fakey's Profile

Beautiful work. I'm not so keen on the fabric choice, but it's great to see a piece carefully revived as you have this one.

What a brilliant solution!

Amen, xerocada2. Arranging books by color reduces one of the best, cheapest, long-lasting information-storage-and-retrieval media in the history of humanity to mere wallpaper. Books organized by color always makes me think of Gloria Upson from the movie Auntie Mame saying, "Books are awfully decorative, don't you think?"

Books are meant to be read. Most people who love books love to share them. One of the easiest ways to share books is to arrange them in ways that make them accessible to family and guests, alike.

I was on the fence about these, but they look lovely in context.

@Jessica ND
As Courtney noted, chalk paint is not chalkboard paint. The reason chalk paint is everywhere is that it sticks to most surfaces without sanding or priming, covers almost anything in one or two coats, and can be used to create beautiful smooth or distressed finishes quite easily.

This is not to say it hasn't been overused lately. I hate to see it applied to wood that is in otherwise good condition, but it can be a good alternative to the toxic process of stripping and refinishing damaged finishes.

Quality Inn wants to hang out with the cool kids, but it's trying too hard. That lobby isn't an appealingly-designed space, it's a cheap hodgepodge of years-old trendhound gloms the likes of which one might find in the exurban McMansion of a "quirky" HGTV-addicted, DIY-crazed SAHM who just took up blogging. Look for the 2015 redo to feature chevron prints, antlers, and terrariums.

I like the before look better, but I defend the right to paint. You can't tell from the photos what shape the wood was really in. Stripping and refinishing is a toxic, nasty process. However, if the teen owner later decides she wants something more classy and grown-up, the original wood is still there, waiting to be uncovered and restored.

I agree with the earlier comment that the sofa has a certain charm as it is. If the wood is in good shape, why paint it? And a trip to the upholsterer could prove cost-prohibitive. If you're going the DIY route, you might try painting the upholstery. AT has provided a few links to tutorials. (I'd go for a nice gray.)