Paint the trim, baseboards and ceiling cloud white in this room....the designer I had over the other day said I should... so this addition ties in with the rest of my old house...maybe DBD ....pretty please can do a mock up?....I am not sure what is a matter with me these days...I have lost all confidence with my decorating abilities...I just can't make a decision anymore..... :hairpull:
P.S What light fixtures do you suggest for the slant ...I have the 2 ceiling fans in the middle which I like...I have had the electrician here twice..and had him install 2 more ceiling fans...big mistake..too much..and then some pendant lights...but it looked too busy....should I do track?....OMG this house is driving me nuts.... :hairpull:
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He sounds like a smart decorator to me gives suggestions but is willing to work with how you feel. I also agree sick to one project at a time get it right and then move on to the next.
well I am quite pleased with his drawings for my basement...he managed to "fit" everything I wanted with 3 different scenarios to choose from...I am very impressed...so the cost for his service was WORTH IT...... :) ... since he was here I brought up the wood issue in the great room...... :D
the reasoning for his suggestion to paint out the wood was simply because the rest of the house has painted trim...if the old house had exposed wood trim that he would leave my great room....the thing of it is though is he is not exactly suggesting white...in fact he thought a brown black for the stair railings and handrail, trim and french doors and agreed that leaving the ceiling wood for the warmth would work...he just feels that having painted trim is in keeping with the rest of the house but the color doesn't necessarily need to match with the white in the other rooms...... hope that makes sense...he also loves the idea of painting the trim the same color as the wall but in an oil finish for contrast...( interesting)...so I definately have some decisions to make.......I told him that this forum went nuts with the controversary though.....LOL.....( kinda like the leather vs fabric debate)......the bottom line...he told me to do "what feels right for me"...if I like the warmth of the wood...leave the ceiling.......yippee.....he also suggested ditching the ceiling fans ( of course designers hate them) and to install 2 bronze finish cage chandeliers in the middle and track lighting or pots lights for the slants.....he also advised to PICK one room at a time to work on and DON'T RUSH to complete it.........so I am feeling much better today......
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who gave me feedback....it was greatly appreciated..... :D
We have the same type ceiling in our cathedral-ed family room. Quite honestly I don't love our wood, but I would not paint over it. The wood adds a warmth & coziness, and keeps it from looking cookie cutter. I think the deeper tones (I'm especially loving the green/olive) and painting out the spindles will give you a brand new look. By all means, if you absolutely hate the wood, then definitely paint it. But the room looks to be rather large, and I wonder if you wouldn't miss the warmth of the wood.
I think paying the fee is not a waste of money when you don't agree with what they say it will set your mind at ease that your idea was right all along. I paid a landscape designer at my last house and we did what we wanted but she gave us a plant list and that really helped and it confirmed in our minds that our ideas were ok. I also paid a person to come and give me colour ideas on this house and I never used any of her colours but it gave me the confidence to pick my own and I just needed the kick start she gave me.
I like the wood I think if you paint it out it will give your house the expected look instead of something to set it apart from every other house you go into.I thinkyou have enough light and window to have the wood ceiling without it looking to dark.
Oh, don't get me started on fabric vs leather lmao!
There's something about your space as is that is so beautiful and warm. Something that you just don't see in new homes. I kind of like it the way it is.
We did painted ceilings this time and had some fun with them a la Sarah Richardson style. I copied some of her ceiling colours and really loved the look. Our ceilings vary from a light gray to a cream and to cloud white.
I do love the cloud white. It's the perfect white for a ceiling if you were looking for one.
sorry Flambequeen...missed your post......BEAUTIFUL .....so much like my room.......wow I think I will have to disagree with my designer's opinion on painting the wood......my home is in the country and the wood works with my space.......I got so off track when he came in to my great room and started saying paint, paint , paint when I had intially hired him for a consultation for my basement...I have to re-focus at this point..........thanks to all the forum members who responded...positive or negative....I think I have learned that painting wood has the same response as fabric vs leather.....its 50/50............... :D
I think if you can afford to pay for any expert to give you advice and consultation then you go for it. I think that even if they ask those questions that you did not think about and suggest ideas that seem ridiculous, [I]not my style[/I] you sometimes take time to think it over and come out with a better understanding of what you really want. I think that most designers/decorators recognize your style and work with what you like and what your house calls for.
