Decorating Challenges
Jul. 16th, 2009 07:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
unforthToday, I signed the purchase contract for my apartment. In this multi-step process, I've completed another important one, but there are still some more that are equally important, and at any of which the whole deal could still fall through.
1. Seller reviews our minor changes to the purchasing contract, and signs it. His attorney cashes the check I gave in (for 10% of the purchase price).
2. The bank receives a copy of the purchase contract and approves my mortgage; the money goes in to escrow for up to 60 days.
3. I submit a range of materials to the Co-op Board in the hopes of being approved to be a member of the co-op.
4. We close sometime in late September.
While things could still fall apart in a number of ways (with the most likely, though hopefully still unlikely, being not getting approval from the Board) I'm going to assume the best and start to think about what I want to do with "my apartment."
It's a studio. Here's the basic floor plan. The main living area is 250 sq. ft, the entrance area (kitchen plus "foyer" is another 250 sq. ft., and the bathroom and "dressing area" look like they're around 150 sq. ft. combined. My unit looks just like the one in the picture, except that my fridge is where the "bar" is and that side of the kitchen has cabinets.
Basically, I want to put some thought into how to use the space effectively. It's my apartment, which means I'll have a fair degree in latitude in ripping things apartment or changing them to my liking.
The only thing I know so far, though is that I want to rip that stupid wall out of my kitchen and put a bar/counter top instead. But beyond that?
Things to remember:
1. I need to get a "work area," a "sleeping area" and a "living area" into there.
2. With most of my belongings in storage for at least the next year, I don't have to worry too much about bookcases or fitting lots of random crap.
3. Because of the bed bugs, I've got hardly any furniture - once I move, I'm adopting a "much better safe than sorry" attitude - I'll be getting rid of my couches, my bed, my office chair, my papasan (cry!). My coffee table is a piece of crap, as is my desk, so I'm not gonna take them either. Most of what's left I'm going to put in storage - a folding counter top, two nice cherry end tables, and a small table for two with two chairs - the last of which may be the ONLY thing I actually take with me, though I've not fully decided yet. That gives me a pretty blank slate in terms of furniture - but of course I don't have much money. At least to begin with, I'm aiming for Ikea-level furniture; I like building my own!
4. I've got a dog. This eliminates some options - anything white, for example - but also some of the things that people do to maximize space in a studio, ie a loft bed.
5. There is a huge window on the left hand side of the image of the floor plan. I'm only on the third floor - I will need to do something for privacy that doesn't completely destroy my lovely source of sunlight.
6. I collect original art work; much of it is black and white, but there are some pieces in color - in a variety of colors (yellows, reds, oranges, blues, purples...). Walls need to be a shade that doesn't drown this art work; displaying it is very important to me.
7. I love green growing things - my plants are going to have to go somewhere, presumably someplace near the window.
I want to keep things simple, practical, and above all nice and open - though this may involve adding a wall or other impediment to separate a sleeping area (which would be by the window) from a living area. On the other hand, one of the biggest problems I have sleeping relates to light - I tend to wake up as soon as it gets light - and as such, I might consider not putting the bed room in the end of the room - but it seems to make the most sense.
I'm mostly composing this post, though, to help me organize and keep track of what I read as I start to go through some articles on this topic. I'm just looking for ideas...and I'd love to hear any that any of you have, of course!
Here's what the articles I find suggest:
1. Separate your spaces. I think we already figured that one out! Consider using furniture, room dividers, screens, or curtains to make the separations.
2. Avoid big furniture - keep it in proportion to the space. I was already thinking this - primarily in the context of my bed, I'm gonna downgrade to a full when I get a new one; I'd rather have a bed then only have a couch, though - either a futon or what not. "It is a good idea to go for the smallest pieces that will do the job. Lower furniture adds a sense of volume." (reference)
3. Don't block the routes around the room. Try using L shapes - I already use L shapes - did so in both my previous apartments.
4. Sleeping: they recommend sofa sleepers, daybeds, chaises, trundle beds, or futons. The only one of these I would really consider, personally, is a futon - while I like![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sapphohestia's daybed, I wouldn't want it to have to function as my sofa, and sofa beds are either uncomfortable or expensive. Trundle bed isn't necessary for my needs, and I want a bed large enough that the dog can join me, so no chaises. Also consider a canopy bed that can create it's own wall with draping - though I think this would eat all the light in my apartment.
