View Full Version : My new Pied a .terre
iris lilies
9-11-20, 6:41pm
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3438-Russell-Blvd-Apt-204_Saint-Louis_MO_63104_M83794-39129?view=qv
The perfect unit came on the market yesterday morning, and we closed on the buy today. Yay! I have a tiny pied a terre now.
i’ve looked at 5 of these Units at 530 sq ft. and this one is perfect for me. It is on the second floor, so I don't have to worry about exiting many stairs in a fire. And I dont have to take the elevators. While the views from the top floor units were amazing, I like being close to the ground. My dad from his grave is telling me “ low floor is good! In a fire you Can get out fast! ” and I remember frugal-one saying fire ladders only reach to the 5th floor. Haha, i have some weird little phobias about fires and death by elevator.
I can hardly wait to start decorating. Since we have downtime with Covid, I wanted to secure a small city place and get it dolled up before my regular activities commence. DH will be adding crown molding as a first step. This unit has an ugly aged kitchen that I will have no remorse in taking out.
floor plan below. It is called a studio because there is no closet in the little bedroom/office.
3429
Congrats!! I'm so happy for you! Looks perfect! Lovely building.. this is the building you had your eyes on, right?
That was fast--congratulations! I like that the kitchen has its own room. I wouldn't want to be on an upper floor, either.
IL, you have the best of both worlds now, urban and more rural in Hermanus. Are you moving completely out of your cute little houses that you have owned and worked on for so long?
Looks nice! Why does the listing say it’s got 1.5 baths? I only saw 1 bath? What about washer and dryer?
Will you end up with just the Hermann house and this wonderful city pad?
iris lilies
9-11-20, 8:24pm
Looks nice! Why does the listing say it’s got 1.5 baths? I only saw 1 bath? What about washer and dryer?
I’m glad you could see the listing.
That’s an error. I knew when I saw that it was an error because I’ve seen 4 units just like it and there are never any more than 1 bathroom.
no washer and dryer, I have to use the building’s w/d. This lack probably keeps prices down in this building. At one time they were allowing units to put in washer dryer’s but the dryer vents required they bore through the brick and they put a stop to that. And this makes me happy because we must preserve the old façade.
This unit comes with a garage. I am stoked about that because now we can use that beginning immediately even if we don’t live there. It’s a five minute drive away from where I live.
frugal-one
9-11-20, 8:25pm
Wow... one day... you worked fast!
iris lilies
9-11-20, 8:32pm
Also, the other lacks in this building:
* no water line for an ice maker
* no wifi in the lobby
* aunt Agnes aesthetic in the lobby
* no exercise room
* no pool
* no central air conditioning
It is a 93 year old building. Which I love!
iris lilies
9-11-20, 8:33pm
Wow... one day... you worked fast!
i check realtor.com every day for a new listing in that building.
iris lilies
9-11-20, 8:44pm
Oh
I am sorry! We have not closed the deal yet. I meant, we made offer, and buyer accepted. We do have a few days to read over the condominium rules and approve them.
iris lilies
9-11-20, 8:44pm
Congrats!! I'm so happy for you! Looks perfect! Lovely building.. this is the building you had your eyes on, right?
Yes, right next door to The Magic Chef mansion.
iris lilies
9-11-20, 8:52pm
IL, you have the best of both worlds now, urban and more rural in Hermanus. Are you moving completely out of your cute little houses that you have owned and worked on for so long?
we own no little houses any more. We sold the last ones 8 months ago.Let me say I am absolutely thrilled with the new owner’s work on them. He’s already finished with the first one and will have it up for sale very soon. It’s even staged With adorable red bistro furniture on the brick patio that he re-laid. He invited us over to see it, so cute! It’s exactly what that end of the neighborhood needs.
You know there’s a real estate bubble when the IrisLily household buys real estate. We believe in buying high and selling low. Haha. Sad but true.
Also, the other lacks in this building:
* no water line for an ice maker
* no wifi in the lobby
* aunt Agnes aesthetic in the lobby
* no exercise room
* no pool
* no central air conditioning
It is a 93 year old building. Which I love!
The only thing that would bother me would be the lack of central ac, but that’s easily remedied with a window unit. What would really be a deal breaker for me is no in unit washer and dryer.
SteveinMN
9-11-20, 10:55pm
The only thing that would bother me would be the lack of central ac, but that’s easily remedied with a window unit.
It looks like there's a portable unit in the main room. But I would want one in St. Louis, too.
Frankly, at 93 years old I'd be pleased if the refrigerator were in the same room as the other kitchen appliances and there was three-wire electrical service throughout the apartment. I saw a lot of apartments before I moved into mine (before this house) where the lack of those "features" were showstoppers. This place looks nicely updated without killing the charm that helped it last this long.
I love small efficient living spaces. Very nice.
catherine
9-12-20, 12:03am
Yes, right next door to The Magic Chef mansion.
Wow, nice neighborhood! Also, it looks like there's a park across the street?
http://magicchefmansion.com
Teacher Terry
9-12-20, 2:22am
It looks great!
rosarugosa
9-12-20, 6:26am
It's lovely! Such a bright space; it looks very spacious for the actual square footage. You'll just need to be careful to avoid too many extra truck keys - haha!
happystuff
9-12-20, 9:55am
Congratulations! Have fun with it!
iris lilies
9-12-20, 10:59am
It's lovely! Such a bright space; it looks very spacious for the actual square footage. You'll just need to be careful to avoid too many extra truck keys - haha!
Haha yeah! Keep the place free of truck keys will be my goal.
My first act would be to paint everything white--after days of considering different whites, of course--and maybe painting the kitchen cabinets while I figured out what I wanted to do with them.
Do you like the colors you have now, Iris, or do you have a new color scheme in mind?
iris lilies
9-12-20, 12:02pm
Oh honey I am planning re-decorating to the max. And the walls will be the opposite of white Dash very very very dark. Right now I am considering navy blue, Dark gray, or this weird super dark blue -green that seems to be everywhere.
The weird blue-green is arresting to me. I’ll post a picture of it below. Navy blue is very crisp and will look the best against white woodwork. DH will install crown molding*. In the end, shades of gray will be easiest to work with especially since I’m going to have drapes, silk drapes. I’m gonna have fabric in this Pied a terre because I won’t have animals living there, so there will not be animal hair sticking to everything. I’m even contemplating a white linen sofa.
You all are free to be horrified at the dark colors I’m using because that’s OK. My
hermann house will be light because it’s a little country place. But I want my city unit to be dark and elegant and sophisticated with a touch of mystery.
34313432
*But DH does not get to sand it or paint it. I’m hiring a painter to paint the place probably. DH’s skills as a crown molding specialist are the best in the land and I’m not hiring that done, it’s impossible.
Dark walls will probably be stunning. The first thing I did in this place was paint the walls a creamy beige; anything but white for me.
Iris, I like the green for a 20's vintage building very much--I have an antique Chinese kimono that would look gorgeous on that color.
That is ridiculously cute for the money!
iris lilies
9-13-20, 8:59am
Wow, nice neighborhood! Also, it looks like there's a park across the street?
http://magicchefmansion.com
yes, park across the street which is why I preferred a unit in front, but my back unit still has a nice view of the pretty little back yard. The Park across the street has our own version of a castle: a Victorian water tower, picture below.
3436
ToomuchStuff
9-13-20, 9:17am
While I saw a freestanding a/c in your unit, and several in windows on the outside, I didn't see radiators, forced air vents, or any heating. Were any of the window units in other units you looked at, heater/a/c units?
iris lilies
9-13-20, 9:50am
While I saw a freestanding a/c in your unit, and several in windows on the outside, I didn't see radiators, forced air vents, or any heating. Were any of the window units in other units you looked at, heater/a/c units?
Each unit has radiators for hot water heat. My unit has a nice radiator cover.
If you have air conditioners in this building, you will have portable units. It is too bad they hang out of windows, spoiling the look of the building, but that is life. No one would live in these units without air cooling.It is unlikely I will use that hideous floor unit.
It is pretty common for these old buildings throughout St. Louis to NOT have converted to venting for central air.
The more expensive buildings in the Central West End, ones of the same era, do have central air but those units are more expensive, and the buildings have large, posh lobbies, and even a doorman! I ain’t that fancy..
catherine
9-13-20, 11:18am
yes, park across the street which is why I preferred a unit in front, but my back unit still has a nice view of the pretty little back yard. The Park across the street has our own version of a castle: a Victorian water tower, picture below.
3436
I remember St. Louis as being a really nice city. Your older building is making me nostalgic for when I lived there for 3 months when my son was shooting the Depression-era film King of the Hill.
iris lilies
10-4-20, 8:45am
I am charmed by the little surprises I find in this condo. Tiny things, but nice.
Soneone ingeniously put up a clear shower curtain, short, over the window in the bathroom. It is right by the shower. Do you know how many old windows get rotted by showers? Well, not this one! Brilliant. The curtain is transparent and lets in light. I will probably have to swap it out when covered with soap scum, but no big deal.
The bathroom, tiny, is a marvel. Original tub, tile floor, and Vitrolite tile in pristine condition. Stunning really. 93 year old bathroom, classic and handsome. I don’t much like the modern vanity sink there but will swap that out later for a pedestal sink.
The back door thru the kitchen has an ingenious way to let in light because there is no direct window in the galley kitchen. Someone installed, a long time ago because the hardware is old, saloon style swing doors on the outside of that Back door. I can open the back door, lock the saloon swinging doors, and get light in from Bottom and top, plus cooking smells exit to the back service area. Freaking brilliant!
Windows. I am scraping off old paint. Parts of the windows are filthy and haven’t been touched in decades. But by old house standards, I mean the wrecks we take on, they are in nice shape. Just need cleaned. I had forgotten how truly old windows with counter weights feel. Miss that heft. My city and Hermann houses have new windows. DH says new windows not needed, these are fine.They come with storm windows.
iris lilies
10-4-20, 8:47am
I have embarked on the adventure of decorating this tiny space from top to bottom. Will give periodic reports.
My first sashay into the non-DIY world did not go well. More to follow.
I have embarked on the adventure of decorating this tiny space from top to bottom. Will give periodic reports.
My first sashay into the non-DIY world did not go well. More to follow.
Please do give reports, and photos too!
Wow! Thanks for the report and the details of the condo. It sounds so charming. I agree that windows shouldn't be replaced if they are functional. I hate when beautiful old sash windows are replaced by cheap vinyl ones. The people who owned my house before me saved many of the windows--although they did put in some cheap vinyl windows. I also like the idea of the pedestal sink in the vintage bathroom.
Jane v2.0
10-4-20, 10:38am
The windows I grew up with are probably still good; the windows I have now fogged up fifteen years after being installed.
I'm looking forward to hearing about and seeing your updates!
dado potato
10-4-20, 11:18am
Looks like the place has great potential. I hope you will be happy there.
I sleep well in a second storey bedroom. Coiled under the bed (and firmly tied to the bedframe) I have a webbing that I can deploy out the window and climb down hand-over-hand.
