, Monet, etc. Calenders, especially large art
calenders, work well framed (and if you get them in say, January and
February as the previous year's calenders are phased out, they're
often heavily discounted) as do greeting cards, elaborate puzzles
(although that might take some work to frame it), quilts, etc. If you
don't find one BIG piece you like, consider a grouping of smaller
framed pieces. That takes up space and looks very nice--and family
photographs can be an inexpensive source of artwork as well. I know I
have some shots of various trips I need to organize, get blown up to
maybe 5x7 and 8x10 size and frame.
Some craft stores like Michaels carries standard-size
photo mats that are precut, so they'd be easy to put over whatever
you've got that needs mounting. They also sell poster frames, but
then, many places do, including K Mart, Wal-Mart, etc.
Ariane
Ben Wong
"Michaela" <msch...@nicetry.flairmail.com> wrote in message
news:mschlock-66A9EF...@newssvr14-ext.news.prodigy.com...
I was in a home that had old toys hung on the huge wall, they had a
sled, wagon, things of the past of which they purchased at garage sales,
they said some of the stuff came from curbsides on trash night, rather
unique I must say. Sort of reminded me of a couple restaurants I've
been in.
The Real Bev
How not? Wood, brackets, a saw, some glue, paint, some wheels... There
have got to be detailed plans for building such a thing. Start at the
bottom and work upwards.
--
Cheers,
Bev
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
All bleeding eventually stops.
Michaela
I think I'm going to avoid painting for now -- not having a ladder makes it
tough, and it's a bit of an investment to get basic painting supplies (this
is my first home -- I don't own all the handyman stuff just yet).
Here's where I am right now. There's a store here (I live in Mountain
View, CA) that sells year-old calendars for 99 cents apiece. Great source
of cheap "prints." I picked up a couple and I think I'll use them to
create modular art for the bedroom. (Also grabbed a calendar by a guy who
photographs outhouses. I think a few of these will go well on the bathroom
walls. My mother'll be appalled...)
I also picked up a colorful area rug at Target. The shelf said $70, the
clearance sticker said $35, and the checker rang it up at $17.50. It's not
a pattern I'm totally in love with, but hey, if I hate it, I'm only out
$17.50, and I can put something else up on the wall. Anyway, it's wide
enough to be hung vertically over the fireplace (once I find someone who
can help me stitch it to a frame or something, that is).
I don't think I will be attempting to fill up the entire wall with art;
probably enough to keep the eyes down at normal-room level (just because I
don't want to feel like I live in a cathedral -- living rooms are supposed
to be cozy, right?).
Thanks again!
Michaela
Kate Hadley
@myrealbox.com:
> Kate Hadley wrote:
>>
>> The Real Bev <bas...@myrealbox.com> wrote in
>> news:3EC7D65F...@myrealbox.com:
>>
>> > Michaela wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls
to
>> >> deal with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to
>> >> ceiling, and I want to do something interesting with them...
>> >
>> > If I had that much wall space I'd put in floor to ceiling
bookshelves
>> > and one of those classy rolling ladders.
>>
>> But surely the cost of this is not frugal is it?
>
> How not? Wood, brackets, a saw, some glue, paint, some wheels...
There
> have got to be detailed plans for building such a thing. Start at the
> bottom and work upwards.
>
I take your point - but what is the use of these expansive book
bookshelves if you can't afford the large number of books to fill them?
Kate (UK)
Christina
One idea is to buy perhaps five long planks of wood, paint
each a different color, and mount them vertically. A friend
of mine did this and it is quite eye-catching.
Christina
--
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for
thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Bob Ward
<blackty...@hotmale.com> wrote:
>>
>> How not? Wood, brackets, a saw, some glue, paint, some wheels...
>There
>> have got to be detailed plans for building such a thing. Start at the
>> bottom and work upwards.
>>
>
>I take your point - but what is the use of these expansive book
>bookshelves if you can't afford the large number of books to fill them?
>
>Kate (UK)
Some of us have far more books in storage than current shelf-space to
house them.
Edgar S.
techniques. Paint is an inexpensive way to change the look of walls.
Michaela <msch...@nicetry.flairmail.com> wrote in message news:<mschlock-66A9EF...@newssvr14-ext.news.prodigy.com>...
Edgar S.
> If you have furniture against these walls, you may find that large
> artworks dwarf the furniture and make the room proportions look odd.