5. Furniture that does double-duty - end tables that hold CDs, for example. They also recommend trunks - which is an idea that I dig, I really like trunks...
6. Contain your clutter - always a good idea. ;) Storage areas in furniture, under the bed, and in closets - my closets are big, so this shouldn't be a problem.
7. LIGHT! I noticed this in the apartments that I visited - light made a world of difference. Sheer window curtains, transparent blinds, and lighting in other places as necessary.
8. Simple, consistent color palette, and don't mix textures. The most pleasant apartment that I saw was almost all in white. Obviously, that's not an option for me - which is problematic. Light colored pieces will keep the room light, but the dogs black hair gets on EVERYTHING and has to be a factor when I choose a color scheme. They suggest soft, light, and bright earth tones, neutrals, or whites and off-whites. Brighter colors are for furniture and rugs. Remember that all the walls don't have to be the same color.
9. Open shelving. Potentially a great idea - god knows that even with everything packed, I need shelving...
10. Mirrors.
11. Hang things - mount shelves, etc.
12. Don't keep things you don't need or use.
The description in this article seems to reflect my situation pretty well...
Well, I feel like I've got a better understanding of this - I'd love to hear peoples ideas... :)
1. Seller reviews our minor changes to the purchasing contract, and signs it. His attorney cashes the check I gave in (for 10% of the purchase price).
2. The bank receives a copy of the purchase contract and approves my mortgage; the money goes in to escrow for up to 60 days.
3. I submit a range of materials to the Co-op Board in the hopes of being approved to be a member of the co-op.
4. We close sometime in late September.
While things could still fall apart in a number of ways (with the most likely, though hopefully still unlikely, being not getting approval from the Board) I'm going to assume the best and start to think about what I want to do with "my apartment."
It's a studio. Here's the basic floor plan. The main living area is 250 sq. ft, the entrance area (kitchen plus "foyer" is another 250 sq. ft., and the bathroom and "dressing area" look like they're around 150 sq. ft. combined. My unit looks just like the one in the picture, except that my fridge is where the "bar" is and that side of the kitchen has cabinets.
Basically, I want to put some thought into how to use the space effectively. It's my apartment, which means I'll have a fair degree in latitude in ripping things apartment or changing them to my liking.
The only thing I know so far, though is that I want to rip that stupid wall out of my kitchen and put a bar/counter top instead. But beyond that?
Things to remember:
1. I need to get a "work area," a "sleeping area" and a "living area" into there.
2. With most of my belongings in storage for at least the next year, I don't have to worry too much about bookcases or fitting lots of random crap.
3. Because of the bed bugs, I've got hardly any furniture - once I move, I'm adopting a "much better safe than sorry" attitude - I'll be getting rid of my couches, my bed, my office chair, my papasan (cry!). My coffee table is a piece of crap, as is my desk, so I'm not gonna take them either. Most of what's left I'm going to put in storage - a folding counter top, two nice cherry end tables, and a small table for two with two chairs - the last of which may be the ONLY thing I actually take with me, though I've not fully decided yet. That gives me a pretty blank slate in terms of furniture - but of course I don't have much money. At least to begin with, I'm aiming for Ikea-level furniture; I like building my own!
4. I've got a dog. This eliminates some options - anything white, for example - but also some of the things that people do to maximize space in a studio, ie a loft bed.
5. There is a huge window on the left hand side of the image of the floor plan. I'm only on the third floor - I will need to do something for privacy that doesn't completely destroy my lovely source of sunlight.
6. I collect original art work; much of it is black and white, but there are some pieces in color - in a variety of colors (yellows, reds, oranges, blues, purples...). Walls need to be a shade that doesn't drown this art work; displaying it is very important to me.
7. I love green growing things - my plants are going to have to go somewhere, presumably someplace near the window.
I want to keep things simple, practical, and above all nice and open - though this may involve adding a wall or other impediment to separate a sleeping area (which would be by the window) from a living area. On the other hand, one of the biggest problems I have sleeping relates to light - I tend to wake up as soon as it gets light - and as such, I might consider not putting the bed room in the end of the room - but it seems to make the most sense.
I'm mostly composing this post, though, to help me organize and keep track of what I read as I start to go through some articles on this topic. I'm just looking for ideas...and I'd love to hear any that any of you have, of course!
Here's what the articles I find suggest:
1. Separate your spaces. I think we already figured that one out! Consider using furniture, room dividers, screens, or curtains to make the separations.