Here is a link to a couple 13-foot ladders, with reviews. http://firefightergarage.com/fire-escape-ladder
What are your plans for indoor plants? I saw an item that certain indoor plants have a slight cooling effect in the absence of air-conditioning... aloe vera, parlor palm clumps (Chamaedorea elegans).
Teacher Terry
10-4-20, 1:47pm
Sounds great!
iris lilies
10-5-20, 10:34am
Looks like the place has great potential. I hope you will be happy there.
I sleep well in a second storey bedroom. Coiled under the bed (and firmly tied to the bedframe) I have a webbing that I can deploy out the window and climb down hand-over-hand.
Here is a link to a couple 13-foot ladders, with reviews. http://firefightergarage.com/fire-escape-ladder
What are your plans for indoor plants? I saw an item that certain indoor plants have a slight cooling effect in the absence of air-conditioning... aloe vera, parlor palm clumps (Chamaedorea elegans).
Oh we have a back-of-building fire escape, no need for temp ladder.Also this tiny condo has a back door. I think that’s hilarious but it’s so handy. The back door goes into the service hall by the service elevator. This place was built by Germans who emphasized front door and back door aesthetics. Front door and back door people, doncha know.My guess is this unit was originally occupied by a higher class of person than my city house. My city house was built as an upstairs/downstairs rental.
Will have indoor plants in the tiny bedroom since that big window faces south and sunlight is not obscured by the mature trees that sit back further from the building.
iris lilies
10-10-20, 8:59am
I met many neighbors over the past week.
One small area of concern was the occupancy permit from the city. It allows only one person to live in my unit because the bedroom is 8 ft.² short of being sized for two people. It’s really OK since my plan was to be the main occupant of this apartment and DH would only come occasionally.
So, yesterday I met the president of the condo association and his wife and I mentioned this building permit allows for only one person so it will be me living there. He laughed and said oh it’s OK believe me we let two people live in the small units. And later I learned that he and his wife live in the small unit above me. They are weekenders to the city. This building actually has many weekenders, people who use it as their landing strip in the city where they have country property elsewhere. Already there so many interesting people I’ve met, one couple lives part-time in New Zealand and part time in St. Louis. Another couple has degrees in plant science and they have a farm outstate but stay in their city condo sometimes. I get a real feeling that this is “my tribe “which really isn’t a surprise because there has been a migration from my city neighborhood to this old building for decades.
I met many neighbors over the past week.
One small area of concern was the occupancy permit from the city. It allows only one person to live in my unit because the bedroom is 8 ft.² short of being sized for two people. It’s really OK since my plan was to be the main occupant of this apartment and DH would only come occasionally.
So, yesterday I met the president of the condo association and his wife and I mentioned this building permit allows for only one person so it will be me living there. He laughed and said oh it’s OK believe me we let two people live in the small units. And later I learned that he and his wife live in the small unit above me. They are weekenders to the city. This building actually has many weekenders, people who use it as their landing strip in the city where they have country property elsewhere. Already there so many interesting people I’ve met, one couple lives part-time in New Zealand and part time in St. Louis. Another couple has degrees in plant science and they have a farm outstate but stay in their city condo sometimes. I get a real feeling that this is “my tribe “which really isn’t a surprise because there has been a migration from my city neighborhood to this old building for decades.
Wow, that is the best news of all. My brother and his wife have a place like that in Cambridge that used to be their only home. They have had it since the 70's, and used to have great dinner parties all the time.
Teacher Terry
10-10-20, 1:46pm
It sounds like a great place!
It does Sound perfect for you!
iris lilies
10-17-20, 10:40am
This will be one of many decorating and renovation updates.
This condo was pretty much move-in condition. It needed a new paint job but there was nothing much wrong with it and the floors were beautiful, they must be fairly recently installed. So of course I was compelled to tear it apart and make my own improvements.
I set out saying that DH had only to install crown molding because he is the crown molding king. I wanted a new kitchen because the old one, while perfectly functional, was quite ugly.
So I thought I would splurge and have a kitchen designer and installer do the whole job. Well that ground to a halt when she said you know this could cost $30-$40,000 if you hire it all done. Folks this is a tiny kitchen it is 8 1/2’ x 8 1/2’. I suppose if I Hired them using Union, bonded, and insured people to do every tiny thing I guess I could rack up $30,000? See, I was talking to her about quartzite countertops and every time I describe something that I wanted in cabinets she said “that is custom.” OK fine, I accept that perhaps $30,000 was the high end. This would include new floor.
So even though I can afford that hell I’m not spending that kind of money outright. So DH is now involved and he’s my contractor. He actually seems enthusiastic about doing the work. It took him five hours to tear out cabinets and dispose of them. He’s now Tearing up all the flooring to get it ready to lay a new oak floor. We will hire the floor done, estimate is $650. That’s peanuts.
Here are before and after pictures of original kitchen and kitchen today. Oh yeah, there’s a major problem with the plumbing.Condo association has to replace everything behind the wall. It is original 1920s plumbing. They say that maybe they can’t get to that until January. Ha ha Ha ha ha! But whatever, there’s no firm schedule with this project. I said I wanted an old building and well I got it!
It will look worse before it looks better.
34633464
Wow! How great that you will be able to get the plumbing updated and you have somewhere else to live! You and your husband can have more time to rest before the push to finish.
catherine
10-17-20, 10:57am
Wow.. $30-$40k for an 8x8 kitchen.. One of the only HGTV shows I'll still watch is Love It or List It and it's incredible when Hilary will say, "What's my budget?" and they'll say "120,000" and she'll say right away "Oh, you know you have to take something off your must-have list. I can't possibly get it done with $120k."
But the good thing is, as the owner of a small kitchen myself (mine is also 8x8 if you include the walk-in pantry, and 5x8 if not), materials are cheap! You don't need many! Since I bought my home, I have purchased and had installed a stock cabinet from Lowe's, a piece of maple butcher block for its counter from Lowe's, and a stained glass window off of eBay to close off some weird opening I had between the pantry and the rest of the kitchen. And a can of paint and replacement faucets that weren't working when we bought the house. Those things cost me maybe $500 total. If you add the labor, my property guy gets $60/hr, so maybe another $200-250 there.
I think keeping your DH occupied and happy doing what he loves is a great move.
iris lilies
10-17-20, 11:34am
I went to the biggest kitchen and bath show design place in my immediate area. I know they can do low end kitchens and that’s fine and I don’t even think what I’m asking for is super high end. But it’s on the high side of average.
That experience did get me into a decorator show room of stone. That was a trip, I had never been in one of those Places before. It does not sell directly to the public, you as a consumer go in to pick out a slab of stone and then you work with your kitchen designer to have it fabricated.
I was chasing down blue granite. They did not give any costs, but from what I can tell from a general internet search, their blue granite would cost $10,000. And that’s from a slab that wasn’t even especially pretty. There are much prettier blue granite stones but the show room did not have them.
so, I went back to a retail place we have used before and I bought marble, real marble not fake quartz imitation. I will just have to seal it regularly.I will Not do a lot of cooking in this little kitchen so this marble is fine. It has a brushed finish, not polished, and it’s very rock-like. Cost is $3,500. It is typical white and gray marble, but I love the pattern in this and will want the fabricators to position the counter in such a way to take advantage of all that swirling motion.
3465
In a subsequent post I will talk about cabinets. catherine brought up “pantry” so I’ll give you my thoughts about pantry. I don’t really understand them. But we will talk about that.
What an adventure you are having with this. Love that marble! Tell me a little more of the care of marble that you discovered was necessary. I investigated both marble and quartz for a 'maybe' in my small kitchen and was horrified to find out that they are shipped in from Brazil or Italy. I have formica now which will wear out at the joints over time. Special care did not come up in the discussions.
iris lilies
10-17-20, 2:41pm
What an adventure you are having with this. Love that marble! Tell me a little more of the care of marble that you discovered was necessary. I investigated both marble and quartz for a 'maybe' in my small kitchen and was horrified to find out that they are shipped in from Brazil or Italy. I have formica now which will wear out at the joints over time. Special care did not come up in the discussions.
Marble is porous and needs to be “sealed” at least once a year.Even with sealing, I will not process tomatoes and other acidic things that will etch it. And i will watch carefully coffee spills, rusty things on it that could stain.
Quartz, which I have at home and like very much, doesn’t need sealing. It is supposed to be harder than marble. I do not like the idea of it, it is ground stone mixed with epoxy. But I do like the quartz product I have in my home kitchen that reminds me of slate—it is a solid color grey with some variants. Quartz can be fashioned into many colors and patterns.cost is similar to mid range granite.
Quartzite, to be confusing, is solid stone and is generally more expensive than Marble, granite, or quartz because there is less of it, and it is harder than all three and it so hard they can’t cut rounded edges, you have to have simple edge finishing.
Granite is of course granite! Stone. Varies in price. The small patterned stone is less expensive than big blocks of colors with movement and big patterns.I call the small patterns “polka dot” and I do not like them EXCEPT for the black granite with tiny mica flakes, and that one I like a lot and it is cheap (for granite.)
I don’t see how quartz is shipped from other countries, it’s a manufactured product. But it is true that much Of the pretty marble is from outside of North America.Blue granite for example, the high end stuff
I was considering, is from Africa and Brazil with the African stones being the most gorgeous.
edited to add: Mr. Google told me that there is only one
north American quartz manufacturer. Hmmmm. You were right, razz, that the majority is shipped from overseas.
rosarugosa
10-17-20, 2:46pm
Apparently working with quartz can be deadly for the installers, so better to avoid it. This is from a quick google search, but there is plenty of info on it if you want to delve further:
As sleek “engineered stone” countertops grow in popularity, safety experts are warning that workers who handle them are at particularly high risk from an old workplace hazard — silica, the mineral tied to silicosis, a debilitating and potentially deadly lung disease.
Here's more info: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3768.pdf
catherine
10-17-20, 2:52pm
Apparently working with quartz can be deadly for the installers, so better to avoid it. This is from a quick google search, but there is plenty of info on it if you want to delve further:
As sleek “engineered stone” countertops grow in popularity, safety experts are warning that workers who handle them are at particularly high risk from an old workplace hazard — silica, the mineral tied to silicosis, a debilitating and potentially deadly lung disease.
Here's more info: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3768.pdf
Yes, I just learned of that as well, and unfortunately when I redid the house for my MIL next door, I used quartz. It is very durable and looks nice, but I don't know that I'd use it ever again. The older I get and the more I read, the more and more skeptical I am about many things synthetic or engineered. Microfiber is ubiquitous these days, but it's horrible for the environment. But I do love my microfiber cloths and blankets. Time to go back to cotton and wool.