> Some designers recommend decorating a high wall as if it were only 8-10
> feet high (ignoring the space above 8-10 feet high).
Hmmm.... that makes perfect sense. as most of us are not more than
about 6 ft. tall, we'd have to crane our necks to see bigger artwork
anyway.
This question is a good one on the subject of how to subdivide space.
Edgar S.
> On Sun, 18 May 2003 06:11:25 GMT, Michaela
> I second the recommendation to check out posters. Ebay is
> actually not a bad source for them, and college towns (if there are
> any near you) often have little stores which carry lots of posters for
> dorm rooms. Granted, not everyone wants pictures of beer bottles on
> their wall, but they also sometimes carry posters of well-known works
> of art by Van Gogh, Monet, etc. Calenders, especially large art
> calenders, work well framed (and if you get them in say, January and
> February as the previous year's calenders are phased out, they're
> often heavily discounted) as do greeting cards, elaborate puzzles
> (although that might take some work to frame it), quilts, etc. If you
> don't find one BIG piece you like, consider a grouping of smaller
> framed pieces. That takes up space and looks very nice--and family
> photographs can be an inexpensive source of artwork as well. I know I
> have some shots of various trips I need to organize, get blown up to
> maybe 5x7 and 8x10 size and frame.
>
> Some craft stores like Michaels carries standard-size
> photo mats that are precut, so they'd be easy to put over whatever
> you've got that needs mounting. They also sell poster frames, but
> then, many places do, including K Mart, Wal-Mart, etc.
>
> Ariane
Personally... I'm not a big fan of posters as a decorating item for
adults. YMMV, naturally...
But looks I find more attractive are decorative paint treatments,
beams, or framed collections of various sorts.
For instance, framed vintage textiles, old family photos, or other
collections that display well on shelves.
Edgar S.
> I was in a home that had old toys hung on the huge wall, they had a
> sled, wagon, things of the past of which they purchased at garage sales,
> they said some of the stuff came from curbsides on trash night, rather
> unique I must say. Sort of reminded me of a couple restaurants I've
> been in.
I've seen that as well and think old toys and other vintage household
items can display very well. Children's peddle cars for instance from
earlier decades are charming.
What seems to work well is to get a collection of like objects: clocks
are popular, as are toys and fans.
Ariane Jenkins
> Personally... I'm not a big fan of posters as a decorating item for
> adults. YMMV, naturally...
Naturally. :) I think many people have the same reaction,
although they tend to think of posters as being for kids or teenagers
only because of the subject matter. Nowadays, you can get posters of darn
near anything, including (as I mentioned) works by Van Gogh and
Monet. I've seen posters of artwork by Salvador Dali, M.C. Escher,
Gustav Klimt, Seurat, Rembrandt, Georgia O'Keefe and scores of others.
I don't think those would be inappropriate or unsuitable for adults if
they appreciated their artwork.
> But looks I find more attractive are decorative paint treatments,
> beams, or framed collections of various sorts.
>
> For instance, framed vintage textiles, old family photos, or other
> collections that display well on shelves.
I'm sure those would be attractive, too. I'm leaning more
toward decorating with photographs these days. They usually end up
being of great interest to people who come over, and I like being able
to glance at a wall and be reminded of a lovely vacation.
Ariane
Ariane Jenkins
>
> Also some terrific posters of photography: Galen Rowell,
> the other one...oh shoot. I forget the name...photographs -
> generally closeups - of woods and forest plants and so on.
> NOT Ansel Adams, although I suppose a lot of people
> appreciate his work (I don't like his photography).
I _think_ I know who you mean, although I can't remember
his name, either. D'oh! :) Gorgeous close-ups of fallen leaves and
such that really made you look twice at the colors, shapes and overall
pattern.
> Yes, that's very nice. And if it's a good photograph, you
> have a sense of pride that you took it.
Sadly, DH and I are not professionals, but we do manage a
decent snapshot now and then. We have some arranged in one of those
collage-type frames a relative gave to us, and we'll probably hang
others in smaller frames as a group, or blow them up to 8x10" size and
see how they look hung singly or mounted.
Ariane
shelly
2003 13:59:11 -0400
> Also some terrific posters of photography: Galen Rowell,
> the other one...oh shoot. I forget the name...photographs -
> generally closeups - of woods and forest plants and so on.
