Let's Talk Remodeling

[shovan]

Have you had it checked whether the beams are supporting or purely decorative? I don't like messing with structural stuff and I'll avoid it pretty much at any cost.

I sort of like the beams. I would definitely do something with the walls, but I wouldn't mess with the fireplace or the beams. It gives it a rustic, cabin type of feel. Of course, if you don't like that look, you could always paint the beams a white to match the ceiling and have it blend it so that they're less noticeable.

I would opt for a freestanding plasma TV stand instead of built-ins. Then with all the money I saved by not pulling out the beams and tinkering with the fireplace, I'd buy a big 'ole plasma TV for the new stand.

Members of our family have acted shocked that we're thinking of pulling the beams out. So I'm glad to hear someone besides family say that they aren't that bad. They are totally fake though, do not support a thing, one of the reasons we don't like them. If they looked more like real beams they wouldn't bother me nearly as much. Whatever we do with the entertainment center we WILL replace the tv! Rustic cabin isn't quite my thing, but with new sheetrock & paint, do you think I could pull off Rustic Italian/French Villa? Maybe?

We have a similar problem with beams and a brick fireplace in our kitchen. We may get rid of them when we redo our kitchen but for the time being we painted them along with the paneling. It helped to brighten the room a great deal. Our room had a similar rustic feel. Since we have a 100 year old kitchen table we didn't mind the look. I think done properly it looks quite nice. The one mistake we made was painting the mantel white. I wanted to keep it the natural wood color but DH didn't get the message (even though I said it several times) and primed it along with everything else. Oh well, I hate the mantel anyway. It is not nearly as pretty as yours.

This house was built in the 70's & I'm afraid that room still looks it! The room originally had dark cheap paneling that we filled in & wallpapered about 10 years ago. The mantel was changed a few years back. Before that it was just awful! It was stacked planks sitting on top of two bricks that were sticking out! We had to cut off the bricks to install this mantel. We kept the wood stained to try not to clash with all the old stuff in there. But now it's just this horrible mismatch. This is what happens with trying to keep it updated & not go into debt for the rest of our lives.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Changing metal finish color: My old handles & hinges were probably zinc with just a antique brass finish on them. Not sure what chemical solution to change to oil rubbed bronze in that case. So I bought ORB spray paint but haven't tried it yet on the old hinges. I might just use it LIGHTLY & do a dry brush techique on the hinges.

I'm sure my cheap $2.49 ORB pulls are zinc & not really brass or bronze. Not alot of weight to them. lol But $2.49 fit my budget & fit into the type of materials in this condo. If I picked all the beautiful items you guys have picked, I would have outpriced myself over the other condos. I might have already done so.

My next house is going to be just as beautiful as all of yours!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Shovan, I know you're not going to like my suggestion, because it's going to cost more, but what about keeping the beams and adding wood planking around them, sort of like this:

I personally love that look. You could have it all stained, or even painted a neutral color. I bet it could be done with inexpensive bead board to achieve the look.

You could always do like Mickeysgal said, and paint the beams the same color as the ceiling. I too would be worried about the one beam being structurally supportive.

Do you have an aversion to painted brick? Some people hate it. I think it looks good. You could always have the fireplace painted, or have something put over the brick, like a ledgestone facing. They make fake ledgestone. They use it on the exterior of homes all the time. It looks like it would be thick (or deep), but it's not.

Again, none of my suggestions are cheap. I'm really good about that!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Shovan, don't forget, I changed the color of my bathroom hardware from aged brass, to pewter and it looks fantastic.

If you want to send me a scrap piece and show me the exact look you're trying to achieve, I can try it and send it back to you.

If you want, I can send you a close-up of either a drawer pull, or a hinge.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I actually really like the photo AMITY posted of wood ceiling. I'm a bead board lover. Don't have any, but wish I did. We did in last apartment.

AMITY, I'm surprised that photo comes from you. I didn't think you were a wood lover. Glad to know you are.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Shovan, don't forget, I changed the color of my bathroom hardware from aged brass, to pewter and it looks fantastic.

If you want to send me a scrap piece and show me the exact look you're trying to achieve, I can try it and send it back to you.

If you want, I can send you a close-up of either a drawer pull, or a hinge.

Did you paint it? If not, how did you do it? Was it real brass to start with?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I actually really like the photo AMITY posted of wood ceiling. I'm a bead board lover. Don't have any, but wish I did. We did in last apartment.

AMITY, I'm surprised that photo comes from you. I didn't think you were a wood lover. Glad to know you are.

Oh yeah, I love that look! I don't particularly like that particular shade and that fan, but I've gone into some very high dollar custom homes that had ceilings like that, and it's on my "one of these days" to-do list.