Your marble choice is gorgeous, IL! I'd love it if it came from Vermont! As you probably know, VT is a huge supplier of marble and granite.
iris lilies
10-17-20, 3:15pm
Apparently working with quartz can be deadly for the installers, so better to avoid it. This is from a quick google search, but there is plenty of info on it if you want to delve further:
As sleek “engineered stone” countertops grow in popularity, safety experts are warning that workers who handle them are at particularly high risk from an old workplace hazard — silica, the mineral tied to silicosis, a debilitating and potentially deadly lung disease.
Here's more info: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3768.pdf
Hunh, and quartzite (solid stone) is worse in silica. It is not the man-made aspect of quartz that causes trouble.
iris lilies
10-17-20, 3:19pm
Yes, I just learned of that as well, and unfortunately when I redid the house for my MIL next door, I used quartz. It is very durable and looks nice, but I don't know that I'd use it ever again. The older I get and the more I read, the more and more skeptical I am about many things synthetic or engineered. Microfiber is ubiquitous these days, but it's horrible for the environment. But I do love my microfiber cloths and blankets. Time to go back to cotton and wool.
Your marble choice is gorgeous, IL! I'd love it if it came from Vermont! As you probably know, VT is a huge supplier of marble and granite.
I dislike microfiber intensely, but those little cloths are useful for cleaning eyeglasses and computer screens.
Microfiber is so cheap it’s ridiculous. I go into the Fabric sewing stores and half of it is microfiber or cotton for quilters. I love looking at the cottons but the microfibers is ick.
I finally threw away Most of the microfiber blankets I had accumulated over the years, donations from people to the Bulldog Rescue group. They are not absorbent and they don’t help in keeping dogs. Vomit, urine etc. just kind of roll off of it it’s yucky.
That looks like quite a project; I bet the outcome will be wonderful.
I have simple taste--I'd be happy with a couple cans of paint and some formica. :~)
I would love to have a pantry again. Pantries are fantastic and allow you to do much more with your kitchen. I had a great one in the 1920 bungalow I had back in Illinois--it was about very narrow and long, between the kitchen and the family room area that had been added on to the house. I vote put in a pantry, especially if you are doing major reconstruction because of the pipe problems.
I'd like a pantry, too, but my kitchen has barely enough room for a garbage bin. I'm tucking a pantry shelf away in the hall--or maybe the laundry room.
ToomuchStuff
10-17-20, 11:42pm
Does anyone do Corian anymore?
Does anyone do Corian anymore?
I was wondering this as well. A friend had it installed at great expense years ago but I have not enquired how it has worked out.
catherine
10-18-20, 7:24am
Does anyone do Corian anymore?
I honestly don't think it's very popular these days. Maybe it went the way of Corelle dishware--a relic of decades past. I never see it on home decorating shows, or in magazines, and none of my friends have it. Turnover of trends in kitchen materials and finishes is pretty fast these days. Install a brushed nickel faucet in January and by December people are talking about brass again.
I did a quick search and found this link about the care which seems quite a lot: https://www.corian.com/-use-care-
Corian also make a quartz version.
catherine
10-18-20, 7:32am
I did a quick search and found this link about the care which seems quite a lot: https://www.corian.com/-use-care-
Corian also make a quartz version.
Yeah, I just looked it up, and it seems that while marketing is pushing alternatives (of course--rip out perfectly good counters for the counter du jour), people are still buying it and liking it. The Spruce gave it good reviews in general, and here's a few consumer opinions on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4973679/talk-me-out-of-corian
We put in Corian countertops with molded sinks about 15 years ago and have been very much satisfied with them, the only issue is that they seem a little soft. I've noticed recently that when I clean my large cast iron skillet in the sink I must be very careful since the cast iron seems to have rubbed a small depression into it. It's only noticeable when you look closely but it's definitely there.
JaneV2.0
10-18-20, 12:56pm
I did a quick search and found this link about the care which seems quite a lot: https://www.corian.com/-use-care-
Corian also make a quartz version.
That's why I like formica; it's very forgiving. Plus, it's contemporary to the dwellings I tend to go for.
iris lilies
1-3-21, 1:10pm
Time for a condo update:
DH has been working for months now on the kitchen.All surfaces needed to be fixed and replaced, Some plumbing repairs done, electrical moved and added. The new flooring is inexpensive, something like $675. It’s a tiny kitchen. We’re putting in prefinished grade 2 red Oak. I would go for higher end material but we’re matching what is in the condo already.
He is ready to add crown molding to living room and bedroom. This week I want him to sketch out cabinet measures so we can visit our Amish cabinet makers up north and place our order. I guess it will take them months to make these cabinets.
My goal is for DH to be done with major construction by March because by then he will want to be outside doing outdoor work. If I have to hire painters to finish painting condo, that is fine with me. I have already tapped a decorative painter to do glazed walls in the bedroom.
I want the bedroom walls to look like a foggy London evening:
3555
Teacher Terry
1-3-21, 1:16pm
Your condo IL is going to look great! I will have painting and pergo done before I move into mine. My husband said he will pergo it with my help as we have done 5 other homes.
iris lilies
1-3-21, 1:21pm
Your condo IL is going to look great! I will have painting and pergo done before I move into mine. My husband said he will pergo it with my help as we have done 5 other homes.
As god is my witness, I will never have carpet again!
our funny Hermann cottage has 5 types of hard flooring on the first floor and that is disjointed and awful, but I take that any day over an entire floor of carpet.
Teacher Terry
1-3-21, 3:42pm
Between my allergies/asthma and the dogs carpet won’t work plus I hate it.
iris lilies
1-13-21, 1:10pm
I have been such a Carrie Consumer in the past week. My main task has been identifying a stove for this condo.
Normally I hate shopping for appliances, I may spend 10 minutes thinking about them, then I turn over the selection to DH.
but this condo with its tiny kitchen needs diminutive appliances. Apartment size fridge. 18” dishwasher (tho I considered none at all) 24” stove. It is taking tons of time because I want a tricked out stove. I want a stove that looks like a ghetto drug dealer chose it. I want color and metal! I don’t care about performance, I am sooooo shallow!
It is horrifying how much one can spend on a small stove and I am not even talking about Aga stoves.
As an aside, we stumbled in to the Aga mothership store years ago when we visited Shropshire, England where the stoves are made. Each one comes with its own engineer to install it. Amazing.
Teacher Terry
1-13-21, 1:14pm
My first condo had a under sized drop in electric stove. Replacing it cost 800 in 1999.
iris lilies
1-13-21, 1:19pm
My first condo had a under sized drop in electric stove. Replacing it cost 800 in 1999.
It is pretty likely I will spend multi thousands on a stove. But I DID consider buying a Magic
Chef stove simply for the name. I live next door to the Magic Chef mansion, the house that was built on Magic Chef stove sales. Those stove made in China are under $1,000.
I thought that would be humorous. I suppose I could buy the Magic Chef stove and get some after market knobs in a blue color and call it Done.
iris lilies
1-15-21, 2:49pm
So now DH and I are in the thorniest part of condo renovation, designing kitchen cabinets. I knew we would clash on this big time. We are.
This kitchen is about 8’ x 8.5’. Tiny. It is enclosed, no open walls, just one window over the sink that looks into another room. My overall plan is to lessen claustrophobia by having some open space on walls. He wants to jam in as many cabinets as possible.
photos following are 1. The kitchen now, with no cabinetry at all
2. Clean cabinet placement in a unit just like mine. two images, white cabinets and lots of silver
3. Crowded kitchen, just awful in how many cabinets are jammed in there. Two photos. Natural oak cabinets. Note the closed off the back door, ugh.
3573
3575
3576
3574
3577
So, what I’m looking for from you all is to tell me that I’m right! I do not need or want a lot of cabinetry. The beautifully decorated unit just like mine that has the white cabinets and silver accents did not have a lot of cabinets. These tiny units tend to be occupied by weekenders and those with main homes elsewhere.
I think many of us have way more cabinets than we need. Opposite our small u-shaped kitchen is an 8 ft wall. Fridge on one end, pantry on the other, bottom cabinet in between and shelves over it. The shelf holds a small microwave, cookbooks and a little TV at the top. I would not like a cabinet over the sink. We have a skylight in the kitchen so that helps with the light situation. Here is a pic of our short wall:3578
Given that it's a pied a Terre and not a primary residence, I don't know why you would need a lot of cabinets. It's just a place to land when you're out and about in the city--why would you need to keep a lot of stuff there? Take inventory, as you have been as with the beverage counter, and show DH that you plan on needing a,b,c but not x,y,z.
Also, if you do have open wall space, you can utilize that for storage of sorts. I notice in the picture there are kitchen things hung up. In our small kitchen we have a magnetic knife strip which is just awesome. We are also hanging up a 1940s rolling pin that my picker son-in-law gave us for Christmas. You can add a small open shelf for things that are handy to reach for. I think you can manage the wall space so it's utilitarian but not cluttered looking.
It's your place; suit yourself. Emulate the unit that delights you.
iris lilies
1-15-21, 3:24pm
I think many of us have way more cabinets than we need. Opposite our small u-shaped kitchen is an 8 ft wall. Fridge on one end, pantry on the other, bottom cabinet in between and shelves over it. The shelf holds a small microwave, cookbooks and a little TV at the top. I would not like a cabinet over the sink. We have a skylight in the kitchen so that helps with the light situation. Here is a pic of our short wall:3578
This is a clean looking wall. Perhaps the “white” aspect helps. My cabinetry is light blue.
I was really on the fence about a cabinet over the sink. That’s interesting that you say you don’t like that. Yeah now I’m going to rethink it because DH talked me into it.My instinct is to keep that space clean no cabinetry.
frugal-one
1-15-21, 3:47pm
Obviously, this is not a place you would possible live if your DH is no longer in the picture? Personally, I like cabinets. I don't like to always have everything in the proper place. That is what you will have to do if you have few or no cabinets. I see people line up their cookbooks and knickknacks and think.. why... put them away. I see I am the contrarian here.
Teacher Terry
1-15-21, 4:23pm
I definitely like number two. You don’t need a bunch of cabinets. I would definitely go with what you want. You will be the person primarily using it.
Thinking very logically and without emotion, will you be selling this unit in the next few years? If yes, people will want more cupboards and the unit will sell more readily. with more cupboards. If you plan on retaining the unit for 10+ more years, go with what you want.
My little house that I loved at first sight has many wonderful features but doesn't have a lot of cupboards. It sat semi-finished for well over a year unsold. Different people told me that they had looked at the house but its one major and deciding deficit was in the number of kitchen cupboards. I had decluttered so I found a home for my essentials in the existing cupboards plus the 6' closet just off the kitchen was made into a pantry. I have been in the house over 6 years and have no regrets.
Hope that helps
iris lilies
1-15-21, 9:24pm
Thinking very logically and without emotion, will you be selling this unit in the next few years? If yes, people will want more cupboards and the unit will sell more readily. with more cupboards. If you plan on retaining the unit for 10+ more years, go with what you want.
