Well I finally got a realtor in here to tell me what I should be investing in etc. If I didn't know the guy was a top salesperson I would think he was hosing me but he says I shouldn't invest any money in this house beyond some paint (no new windows, bathroom fixtures, etc.). That it will sell for the same money anyway (well that just blows all those shows I've been watching that say you can flip them for more with some fixups). Apparently I have an ace location, highly sought after, and buyers who would rather do it themselves anyway. I guess if I was a few blocks over or whatever I would have some work to do, but luckily I am where I am.
What has me really keen (ready to start packing) is I can sell for way way more than I expected which means I can probably buy back into my old neighbourhood that I miss like crazy and thought I would never be able to afford again. I am now highly motivated to sell quickly whereas a couple of days ago I was considering waiting till next spring.
Anyway, I'm here in D&D because I just have to fix the kitchen. Given he said to not invest a lot of time or money I will lay the laminate (dark grey pretend slate) since I already have it and paint (it hasn't been done in over a decade and is basically a cream/white now). I will forget painting the oak cupboards (maybe my next house will need that paint anyway) but I may get new knobs (or paint the ones I have blackish). The counter is new in Perlato (I think that's its name) laminate that looks like a granite which is a grey/black/white/taupe that reads as dark grey from a distance but changes to taupey depending on which way you are facing.
Part of my question is this. What do I do with one wall that is covered in grasscloth (circa 1980, the real thing, painted over some years ago)? If I am keeping it simple, it means it stays on the wall. If I am to feel better about the room I would like to do more than just slap another coat of paint on it. I'm thinking a wash or something that would seep into the crevices and bring the texture out again. I know how to do it, the issue is colours (eg. same as wall with an umber wash, or a totally different combination).
So, ideas please for kitchen walls and ceiling, and whether I should use a 'feature' colour on the grasscloth wall. The kitchen is north facing (quite a good sized window), again, golden oak cupboards, white appliances, greys in flooring and countertop and a backsplash that totally sucks (off white with a where were you in '82 design). I am not taking it down given the KISS instructions, but may cover with beadboard if push comes to shove). Sink is stainless with a stainless and white faucet. Oh, and I still didn't do anything with the window which I had planned on doing roman shades for (thanks to help from here). So I need an inexpensive but presentable alternative that doesn' require me to sew as I will now be shooting for fast and easy. That window is an odd size 64"W X 48"H. So it's a bit short for some of the premade blinds and such that I have seen around.
Since this is for selling I can choke down my nobeigeness and am totally open to suggestion. I will probably have to repaint my LR/DR (dark red at the moment) some more sensible colour which if I want it to go with my decor and still be a neutral will have to be in the camel/tan/gold or sage/green/mutedgreyblue colours I think. The kitchen is only barely visible through a doorway (and then it's the side of the cupboard) so not a huge big deal to match I don't suppose.
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but DH says he doesn't think it is worth it to start removing towel racks, dimmer switches and light fixtures. Doesn't want to patch up the walls I suppose. I will be keeping my DR light fixture as it was a gift from my mom even though I don't care for it. :rolleyes: I suppose these details will make the house sell faster, but I hope whoever buys it appreciates all the effort. My realtor is putting in the brand names, such as light fixture from Restoration Hardware etc...
I think it would be different if we bought our new place, then I would know what to keep etc...
You know there is nothing saying you can't replace some things before you sell. In my last house I told the realtor the kitchen lights (which I love and still have packed away here) were not included and would be replaced with some others and it was no big deal.
As well if you know you are going to sell and it doesn't make a difference to the sale, replace things you want to take with you with less expensive or less special versions (thinking here of things like expensive towel racks and things that no one would be the wiser about if changed).
So glad to hear your realtor set you at ease. I agree, only do what you have to - leave the red. Your grass wall will be a nice finish. Good luck with the sale.
I knew there was something other than nailpolish remover (with acetone, which I don't have around) I should be able to use but I can never remember what it is. Thanks for mentioning that. Now...where would my alcohol be?
