I’ll see you next week!

This is largely due to two reasons. First, I’m a design genius (at least in my imagination, so please don’t burst my bubble or it’s the paddy wagon for me). Second, I know how difficult it is for many people to imagine what something will look like without some visual help. A little paint chip often isn’t enough.

I’m not the only one to understand this. Paint companies figured it out long before I did. And most have come up with paint visualizers to help you out. They all work the same way. You choose a room from one of their samples and paint the walls, trim and ceiling using their colors. You can save the result and print it out.

It’s a nice tool to help you get started. Here is a list of links to several sites that offer this service.

Benjamin Moore

Pratt and Lambert

Sherwin Williams

Behr

Valspar

Be aware that the color on a computer screen will not look the same in real life. You may need to tweak your selection. And I’m a big fan of testing a color first. Regarding the visualizers, I wish they offered a larger choice of rooms to paint. Really, how difficult can that be? Also, don’t waste your ten dollars on Bennie Moore’s program that allows you to upload your own photos. It’s a pain to use and they should be giving it away. But they make a good paint.

Have any of you had experience with these? What’s your opinion of them? I’m also wondering how many of us have weekend DIY projects planned for this weekend. I’m making over the gravel pit.

It’s wonderfully elegant. And the cushions are made of weather-resistant fabric. So they can take a bit of rain. I wish I had time to order a couple of these for the gravel pit.

“There’s just so much going on,” she says. “We hate the mantel on the fireplace, and are debating whether we should sheet rock over the top area (where the TV is) or just run the TV wires up through the ceiling and try to do some kind of magical “we’re hiding the wires” solution.

Then, there’s that huge blank wall and the large window opposite, which I have no idea how to properly drape. Help!”

This looks like a fun project; so let’s get to it.

Building Good Bones
Looking around the room I see one major problem right off the bat: mixed up scale. We’ve got The Three Bears going on here. The massive mantel is way too big, the crown and baseboard moldings are too small. Only the window casing is just right. So this is the place to start.

Crown molding can be a little tricky to install on your own, but it’s cheap and more than worth the price. Creating good bones in your home will add value to it. And nothing improves a room more than this kind of fix-up.

Additional Problems With Scale
Now I’m looking at the fireplace wall. Again, scale is an issue. The TV is massive. Because the mantel is so high, the TV is hung even higher. My neck aches just looking at it. Next, the shelves on either side are a nice idea, but they’re too skimpy. Finally, the fireplace looks dwarfed under both the TV and mantel. This wall needs to become a unified focal point. But first…

Where Does The TV Go?
Hanging the TV over a mantel often seems like a good idea. And sometimes it works really well. In this case it doesn’t. As I said, it’s too high. Moreover, there are problems with the wires. I could be wrong (someone let me know if I am) but you have to be very careful about dry walling directly over a fireplace. I believe you’ll run into problems with the fire code. And let’s face it, you don’t want your house burning down. A TV-Over-Fireplace solution works best when it’s part of new construction.

Stephanie, you were wondering what to do on this wall. I recommend moving the TV over here and buying a media unit designed to hold storage for a flat screen TV such as yours. I’ve chosen the Clifton Media Console ($499) from West Elm. It has a transitional look with dark wood. This height offers a more comfortable way to watch TV. And, placing it across from the sofa offers a better angle, too.

However, the TV console will interfere with the existing round sort of chair. I think the room would look better and more in proportion without it. Find another place for it, or sell it on Craig’s List and use the money to help pay for the spruce up. Again, it’s all about scale. Too much massive furniture is overwhelming. The sofa is enough.

Wonderful Window Treatments
I can see from the photo that the room faces the backyard with a pool (lucky!) and a tall fence behind it. Since privacy isn’t an issue, you don’t need curtains for function. Instead, create a frame for this lovely window with one long rod and panels on either side.