My little house that I loved at first sight has many wonderful features but doesn't have a lot of cupboards. It sat semi-finished for well over a year unsold. Different people told me that they had looked at the house but its one major and deciding deficit was in the number of kitchen cupboards. I had decluttered so I found a home for my essentials in the existing cupboards plus the 6' closet just off the kitchen was made into a pantry. I have been in the house over 6 years and have no regrets.
Hope that helps
I think I might own this for ten years. It is possible.
I will say that the unit with the few cabinets had no trouble selling. It was beautifully decorated from top to bottom.
rosarugosa
1-16-21, 7:35am
I prefer the open, less cluttered look in the first pictures, but to be fair, part of my preference is because I like the colors and materials better, so it isn't a totally fair comparison.
Pinkytoe: I love the picture that you shared.
ToomuchStuff
1-16-21, 10:13am
From what I can tell (small pictures, suck for older eyes) the one you like, has a utensil hanger behind the stove (much like my grandmother used to, with her most used tools), and the other side has closed cabinets, as well as open shelves. Doesn't look like commercial shelving, so how expensive would it be to buy a board and show your husband, where you want shelves instead of cabinets?
iris lilies
1-16-21, 1:28pm
From what I can tell (small pictures, suck for older eyes) the one you like, has a utensil hanger behind the stove (much like my grandmother used to, with her most used tools), and the other side has closed cabinets, as well as open shelves. Doesn't look like commercial shelving, so how expensive would it be to buy a board and show your husband, where you want shelves instead of cabinets?
Well, I can’t say that I liked the stove wall with all the implements lined up on it. That looks messy to me. So I am not replicating that one.
If I were going to install upper cabinets, I would choose some with glass fronts (and lots of colorful dishes to go in them). But I vastly prefer a pantry of some kind to cabinets into which food can disappear for years until their expiration date is just a sad joke..
You might do a "small kitchen" search on apartment therapy website for more ideas.
iris lilies
1-16-21, 3:37pm
If I were going to install upper cabinets, I would choose some with glass fronts (and lots of colorful dishes to go in them). But I vastly prefer a pantry of some kind to cabinets into which food can disappear for years until their expiration date is just a sad joke..
All upper cabinets will have glass fronts.
But likely, just faux mullions. Getting real, honest to god mullions costs about a million dollars apparently. My own kitchen cabinets that DH made have the real thing. And high end panels. I am spoiled by the cabinets he made.
iris lilies
1-30-21, 1:54pm
I am stuck in a rut where I often find myself: cannot buy what I want due to complexity and scarcity. This has, in my past life, worked in the favor of my bank account because I just give up, and make no purchase at all.
I am trying to buy a specific type of light fixture for kitchen and hall. Pendant light, French coolie shades. It is all complicated by scarcity and complexity. The things I really want our antique and most live in France. I’m not sure I can get three that are the same. So I could settle to get two that were exactly the same for the kitchen and get one that is similar for the hall. There are reproductions but they all seem to be made in the Uk.
Teacher Terry
1-30-21, 9:51pm
That sounds like a good compromise. Don’t let perfection be the enemy.
That sounds like a good compromise. Don’t let perfection be the enemy.
I found a few on etsy--they are really pretty.
iris lilies
2-1-21, 12:53pm
I found a few on etsy--they are really pretty.
I have targeted all of them on Etsy and eBay.
One of my concerns is if I buy an entire unit from top to bottom, from Europe, will that work with US wiring? And, i want to use an Edison bulb in it, that is essential to “the look.” Something I scanned hinted that Edison bulb bases are different than others.
If I buy just shades alone, will someone be able to turn that into hanging lamp? I would think so but you never know.
I'm crazy about Edison bulbs too. I read they're passe' now. Of course they are. I just laughed.
iris lilies
2-1-21, 2:39pm
I'm crazy about Edison bulbs too. I read they're passe' now. Of course they are. I just laughed.
Well, I can see that Edison bulbs are out Because they were trendy for a while,but I think they are still OK a little bit in a historic and somewhat industrial environment. The kitchen is industrial, right? Ha ha.Plus, these are vintage shades I’m getting tho likely I’m mixing periods in the shade and the bulb.
$1 million house in my neighborhood was open on tour and they bought some of that hideously expensive Edison bulb Restoration Hardware light fixture stuff. It was pretty awful in their Victorian bedroom.
I very much like the juxtaposition of old and new in a room, but Edison bulbs used in contemporary ways, while cool, are not authentically new really. I prefer sleek contemporary “new” mixed with old stuff.
IL, so much of all this frippery in interior decorating your condo while fun and interesting to see is just that - frippery. While I appreciate that you are having fun and I am glad that you are able to afford to do so, I also see the blatant hypocrisy when you criticize the frippery of others in their furniture choices.
Me - I love simple, energy efficient, longlasting, easy to clean, affordable, limited landfill material as it continues to be useful and recyclable.
Different strokes for different folks.
iris lilies
2-1-21, 5:39pm
IL, so much of all this frippery in interior decorating your condo while fun and interesting to see is just that - frippery. While I appreciate that you are having fun and I am glad that you are able to afford to do so, I also see the blatant hypocrisy when you criticize the frippery of others in their furniture choices.
Me - I love simple, energy efficient, longlasting, easy to clean, affordable, limited landfill material as it continues to be useful and recyclable.
Different strokes for different folks.
The interior design work of others exists to be critiqued! Haha. I am surrounded by gay men and their refined aesthetics in decor. I cannot help but, err, evaluate their choices, we all live and breath house decor. I fully expect my own decor to be subject to the same evaluation.
They make Edison bulbs with bases that screw into standard sockets.
iris lilies
2-1-21, 10:25pm
They make Edison bulbs with bases that screw into standard sockets.
aha! thanks, I wasnt sure about that.
I may have to give up Edison bulbs because I’m seeing that they don’t put out much light. This is a problem in the kitchen, I need good lighting. I may have to abandon in this whole project and just get something not cute and kind of boring. I will be sad if that’s the case.
But meanwhile, here is one old, restored light I DID buy. It has a new shade:
3605
aha! thanks, I wasnt sure about that.
I may have to give up Edison bulbs because I’m seeing that they don’t put out much light. This is a problem in the kitchen, I need good lighting. I may have to abandon in this whole project and just get something not cute and kind of boring. I will be sad if that’s the case.
But meanwhile, here is one old, restored light I DID buy. It has a new shade:
3605
Wow, that is really beautiful. It is also all the things Razz said she liked, and keeps the old light out of the landfill!
Well done.
It is unique and attractive as well. Where did you look for the shade?
iris lilies
2-2-21, 1:10pm
It is unique and attractive as well. Where did you look for the shade?
I love the shade, but I didn’t source it. The eBay seller of this light fixture found it.
iris lilies
2-2-21, 1:16pm
This morning I met with our friend who does ornamental painting. She does absolutely astonishing work. She is a retired IT software engineer by trade, and does this work on the side. My little bedroom will be a tiny job for her.
All the trouble you are going through would drive me insane! I would never build a house or spend as much time on decorating as you are doing. I sincerely hope it is worth your while! Although in these isolating times, it may be a diversion???
Iris Lily doesn't seem isolated, and she wouldn't have bought a condo to decorate if the idea had no appeal.
I would hate to work with a bunch of contractors personally, but her husband can do that and a lot of the work himself.
Most of the projects people undertake here sound like way too much work for me, but that's just my moribund metabolism speaking.:|(
iris lilies
2-2-21, 5:10pm
All the trouble you are going through would drive me insane! I would never build a house or spend as much time on decorating as you are doing. I sincerely hope it is worth your while! Although in these isolating times, it may be a diversion???
Dude, it is my entertainment!
This tedious detail is something I keep all on this thread, like a journal of decor.It interests me muchly, but may not interest others. That is ok!
Today I told my decorative painter to show me no more than 3 sample finishes, I cannot make decisions quickly and need few options.
Here is Cindy with one of her bigger, fancier projects. Scroll down to Dining Room Ceiling article.
http://www.campbellhousemuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Winter-2018low.pdf
ApatheticNoMore
2-2-21, 5:20pm
Oh I'm sure it's fun. A little voice in my head would say as it does when I feel the pull (on whatever scale it does, I don't have a new condo to decorate ok), "you are getting sucked into a consumerist obsession, extricate yourself". Ah yes.
I enjoy reading about your decorating exploits! Keep it coming. Decorating is definitely a really wonderfully creative enterprise. Glad you're enjoying it.
Teacher Terry
2-2-21, 11:00pm
IL, I love decorating. When we remodel I plan just like you do. Your artist friend is very talented. I have a good friend that’s a artist. I bought a vintage coffee table and 2 small end tables. She will work her magic on all 3 with paint and fabric. I will post before and after pictures when she is done. I am going to take down the ceiling fan and replace it with a chandelier. I have bought 10 houses and this will only be the second one not to need remodeling.
iris lilies
2-3-21, 12:46am
IL, I love decorating. When we remodel I plan just like you do. Your artist friend is very talented. I have a good friend that’s a artist. I bought a vintage coffee table and 2 small end tables. She will work her magic on all 3 with paint and fabric. I will post before and after pictures when she is done. I am going to take down the ceiling fan and replace it with a chandelier. I have bought 10 houses and this will only be the second one not to need remodeling.
ugh! Ceiling fans! I am having a huge problems deciding on one. My condo doesn’t have central air conditioning and I fear I will need one. So that means the kind with clear plastic blades or else one entirely white that sinks into the white ceiling.
Teacher Terry
2-3-21, 12:54am
Without central air you will need ceiling fans. We have 3 in our house because we have a swamp cooler.
Personally I like the newer three bladed ceiling fans with no lights. I don't think they look bad at all.
And I also like decorating threads. A lot.
Now if this thread was who can build the largest McMansion, I would not like it and not participate.
But decorating this little jewel box of a home is like the square foot gardening thread. Very cool, in my book.
I definitely enjoy decorating threads; please do keep it coming!
Like this-- and there is also one in silver and in black:
https://s3.img-b.com/image/private/t_base,c_lpad,dpr_auto,f_auto,w_450,h_450/product/hunter/hunter-50811-64356.jpg
Teacher Terry
2-3-21, 11:25am
Unlike tybee when I am forced to have ceiling fans I want a light on it. I have always loved decorating. Keep it coming!!
ugh! Ceiling fans! I am having a huge problems deciding on one. My condo doesn’t have central air conditioning and I fear I will need one. So that means the kind with clear plastic blades or else one entirely white that sinks into the white ceiling.
I like the ones that look like avant-garde propellers, personally. But I've never had one, and really have no use for one, so the fact that propeller chic doesn't go with any decor I'm likely to have is moot.
I hate the look of my ceiling fans but LOVE the utility. I would never be without them. When we replace our roof this spring I'm going to try to do a switcheroo with something new if DH lets me. He likes the old 1980s cabin look. I am thinking of replacing the fan/lights with fans without lights and then adding some type of recessed lighting with more strategic placement than we have now. Right now the light from the ceiling fan doesn't reach the stove or the sink and I have no lighting directly above the eating table.
