Decorators need help!

[binny]

so we are in the new house, a rental, they dont care at all what we do with it. We can paint, whatever. Obviously Im not going to spend a lot of money on something I dont own so I need some ideas on how to deal with this massive blank canvas I have!

One thing to keep in mind is that I *really* need to try to muffle some of the noise in the house. Its cavernous and sound just echoes off the walls. Im not a huge fan of quilts but I think Im going to need to do something like that to help with the sound.

So I need ideas to help with that as well as any others for decorating up there, do I just ignore the space all together? It looks so barren and well, like a rental. We're here for a year and half at least so I really need some help!

also how would you deal with those windows up there? I want some privacy there as one looks right into the master bedroom.

thanks!
This is taken from the second floor

then these from the main floor

 

[binny]

And then the formal dining room, yes thats a house so close Oh well.

Ignore the math blocks on the table LOL

 

[Aimeedyan]

Since it's a rental, I know you'd hate to invest money into items that would be so custom fit for that house. Like that big art niche that you have plants in - you could find a large canvas painting, which would help with noise and add a lot of color, but it's going to be $$$ and really hard to put into another home.

For the top windows, a cheap fix would be to apply the vinyl window coverings to them. You'll need a really tall sturdy ladder to do it, and probably 2 sets of hands up there, but it's easy to apply. I did a basic frost on my bathroom window but they have prints and patterns - some that look like stained glass. Home Depot and Lowes sell them, but with a window that size you may need to see if anyone online sells them custom (maybe an Etsy seller).

A coat of paint would go a long way, too. Like a warm beige would go with your existing furniture and decor, but will be versatile enough that your landlord may not care to repaint it/have you repaint it when you move out.

Fabric will also help with the noise - like heavier more substantial drapes on all the windows.

If you'd like, I can send you a link by PM to pictures of my house (I post on a decorating board so I have a bio made). You may see a paint color you like or something. I also have inspiration pics saved on there.

 

[korzmom]

have you seen those window stickees they sell at home depot i have one on my transom light window above my french door in the dining room and it looks great,I'll post a pic, it looks like stained glass and mine is a little faded but its also about 9 years old. i have 2 peiced together,the more intricate the design the harder it will be to match up,but your window is sqaure so it shouldnt be that hard to do.here is the pic.

[/IMG]

 

[binny]

I was thinking about the frost idea too, we also have a huge window above our master bath thats what we did in our last house and it looked nice. I love the one you have there korz! very pretty

I would love to see what you have done Aimee, thanks


This just seems like such an overhelming project! We had vaults in our first house but these are 2 1/2 story vaults and theyre just really hard to deal with!


Im going to swap out those pictures above for the ones with better light, you can get a better idea from those. EVERYTHING in this is builder white *shudder*

 

[binny]

Ok so I have done a little rearranging. I foundthe plant today at the grocery for $10 (wow!) and everything else is just brought in from different rooms. Coffee table, new curtains, some new accesories. Ignore the picture above the couch please, I am going to find some black frames I think and do a gallery wall (thanks to the help at rate this space)


So what do you think about the new stuff?

 

[golfgal]

I just got some of the vinyl cling frosted looking stuff from Home Depot for our powder room window-octagonal-and I really like how it looks. It would be a great solution for your window, you would still get the light into the house but it is totally private. I think the "style" I got was "Rice Paper".

I think you need a larger picture over your couch too, probably at least double the size you have. It looks lost on that big wall. Either that, do a large grouping of pictures if you don't have a larger one.

 

[disykat]

I think your new arrangement looks great. I'm not a big coffee table person, but it really grounds the space!

I think vaulted ceilings are really hard to work with!

 

[binny]

Thanks vaulted ceilings are a PITB. Theyre beautiful and spacious but they really make the house "echoey"


I talked to our landlord and he is going to pick up some shades or something for the side windows at least so we are not looking right at the neighbours or them at us lol

 

[Disney Doll]

I like the idea of a gallery wall above that couch. Use lots of pictures...you have a lot of space to fill there!

Not sure if you'd like this idea, but did you ever think of buying a couple of quilts and hanging them on those big tall walls? I just stayed in a grand villa at Old Key West and they have the living area with the tall vaulted ceilings and they have quilts in very tropical colors hanging on the two tall walls. They have those high windows too, with shutters on them...I'm not sure if you'd want to put that kind of expense into the windows though, so the "frost" window sticky covering may be a better bet.

 

[binny]

Too funny, I just found this

Its actually a rug but its huge 6ft X 9ft and I was thinking I could hang that above in this alcove

but turned sideways of course. I think it would be really pretty I was looking for a wrought iron piece but this would be even better because it would be cloth and would absorb some of the noise.

Im not a huge fan of quilts usually but this could be a good compromise.

 

[disykat]

My boys were 3 and 5 when we moved into our vaulted ceiling house and I remember thinking we'd made a horrible mistake about 15 minutes after we moved in! We got stuff on the walls, etc. as fast as we could! I would love to have hardwood floors, but have kept carpet out of self defence.