Edward Weston?
shelly
shelly
in message snbicvc97vk8e27l5...@4ax.com:
> Yes, that's the one. He was a medical doctor, he was
> American, I think he was from New England... PLEASE someone
> post the name! This is going to bother me.
ah. Elliott Porter, then?
shelly
The Real Bev
I assumed that most civilized people own more books than bookshelves.
Since there is NO more wallspace in my house (barely even mousepad space,
too) many of ours are stacked on the floor. At yard sales, books are
cheap. TOO cheap :-(
--
Cheers,
Bev
----------------------------------------------
Linux: The penguin is mightier than the sword
Patricia
ari...@pepper.spice.lan wrote on 5/19/03 1:46 PM:>
> I'm sure those would be attractive, too. I'm leaning more
> toward decorating with photographs these days. They usually end up
> being of great interest to people who come over, and I like being able
> to glance at a wall and be reminded of a lovely vacation.
>
> Ariane
I like this a lot too.....love big black and white photos, matted and framed
with a narrow black or silver or brown frame.
I think the look terrific on a large wall.
Patricia
hchi...@hotmail.com
>>> the other one...oh shoot. I forget the name...photographs -
>>> generally closeups - of woods and forest plants and so on.
>>> NOT Ansel Adams, although I suppose a lot of people
>>> appreciate his work (I don't like his photography).
>>
>> I _think_ I know who you mean, although I can't remember
>>his name, either. D'oh! :) Gorgeous close-ups of fallen leaves and
>>such that really made you look twice at the colors, shapes and overall
>>pattern.
>
>American, I think he was from New England... PLEASE someone
>post the name! This is going to bother me.
The problem is that a lot of photographers fit the nature photographer
description. Wynn Bullock did some of this style of photography, but
he worked primarily in the rain forests of the northwest. Peter
Miller does some of this, but specializes more in people shots.
Elliott Porter, Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglitz, Clarence White,
Margaret Bourke-White, any of those ring a bell? I think Porter was a
doctor.
baron48
> Michaela wrote:
> >
> > I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to deal
> > with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
> > want to do something interesting with them...
>
> If I had that much wall space I'd put in floor to ceiling bookshelves and
> one of those classy rolling ladders.
That might be a little out of his budget.
-Tom
Tsu Dho Poster
>
> Here's where I am right now. There's a store here (I live in Mountain
> View, CA) that sells year-old calendars for 99 cents apiece. Great source
> of cheap "prints." I picked up a couple and I think I'll use them to
> create modular art for the bedroom. (Also grabbed a calendar by a guy who
> photographs outhouses. I think a few of these will go well on the
bathroom
> walls. My mother'll be appalled...)
>
> I also picked up a colorful area rug at Target. The shelf said $70, the
> clearance sticker said $35, and the checker rang it up at $17.50. It's
not
> a pattern I'm totally in love with, but hey, if I hate it, I'm only out
> $17.50, and I can put something else up on the wall. Anyway, it's wide
> enough to be hung vertically over the fireplace (once I find someone who
> can help me stitch it to a frame or something, that is).
>
How about a "poop hits the fan" theme. Just use your leftovers, such as
speg- or chili...throw em at a hi-speed fan, facing the walls.
Or "climbing the walls" theme...get someone to paint bloody, ascending
handprints up the walls.
20 feet...that's also hi enuf to hang your fav politicians in effigy.
hth
Deadend
> Thanks for all the great ideas!
> Here's where I am right now. There's a store here (I live in Mountain
> View, CA)
<snip>
Hey, congrats on buying a home in the Bay Area. I live here, too, and
that's a long term goal of mine, also. Expensive? You bet. Frugal? If
you're creative. But I love it here, and have no plans to go anywhere.
>that sells year-old calendars for 99 cents apiece. Great source
> of cheap "prints."
I've framed calandar prints myslef and then later got too tired of
them and sold them at a garage sale for a profit. Go figure.
Another form of modular art I'd like to do sometime is a collection of
LP covers of old great jazz albums or something.
> I also picked up a colorful area rug at Target. The shelf said $70, the
> clearance sticker said $35, and the checker rang it up at $17.50. It's not
> a pattern I'm totally in love with, but hey, if I hate it, I'm only out
> $17.50, and I can put something else up on the wall.
Ah yes, the joy of "Tar-jhay." My first ever piece of furniture for
the Bay Area was a chair from target. It fell apart, and I held that
against them for a few years, but then I got over it. I do find
careful frugal finds at Target now and then.
Don't forget the new Ikea in Emeryville as well. Don't go on the
weekends; it's simply suicide. Play hooky on a weekday and go early.