ApatheticNoMore
2-3-21, 12:43pm
Ceiling fans are great, I don't think they look bad or I never noticed. But increasingly I am all about function (this pandemic etc. is causing me to be even more apart from worldy life than ever) Anyway ceiling fans are great in terms of function, I have an A/C unit but ceiling fans can be run if it's not that hot or with the A/C if it's extra hot. But these one's seem to be forever breaking, I don't think they have been buying the best quality.
I love our ceiling fans with lights. We have one in the living room and in each bedroom. a kitchen one would be nice, but I need the overhead light to be BRIGHT, Since we now have central air, we thought we wouldn't need the fans, but we do still use them all summer. We don't use them in the winter reversed. We didn't see the benefit in comfort-combining slight drafts outweighed any benefit. We put the fans in in the 80s.My husband repaired the switch in the bedroom one this summer.
iris lilies
2-3-21, 4:34pm
We just got back from a 3+ Hour trip to visit our Amish cabinet makers. Oops they are closed today! They don’t have a website that tells their hours. DH knew they were closed a day in the week but he thought it was Tuesday.
no matter, it was a bright sunny day and we took our little dog who likes to ride in the car so she had a fun outing. We were able to spend a lot of time in the car, and used that time to argue about a back up plan for if the Amish guys do not make curved mullions for the upper cabinets.
DH claims he doesn’t know how to make mullions, he doesn’t know what I’m talking about, he doesn’t want anything to do with that. My position is they are all over the Internet why is this so hard? Then I reminded him we saw curved mullions at lowly Home Depot even but he claims to not remember that. How conveeenient!
I can’t see that they would be that hard to make, and why can’t he make them for god sake? He’s a carpenter. I’m not talking about actual real mullions for curved glass that fits into curved mullion wood pieces, I’m talking about fake ones. In today’s world we only get fake ones, fake everything, it’s all quite depressing.
I’m talking about cabinets like this:
3606
ToomuchStuff
2-4-21, 10:34am
Don't know the Amish do that, too decorative. Most aftermarket add on's are mdf or pvc for painted cabinets. Some are plywood.
That blue cabinet is really beautiful.
I can imagine that amount of mullioning--mullionage?--would be extremely daunting to any carpenter.
iris lilies
2-4-21, 2:08pm
That blue cabinet is really beautiful.
I can imagine that amount of mullioning--mullionage?--would be extremely daunting to any carpenter.
I won’t make him do it because it does take a lot of time. But this is the guy who made our kitchen cabinets we have now in our city house and they have real mullions with real glass inserts. They’re not this overlay stuff that we nowdays pay $$$ and it’s not even the real thing.
I think I hate modern life.
I love our ceiling fans with lights. We have one in the living room and in each bedroom. a kitchen one would be nice, but I need the overhead light to be BRIGHT, Since we now have central air, we thought we wouldn't need the fans, but we do still use them all summer. We don't use them in the winter reversed. We didn't see the benefit in comfort-combining slight drafts outweighed any benefit. We put the fans in in the 80s.My husband repaired the switch in the bedroom one this summer.
Love the ceiling fans too. Have in every room of the house except bathrooms. We even have them in the garage! We hate air conditioning and only use it when absolutely have to. The ceiling fans make so much difference! Guess we are all about function too. I don't think they look bad either.
I love ceiling fans, but our downstairs ceilings are only 7' and upstairs only 6' at their highest point, sloping sharply downward from there, so ceiling fans would be dangerous for anyone but the cats in this house.
I love ceiling fans, but our downstairs ceilings are only 7' and upstairs only 6' at their highest point, sloping sharply downward from there, so ceiling fans would be dangerous for anyone but the cats in this house.
I'm with you. Every time our 6' neighbors come over I have to turn off the fans. This house was made for my family. Our "tall" son is 5'9"
iris lilies
2-6-21, 11:50am
Don't know the Amish do that, too decorative. Most aftermarket add on's are mdf or pvc for painted cabinets. Some are plywood.
You are right, the Amish guys are not gonna do these curved inserts.
I’m not giving that up. These curved inserts are all over the Internet why can’t I have them?!!?
We visited the Amish cabinet makers yesterday near Bowling Greene and put in our order for cabinets. They have a six month backlog. In these six months I will have to figure out how to source my own curved insets and how they will be placed into the cabinet fronts and how they will be painted. Yeah I live with a Carpenter, A Carpenter who has 1 million other things to do given the fact that our Hermann renovation is starting up. It is not smart of me to plan for my personal Carpenter to do these inserts.
Did you stop by the massacre site and pay your respects while you were in Bowling Green?
iris lilies
2-6-21, 2:29pm
Did you stop by the massacre site and pay your respects while you were in Bowling Green?
I think you know me well enough to know I won’t be paying any respect to any massacre site.* But I don’t know who **is massacred there. I’m sure you will enlighten me.
* Scottish battles not included.
** I am guessing Mormons were slaughtered ?
I think you know me well enough to know I won’t be paying any respect to any massacre site.* But I don’t know who **is massacred there. I’m sure you will enlighten me.
* Scottish battles not included.
** I am guessing Mormons were slaughtered ?
KellyAnne Conway got slaughtered there shortly after she made it up as justification for the muslim ban.
iris lilies
2-6-21, 5:55pm
KellyAnne Conway got slaughtered there shortly after she made it up as justification for the muslim ban.
hunh? Talking here about Bowling Green, Missouri. Is that what you’re talking about?
No matter, I don’t really care. You brought contentious politics to my thread about interior decorating. But hey dude, you do you. I don’t want to be thread police and people can write about what they want to write about here, just as I can skip over those posts as I will do in the future if I have to hear about Kellyanne Conway and Bowling Green.
KellyAnne Conway got slaughtered there shortly after she made it up as justification for the muslim ban.Wasn't the whole flap preceded by a couple of Muslim immigrants in Bowling Green being arrested, charged and convicted of providing material support to al-Qaeda in 2011? I believe that incident also prompted President Obama to tighten immigration policies for people from Iraq didn't it? Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about that, but maybe in a more appropriate thread.
I would just do beveled glass inserts to match the curves you want. Probably be the same price as custom mullions. Might even be cheaper but still elegant.
Teacher Terry
2-6-21, 6:34pm
Hope you find someone to do your inserts
I found all kinds of the "fake" mullion
ones. (sorry about the cut and paste. Found on Etsy.)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/773724319/kitchen-cabinet-maullion-mullion-for?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ts1-b-home_and_living-kitchen_and_dining-kitchen_decor-other&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQiAmfmABhCHARIsACwPRAAMCO-sBeyx6KanJX6w1wAHrM0bAc7gTatrhN2TL3o2sNBJSM7Em3saA nApEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_1844177666_69409541643_346428666128 _aud-952490158550:pla-305301859582_c__773724319_138435367&utm_custom2=1844177666&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmfmABhCHARIsACwPRAAMCO-sBeyx6KanJX6w1wAHrM0bAc7gTatrhN2TL3o2sNBJSM7Em3saA nApEALw_wcB
iris lilies
2-6-21, 6:48pm
I found all kinds of the "fake" mullion
ones. (sorry about the cut and paste. Found on Etsy.)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/773724319/kitchen-cabinet-maullion-mullion-for?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ts1-b-home_and_living-kitchen_and_dining-kitchen_decor-other&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQiAmfmABhCHARIsACwPRAAMCO-sBeyx6KanJX6w1wAHrM0bAc7gTatrhN2TL3o2sNBJSM7Em3saA nApEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_1844177666_69409541643_346428666128 _aud-952490158550:pla-305301859582_c__773724319_138435367&utm_custom2=1844177666&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmfmABhCHARIsACwPRAAMCO-sBeyx6KanJX6w1wAHrM0bAc7gTatrhN2TL3o2sNBJSM7Em3saA nApEALw_wcB
Thank you, I have seen a similar product on Etsy at $179 for each cabinet door. I have 10 cabinet doors, tho granted not all of them are 42 inches high. It would roughly be roughly $1,200 total Which is not awful, except that those are flat. They look cheap.
But it is true that I may have to settle for $1200 for something that looks cheap.
thanks again.
I had not thought of beveled glass inserts and those are gorgeous. Just, wow! ! but that’s super expensive (one priced at $330) and I’m not gonna go that high. DH would not let me anyway.
It’s interesting that the photo you showed has exactly the backsplash tile I’m going to use, Marble in a diamond pattern only my diamonds will be upended.
Could you use something like this product?
https://www.salvagesisterandmister.com/how-to-create-faux-leaded-glass-windows/
iris lilies
2-7-21, 3:08pm
Could you use something like this product?
https://www.salvagesisterandmister.com/how-to-create-faux-leaded-glass-windows/
I don’t completely hate that. I’m not sure that’s any more faux than the flat pieces of ornamental wood masquerading as mullions, and I am considering the latter.
I will consider. Thank you.
iris lilies
2-8-21, 9:41am
Oh I'm sure it's fun. A little voice in my head would say as it does when I feel the pull (on whatever scale it does, I don't have a new condo to decorate ok), "you are getting sucked into a consumerist obsession, extricate yourself". Ah yes.
This made me laugh! Yes, I am definitely in the center of a vortex of consumeristic frenzy.
This made me laugh! Yes, I am definitely in the center of a vortex of consumeristic frenzy.
This cute phrasing made me laugh. I am seeing an image of you spinning out of control like a garment being laundered. Is that how you are feeling?
iris lilies
2-8-21, 10:40am
This cute phrasing made me laugh. I am seeing an image of you spinning out of control like a garment being laundered. Is that how you are feeling?
oh no not really, I’m not really feeling pressured by these purchases.
I’ve always been scared of building a new house because I know you have to make so many decisions so quickly, decisions on cabinetry, floor material,m etc. I would hate that. That’s why I really don’t mind that our entire life for the next two years will be all about renovating two residences. These decisions will be spread out at a pace that I like, a slow pace.
We are talking to our Hermann contractor about renovating that house up to a “white box.” He is open to that. He’s working on a time and material basis anyway, which is fine with us. He has an excellent reputation, he has renovated several houses on our block in conjunction with our architect, so it’s a formula that works.
This means that our contractor will do the construction part but not the finishing part. He’s fine with that because he subs out all of the cabinetry, flooring, etc. anyway.
We are talking to our Hermann contractor about renovating that house up to a “white box.”
Every time you say this, I think of the Ab Fab episode.
iris lilies
2-10-21, 4:35pm
DH is busily working on the plaster walls in this condo. He’s smoothing them out and making them look better than they’ve looked in decades. He complains about imperfections remaining.
Me, I’m thrilled to have real plaster on the walls. It has a different feel than wallboard. I would not have required DH to do the thorough job he’s doing, I really didn’t mind the bumps and lumps in the plaster walls.My own Victorian house has wallboard throughout because it was a gut rehab. I do not respect wallboard especially although sure, it is smooth but big deal.
I become very self satisfied thinking of the plaster walls in my 1927 condo.
