500 Square's Profile

Display Name:	500 Square
Personal URL:	http://www.500sq.com
Member Since:	8/10/12

Latest Comments...

@Portlandrules - do you live in Boulder and know Patty? I went to school with her daughter and love to see Clutter getting some love here :) Also, this house is so great - mid-century modern without feeling like a showroom of MCM pieces. I also adored the Millennium Falcon and all the little "kitschy"-but-classy touches. The Beahm Family's Dot House House Tour Flag this comment	11/5/12 9:57 PM
I love the exposed beams, the wooden ceiling and how open the space looks! I also really enjoy the rustic touches, the mostly muted colors, the way the light plays throughout the house - and that kitchen is to die for. Gorgeous house, fellow Boulderites! Liz and Chad's Bright Boulder MCM House Tour Flag this comment	10/16/12 4:34 PM
I second the Zinsser primer - I painted over an IKEA bookshelf (light over dark) after sanding very lightly and applying just 2 coats of primer. It looks great and the paint doesn't chip off at all. I also second the hardware update...honestly, I don't know why I'm commenting at all since everyone else is right on :). Since you got it cheap, just have fun with it and make it into a piece that you love now. How Can I Jazz Up Inexpensive White Particle Board Dresser? Good Questions Flag this comment	10/12/12 10:57 AM
I have never seen brown done so perfectly - love it. And normally I would be all about the symmetry, but I really like the quirky, mismatched lights. Beautiful. Ashley's "Monochromatic Serape" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 5:02 PM
@lynell - thanks so much! Great idea about the throw pillows. I actually never thought of myself as an "orange" fan until I brought the chair into the bedroom and it clicked against the walls. Funny how that can happen sometimes. Claire's "Dark & Soothing" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 4:20 PM
@Slangevar - Maybe it's your chair! It's quite battered and "worn in," but comfy and works nicely as a reading chair. Claire's "Dark & Soothing" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 4:19 PM
This room is gorgeous - love the mix of textures, especially the leather couch and the wooden map above. Also love the slightly "blue" tone in the gray walls. Allie's "Contrasting Neutrals" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 4:17 PM
@Jsmilez - It's curtain rods mounted to the ceiling! Simple to do and it changed the whole look/feel of the room. Claire's "Claire Autruong" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 4:15 PM
@Lyonstill, it is definitely dark, and I like your idea of bringing more orange into it. I still have some wall space, so maybe a larger piece of orange-toned artwork? Light is tricky with only a single window mostly blocked by a tree...one day I hope to be able to have more windows! Claire's "Dark & Soothing" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 4:14 PM
The bench is slats made out of fence posts, picked up from the local ReSource Yard. For the top of the bookshelf, I used a combination of beating up the boards with a hammer, and a stain wash (Jacobean + water). It's just a piece of common pine from the big orange store. There's more info on the bench and bookshelf on my blog (link in my profile), if you feel like wandering around there. Hope that helps! Claire's "Dark & Soothing" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 4:12 PM
Hi all, Claire here - just found out that my room was picked for this and am so honored! Thanks for all the comments, questions and observations! It is quite dark, as some of you mentioned, but I was definitely going for a cave-like space to contrast with the lighter, busier living room. Definitely a matter of personal preference :), and mine change all the time - who knows, maybe I will end up with a light-colored bedroom one of these days! Claire's "Dark & Soothing" Room Room for Color Contest Flag this comment	10/3/12 4:09 PM
I lived in D.C. during college and right after, and eventually ended up moving to Colorado, partly because of the astronomical rents. Of course, I could have lived cheaper in the suburbs, but I chose to relocate in order to spend less percentage of my income on rent and also not have a Metro commute to work. It all depends on what you want, I guess. And I'm curious how they arrived at those figures - $1506 will barely get you a studio in the neighborhoods in D.C. where most young professionals live, much less a 2-bedroom like the chart says. Living In The Most Expensive Cities: How Long Can We Keep This Up? Flag this comment	9/20/12 3:05 PM
This is great - I could see this working in a lot of different rooms. Love it - good job! Before & After: DIY Compass Rose TableNellie Bellie Flag this comment	9/17/12 8:03 PM
I would use an oil-based primer (something like Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3). I painted a laminate IKEA Billy bookcase using two coats of Zinsser primer and then just regular household paint that I had lying around. If you let the primer fully cure (the time should be on the can) before painting, you shouldn't have any problems with tackiness or flaking. I did sand lightly, but I agree with Thatkris and Averymckenzie that IKEA's foil is difficult to sand evenly. Good luck! Best Way To Paint Ikea BORGSJO Cabinet? Good Questions Flag this comment	9/4/12 5:47 PM
Love to see a hometown space on here - yay Boulder! Every photo in this house tour looks amazing - you have done an incredible job creating a warm space with a vintage and rustic vibe. Personal favorites - the desk, the dining area and the beautiful blue sink. So inspiring - thanks for opening up your beautiful home! Paige Blackburn's Cozy Mapleton Hill Home House Tour Flag this comment	8/30/12 3:14 PM