Then have a cheap lunch in the cafe (it's good! I swear!), take home
some smoked salmon, and other new treasures. Skip anything kitchenware
that is supposed to be stainless, as Ikea doesn't seem to understand
that stainless shouldn't RUST. But there are lots of cool things to be
found, including some of the best prices on compact flourescents
anywhere.
> Anyway, it's wide
> enough to be hung vertically over the fireplace (once I find someone who
> can help me stitch it to a frame or something, that is).
I could bet that a ferring (sp?) strip from the hardware store at the
top and bottom would be the cheapest way to go.
> I don't think I will be attempting to fill up the entire wall with art;
> probably enough to keep the eyes down at normal-room level (just because I
> don't want to feel like I live in a cathedral -- living rooms are supposed
> to be cozy, right?).
Also, how about some of those large French or Italian retro cafe
prints? Like the huge ones showing characters drinking Port, or
somesuch. There is a great restaurant in Carmel that has a wonderful
selection of originals, but you can actually get reprints that won't
cost more than a hundred or so dollars, but at the same time will look
like you spent much more.
Good luck! Happy housewarming!
Deadend
Albert Wagner
The Real Bev <bas...@myrealbox.com> wrote:
<snip>
> I assumed that most civilized people own more books than bookshelves.
> Since there is NO more wallspace in my house (barely even mousepad
> space, too) many of ours are stacked on the floor. At yard sales,
> books are cheap. TOO cheap :-(
>
That's exactly why I'm not rich.
Maladicta1
>>There
>>> have got to be detailed plans for building such a thing. Start at the
>>> bottom and work upwards.
This takes more than basic carpentry skills and a good bit of shop equipment to
produce a professional job.
The Real Bev
Perhaps, but I think that careful novices (not me, I'm the inventor of the
"this is good enough" concept) can produce something they could be proud
of.
Besides, frugal people already have nice power saws that they bought at
garage sales for $50.
--
Cheers,
Bev
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Once you've provoked a few people into publicly swearing they are going
to hunt you down and kill you, the thrill wears off." -Elric of Imrryr
The Real Bev
And why it almost makes me cry to think of a big blank wall going to waste
by putting decorations on it :-(
The Real Bev
Well, $2,000 was mentioned as being over-budget, and I doubt that the
materials would cost that much. It's not necessary to make the shelves of
good wood since they'll be mostly invisible anyway.
Maladicta1
>>
>> > How not? Wood, brackets, a saw, some glue, paint, some wheels...
>> >>There
>> >>> have got to be detailed plans for building such a thing. Start at the
>> >>> bottom and work upwards.
>>
>> This takes more than basic carpentry skills and a good bit of shop
>equipment to
>> produce a professional job.
>
>Perhaps, but I think that careful novices (not me, I'm the inventor of the
>"this is good enough" concept) can produce something they could be proud
>of.
I have done carpentry projects and what you're recommending is really
impractical for a novice.
baron48
> baron48 wrote:
> >
> > The Real Bev <bas...@myrealbox.com> wrote in message news:<3EC7D65F...@myrealbox.com>...
> > > Michaela wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to deal
> > > > with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
> > > > want to do something interesting with them...
> > >
> > > If I had that much wall space I'd put in floor to ceiling bookshelves and
> > > one of those classy rolling ladders.
> >
> > That might be a little out of his budget.
>
> Well, $2,000 was mentioned as being over-budget, and I doubt that the
> materials would cost that much. It's not necessary to make the shelves of
> good wood
I guess you could make them out of cinder blocks and chip board or maybe
stacks of milk cartons, but somehow I think that wasn't what the OP had
in mind. Making or having someone make nice shelving is not a cheap
thing to do. Especially a whole wall with a ladder and all.
> since they'll be mostly invisible anyway.
Invisible? They would cover the whole wall!
-Tom
The Real Bev
1. They're up so high that wood-colored paint would probably be
acceptable.
2. If not, even the untalented can do wonders with stain and a graining
comb.
3. The whole thing would be filled with books, so the only thing really
visible would be the edges.
I'm not looking to fool people that this is the library in a 300-year-old
mansion, it's just a practical way to utilize otherwise useless wall
space. The fact that I might kill for such a wall should be disregarded.
--
Cheers,
Bev
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It only takes 2 men to tile a bathroom
if you slice them thinly enough.
Edgar S.