This condo has picture rail in the big room and a little bedroom. I am planning to use that picture rail in the way it was intended and hang pictures from it. I don’t want to pound nails into the plaster walls anymore than I have to.
iris lilies
2-10-21, 4:38pm
Every time you say this, I think of the Ab Fab episode. this comment will probably cause me to go over to YouTube and look up “white box” to watch a few minutes of it. They are ridiculous!
DH is busily working on the plaster walls in this condo. He’s smoothing them out and making them look better than they’ve looked in decades. He complains about imperfections remaining.
Me, I’m thrilled to have real plaster on the walls. It has a different feel than wallboard. I would not have required DH to do the thorough job he’s doing, I really didn’t mind the bumps and lumps in the plaster walls.My own Victorian house has wallboard throughout because it was a gut rehab. I do not respect wallboard especially although sure, it is smooth but big deal.
I become very self satisfied thinking of the plaster walls in my 1927 condo.
This condo has picture rail in the big room and a little bedroom. I am planning to use that picture rail in the way it was intended and hang pictures from it. I don’t want to pound nails into the plaster walls anymore than I have to.
I have a wall that I would like to place a picture rail. About how high above the floor should it be mounted? What weight will it hold? Is it an actual rail shape? I heard about them but not seen one in use. All my paintings have been mounted on a hook.
iris lilies
2-10-21, 8:16pm
I have a wall that I would like to place a picture rail. About how high above the floor should it be mounted? What weight will it hold? Is it an actual rail shape? I heard about them but not seen one in use. All my paintings have been mounted on a hook.
Our picture rail is about 12” from the ceiling. I don’t know about rail shape, but it has a pocket for a hook to sit on. This rail is so old it has been painted many times, so the pocket is full of paint and not as deep as it was originally.
I have no idea about weight it will hold but I cannot see any thing I’m planning as being too heavy.
wait you want to put picture rail on one wall only? Hmmm. Not sure about that.
Our college dorm had them. They were very useful and kept kids from taping or nailing....I think it did. It was college.
I have a wall that I would like to place a picture rail. About how high above the floor should it be mounted? What weight will it hold? Is it an actual rail shape? I heard about them but not seen one in use. All my paintings have been mounted on a hook.
https://abeautifulmess.com/installing-picture-rail-moulding/
If you nail it into studs, it would hold a LOT of weight :)
Thanks Gardnr. I had the idea from what I had read that it was a rail that a painting rested upon by sitting in a groove. That picture in your link is quite different from what I had imagined. Interesting! I never thought to question my notion.
iris lilies
2-12-21, 3:07pm
I am ordering my Blue Star stove today, twice as much money as I’ve ever spent on a stove. More than twice as much. But it is blue! These are made in Reading Pennsylvania so they’re American made, yay. I mentioned on another thread I thought they might be made in Canada but I was wrong it’s good old USA made.
Thanks Gardnr. I had the idea from what I had read that it was a rail that a painting rested upon by sitting in a groove. That picture in your link is quite different from what I had imagined. Interesting! I never thought to question my notion.
This is the picture rail in old homes. We've seen it many times on restoration TV shows. (we're addicted). :)
iris lilies
2-12-21, 10:44pm
Two of the three rooms in my condo are renovated and ready to complete and decorate. The kitchen now has a new floor, updated plu,bing and wiring, plastering,paint base coat. Photo 1.
The small bedroom already had a nice floor, but plaster bumps,and cracks needed repair.then, DH installed crown molding. Photo 2.
The big room is now undergoing renovation. Exisitng nice floor. Plaster is fixed. Now paint base coat, then crown molding installed.
3622
3623
3624
everything is upside down as usual. I can’t solve that.
Teacher Terry
2-13-21, 1:13am
So cool!! Can’t wait to see the stove.
catherine
2-13-21, 10:22am
Two of the three rooms in my condo are renovated and ready to complete and decorate. The kitchen now has a new floor, updated plu,bing and wiring, plastering,paint base coat. Photo 1.
The small bedroom already had a nice floor, but plaster bumps,and cracks needed repair.then, DH installed crown molding. Photo 2.
The big room is now undergoing renovation. Exisitng nice floor. Plaster is fixed. Now paint base coat, then crown molding installed.
3622
3623
3624
everything is upside down as usual. I can’t solve that.
I'm so impressed with that beautiful crown moulding!! It looks like it should have been there forever. So cool to see your progress. It must be fun to have a limited amount of space to decorate--kind of like when people paint pictures on tiny canvasses.
It is fun watching this unfold. NO, I will not get lured into redecorating or other such stuff, I will not!:D
iris lilies
2-13-21, 10:54am
DH is the crown molding king of our neighborhood. He has install crown molding in many houses around here.
Teacher Terry
2-13-21, 10:57am
I love crown molding!
iris lilies
2-25-21, 11:36am
I am spending ridiculous amounts of time chasing down a way to get these French Coolie shades that I have fallen for made into a light fixture. The historic lighting place in town said they couldn’t do it for under $500 which is my ceiling price.
I secretly believe DH could do this work, just like he could do the elusive mullion work, but DH is busy fixing up my condo and then will have to pivot to work on our Hermann house. I am very very lucky to have exclusive use of DH’s time. That is not enough! and I want more of him, I want to clone him.
Just don't burn him out. Think of him like a good circular saw.
iris lilies
2-25-21, 12:31pm
Just don't burn him out. Think of him like a good circular saw.I know, exactly!
I have been telling him that I expect him to quit the condo work after mid March because by then it will be gardening season and I don’t want to interfere with his garden work. He gets joy and meaning from that.
rosarugosa
2-25-21, 6:09pm
IL: I want your DH too, but not in the traditional covet thy neighbor's husband sense. :laff:
iris lilies
2-25-21, 6:14pm
IL: I want your DH too, but not in the traditional covet thy neighbor's husband sense. :laff:
Haha everyone in my neighborhood wanted him! That’s why he quit his job working for a plant company Many years ago and into business for himself fixing a People’s old house is because all of our neighbors convinced him they would hire him. And they did. And he was constantly busy.
iris lilies
5-7-21, 11:10am
I am stuck in a rut where I often find myself: cannot buy what I want due to complexity and scarcity. This has, in my past life, worked in the favor of my bank account because I just give up, and make no purchase at all.
I am trying to buy a specific type of light fixture for kitchen and hall. Pendant light, French coolie shades. It is all complicated by scarcity and complexity. The things I really want our antique and most live in France. I’m not sure I can get three that are the same. So I could settle to get two that were exactly the same for the kitchen and get one that is similar for the hall. There are reproductions but they all seem to be made in the Uk.
After being peculiarly focused for months on French coolie light fixtures, I just went ahead and bought two on ebay.
From France. I do not know which one will work.
I can’t tell if one bulb is enough light for this kitchen, but i am tired of shopping for something I like outside of this exact thing.
Ideally, two shades in one fixture would work, but I cannot find that in these 1920’s era French fixtures.
Teacher Terry
5-7-21, 12:10pm
Pictures please. Have your appliances arrived yet? I definitely want to see them.
iris lilies
5-7-21, 12:34pm
Pictures please. Have your appliances arrived yet? I definitely want to see them.
No picture for 6 months! Be patient.:)
my beautiful blue stove is sitting at the appliance store waiting ro be delivered along with the dishwasher, when it arriaves. I won’t have kitchen cabinets until next fall so I’m in no hurry to store the stuff.
Teacher Terry
5-7-21, 12:51pm
Why are the cabinets taking so long? Picture of the appliances when they arrive please:)).
iris lilies
5-7-21, 5:27pm
Why are the cabinets taking so long? Picture of the appliances when they arrive please:)).
Specially built custom cabinets by the Amish.
No we won’t even unpack the stove even when it gets here it’ll be in a box. Just be patient!
Teacher Terry
5-8-21, 11:54am
Patience? I could be dead by then:)). The Amish do beautiful work. Just hate that some are puppy miller’s as I am sure you do. Your condo might be so beautiful that you won’t want to leave.
ToomuchStuff
5-8-21, 12:07pm
Specially built custom cabinets by the Amish.
No we won’t even unpack the stove even when it gets here it’ll be in a box. Just be patient!
Where did you go for the cabinets?
Specially built custom cabinets by the Amish.
No we won’t even unpack the stove even when it gets here it’ll be in a box. Just be patient!
I sure would to be sure it was not damaged in transit!
iris lilies
5-8-21, 2:48pm
Where did you go for the cabinets?
Bowling Green.
iris lilies
5-8-21, 2:49pm
I sure would to be sure it was not damaged in transit!
I did think about that, I thought I would tear out a corner of the box to make sure it was the right color.
Teacher Terry
5-8-21, 7:01pm
As I remember it’s a really expensive stove and you might not have any recourse if it sits for months if it’s dented or doesn’t work right.
iris lilies
5-8-21, 8:44pm
As I remember it’s a really expensive stove and you might not have any recourse if it sits for months if it’s dented or doesn’t work right.
That is a concern.The floor is not ready to receive the stove. I will probably call the appliance guy and ask him but my best option is here maybe he’ll just store it for me take possession of it
Teacher Terry
5-9-21, 12:13pm
So what are you doing with the floor?
iris lilies
5-9-21, 2:27pm
So what are you doing with the floor?
New wood floor. Needs sanding, cleaning in between two coats of polyurethane.
In my “striving for perfection” mode for this condo (remember ONLY for this condo, our Hermann house is renovated with Home Depot schlock) I wanted a higher end finish. DH looked at me cross eyed about my faaaaaaancy idea .
I quickly decided that I would have to let go of that idea and just let him do his thing which is very nice and so be it. Very little of the tiny floor space will show anyway.
But it is not the floor finish that my decorating guru, Laurel Berne, recommends for wood floors to make them look timeless.
iris lilies
5-9-21, 2:28pm
Also, I’ve given a $500 deposit to someone in my neighborhood who does decorative painting. She’s busy with another client right now but she will get to my job, the tiny bedroom, eventually. I believe her estimate was $1500 for the job for this 10 x 10 bedroom.
Teacher Terry
5-9-21, 5:36pm
So is she painting a mural on your bedroom wall?
iris lilies
5-9-21, 9:27pm
So is she painting a mural on your bedroom wall?
not a pictorial mural. She is doing a faux finish that requires multiple applications.But —and this is important— the wall will remain smooth. That was critical because DH spent so much time smoothing and patching these old walls.
Teacher Terry
5-10-21, 12:03am
IL, your condo is really going to be beautiful. I will have to google those types of wall finishes.
iris lilies
6-21-21, 9:00pm
I am spending ridiculous amounts of time chasing down a way to get these French Coolie shades that I have fallen for made into a light fixture. The historic lighting place in town said they couldn’t do it for under $500 which is my ceiling price.
I secretly believe DH could do this work, just like he could do the elusive mullion work, but DH is busy fixing up my condo and then will have to pivot to work on our Hermann house. I am very very lucky to have exclusive use of DH’s time. That is not enough! and I want more of him, I want to clone him.