As for the technique, having done the strie before I know I'd need either help or small areas (I did cupboard doors before so that was easy to manage on my own) and neither of those things will be in this equation. I think there is enough texture left to allow for a whiping off technique so I am going to try that method first as it's really fast and easy.
but congrats, that must be a hugh relief and i bet your real estate agent is right on...i just saw, im sure a re run of h&h and they had two people on there and it was said the kitchen and bath can make a good return, however you can overspend and not make back but it was also said that the decor was still top of the list for return on your home........good luck and im so happy for you
smiles
janetc
rub the wall with a cottonball moistened with alcohol. If the paint is latex, you'll see traces of it dissolved onto the cotton. Oil will not be dissolved by alcohol.
A note about the texture technique on the grasscloth. I once saw Debbie Travis paint anaglypta wallpaper using a sponge and glaze. The dry sponge was given a bit of glaze and excess wiped off. She then lightly wiped it across the anaglypta, colouring only the raised areas of the wallpaper. Would this technique work on the grasscloth too?
Just thought I'd toss that in for consideration. Good luck with the painting, and glad to hear you're not in for a tonne of renos.
kipper
I was just wondering about the greenish underone. Is that because of the golden oak or the north light or the greys? In other words, how did you deduce greenish? Also, since I am hopeless when it comes to tans or neutrals or basically warmer tones in general, I'm wondering if (when it comes to wall colour) what you might suggest for the tone I should be looking for.
Using F&B, since I happen to have their colours handy, would it be sort of like Savage Ground or more in the tone of Biscuit or maybe Drab. I can't take my eye off of Caslte Gray, or Cooking Apple, or Stone White but then that's why I need help. It's like I am colour blind to tan/beige. I just don't compute undertones or anything redeeming in them at all and I like deeper tones so much there's a point I reach where I just can't judge the lighter tones at all and if they are appropriate. So if you could please give me a hint I'd really appreciate it.
BTW a glaze is exactly what I was thinking of and have a couple of tins around here. Now to figure out if the paint on there is oil or latex so I know which tin to grab.
Looks like you are on the right track with just minimal fix ups.
Just two suggestions. Even though your windows are an odd size can you buy some cheapies at a Zellers or Wal-Mart and run a quck hem or even mend-a-tape.
I wouldn't be too stressed about the colour of the dining room. People come in with their own ideas. As long as your house is clean and tidy, they won't get distracted from what they should be seeing. Also I always figure if someone can't be bothered to keep the house clean then they probably haven't bothered to keep up with all the other maintenance. If you have too much stuff, do some pre-packing and stick it in storage. It makes everything seem so much bigger.
Can hardly wait to hear what you find to buy in your old stomping grounds.
is that you will be able to invest your creative energy and talent making your new place that more to your liking. Looking forward to that batch of mockups, should be fun !
your realtor is probably right. We have done some lovely things in our home and now I don't think we will get that $$ back. We will still make a nice profit on our home, but we probably would have regardless. Makes me so :hairpull: I feel like going through the house and taking things down - defluffing!
Good luck!
Grasscloth is all the rage right now..
Paint it a pale pale pale cream/tan.. Let it dry.
Then take a mid-tone tan with greenish undertone that is at least 4 shades darker than the base, mix it one part paint to 4 parts glaze...
Roll it on in sections (you will need a partner for this - one rolls the other does the technique). Usually takes rolling halfway down wall - stop and technique and then finish the section of wall below.. etc etc.
Using a Strie Brush (elongated animal hair brush costs about $58 - in Toronto available at Ontario Paint and Wallpaper - you will only find in specialty paint stores not Rona etc.) drag horizontally through the glaze - considering you already have texture you will be following the existing grooves pretty much..
Remove excess glaze from brush and repeat below..
Start from top again once you have finished a section..
Painting remaining walls in kitchen the midtone equivalent to this colour (so two shades lighter than the colour used for the glaze) and it will all tie together beautifully.
Good Luck!