> On 19 May 2003 10:17:55 -0700, Edgar S. <edga...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Personally... I'm not a big fan of posters as a decorating item for
> > adults. YMMV, naturally...
>
> Naturally. :) I think many people have the same reaction,
> although they tend to think of posters as being for kids or teenagers
> only because of the subject matter. Nowadays, you can get posters of darn
> near anything, including (as I mentioned) works by Van Gogh and
> Monet. I've seen posters of artwork by Salvador Dali, M.C. Escher,
> Gustav Klimt, Seurat, Rembrandt, Georgia O'Keefe and scores of others.
> I don't think those would be inappropriate or unsuitable for adults if
> they appreciated their artwork.
Having a day to think about it, I recall a special sort of decorative
technique that is based on posters of old masterpieces. The poster is
glued to a plywood backing, then coated with a thin coat of crackle
varnish. A few drops of sepia coloring are added to the varnish.
The finished picture is placed in an antique, or weathered frame. The
result is a picture with the look of an actual antique oil painting.
When displayed with some actual vintage display items, it really works
to capture an antique look.
> > But looks I find more attractive are decorative paint treatments,
> > beams, or framed collections of various sorts.
> >
> > For instance, framed vintage textiles, old family photos, or other
> > collections that display well on shelves.
>
> I'm sure those would be attractive, too. I'm leaning more
> toward decorating with photographs these days. They usually end up
> being of great interest to people who come over, and I like being able
> to glance at a wall and be reminded of a lovely vacation.
>
> Ariane
Yes, that sounds excellent.
Ariane Jenkins
>
> Having a day to think about it, I recall a special sort of decorative
> technique that is based on posters of old masterpieces. The poster is
> glued to a plywood backing, then coated with a thin coat of crackle
> varnish. A few drops of sepia coloring are added to the varnish.
>
> The finished picture is placed in an antique, or weathered frame. The
> result is a picture with the look of an actual antique oil painting.
>
> When displayed with some actual vintage display items, it really works
> to capture an antique look.
Yes, I've heard of something similar. IIRC, Ebay used to carry
(and probably still does) reproductions of artwork that's been
transferred to canvas and treated to look like an oil painting. I
don't remember what the exact process was, but my impression was that
it isn't cheap. A friend of mine was interested in this for one of
her favorite artists, and it seemed like the appearance would work
better with older style decoration.
I wouldn't bother, but then, our decor is obviously not antique
or old in any way. With well-known pieces of art, it would also be
rather obvious that it wasn't vintage.
Ariane
The Real Bev
>
> On Tue, 20 May 2003 12:12:14 -0700, The Real Bev
> <bas...@myrealbox.com> wrote:
>
> >I'm not looking to fool people that this is the library in a 300-year-old
> >mansion, it's just a practical way to utilize otherwise useless wall
> >space. The fact that I might kill for such a wall should be disregarded.
>
> allergies) would be that *every* wall in the house was
> completely covered with built-in bookshelves - some with
> glass doors, and some with solid doors. Except the kitchen,
> a kitchen needs kitchen cabinets.
>
> One could use some of the built-in bookshelves for other
> purposes: fluorescent lights to start plants and grow
> houseplants, etc. A shelf for knick-knacks, etc. If one
> wanted to.
Several 3-foot-thick walls with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors on both
sides with enough clearance to hang pictures. Inside, shelves for big
stuff. The rest of the walls can be 12"-wide bookshelves, except where
essential furniture like desks, sofas, 'entertainment walls' etc. are.
Maybe some sliding doors over the bookshelves too.
And concrete+impervious material floors, each sloping to a cleverly
concealed drain. Some of us hate housecleaning.
--
Cheers,
Bev
=========================================================
"Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority."
-- U.S. Supreme Court, McIntyre v Ohio Elections,1995
Patricia
ari...@pepper.spice.lan wrote on 5/20/03 6:19 PM:
> reproductions of artwork that's been
> transferred to canvas and treated to look like an oil painting. I
> don't remember what the exact process was, but my impression was that
> it isn't cheap. A friend of mine was interested in this for one of
> her favorite artists, and it seemed like the appearance would work
> better with older style decoration.
===========
Hi.....
I've done this and it's not difficult. Most craft stores carry already sized
canvas with the stretchers already inplace. One coat of "Mod-Podge" then
place the poster over that working out from the center.
A small wrinkle or two doesn't hurt... then some antiquing....with a bit of
brown paint and some glaze on a cloth and rubbed into it gently (until you
see how dark you want it).