Update on French Coolie shade, a light fixture from France:
I don’t have pictures. Oh wait maybe I can find the eBay picture. Here it is below. It was shipped from France. I also bought another French shade that has a blue edge to swap out for this shade. It was shipped from France as well. Everything got here with no breakage.
This is a typical industrial light fixture from France from the 1920s. It has a cool counterweight, the egg shaped thing. You fill it with sand.
DH has been fussing with it the last day or two and he thinks he can get it to work. He needs to source a doohicky to get it hung from the ceiling.Apparently I have to buy a French lightbulb. So I ordered a French lightbulb via Amazon. We shall see if that works.
3837 3838
iris lilies
6-21-21, 9:05pm
I am obsessed with vintage lighting for this condo. I’m currently looking at an Art Deco Machine Age light for $750 for the little hallway. That is pricey.My condo was built in 1927 which was the very beginning of the Art Deco rage. Thing is, my building has nothing Art Deco about it. There are other buildings built in town that were very Art Deco but not this one.
Yet, I feel the need to make a nod to Art Deco in the decor here.
Given the trouble we’ve had with this French product, I have eliminated from my choice list a super cool Art Deco pendant light from the Czech Republic. I’m afraid it will come with some sort of special lighting needs like a requirement to buy a Czech lightbulb which only God knows where I would get that.
The Czechs have a wonderful Design history. Their art and illustration and crafts can be outstanding. Moser glass foundry is just outside of Prague.
They still turn out a lot of glass objects but it’s awful touristy stuff and it is not interesting.
Teacher Terry
6-22-21, 1:38am
Very cool IL! Very lucky that nothing was broken in transit.
happystuff
6-22-21, 10:47am
Interesting. Glad you are able to find the pieces you want.
You are creating your masterpiece. Unlike your floral arrangements, you will not promptly dismantle it. Have fun!
iris lilies
8-6-21, 12:44pm
Also, I’ve given a $500 deposit to someone in my neighborhood who does decorative painting. She’s busy with another client right now but she will get to my job, the tiny bedroom, eventually. I believe her estimate was $1500 for the job for this 10 x 10 bedroom.
Well, we cannot come to agreement about a wall finish so I am not hiring Cindy to do my wall treatment. I loved the first sample she showed me, but she is unable to buy that same product now.
She made a sample board of an entirely different product which I did not like.
These products she’s using are sophisticated and high end. But what I really want, and I’ve determined this from watching YouTube videos, is a glazing effect with standard paint.
I realize that faux Finishes are not popular anymore, but dammit I want one! Now it’s back to the drawing board because I do want a professional person to do this glazing in the tiny bedroom. Yes I could watch YouTube videos and do an approximation of it, but I don’t want to do it. A professional would create a better product.
Now I have to reach back into my brain for the name of the guy who did faux finishes in our neighborhood 15 Years ago. His work was sublime. I think he may still be around this area even though he moved from our neighborhood.
Good Luck, Iris. It's frustrating to want something that is deemed "passe" when it was lovely and worked well!!!
iris lilies
8-7-21, 11:59am
Good Luck, Iris. It's frustrating to want something that is deemed "passe" when it was lovely and worked well!!!
I talked to an interior designing last night’s neighborhood party and she said I should do it myself. She steers her clients away from it because of the “dated” factor.
Sigh.
Just paint it white for now and decide later when you are sure of what and who would be satisfactory. I have found that when things are not lining up, it is because it needs more consideration. I cannot remember feeling regret afterwards but glad I waited.
iris lilies
8-7-21, 12:36pm
Just paint it white for now and decide later when you are sure of what and who would be satisfactory. I have found that when things are not lining up, it is because it needs more consideration. I cannot remember feeling regret afterwards but glad I waited.
yes. It is already painted white with woodwork and ceiling done.
I will consider wall paper, but not it’s not the same thing >:(
iris lilies
8-25-21, 3:40pm
Here is my new periwinkle stove. This is a side view because it’s not set up yet and it’s pushed to the side to keep it out of the way.
3917
Here is my new periwinkle stove. This is a side view because it’s not set up yet and it’s pushed to the side to keep it out of the way.
3917
OMG! What a beautiful color! Remind me of the other colors in your kitchen palette?
iris lilies
8-25-21, 4:14pm
OMG! What a beautiful color! Remind me of the other colors in your kitchen palette?
In this condo, kitchen cabinets are a light blue, Sort of a lighter blue than this periwinkle by several shades, but actually the shades don’t match I wish they were closer but oh well. The countertops are white marble and the backsplash will be white marble tile.
You chose that instead of harvest gold or avocado? 😜. Just kidding. That’s quite pretty!
Teacher Terry
8-25-21, 9:22pm
I had no clue that appliances came in that color. So all will be the same I assume. The color is beautiful!
iris lilies
8-25-21, 9:55pm
I had no clue that appliances came in that color. So all will be the same I assume. The color is beautiful!
No, the refrigerator is stainless steel. The dishwasher has a cabinet panel to look like the cabinets.
This stove company, Bluestar, is made in America and has dozens of colors.
Teacher Terry
8-25-21, 11:41pm
I will have to go look at the stoves.
iris lilies
8-26-21, 12:32am
I will have to go look at the stoves.
for our Hermann kitchen I am buying a Hallman stove which has only about five colors, but I’m going to make one of them work for me. It’s about half the price of the Bluestar stove.
edited to add Hallman
catherine
8-26-21, 11:48am
In this condo, kitchen cabinets are a light blue, Sort of a lighter blue than this periwinkle by several shades, but actually the shades don’t match I wish they were closer but oh well. The countertops are white marble and the backsplash will be white marble tile.
In my experience, if you go monochromatic, all the shades will probably blend together. Because DH loves blue, I've done a "nautical" blue (a kind of happy mid-tone blue) and a "baby" blue (lighter) and a grey-blue (kind of a denim color with its grey undertones) and a turquoise blue, and I think they all coexist nicely.
iris lilies
8-26-21, 8:15pm
Just recording accomplishments in this work diary of sorts:
kitchen stove and dishwasher delivered 8.25.2021. Refrigerator is already here. All appliances here.
Today we paid visit to Amish cabinet makers 2 Hour drive away to make slight change order to our cabinet order. There will be no cabinets above the sink. There will be no cabinets on the wall with the back door. Cabinets should be finished within eight weeks.
Met with faux finish painter who says he thinks he can get the job done within 3 months. Nice fellow.
iris lilies
8-27-21, 11:54am
In my experience, if you go monochromatic, all the shades will probably blend together. Because DH loves blue, I've done a "nautical" blue (a kind of happy mid-tone blue) and a "baby" blue (lighter) and a grey-blue (kind of a denim color with its grey undertones) and a turquoise blue, and I think they all coexist nicely.
I thought about this overnight and I think you’re probably right about blues blending together. In good natural light they look fine together, but the kitchen is a dark little hole and it changes the intensity of the colors. But it will all be fine!
Since kitchen cabinets do seem to be on their way after us making the order in March, now I have to figure out what I’m gonna do about the cabinet fronts and glass. DH says it is easy for him to put in the glass. So that at least is taken care of and I don’t have to worry about glass being broken in transit. But now the question is: Do I put in frosted glass? Do I put in regular glass glass and just live with that? Do I put in regular glass with the idea that I am going to find someway to get the overlays that I want?
Just musing here.
If kitchen is a dark little hole, I'll share what I learned working at IKEA--you can light your way out of a lot of decorating problems.
re the glass--I just found and put up a cabinet from Habitat for my champagne glass collection and it has bubbled glass--I like it better than frosted and you can only sort of see through it.
iris lilies
8-27-21, 12:18pm
re the glass--I just found and put up a cabinet from Habitat for my champagne glass collection and it has bubbled glass--I like it better than frosted and you can only sort of see through it.
Yes, I am considering many kinds of glass. If I go that route then it’s DONE. No more fussing around with it, no more thinking about how to get inserts. And there will certainly come a point when I want to be DONE.But I enjoy the decorating ideas with my condo. Not so much with the Hermann house, that’s a slam bam get it done job.
Teacher Terry
8-27-21, 2:27pm
For kitchen cabinets I would do frosted. I wouldn’t want to see all my dishes. I love the stove color you chose. Can’t wait to see your condo when done. In mine the previous owner opened up the kitchen some by removing a wall with one of the entry closets. My friend’s condo in here is a little hole. My son removing all the upper cabinets completed the look and while it’s mostly open a small wall blocks the kitchen sink from the living room. That’s actually a supporting wall but I wouldn’t remove it anyway.
iris lilies
8-27-21, 2:33pm
For kitchen cabinets I would do frosted. I wouldn’t want to see all my dishes. I love the stove color you chose. Can’t wait to see your condo when done. In mine the previous owner opened up the kitchen some by removing a wall with one of the entry closets. My friend’s condo in here is a little hole. My son removing all the upper cabinets completed the look and while it’s mostly open a small wall blocks the kitchen sink from the living room. That’s actually a supporting wall but I wouldn’t remove it anyway.
I think all shelves will always look “nice “because I’m not going to store a lot of junk. This is just my extra condo where I have a few dishes, and upper shelves will have some some nice looking whatevers.
Truly functional things will be stored in lower cabinets. Glassware will be in the special tiny drinks cabinet. But funny as I sit here Another option just popped into my head and that is fabric gathered on rods inside the cabinets. That would be an inexpensive way to get pattern and texture introduced there. But I won’t do it it’s just something to enter my brain for a moment.
Teacher Terry
8-27-21, 2:43pm
Fabric would be pretty but you would have to take it down yearly and wash it. I have one glass cabinet in my dining room hutch and of course just display my antique glassware there.
iris lilies
8-27-21, 3:09pm
Fabric would be pretty but you would have to take it down yearly and wash it. I have one glass cabinet in my dining room hutch and of course just display my antique glassware there.
Is your fabric inside or outside the cabinet doors?
I would not do it yearly because it wouldn’t get that much use, and inside I can’t see that would get that dirty, but it would definitely get dirty. Maybe every three years? I’m probably by the end of the first time I do that I would abandon the whole project ha ha.
Teacher Terry
8-27-21, 11:10pm
I have no cabinets on top at all. The built in hutch in the dining room has one door with glass and the rest are solid.
ToomuchStuff
8-27-21, 11:44pm
Do I put in frosted glass? Do I put in regular glass glass and just live with that? Do I put in regular glass with the idea that I am going to find someway to get the overlays that I want?
Just musing here.
Keep your eyes open for people in Hermann, who are upgrading their storm and maybe home windows. Many years ago now, I passed a home, replacing all the old wooden storm windows, and the glass was that old, imperfect glass, that would be perfect in your cabinet doors.
iris lilies
8-27-21, 11:49pm
Keep your eyes open for people in Hermann, who are upgrading their storm and maybe home windows. Many years ago now, I passed a home, replacing all the old wooden storm windows, and the glass was that old, imperfect glass, that would be perfect in your cabinet doors.
