iheartmini's Profile

Thank you all for taking the time to comment. To answer some of the questions (or criticism!):
The wood paneling is temporary. It was last updated in the 70's, and I'm kind of scared to see what lies beneath. We're in the middle of a kitchen reno/gut job, so I'll be tackling the paneling next! We chose not to paint the paneling because we don't like that look. I tried to work with it by incorporating lots of white and bright green accents to freshen it up some. Trust me, it's not easy making faux wood paneling look good! I'm shocked so many people actually like it! I thought it was cool the first month I lived there, but now I feel like I'm trapped in a faux forest I can't escape at dinner time :(

Due to overwhelming response about the sofas, I know they aren't the most beautiful things in the world. But after butt-testing 100's of sofas, we decided to get the ugly reclining ones with high backs and puffy arms. So function wins over form in this case, and we can squeeze tons of guests on those two pieces. I actually love sitting on the puffy arms, which is why it was a requirement! I was dying for a low profile sleek looking number, but it was either too pricey, or too uncomfortable.

@marlamischief1, The orange thing in the bedroom is an Eero Aarnio pup from CB2. I got it a couple years ago. @JulieLeanne, The green circle in the Xbox Command Center is indeed a cat toy. I was going to move it, but since they use it as furniture, I figured it should stay in the picture :)

@fraise, you're right about the bathroom not being "tiny" compared to most people on here. But in the land of Richmond's McMansions, it's pretty small! I personally think it's the perfect size.

@RocketJen, it's your typical Hunter ceiling fan from HD. We don't have central air in our house, so the fans, as much as I wanted a pretty chandelier, had to be installed.

@BLSjess now that you mention the front pillow, it's going. I never really cared what was on the bed before, but now I can just imagine how nice the bedroom would look without it!

Thanks again for the feedback. Please keep the ideas coming :)

I love dark, dramatic spaces in general, but you really blew me out of the water with this. The dark walls, the throw on the bed, the tree painting, omg that coffee table and that black chair! Then I study it harder and see the mirrored tables, the chunky black picture frame, and even the understated gold frame in the kitchen make me swoon. Seriously in love with this space. Seriously.

Although you get major brownie points for the ghost chairs, I love your whole place to pieces! I would never think about painting my own walls the color of your bathroom, but seeing it with that fabulous shower curtain, it really looks nice.

Two of the walls in my bedroom have windows, and the other two are too awkward for placing the bed. Instead of a headboard, we put the bed under one of the windows and use the curtains as our headboard. I spread the rod out long past the window to make it the same width as the bed. It's dramatic, huge, and a piece of cake to do... just hang the curtains on a rod!

Here's a really bad picture, before I spread the rod out. But you get the idea:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tbxrVJTBfhY/S0knn2BE3SI/AAAAAAAAAgY/wVRBwBBpMgE/s1600-h/5%5B4%5D.jpg

Cheat tip: Although the bed is tall, it's actually on the low-profile Malm bed frame, with a box spring to raise the mattress up. The malm headboard comes up just enough to hold the pillows behind us without leaning on (and pulling down) the curtains, and just low enough you'd never know it was there.

I love the after shots! I actually just used these same lamps on mirrored nightstands in my own bedroom.

To AmyinPittsburg, I looked at the dresser and the very first thought that hit me was DIY. The bottom looks exactly like the malm coffee table at Ikea, and then two different sized dresser drawers on top. This would be easy to mimic by simply buying or painting white pieces and stacking them on each other.

My husband knocked the radio off the headboard (yes, we keep it on there because we don't have bedside tables yet!) and it broke right in half. We desperately need a replacement, and this beauty would be a wonderful addition!

We're buying carpet this week, and we don't have a functioning vacuum. This would be a perfect addition to our new purchase! (and help keep the car hair under control... finally!)

I used Martha Stewart Vintage Map from Lowes. It's bright in the daytime, deeper at night, and changes from a blue blue to a gray blue to a green blue depending on the time of day and the weather. I love it!

I wouldn't paint the cabinets, but I also wouldn't keep them the same. I would stain them a dark cherry wood color, which will help the burgundy look less out of place. Frame the mirror with a chunky dark wood frame, update the knobs and the light fixture (whatever it is, a quick change can do a world of difference), and add a warm neutral to the walls. I really like this space as an example:
http://www.lindseyrunyondesign.com/Images/160%20Lee%20St/06_Bathroom.JPG

Then put a nice big picture above the toilet tying in all the shades you just added, and a rich, warm shower curtain (maroon?) and you'll be set! I love updating bathrooms :)

I went to Home Depot to check out the sample of your paint. I think I'm convinced to use it as my navy blue walls. I've had 10 different swatches of dark blue to decide between, but none of them won me over like Sullivan!