Please give me decorating ideas for a very old home.?
I recently moved to an older home. Most of the house is in orginial condition. The rooms still have the glass door knobs and beaded board walls and ceilings. I have one small closet underneath the stairs. Upstairs is a sitting room. Downstairs is 2 bedrooms (both 12 X 12), 1 large bath (it was converted from a bedroom. It is 12 X 15. It is between the bedrooms),the kitchen, dining room and living room (12 X 15) . I am not allowed to make any structural changes, I may paint and build moveable objects. Nothing can be attached to the orginial walls. I have no idea what colors to use. I thought about a Tuscany Kitchen, but I don’t know where to start. I want to keep the living room like a parlor, but have no idea what colors. The bathroom was redone in the ’70′s or ’80′s. All the fixtures are white and the wall paper is stained and peeling off. My king size bed fills up on of the bedrooms. Therefore, I must use the other bedroom for a closet. I thought about building a portable closet.
Tuscan Kitchen Decorating Ideas
http://ezinearticles.com/?Tuscan-Kitchen-Decorating-Ideas&id=82200
Shop your local flea markets, antique shops and estate sales for furniture. No matter what the condition, you can customize your look by using paint.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Update-Your-Old-Furniture&id=557817
As for storage, find an old armoir which works well as a closet. Old chests and dressers can also be used to store folded clothes. Utilize closet space by hanging a second rod, halfway down from the one that’s there. Use over-the-door hangers in the bathroom and bedroom doors to store small items and shoes. Use flat boxes for under bed storage.
Since your bathroom is so large, you can add furniture there also. A vanity with a mirror is a great piece, can be used to do your hair and make-up, and can be used to store items. Scrape and/or tear the wallpaper off, apply 2 coats of Kilz primer, then paint the walls any color you choose.
If you know the year your house was built, you can research to see what the colors of the day were, and easily copy the original design.
My house is 86 years old, but luckilly, when I moved in, it was already done to my tastes. I hope you’re as happy with your results!
HAHAHA-It sounds llike my house! My house is ovr a hundred years old. The one bedroom is taken up with the King bed (and a 12" walkway around it) so I use the spare bedroom next to it as a closet. I have 2 cedar chest which are full of winter stuff and stacked atop one another and next to that, I bought one of the larger wardrobes from Ikea where I keep my nicer things while on the top of that, under my dresser and under my bed, I have gift wrap boxes loaded with folded clothes or bedding since storage is a bit of a problem. Gift wrap boxes are slim enough to fit in the smallest of areas.
As far as paint, I have panelling and didn’t want to paint over that so to brighten my room, I have hung a curtain rod on the back wall that is THREE TIMES the size of the window. Since I open my curtains most of the time, I’ve attached thumbtack to the bottom corners of the curtain panels to keep them in place then tie the curtains in the middle so they have an hourglass shape. This brightens the color in the room and opens it up since they eye is drawn to look outside.
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I’m thinking of heavy duty Chinese screens, made with 2 x 4s and using Tuscan printed fabric panels (like earthy pastels). Think of a big shoebox turned on one end, and reinforce the bottom to use for shoe storage. If you can get to the lumber yard or Lowes, maybe they will cut to suit, and all you have to do is figure out what size you need for which room, and put it together with removable bolts, to easily pack and move away later. You will have to be innovative with the fabric (maybe Velcro to hold it in place) then you can change that later. Good luck, and use your imagination.
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paint using colonial colors Go to a sight for williamsburg va. to see the colors. You will also see what a old house can look like
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You can do so much without having to change the structure. Tackle one room at a time. For ideas; go to http://www.hgtv.com. In the search box, type in Tuscan kitchen and it will give you a lot of ideas.
I would check out hgtv for ideas on all of you rooms. The easiest and cheapest way to decorate is with paint. Pick a color for each room. If you have furniture great, if not shop thrift stores, yard sales and auctions. A piece that looks like junk can be transformed into a beautiful piece with a can of paint. Don’t be afraid; go for it. If you have carpeting and don’t care for the color, use area rugs which you can get 2nd hand. There are so many things you can do. Watch HGTV and TLC…they have fantastic ideas; Design on A Dime is my favorite. I also get a lot of ideas from Country Living magazine. You can pick up old issues at yard sales. (not courntry decorating; a little of everything). I love to put anything together. ECLECTIC; shabby chic, country cottage…..BHG.com is good too. Window treatments (which you can make very easily make the room look great too)
For a closet, why not paint the room a light cheery color. You can make a closet and still make it cute. Paint it a light creamy yellow. For storage, buy racks. You put them together and they are clothes racks. You can get them at Home Depot and WalMart. Hang shelves for more storage. Buy old chests and paint for drawer storage. It will be so cute.
Good Luck. If you want any more ideas, just email me. kellistines@yahoo.com
References :
Tuscan Kitchen Decorating Ideas
http://ezinearticles.com/?Tuscan-Kitchen-Decorating-Ideas&id=82200
Shop your local flea markets, antique shops and estate sales for furniture. No matter what the condition, you can customize your look by using paint.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Update-Your-Old-Furniture&id=557817
As for storage, find an old armoir which works well as a closet. Old chests and dressers can also be used to store folded clothes. Utilize closet space by hanging a second rod, halfway down from the one that’s there. Use over-the-door hangers in the bathroom and bedroom doors to store small items and shoes. Use flat boxes for under bed storage.
Since your bathroom is so large, you can add furniture there also. A vanity with a mirror is a great piece, can be used to do your hair and make-up, and can be used to store items. Scrape and/or tear the wallpaper off, apply 2 coats of Kilz primer, then paint the walls any color you choose.
If you know the year your house was built, you can research to see what the colors of the day were, and easily copy the original design.
My house is 86 years old, but luckilly, when I moved in, it was already done to my tastes. I hope you’re as happy with your results!
References :
Old turn of the century homes are so much fun do decorate! It was popular to paint each room a different color. They used darker colors than is typical in more modern homes. And, if you have nice wood trim, paint it white. (If it’s stained trim, you may want to ask your landlord first)
I got a good deal on lace table cloths, with scalloped edges, and used them as sheers under my curtains. Just folded them over the curtain rod and pinned them to hold them in place. Instant valances!
Also, any accessories with quilt patterns will fit in nicely. A handmade quilt looks great as a wall hanging.
For closets, you may want to look for an armoire at flea markets and estate sales.
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