That old super old wavy glass would be cool but I couldn’t find nearly enough of it.
There is one house in Hermann that I drive by and look at because it has original French windows that cover the front of it. It’s a very early house in Hermann, say, 1840s. Pretty cool.
iris lilies
9-4-21, 4:09pm
I have no cabinets on top at all. The built in hutch in the dining room has one door with glass and the rest are solid.
Somehow I read your post above as you having fabric in your China cabinet. I guess not. It does seem quite fussy to have that fabric, another layer to clean, when glass is so easy to clean.
iris lilies
10-8-21, 1:57pm
4030
https://www.paynesgray.com/products/bella-notte-frida-pillowcase?currency=USD&variant=29204603469884&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw2P-KBhByEiwADBYWCiL3_0R5a8lSCTmqCN6C1L2nG_vTgoXGAl2qe uu0D7rPBQ3bmPudfxoCH9cQAvD_BwE
Following is anatomy of two “hacks” i.e. copying expensive stuff, making my own version.
Bella Notte linens caught my eye a long time ago and I thought I might treat myself to a piece of Bella Notte linen. But when the time came to order something, I couldn’t pull the trigger because I’m just too damn cheap. So I ordered two old linen pillowcases from eBay. Linen fabric was important to me, I wanted real linen. These old pillowcases were nice and were $20.So here’s the great thing: I rummaged through my old Victorian costume bag and found a lace collar and lace cuffs. I no longer wear those things. I took everything apart, cut it up, and put it on the linen pillowcases. I love the look!
First picture is Bella Nota Linen pillowcases that you can buy for $140 each. Yowza.
2nd picture is my homemade version with old lace and old linen. Also in this photo is all of the bedding I completed this week—duvet cover, bolster pillow, and (unseen here) upholstered bed headboard and footboard.
4033
This hack: $280 vs $20.
Teacher Terry
10-8-21, 2:05pm
No pictures IL. I don’t blame you for not wanting to spend 140 on pillowcases.
Teacher Terry
10-8-21, 2:10pm
It all turned out really pretty!!
iris lilies
10-8-21, 2:11pm
No pictures IL. I don’t blame you for not wanting to spend 140 on pillowcases.
I am still loading them…
frugal-one
10-8-21, 2:15pm
No way would I spend $140 on pillowcases either. The ones you made look really nice!
iris lilies
10-8-21, 2:23pm
Hack #2:
Photo 1. Italian Fortuny floor lamp. $2,400.
photo 2. My hack, $185. The old deco-era tassels were nearly as expensive as the floor lamp.
I painted the shade, a copy of the Fortuny piece I picked up at a vintage store for $6.00. One of the amusing thing here is that it sold originally for $44, the Pottery Barn price tag was still on it. I don’t know who would buy a plain polyester copy of a silk Fortuny lampshade for $44. Doh.
But I will buy it for $6 and paint it.
4034
4035
I like both your hacks. Your pillowcases, from what I can tell, are prettier than the originals (which look like a pile of fishnets to me). The picture is small, so I could be way off.
rosarugosa
10-8-21, 6:05pm
Those are some excellent hacks, IL! I can be pretty self-indulgent when I find something I really love, but no way could I spend $140 on a pillowcase!
Your "Fortuny" piece is really handsome!
Wow! Nice job! I might steal your hack for DD for Christmas. She's a Scorpio and really loves luxurious bedding. Plus I have leftover lace from her wedding.
As for your lamp, that's beautiful. You should start a blog on designer decor hacks!
happystuff
10-8-21, 8:08pm
Very nice hacks, IL!!! You really are talented!
iris lilies
10-8-21, 8:43pm
Wow! Nice job! I might steal your hack for DD for Christmas. She's a Scorpio and really loves luxurious bedding. Plus I have leftover lace from her wedding.
As for your lamp, that's beautiful. You should start a blog on designer decor hacks!
Thanks! Do check out ebay or Etsy for old linens, they are all over the place.
I won’t have enough hacks to make a website, but I would like to add these two to an existing Facebook page or website so let me know you guys if you run into one. There’s a Facebook page for upscaling furniture but my projects won’t pass muster there, They want painted furniture apparently.
rosarugosa
10-9-21, 5:45am
There is a FB group called "Thrift store and garage sale upcycling projects to share" where your projects would be appreciated.
iris lilies
10-9-21, 9:56am
There is a FB group called "Thrift store and garage sale upcycling projects to share" where your projects would be appreciated.
Great, thank you! I will post these projects there.
i wish I had photos of the lace cuffs I cut up before sewing them onto pillowcases because I pieced together the lace after cutting them strategically, and no one would guess this lace was originally cuffs.
iris lilies
10-13-21, 2:39pm
This is a clean looking wall. Perhaps the “white” aspect helps. My cabinetry is light blue.
I was really on the fence about a cabinet over the sink. That’s interesting that you say you don’t like that. Yeah now I’m going to rethink it because DH talked me into it.My instinct is to keep that space clean no cabinetry.
Pinky toe I should mention to you that I ended up changing my cabinet order with the Amish cabinet makers to get rid of the little cabinets over the sink. I don’t think they’ll get used and it just seems so cluttered.
Meanwhile, I’m having fun shopping for vintage light fixtures on ebay.
iris lilies
10-15-21, 12:12pm
Here is a condo unit exactly like mine new on the market. It is nice! Mine will be this nice when done.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3438-Russell-Blvd-Apt-604_Saint-Louis_MO_63104_M88593-87722
JaneV2.0
10-15-21, 12:31pm
Here is a condo unit exactly like mine new on the market. It is nice! Mine will be this nice when done.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3438-Russell-Blvd-Apt-604_Saint-Louis_MO_63104_M88593-87722
Oh! That's very nice! Love those cozy older places.
iris lilies
10-15-21, 12:53pm
Oh! That's very nice! Love those cozy older places.
The lady of the house does interior design as ? Hobby? For pay? Dont know. She tackled our building’s “ Aunt Agnes style” lobby and made some jazzy changes with a small budget.
rosarugosa
10-15-21, 3:29pm
That is beautiful, IL! For that price around here you could buy a heated doghouse.
frugal-one
10-15-21, 3:29pm
VERY NICE.
iris lilies
10-15-21, 5:26pm
That is beautiful, IL! For that price around here you could buy a heated doghouse.
Yes, you can see why DH and I play around with real estate. We don’t make money but when we lose on it we don’t lose a ton either.
last week I had a cheerful thought that my condo, being at the back of the building, is much safer from the marauding thugs in their drag racing cars. Last week more than 100 cars showed up to race on city streets In my condo neighborhood. Guns were hanging out their window. It was a lively evening!
Teacher Terry
10-15-21, 9:02pm
Really cute condo!!
iris lilies
11-8-21, 2:47pm
Kitchen cabinets are being delivered today. They were ordered last February. DH will spend a few days doing installation. He wants to get back to work on the Hermann house, but I want him to complete as much of condo kitchen as possible. I can’t get the kitchen countertops installed until all of the cabinets are in.
I bought my slab of marble for kitchen countertops more than a year ago.
Kitchen cabinets are being delivered today. They were ordered last February. DH will spend a few days doing installation. He wants to get back to work on the Hermann house, but I want him to complete as much of condo kitchen as possible. I can’t get the kitchen countertops installed until all of the cabinets are in.
I bought my slab of marble for kitchen countertops more than a year ago.
Wow. Has it really been that long?? That's crazy! You must be so excited to get them in!
iris lilies
11-8-21, 2:53pm
Wow. Has it really been that long?? That's crazy! You must be so excited to get them in!
I am excited, yes. But then I haven’t figured out what to do with the cabinet fronts that will be filled in with glass so that’s a piece it won’t be done for quite a while. It’s a good thing I’m not in a hurry for any of this. I’ve been waiting more than two months for an ornamental painter to work through his backlog to get to my job in the condo.
Teacher Terry
11-9-21, 2:08pm
Post pictures when they are done.
iris lilies
11-9-21, 6:02pm
Here is a teaser of DH installing lower cabinets.
I probably won’t post photos until at least the marble countertop is in and that will be weeks. It will be another few weeks after that when marble backsplash is put up.
4065
rosarugosa
11-9-21, 6:55pm
How exciting!
I thought his work should be shown right side up.
https://scontent.fluk1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/255511376_424805782384777_8098345367904369692_n.pn g?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=dqnXRTpCZ5YAX8mYvYa&_nc_ht=scontent.fluk1-1.fna&oh=5a99f00611bb9ee778261a3f08357422&oe=61B28EDD
Teacher Terry
11-9-21, 7:37pm
That’s going to be really nice with marble!
iris lilies
11-9-21, 8:47pm
I thought his work should be shown right side up.
https://scontent.fluk1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/255511376_424805782384777_8098345367904369692_n.pn g?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=dqnXRTpCZ5YAX8mYvYa&_nc_ht=scontent.fluk1-1.fna&oh=5a99f00611bb9ee778261a3f08357422&oe=61B28EDD
Thank you Alan!
That's a very fetching shade of blue...
I like the floors--did you put them in or refinish? Such a nice finish.
iris lilies
11-10-21, 10:40am
It is a newly laid floor, DH finished it in a satin finish. It does look nice.
iris lilies
11-10-21, 11:25am
That's a very fetching shade of blue...
Thanks! I bought 3 samples in that color range and made 3 sample boards before settling on it.
I made simple little “architectural “ ( haha) watercolor paintings that had the color theme as light blue and white. I played around with white cabinets, but couldn’t find a blue countertop material that I really like.
So I have settled on blue cabinets and white marble with marble backsplash. The marble has wonderful swirly patterns of grey in it.
happystuff
11-10-21, 11:53am
Love the color! Can't wait to see the finished project.
iris lilies
11-10-21, 11:58am
No planning or work is too tedious for this condo! Ha ha. DH, caught up in the spirit, suggested he may put crown molding in the kitchen to finish off the walls where there is no crown molding on cabinets. I told him “any love you show for this condo will be greatly appreciated!!!”
Because it’s not as though he has two other properties to work on. Oh no! The tiny condo gets much of our attention, love, and money. It will be a tiny jewel of perfection when it is done, but we’re two years away from it being DONE.
Teacher Terry
11-10-21, 1:39pm
The floor is pretty! Why are you 2 years from being done?
iris lilies
11-10-21, 1:46pm
The floor is pretty! Why are you 2 years from being done?
There is a little hallway with three closets that needs renovation. I told DH he didn’t have to work on it until next year, we could do one project a year. So next year is this little hallway area. The following year project is to renovate windows, and honestly that will probably be just one room. The next year will be to renovate the other set of windows.
OK now that’s three years but who’s counting? Ha ha Ha.
Our life is a continuum of construction and renovation, that’s just who we are.
He has huge projects in Hermann because he will be doing all of the finish carpentry work, plus the tile work, plus all the painting. That will be probably two years worth of work right there.
But honestly once I get the kitchen installed in this condo and the bedroom painted, that is 90% of what I need done in order to move in and start decorating.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.