When that's dry....another coat or two of the Mod-Podge and you have it.
If you don't intend to buy a frame...... stain the sides with the dark brown
or dark green (depending on the print) and hang it. I've done an 8 x 10 and
a 12 x 15....they look very nice and it's a treat to have on old master to
look at even if it's not an original.
Patricia
Gene Wirchenko
[snip]
>One could use some of the built-in bookshelves for other
>purposes: fluorescent lights to start plants and grow
>houseplants, etc. A shelf for knick-knacks, etc. If one
>wanted to.
Sacrifice bookshelf space to foreign objects? You sicko!
Sincerely,
Gene Wirchenko
Computerese Irregular Verb Conjugation:
I have preferences.
You have biases.
He/She has prejudices.
Karen Wheless
> allergies) would be that *every* wall in the house was
> completely covered with built-in bookshelves - some with
> glass doors, and some with solid doors. Except the kitchen,
> a kitchen needs kitchen cabinets.
What is a kichen cabinet but a mounted bookshelf with doors?
I love bookshelves. Even though I love books, I also think they're just
about the most efficient use of space possible. Even if you don't put
books on them. There are very few other pieces of furniture where you
can use almost every inch of space from floor to ceiling.
It's probably a bit more expensive than the original poster wanted, but
you don't have to build your own bookcases from scratch. Particleboard
bookshelves (the kind you put together yourself - Sauder or O'Sullivan
or some other manufacturers) are perfectly fine for most uses, and they
look quite nice as long as you treat them well. I've had two of mine
for more than ten years and they still look great. And they aren't that
expensive - I think it would be difficult to build your own for much
less money. If you put really heavy loads on the shelves, they will
eventually warp, but it's easy to reinforce them a little bit and even
without reinforcing it takes a lot of weight to make them warp.
If the original poster is willing to wait a little while, these shelves
generally go on sale in August, for "back to school". If I had more
space, I'd buy more of them - I already have 5 in my apartment but there
are still books waiting in boxes! One day I will have a 2 bedroom
apartment, with one room containing nothing but wall-to-wall
bookshelves.
Karen
--
---
Books for Sale!
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze234sc/pages/booksforsale.html
baron48
> baron48 wrote:
> >
> > Invisible? They would cover the whole wall!
>
> 1. They're up so high that wood-colored paint would probably be
> acceptable.
What are you going to do with parts at eye level?
> 2. If not, even the untalented can do wonders with stain and a graining
> comb.
It will still end up looking cheap and tacky if you don't have some
decent tools and woodworking skills.
> 3. The whole thing would be filled with books, so the only thing really
> visible would be the edges.
Assuming all of your books are a perfect fit and you don't leave
some empty space for fancy bookends or knickknacks. Believe me, it is
easy to tell a professional job from something that somebody slapped
together on the cheap. Your home is an investment and should be
treated as such.
-Tom
The Real Bev
>
> The Real Bev <bas...@myrealbox.com> wrote in message news:<3ECA7E0E...@myrealbox.com>...
> > baron48 wrote:
> > >
> > > Invisible? They would cover the whole wall!
> >
> > 1. They're up so high that wood-colored paint would probably be
> > acceptable.
>
> What are you going to do with parts at eye level?
Why not just paint the whole thing wall-color? Or a contrasting color?
Or just varnish the wood? Or use pecky cedar 1x8 fencing for an extremely
interesting effect which requires no finishing at all?
> > 2. If not, even the untalented can do wonders with stain and a graining
> > comb.
>
> It will still end up looking cheap and tacky if you don't have some
> decent tools and woodworking skills.
Not necessarily. The value of "training" (except for seals, of course) is
frequently over-rated. Some people are so careful and so good at
following instructions that things they make always come out right the
first time. I am not one of those people.
Hmm. Did you actually take a class to learn to use your word processor?
Yeah, I bet you did...
> > 3. The whole thing would be filled with books, so the only thing really
> > visible would be the edges.
>
> Assuming all of your books are a perfect fit and you don't leave
> some empty space for fancy bookends or knickknacks.
Piles of books make excellent bookends. Knickknacks? You mean like the
fake dog vomit? That goes on the floor.
> Believe me, it is
> easy to tell a professional job from something that somebody slapped
> together on the cheap. Your home is an investment and should be
> treated as such.