I’m not sure what sort of fabric you like, so here are some ideas. I came up with a Peyton Panel (on sale now) from Pottery Barn. It comes in several solid colors. Or, you could opt for a floral, such as Weaver’s Floral Pinch Pleat (starting at $299) from Country Curtains. You’ll want to choose a rod that extends about 9” beyond the edge of the  window. Below is an idea of what this could look like.

Also, take down the Roman shade. You need either three (one on each window) or none. Move the sofa out enough so that the curtains hang nicely.

The Fireplace!
I’ve saved the best for last. I suggest creating a wonderful focal point with your fireplace at its center. First, as a reminder, here’s the photo of the existing fireplace. 

Below is the area redone. Whitewashed brick creates a less mottled look. To createa a focal point, I’ve installed built-in bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. They sit directly on the hearth, with a new mantle that’s more in proportion. Here, I’ve used a traditional mantel - the Avery Mantel ($599) from Fireplace Mantels. To save money, buy an unfinished model and paint it to match the  bookshelves. The crown molding is repeated here as well.

An alternative is the create a simpler, more contemporary mantel that pulls the shelves together as a single unit. I’ve replaced the fire screen with one that’s a little larger with less ornament the contemporary style ($69.99) from Target. This will make the fireplace, in turn, seem larger.

Finally, hang a nice painting over the fireplace. As an example, I’ve used this Jodhpur Panel (over-priced at $249) from Pottery Barn.

Have I thought of everything? Stephanie, I hope you and your family will be happier with this room. It’s more functional, more nicely proportioned, and the built-ins and crown molding will add value to your home. You’ll have more storage as well.
I encourage everyone to weigh in with his or her opinions. When I work on these design dilemmas I always try to keep budgets and alternative styles in mind. How about you?

It’s battle of the Marimekko sites! First up is Always Mod. They’ve got great Marimekko merchandise on sale through July 17th. Save 20% to 40% off the regular price.

Next, FinnStyle is holding their largest Marimekko sale ever. Again, save up to 40% through July 15th.

Stock up on your [insert holiday of choice here] gifts now!

See more sock monkey goodness at Craft.

Thanks for your patience.

Given the number of people with home theaters, it makes sense to have a new choice in the area of speakers. Misterarthur is a recovering audiophile, and I graciously put up with his giant speakers for the first couple of years of our relationship. Boys like to show off their equipment, I think.

When it came time to banish them to the basement, we had 3 choices for replacements. 1) Slightly smaller boxes. (Sound good, look like boxes).  2) Much smaller boxes - even tiny boxes. (Misterarthur thinks they don’t sound very good). 3) In-wall or in-ceiling speakers. (Misterarthur nixed that idea, but it isn’t really practical for 60 - year old homes, anyway).

Then there are speakers to be enjoyed visually as well as sonically.  Bang & Olufsen has pretty much owned that market until now. See below.

Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLab 9

These NACSound models are pretty cool, too. While they’re made of ceramic and wood, they come in a number of alternate finishes.  Here’s the Omni model (floor standing or suspended)

NACSound Omni

There’s also a suspended model called the Kayak.

 NACSound Kayak

I think these would look spectacular in the right space. Misterarthur says that NACSound has sonic cred, too.

Sonance is a little vague about where to find them, but I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you if you’re interested.

So what do you think? Yay or nay?

The pit was supposed to be an elegant alleé of potted trees. But somehow we took a wrong turn down Lazy Street and it remains a barren pit de gravél (French makes it sound a little nicer don’t you think?). Anyway, the invites are out and time’s a wastin’, which is why I’m implementing Operation Garden Storm.

 I’ll send Misterarthur down to the Eastern Market for some pots and trees. Easily done. But to give the gravel pit that extra zip that Martha (gag) would approve of, I was thinking of adding some benches. This antique bench probably isn’t meant for the rain and snow of Michigan. But I came across it in my bench shopping journey today and thought I’d feature it anyway. It’s pretty cool - an antique reproduction of an English railroad station bench. I dig it. Do you?

I promise to publish photos once the gravel pit becomes splendiferous. Give me a week.