Dressing problem windows - 1

Not every window is perfectly sized  or perfectly placed, and when they aren't  it can be a challenge to decide on window treatments. This is the first of several posts on this topic.  If your window solution isn't here there's more to come.

Corner Windows 

Tracery Interiors

While corner windows are fantastic for views they often cause problems depending on how they meet in the corner.  This setting allows enough space for panels  to hang on the sides and in the centre, but they do not appear to be fully closing.  
 

Linda Donnelly

Roman shades are a good alternative in corner windows if there is enough room for the shades to meet in the corner. An inside mount would alleviate that problem.

Houzz

If privacy isn't an issue you can keep is simple with a mock roman valance that runs the width of the two windows.

Two different style windows in same room

 Amoroso Design

When you  have two different style windows in a room one solution is to put a roman shade on the smallest one.  You can use the same fabric to coordinate the look.

Mark Newman Design

If you have a layered treatment on the large window you can use the interior solution (blind, roman shade etc. ) on the smaller window. 

 High, small  basement windows

 Canadian House and Home

 When a window is set high in a wall it is difficult to know what to do with it.  My approach is to blend it into the wall rather than make it an accent.  That means keeping what you add as a treatment close in colour and value to the walls.  One of the simplest solutions is to use small tension rods and make a fitted curtain from translucent material .  In that way they can stay in place and still create some privacy.  Another option is faux wood blinds or sheer weave roller blinds that stay down.

Lu Tapp

 Shutters always work well in a basement because they can be easily opened and closed on a hinge which allows you to fold them back on the wall when you want optimum light. 

Kimberly DesJardins

Placing a bed below a basement window and then framing both with side panels  pulls a design together. Keeping the window treatment and the bed the same colour adds to the cohesiveness.

Privacy Issues

Elle Decor

Window film  is a practical solution when privacy is an issue in window treatments.  Some have patterns others are matte. When you buy large sheets of matte film it can be cut to create various geometric designs which add a little creativity to the solution.  This pattern is by Emma Jeffs.

Cary Bernstein Architect

One of my favourite window treatments for bathrooms and kitchens  is a roller shade.  They have a clean, no nonsense look, are easy to raise up and down and come in a wide variety of  patterns, textures and colours. If you want to see the view in the daytime they roll up completely under the cassette/valance.   

Claudia Martin, ASID

Top down bottom up cellular shades are very versatile and solve many decorating problems.  They can be dropped from the top or pulled up from the bottom. You can have privacy and light at the same time.   Check out Levelor.  

Memory Lane: The Exterior of Our Old Home

A year ago this week, Chris and I made the exciting (but scary) decision to put our house on the market to pursue our current home on Hazard Ave. Thinking about what we were doing a year ago has gotten me feeling nostalgic for our old home and all the work we accomplished on it. 

This is what the exterior of our old house looked like when we moved in. 

The first order of business was to have those monstrous looking shrubs removed! This not only improved the curb appeal, but flooded the main floor with afternoon sunlight. Soon after, Chris risked his life on a ladder to hang the shutters.

The following Spring, my Dad painted the front door red.

A few years later, we had the whole house painted. You'll also notice the window boxes that Chris installed, and the new window on the far left of the house.

Finally, here's the photograph that was used for our listing. By now, the shrubbery had grown in. We also removed the awkwardly placed rhododendrons and planted new flowering pear trees. 

Reminiscing the transformation of our old house's exterior has gotten me excited about the changes we've yet to make in our current home on Hazard Ave, like new paint, roof, & exterior lighting. It can only look better from here!  

Linking to The DIY Showoff

Powder Room Reveal!

I thought this day would never come.

When we started this project, this is what the room looked like.

Chris demolished the room

 and framed up a new wall to hide the plumbing stack in the corner.

We hired an electrician to do the rough wiring,

then Chris installed a sub-floor.

We called in a plumber to do the rough plumbing.

The wallboard was installed,

then taped and mudded.

Finally the fun began! Chris hung the beadboard,

installed crown molding,

and a marble tile floor...

Ready to see what it looks like now??? Here's the "before" one last time...

and here are the "afters"...

We have to say, it was worth the wait!

Update:  If you think this project is worthy of your vote in the JDR Annual Industry Awards - Remodeling Category, please click here to show us some love! Voting is open until April 18, 2012. For those who have already voted for us, thank you! Thank you!

Source info: Chandelier, Sconces (since sold out), Sink, Mirror (spray painted antique find), Wallpaper, Faucet & Hardware

Eco-friendly house in Majorca

This is French architect Alexandre de Betak's creation, an eco-friendly house located in a small village called Cave House on the island of Majorca.

The Wallpaper Guy Shares His Secrets...

Exciting things are happening on Hazard Ave.
Our Chiang Mai Dragon wallpaper was installed in the powder room last weekend!
Here's a sneak peak, and stay tuned... I promise to have FINISHED pictures of the powder room in my next post! Yes! Our powder room is thisclose to being completed!

While the wallpaper hanger was around, I asked him for some wallpaper removal tips because we have a TON of it to remove in the rest of our house. 

I learned that there is a different technique for removing fabric backed vinyl wallpaper than for removing paper based wallpaper.

Fabric Backed Vinyl Wallpaper - He said that wallpaper made with fabric backed vinyl isn't that common these days, but we seem to have a lot of it in our house. To remove it, he said to start at the ceiling, take a wallpaper scraper, and pick open a seam. Rip the corner away from the wall and pull. The paper will come off in huge sheets. No steaming, no chemicals, no scoring necessary. Who knew?

After the paper is down, there will be a bumpy glue residue left on the walls which can be removed with a wall sander.

Paper based - He actually laughed at me when I told him it took me 3 days to remove the paper based wallpaper in my bedroom using a steamer. He suggested using a commercial product like DIF, and apply it (mixed with water) using a low pressure sprayer over the entire room. Wait 10 minutes for it to be absorbed by the paper and repeat. In fact, he said to repeat this process until the paper stops soaking in the water. He said that the walls need to be soaking wet (his italics, not mine). Then starting from the ceiling, use the wallpaper scraper to get underneath the paper and scrape downward. Again, he said it should come off in huge sheets. (he also said it should take hours, not days, but I'll believe it once I try it).

Do you have any tried and true wallpaper removal methods?

Mudroom Inspiration

You've seen our mudroom in its current state,

and now...here's the vision.

What??? It could happen :)

I'm Decorating With the Dog

Don't you just love a good Before and After? If so, be sure to swing by Decor and the Dog, where Michelle is hosting a weeklong guest series of Before and Afters. 

In fact, visit me there today as I relive the process of renovating our Home Office! 

Displaying family photographs-2

Continuing with ideas for displaying family photographs...

Use a photo ledge

Alexander Johnson Photography

 

 Roger Hirsch Architect

I like the photo ledge, but I love the sofa/chair. 

 Make them part of a larger arrangement

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How fresh the white and black photos look on the blue green wall. The tall tree like plant adds to the overall arrangement, however I find the photos a tad too close to the window trim.   

Print on large  canvases

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Michelle Hinckley

 A grouping of squares always hang nicely together- much more interesting to my eye than rectangles.

Display without frames

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These frameless photographs are mounted on sturdy art boards and linked by small tape hinges  to create an accordion structure. This project displays well on a mantle, bookcase etc.

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Don't these photos just beg to be handled/sorted/ looked at?  The crispness of the hurricanes and white cloths are a great juxtaposition with the untidy, "I just landed here" look of the photos.