I mentioned my husband doing the ceiling in my bedroom like that (minus the beams) and he acted like he didn't hear me. I took that as a big negative.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Did you paint it? If not, how did you do it? Was it real brass to start with?

No, I used this stuff that I got from Michael's. It is literally liquid metal and comes in a kit.

You prime it, brush the liquid metal on it and prime it again, which seals it. Except for mine, I wanted to age it, so I brushed the liquid metal on it, and painted black craft paint on them, and wiped off the excess, then I sealed them.

I swear, you'd never know they weren't pewter and it was actually a fun (if not nerve wracking at first!) experience.

I'll take a picture. I'm bored.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Here are the drawer pulls:

I also did these sconces. They were bronze. I used the same kit on both of them.

Remember, photography is not my thing and that my walls don't really resemble baby crap.

 

[shovan]

Here are the drawer pulls:

I also did these sconces. They were bronze. I used the same kit on both of them.

Remember, photography is not my thing and that my walls don't really resemble baby crap.

That looks really nice. I love that pull, I see why you wanted to keep it!

And your photography skills are better than mine! I just tried to take a pic of my kitchen pulls, but it came out looking black & they are brass! I just bought a new camera & can't figure out anything on the darn thing!

I just counted & I have 38 pulls & 4 knobs! They aren't anything great, but with that many I really need to figure out something to change the color instead of replacing them. Does the kit come in different colors? How is the finish holding up? I guess I'd say the pulls are antique brass, they're pretty shiny but dark in the crevices. I'd like ORB.

Here's an old pic, you can see the pulls in it.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I just counted & I have 38 pulls & 4 knobs! They aren't anything great, but with that many I really need to figure out something to change the color instead of replacing them. Does the kit come in different colors? How is the finish holding up? I guess I'd say the pulls are antique brass, they're pretty shiny but dark in the crevices. I'd like ORB.

The finish is holding up very well. I'm guessing it's the sealer doing its job. The kits do come in different colors.

So far, I've used the pewter and the verdigris. I used the verdigris finish for a gate outdoors. It held up well, with the exception of some rusting, but that's because it was exposed to the elements, and I didn't seal it.

I can't imagine that they wouldn't come in bronze.

Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, I've had my camera for four years and still don't know how to use it!

 

[shovan]

Shovan, I know you're not going to like my suggestion, because it's going to cost more, but what about keeping the beams and adding wood planking around them, sort of like this:

I personally love that look. You could have it all stained, or even painted a neutral color. I bet it could be done with inexpensive bead board to achieve the look.

You could always do like Mickeysgal said, and paint the beams the same color as the ceiling. I too would be worried about the one beam being structurally supportive.

Do you have an aversion to painted brick? Some people hate it. I think it looks good. You could always have the fireplace painted, or have something put over the brick, like a ledgestone facing. They make fake ledgestone. They use it on the exterior of homes all the time. It looks like it would be thick (or deep), but it's not.

Again, none of my suggestions are cheap. I'm really good about that!

You know, I don't know what I think of that ceiling! I don't think I've ever seen that in person before. Just not anything I'd ever considered. I'll have to go look for some more pics, and think about that!

A relative painted the bricks in thier house. They did them white & I think it looks pretty bad. I'm sure it can be done right, I just haven't seen it.

None of my ideas are cheap either, my DH says I have some kind of strange radar on picking out anything. I can walk into Home Depot or a Clothing Store & I'm immediately drawn to the most expensive WHATEVER I'm looking for!

 

[Hixski]

I had posted these pictures on the Christmas decorating thread and realized I can use them here. I took a picture of the tree in our foyer a couple of years ago. I just took a new picture of the taller one I just got. It really shows all the work we have done. New flooring, doors, baseboards and trim (not quite done with all of that, that trim and caulking take forever)new paint job.

Before:

After:

I took the last picture with the Xmas lights on so it looks a little different. I just realized how different it looks from before. You can see I am trying to hide the corner we are not done with on the trim with my train house. Our house is out of the 80's and into the new millenium. (I think I have been watching too much Designed to Sell on HGTV.)

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

You know, I don't know what I think of that ceiling! I don't think I've ever seen that in person before. Just not anything I'd ever considered. I'll have to go look for some more pics, and think about that!

A relative painted the bricks in thier house. They did them white & I think it looks pretty bad. I'm sure it can be done right, I just haven't seen it.

None of my ideas are cheap either, my DH says I have some kind of strange radar on picking out anything. I can walk into Home Depot or a Clothing Store & I'm immediately drawn to the most expensive WHATEVER I'm looking for!

Well, out of all the ceilings that I've seen like that, I probably picked the ugliest one I'd ever seen. I couldn't find a good photo to save my life.