I have an heirloom quilt that means a lot to me (made by and handed down to all the women with the same name in my family) so I went that route in the family room. I wouldn't want quilts in my living room though. I think that rug is a great compromise!

 

[Disney Doll]

That rug is a nice idea, and if you do the gallery style pictures with the black frames over the couch, the two will blend nicely, since the rug is fairly simple with emphasis on the color black.

Or, maybe put the rug over the couch and the pictures in the alcove?????

 

[mrsheppo]

have you seen those window stickees they sell at home depot i have one on my transom light window above my french door in the dining room and it looks great,I'll post a pic, it looks like stained glass and mine is a little faded but its also about 9 years old. i have 2 peiced together,the more intricate the design the harder it will be to match up,but your window is sqaure so it shouldnt be that hard to do.here is the pic.

[/IMG]

I have the same on a transom window in my living room. DH thought it was stained glass when he first looked at the house.

 

[mamajoan]

Hey there Binny!

We have a great room very similar but we have a separate dining room. I think our windows are a bit bigger there are a total of 6 on one wall and 4 more on other walls... lotta glass. The bottom ones are covered with wood blinds. It is a large room with a fireplace and huge mirror.. think 1 1/2 stories big. I placed a large rug in the center of the room over the carpeting, then moved the furniture away from the walls, creating a conversation/tv area. I have 2 large palms and standing lamps near the windows, which add color and texture. There is a large clock on one wall. I do not cover the large windows that are located at the top of the room. I don't have problem with that tho...no view problems. I have seen other neighbors that put blinds in their top windows.

Hanging a huge rug might be tough might be really heavy?? I am not sure tho.. how about 2 or 3 smaller pieces to arrange on the wall. but then a 6 x 9 might not be too heavy.
btw... gotta love overstock!!!! Have a rug from there under my feet at the moment.

Good luck.. the home looks lovely!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You have a very nice space. One thing you might consider is painting your small light side table a black, like your coffee table, side lamp and it looks like your corner lamp, etc. It might look a little more pulled together that way. I'd also like to see how it looks without the rug under the coffee table. I like the plant you bought - it adds warmth to the space. I like the idea of a grouping of black framed pictures. Or you might consider a large black framed or metal framed decorative mirror as a focal point (and put your framed photos on another smaller wall). You don't have to pay a fortune for it - look around for a used one and paint it. Or check stores like Pier 1 and Home Goods for ideas. They have some interesting iron work you can put on your walls.

I think it might help you to define what your "style" is. I like the rug idea (especially given your dining room picture, which shows another view of that wall), but I'd love to see something maybe a little brighter and/or more colorful for you, and I'd have to play with placing it horizontally vs vertically. The one under your coffee table might even work if you're on a budget. Here are some others (not exactly what I had in mind, which I can't find but have seen in person; these are just ideas). A colorful quilt would work as well, if that's your style.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/triangle-patchwork-rug/?pkey=csale-rugs

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/RugsPi...169/ProductName/Scroll-Bloom-Rug/Default.aspx

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1264&f=33464

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.as...4824|65750&CmCatId=external|57324|64824|65750

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.as...4824|65750&CmCatId=external|57324|64824|65750

One thing you could do without spending a lot is use color on the walls in lieu of "stuff". I kind of like the uncluttered look so barish walls, with a few properly sized decorative pieces or wallhangings, would work well for me.

As for the window facing your bedroom, I'm not sure. I guess it depends on the view. If it was a nice view I wouldn't want to completely obscure it. If it's just your neighbors then the frost might be an easy solution. If I was going to be there long term I might think differently, perhaps with some type of electrically operated 2" wood or faux wood blinds or something like that just for the privacy factor. I got mine at blinds.com and I love them.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Hey Binny, one general tip is to browse Overstock.com, especially when looking for rugs. I buy stuff from them all of the time and have great success!

 

[RNMOM]

I have never been able to figure out how to deal with this style of house. I really can't imagine what to do since I'm sure you don't wish to paint or paper due to renting.

One thing came to mind was the metal wall decor. I have seen some really large ones that are quite interesting and would fill up an area well. Also you could get a collection of old picture frames. The kind that are scrolled and such that are beat up a bit and arrange them in a collection. Anyone know what I mean?? I have seen that on HGTV or another home decor show.

Good luck and please let us know what you decide. I guess this is another reason I stick with ranch style homes.

 

[Topper]

I prefer the canine coffee table

 

[binny]

I prefer the canine coffee table

I know she much prefers it too, she is mad that I put a table on her rug! Even though thats her bed now under the window, she wont lay down on it

Unfortunately, the rug has to stay as the owners had puppies. I was able to get the smell out but not all of the colour stain.

I will check out those links, thanks

Landlord said he might be able to do some bamboo shades or something, if he cant then I will. That would give us some texture up there and privacy but still let some light filter through.



I found some great curtains on overstock last night too, so I think I will get those for the bottoms of the dining room window and get a matching set for the lower living room window

thanks for all the help!