Why are you lecturing me? Your home may be an investment, but my home is
a paid-for dump and I fully expect my kids to bulldoze it when the time
comes. Cheap and functional is good. You want classy decorating tips,
ask Martha Stewart.
--
Cheers,
Bev
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lottery: the closest thing we have to
a tax on stupidity.
silvasurfa
"baron48" <bar...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1de03e0d.03052...@posting.google.com...
> It will still end up looking cheap and tacky if you don't have some
> decent tools and woodworking skills.
I've seen some lovely bookshelves made using cheap kits but with an extra
strip of wood stuck to the edge to make the shelves look more substantial.
And painted black or offwhite. The wall can be painted a deep jeweltone.
Beyond my skills, but do-able for the average halfway talented handyperson I
guess.
silvasurfa
> I just bought a condo and now have two very large, daunting walls to deal
> with. The walls are literally about 20 feet high floor to ceiling, and I
the
> sofa area, and something vertical over the fireplace. They don't need to
> take up the whole wall, of course; just be big enough not to get swallowed
> by the expanse. However, I've looked into Big Dramatic Pieces of Art and
> they seem to cost big bucks.
>
> If you had a couple of huge walls to deal with, but you weren't interested
> in spending a coupla grand apiece for large paintings, what would you do?
>
> (One idea I've got is getting a big tapestry or area rug with lots of bold
> colors, and hanging it on the wall. I also love the idea of using
calendar
> pictures as modular art.)
>
> Michaela
I'd keep a look out for dishevelled old patchwork quilts at my local thrift
shop. Up high, they look just fine.
The Real Bev
And if you use those slotted metal standards with metal brackets, making
the bracket an inch shorter than the board is wide and drilling a blind
hole where the turned-up part on the end of the bracket is adds to
stability and improves the appearance.
Use long screws into the studs, and put screws in all the holes. It's
really scary to look up and see a shelf full of encyclopedias pulled an
inch away from the wall at the top.
We'd have lots more shelves except for the fact that there are a lot of
narrow areas where there just aren't enough studs to put up practical
shelves. ("Practical" means "holds way more than it ought to but where
else are we going to put that crap?")
--
Cheers,
Bev
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I've enjoyed just about as much of this as I can stand.
DELIGHTFUL
funny but with my cold med. and your posts and others replys to you i am
having a real good time....at 3/30 am and i have to be up at 6/30 am but
i have to find out where this ladder tale of yours will end hehe!!!
byeee
http://community.webtv.net/delightdarling/Afewmemoriesfrommy
The Real Bev
>
> bev, i am sure you did not mean for your posts on this thread to be
> funny but with my cold med. and your posts and others replys to you i am
> having a real good time....at 3/30 am and i have to be up at 6/30 am but
> i have to find out where this ladder tale of yours will end hehe!!!
Cold medication improves a lot of things besides sniffles!
--
Cheers, Bev
###################################################################
"Johnston [Island] was the home of a U.S. chemical weapons disposal
facility for 10 years before operations ended in November 2000.
The island was turned into a wildlife preserve."
© 2002 The Associated Press
baron48
> baron48 wrote:
> >
> > It will still end up looking cheap and tacky if you don't have some
> > decent tools and woodworking skills.
>
> Not necessarily. The value of "training" (except for seals, of course) is
> frequently over-rated.
The value of experience is a different matter.
> Some people are so careful and so good at
> following instructions that things they make always come out right the
> first time.
Most of these people know how to start with small projects and work
their way up.
> I am not one of those people.
Most people aren't, so I wouldn't suggest such a project to a complete
stranger.
> Hmm. Did you actually take a class to learn to use your word processor?
> Yeah, I bet you did...
I hope I don't need to explain the differences between word processing
and building furniture.
> > Believe me, it is
> > easy to tell a professional job from something that somebody slapped
> > together on the cheap. Your home is an investment and should be
> > treated as such.
>
> Why are you lecturing me?
I'm bored and you have made yourself a convenient target for
self-righteous ranting.
-Tom
Randee
> I take your point - but what is the use of these expansive book
> bookshelves if you can't afford the large number of books to fill them?
It could become a project of several years to display items...not just
books. Shelving is always a nice thing to have. :)
Randee
Tish Wolfe
> bookshelves if you can't afford the large number of books to fill them?
You don't have to fill 'em all at once, or build 'em all at once either.
DELIGHTFUL
http://community.webtv.net/delightdarling/Afewmemoriesfrommy