The look I like isn't rustic at all. Just rich and warm looking.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Hixski, isn't it amazing how big of a change a coat of paint can make? Your tree looks so much richer in front of the new paint!

 

[shovan]

Hixski, What a difference!! Looks great!

AMITY, I looked around for wood ceiling pics too! I couldn't find any great shots either. Since it would probably be way pricey, I'll just put that out of my head for the time being. As soon as I can I'm going to head to Michaels to look for that finishing kit, thanks for the info!

Right now we are trying to somehow get the bathroom finished. Remember I said the owner of the cabinet shop broke his leg, this week the poor man was in the hospital with chest pains. He is supervising the building of the cabinet because it's something different they haven't done before. So we are still waiting & don't want to be ugly & pushy with the man have so much trouble.

We've also been waiting to get prices for etching our frameless shower glass door. Our contractor came back with a price from one place of only $900 for clear but $3600 for a solid (non-patterned) obscure etching. We had a particular design in mind, but we'll have to wait for prices from other places.

 

[Hixski]

I sure could use some advice with this room!


See:

Any suggestions or ideas? Don't feel shy about telling me, I know it's Uuugllyy!

Have you thought about manufactured stone for the fireplace. I know you can do an overlay on top of your existing brick. I have seen this a few times on HGTV. It really looks great! Here are a couple of pictures I found.

I don't think the beams are too bad....just very dark for my tastes.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Remember I said the owner of the cabinet shop broke his leg, this week the poor man was in the hospital with chest pains. He is supervising the building of the cabinet because it's something different they haven't done before. So we are still waiting & don't want to be ugly & pushy with the man have so much trouble.

You're quite the task master, aren't you?

Just joking.

 

[shovan]

Have you thought about manufactured stone for the fireplace. I know you can do an overlay on top of your existing brick. I have seen this a few times on HGTV. It really looks great! Here are a couple of pictures I found.

I don't think the beams are too bad....just very dark for my tastes.

I like the look of that one. Thanks for more ideas!

You're quite the task master, aren't you?

Just joking.

Hehe , Now that sounds like a joke my husband would have said! Pleeeaassee I need more support from you my Homies!!!

The poor man did have a mild heart attack. But he is back at work & they are beginning work on our vanity. At least that's what they told DH. Who knows?

What do you all think of plastering over the brick in an old world style letting some of the brick show through? Like this:

I don't know if I could convince my contractor to do that or not. He'd probably want to just rip it all out & start over. The job might be too big for me to attempt although if I learned the correct steps I think I could do it.

I redid the walls of my hall bath a couple years back. I took down wallpaper which had been there over 20 years. They had put up the sheetrock board but hadn't plastered over it before putting up the wallpaper. So when I pulled up the paper parts of the board came up too. So my DD & I bought the plaster stuff & after having a very hard time getting it smooth we decided to do a rough plaster "old world" style finish. Here's a not very good pic of the bathroom, it was hard to get a decent one, it's a small bathroom & the mirrors didn't help.

As you can see the color is pretty bright, but after several weeks of plastering & doing a faux finish with 3 different layers of color, I decided I liked it. After thinking about how worn out we were from doing that, maybe plastering is a bad idea, unless I can get the contractor to do it!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I THINK I FOUND MY BACKSPLASH! FINALLY!

And its at Grossman's Bargain Outlet (hardware outlet). 2"x4" travertine in brick pattern on mesh. Just $7.99 square foot. They have white or brown. The white is NOT white & it matches my ivoryish floor & the specks in the countertop. The brown is darker like I wanted, but I don't see that color anywhere else in my kitchen. So...... I got this brainstorm idea....and confirmed on the web that it can be done. I'm going to put a coat of wood stain on the white tile before we seal / install. DH is away right now & thinks I'm crazy. But he often thinks that. He said go with the brown one but he doesn't know what he's talking about & just wants this finished.

I only need 29 mesh sheets. So about $230 + grout & supplies. Since its mesh, I think we can handle install ourselves. But he keeps telling me to hire someone. What happened to the guy I married who used to like doing this stuff with me? I have to remind him he's never happy with anyone elses work.

So here's some pictures. Again, the color is off some. Florourscent lights in store & in kitchen.

Tell me what you think of the pattern & scale of the tile (2x4). There won't be any other pattern or tiles. The kitchen is already busy enough & its small. And tell me what you think of the 2 colors - or my idea to stain the white a just a bit darker but keeping in color with kitchen. It would be darker than floor, but lighter than cabinets. I've already stained some samples.

Samples of white & brown travertine along with my door, vinyl floor sample & counter sample. (at store)

Same samples at home. NOTICE NEW PULLS ON DOORS

Reminder of stage we are at in kitchen