2. Avoid big furniture - keep it in proportion to the space. I was already thinking this - primarily in the context of my bed, I'm gonna downgrade to a full when I get a new one; I'd rather have a bed then only have a couch, though - either a futon or what not. "It is a good idea to go for the smallest pieces that will do the job. Lower furniture adds a sense of volume." (reference)
3. Don't block the routes around the room. Try using L shapes - I already use L shapes - did so in both my previous apartments.
4. Sleeping: they recommend sofa sleepers, daybeds, chaises, trundle beds, or futons. The only one of these I would really consider, personally, is a futon - while I like
sapphohestia's daybed, I wouldn't want it to have to function as my sofa, and sofa beds are either uncomfortable or expensive. Trundle bed isn't necessary for my needs, and I want a bed large enough that the dog can join me, so no chaises. Also consider a canopy bed that can create it's own wall with draping - though I think this would eat all the light in my apartment.5. Furniture that does double-duty - end tables that hold CDs, for example. They also recommend trunks - which is an idea that I dig, I really like trunks...
6. Contain your clutter - always a good idea. ;) Storage areas in furniture, under the bed, and in closets - my closets are big, so this shouldn't be a problem.
7. LIGHT! I noticed this in the apartments that I visited - light made a world of difference. Sheer window curtains, transparent blinds, and lighting in other places as necessary.
8. Simple, consistent color palette, and don't mix textures. The most pleasant apartment that I saw was almost all in white. Obviously, that's not an option for me - which is problematic. Light colored pieces will keep the room light, but the dogs black hair gets on EVERYTHING and has to be a factor when I choose a color scheme. They suggest soft, light, and bright earth tones, neutrals, or whites and off-whites. Brighter colors are for furniture and rugs. Remember that all the walls don't have to be the same color.
9. Open shelving. Potentially a great idea - god knows that even with everything packed, I need shelving...
10. Mirrors.
11. Hang things - mount shelves, etc.
12. Don't keep things you don't need or use.
The description in this article seems to reflect my situation pretty well...
Well, I feel like I've got a better understanding of this - I'd love to hear peoples ideas... :)
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-07-17 04:55 am (UTC)Good luck decorating! I'm really excited for ya!
no subject
Date: 2009-07-17 12:02 pm (UTC)If you do decide to go the canopy bed route, I might be able to give you my frame. There's nothing wrong with it, but stylistically, it's not quite matching the other stuff I've got going on in the room.
What do you think of a Murphy bed? Something that completely folds away?
And if you do end up where you need to go furniture shopping, want to go antiquing? :)
*hugs*
no subject
Date: 2009-07-17 05:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-18 12:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-18 12:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-18 12:38 pm (UTC)I really don't think I'll end up going with a canopy - they make the room seem smaller, as I know from experience since I have one, and I need exactly the opposite. I'm considering not having a headboard or anything at all...
I did consider a Murphy bed (forgot to include it in the above list) - the thing is, my mom has a murphy bed, and I worry that the fold up part will seem bulky - though I suppose if it was light (pale wood, or even white fiber board)...it wouldn't be so bad. I just don't know if I'm the "fold my bed away every day sort" - I had to do that while I was in Japan, and I did it maybe 5 or 6 days a week...
Antiquing would be fun! I won't be able to yet, though - the first round of furniture is going to have to be the cheapest I can manage that I don't hate - but for the fixing up that'll follow, antiques would be fun! :)
no subject
Date: 2009-07-18 12:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-20 03:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-20 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-22 02:57 am (UTC)Also, I have seen people use open backed shelves as room dividers- they can be nice if you keep the books down low and the pretty stuff up top- lets more light through. A canopy bed might not be too bad if you had sheer hangings, but I think a low platform bed would be awesome. You can even find them with drawers underneath.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-22 11:53 am (UTC)I like the way you describe using the book shelves - that had been worrying me, actually - they make these nice open framed book cases that I've been looking at but if you pack them full of books it defeats the point - and I have a lot of books. But if I fill the lower shelves with books, and leave the upper shelves open with pretty things, I make a solid divider low down (no light thru cause of the books) but a nice open look higher up - so yeah, dig the idea.
Paint suggestion is awesome. I've been starting to wonder about paint colors - I hate white walls - but I <3 the idea of semi-glossing the ceiling (I never paint ceilings anything other than white) and using white for the trim and doing the rest in something pale, sounds very pleasant without being antiseptic.
Thanks for the ideas! :)