They probably help you to stretch a bit too and take risks that you may not otherwise take.
When it comes to your outdoors, you really want somebody to tell you what is realistic for your soil, your zone, your drainage and your availability. How much of a gardener do you want to be? After you have had that discussion and learn about what plants work according to your committment then you are pretty well set to come up with a design. I have discovered that although gardening is therapeutic for me, I went overboard on the amount of garden plots and over the years I have learned where to replace flower beds with flowering shrubs.
I am concerned because I am getting a landscape designer in on Friday, she will come here, walk around my yard, and I pay her $200 for her opinion and I get a rough sketch. What if everything she says is what I know already? What if I don't like the plants she suggests? What if she doesn't match up to my expectation of getting a fab garden ideas for 200 bucks?! I still have to pay her.
Could've spent that money on new outdoor furniture...
Seems like a cyber kinda job, we're paying people to hear what they think! lol
I bet you have a good experience. It really depends on your expectations and of course, who you hire. I did the same thing at one house and was really pleased. I got some really sound ideas on what sequence to do things, various off the cuff ideas about what could go in certain areas, and lists of plants and good suppliers. What I liked the best was not having a solid plan as I knew I could do this, this, or this and it got my imagination going. It was quite informal, more of a conversation with someone who knew the conditions, knew her plants and materials, and had seen a lot so could give me various ideas.
I think when you hire a designer of any type, you really have to have some sense of their work/style or have the attitude that you are using them for their basic knowledge (like getting the plant lists and some ideas of how thing can be situated). Basically a trained eye that can help with your particular situation.
When asking for specifics (like a final plan), you have to be dealing with someone who either shares your tastes or can adapt. For instance, if I were to want a designer I can think of a few who are regulars on Cityline who I might consider for ideas for layout, function, basic ideas but wouldn't pay them a nickel for colour consultation because I know we aren't on the same wavelength at all when it comes to that.
Anyway, expect to have someone who will walk around your yard with you, ask what you have as needs/wants, and will give you ideas. Keep a piece of paper and pen handy because they often have ideas just bubbling up that you want to remember but won't after a couple of hours of so much info coming at you. Ask who they would recommend if you need additional help or want best prices on supplies/materials, what gets done first, second, etc. When I had it done it really opened my eyes to the possibilities and got me out of a fixed headspace. I also felt really good because I now had a plan and knew what to do first year, next year, etc. and even though I left that house after 1.5 years, it's yard looked much more together than the other houses I've had. It's really money well spent when you don't want to experiment.
Wow, I had no idea I'd get such a heated response tryingto but for whatever reason I have. I'm not going to debate language with you because you obviously don't get the point I was trying to make. Good luck with your home!
actually lawyers refer to their work as OPINIONS that are drafted for the client to review ...so I am sticking with OPINION.....the designer knows more than me and that is why I hired him.....but that doesn't mean I have to go with what he says ....its like many others have said before...you can bend the rules when it comes to design otherwise everyone's home would look the SAME....now that is JMO!!!!! :D
Sorry to have ruffled your feathers Lola. It was just a concern to me as I'm doing the same as Trynto. Call it pre-consultation nerves. I'll let you know how the landscape designer turned out.
Tryinto.......You were smart to use a designer. I think a designer or architech is well worth the price. You don't have to listen to all of their ideas. Just take what you want/like from the consultation.
I love the photo that Flamequeen posted.
I think that green looks simiar to your office. With all the light in that room, I might go darker but it shows how nice the room looks with the wood ceiling and trim and area rugs and the warmth of lamps .
With some green plants and artwork it will be stunning.
"...merely his opinion" sounds like his recommendations don't have any credence and is frankly rather offensive. I agree that you don't have to follow or listen to what a designer recommends to you but saying it's merely his opinion sounded disrespectful to me. Would you consider commenting on your husbands recommendation or opinion in the same fashion? Sorry if I ruffled your feathers but your comments kinda ruffled mine! :D
Lola....Speaking of my situation...the designer I used has been doing this for 20 years and comes highly recommended...in fact he has met Linda Reeves many times..(not that that matters )...but I paid him $300 for a consultation...he was at my house to give me some creative ideas for my basement renovation and layout...while he was on my "dime"...I asked about the great room, kitchen and bathroom.....he was giving me his personal preferences despite the fact that I know he is highly educated and is an industry professional....it was merely his opinion......I do agree with others...it is up to me to choose whether I want to make his changes he is suggesting...hence my reasoning for asking this forum for their feedback.......in fact my husband is a lawyer and gives "opinions" all the time and although it is based on the law and precidents...it is still his opinion....another lawyer may counsel the client differently just like a designer may..... :D
itsjust me....I actually did that last summer...paid a landscape designer $850 to give me a layout and design....she basically used some computer generated mock that this forum probably could have done a better job at :D and in the end...I didn't like her suggestions... :hairpull: she didn't listen to what I wanted and although it was a waste of my time...it wasn't a waste of money because I actually learned what I didn't like.......
I do think designers are valuable for a project and hence my reason for contracting one....but if that designer doesn't have your same vision or taste...things can go astray...........
here are some pictures of wood ceilings with beams and potlights and green walls.
I'm no designer, but I think the wood that you have there is stunning and full of character. It would be a shame to paint it all white. Its such a beautiful cozy space
I envy you! :)
A designer doesn't give you his/her opinion based on preference. Saying its just an opinion lessens what they do. They give recommendations based not only on education and experience but many other factors that a lay person would not consider. You dont have to agree with anything they recommend but the recommendation is coming from a place of knowledge and should be considered and not discarded, as an opinion. Maybe your designer didn't explain the why's behind the recommendations but be sure there are many.
I would leave all of the wood as is....... I love the "cottagey-chalet" look. Spend your $$$ & time on the walls, get some great accessories, tables etc. & an area carpet. I loved those ceiling fans. Did you take them down yet??
Yeah, I once paint a BM paint lady to give me colours for the house...her taste did not match mine, and I never used any of her ideas. Others just ask you enough questions until you come up with the answer.
Trynto- You know what is worrying me now, is that you spent $300 to hear an opinion of someone else, and you might not agree to what they say, or even have the same ideas or taste, but you still have to pay them. Guess no refund if you don't like what she says.
I am concerned because I am getting a landscape designer in on Friday, she will come here, walk around my yard, and I pay her $200 for her opinion and I get a rough sketch. What if everything she says is what I know already? What if I don't like the plants she suggests? What if she doesn't match up to my expectation of getting a fab garden ideas for 200 bucks?! I still have to pay her.
Could've spent that money on new outdoor furniture...
Seems like a cyber kinda job, we're paying people to hear what they think! lol
Here is a wooden ceiling painted with Farrow and Ball--- Pointing --- eggshell exterior paint. I think they used the exterior paint because of the moisture from the pool.
Thanks for that because I was feeling a little guilty for piping up since my tastes seem to be very different than yours. :p You have to feel comfortable in your own home though and don't do what everyone else is doing just for the sake of it. Just be really committed if you do decide to paint because it will be a big job to strip it. As if that needed to be said. Take your time in deciding, in other words.
I'll take 20 cents at this point! :p
Also, the room looks unfinished to me, all hard surfaces. I'd get an area rug and a couple of side tables for lamps and some kind of drapery even if it's just panels that hang there and aren't functional. I know that wasn't the original question but just throwing my .02 cents in.
I'm not a huge fan of wood but... I think your room is beautiful the way it is. I don't think absolutely everything in a house has to match - I can say that because my house is pretty eclectic. :rolleyes:
I think some of the others are right. It may be colours or lighting that's really bugging you. Overhead lighting isn't the most conducive to creating atmosphere or intimacy. Instead of adding more overhead light why don't you consider a couple of floor lamps, or maybe a sofa table with lamps.
Then you can try adding some art to the walls or some throw pillows to introduce colour. I happen to like the colour on the wall, it's warm and comfortable, but a nice sage green would probably work as well as long as it has a warm undertone to go with all that wood.
I think that is the problem. The room [I]is[/I] very "chalet like" and, therefore, not in keeping with your 100 year old home.
thank you everyone....I have a lot to think about! :D