Any interior decorators in the house?? [re-painting my room; need theme help]

[Gilladian]

Personally, I think black or any really dark color would be a mistake. They're very poor-wearing colors in paint. You'll start having problems with scuff marks and wear within days. Instead, if you want to keep a warm, cozy feeling but avoid the ordinary, try a deep ivory. Use white as a trim to lighten the room, or dark brown to darken it. That'll give a nice aged feel to the walls.

I recently repainted my master bedroom an olivey green (fairly light but still strong) and I have black curtains, black wrought iron bedframe, etc... It's very nice and not oppressive but not bland, either.

For special effects, look into using a glaze on the walls. You can start with a plain base color (like the off-white you have) and add a brown or other color glaze. Use rags or a sponge for a mottled effect, or a stippling brush for a more regular textured look. A painter's comb can even make walls look like they're hung with fabric.

And don't forget the (expensive) stone, suede, and metallic paints. A small splurge can have a dramatic effect if planned carefully. These might make good frames as suggested by others, or trim color.

Don't think of your room as barn-shaped, but as a barrel vault. You could use stencils to make stone blocks, even add a trompe-l'oeil stair or window, etc...

It all depends on if you want to get the job done today, or in a week, or if you have a month to spend on it.

 

[sedarfairy]

I have an idea...i really like the black touches you've mentioned and the frames that were suggested. With the suns and mayan themes, I would use a terra cotta or a cinnamon color on the walls. in your frames i would use the black and touches of mustard yellow and greens to reflect the sun and outdoors you have in your decor. you could even throw in touches of turquoise if you had the right pattern. make sure you use some aztec patterns in the frames you place around the artwork. I think it would pull together really nicely.

my 13 year old actually came up with a stained glass effect in her room. She used bold colors but it could be done with anything. She took paint tape and created geometric designs on one wall. She also worked in a broken heart and peace sign, as well as her initial. she painted those shapes lime green, orange, and hot pink. then we pulled the tape and outlined everything in yellow. the other three wallls she painted yellow. you could use those brights you like so much and do a similar design using mayan shapes.

 

[Mycanid]

...And don't forget the (expensive) stone, suede, and metallic paints. A small splurge can have a dramatic effect if planned carefully. These might make good frames as suggested by others, or trim color....

This is actually a good idea.

 

[crystal]

with your tast being within mythology and history, and your pieces suggesting so , may I reccomend something like faux painting. LOL....I know it sounds harder than it is, you can get the warm cozy colors. Like tans, browns, golds, greays, sage greens, reds....your immigination is the limmit. They turn out beautiful and are within the style, time period you mentioned. I have done these in my own home, and the result is beautiful and calming ...

here are a few examples on how to do them and what they look like. You do not have to use the exact colors. You can use any that you wish...These are just ideas. And like I said they are not that hard to pull off.

http://www.how-to-faux-finish.com/

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/interior_decorating_ideas/faux_painting_techniques/

 

[Nyaricus]

Wow wow wow... what a great number of suggestions here people! I'm (obviously) new to this painting bit, so I had no idea all of the great techniques that lie in wait out there...

This leaves me a lot to ponder over, and I'm going to make no decisions fast here (Gilladian asked if I had a week or a month to do this, and really... it's as long as I want, haha) but I'll definitely be thinking about what I can do with everything here.

Ummmm, I guess the other thing I want to ask is - do anyone have info on how to prep for painting a room? Stuff like base coats, painting tape, and such? Also, I have some wallpaper in those three recessed shelving units (just on the walls) - how do I get it off? Thanks!!

cheers,
--N

P.S.

@ Mycanid - I've been working on my band, Throne of Orcus, a lot lately. We have some videos up at our YouTube page, which you can check out, rate and comment on if you so decide. Two are cover songs by Lamb of God, and one is me belting out a 26 second mid/high range scream

@ Aurora - Well, I'm always interested in little bits of info like that - pray tell, what else can you glean from my bedroom? Got a link to a Feng Shui website at all?

cheers,
--N

 

[Mycanid]

P.S. ... Mycanid - I've been working on my band, Throne of Orcus, a lot lately. We have some videos up at our YouTube page, which you can check out, rate and comment on if you so decide. Two are cover songs by Lamb of God, and one is me belting out a 26 second mid/high range scream ...

I still have no idea how people can scream like that and not totally wreck their voice!

Pilgrim would scream like that all through the night, while Johann would do the same sorta thing in the base range ... yet when you talk to them their voices sound fine. :\

 

[Nyaricus]

I still have no idea how people can scream like that and not totally wreck their voice!

Pilgrim would scream like that all through the night, while Johann would do the same sorta thing in the base range ... yet when you talk to them their voices sound fine. :\

Pilgrim? Johann? Who be these folks? Friends in a band?

Actually, I'm going to be doing a YouTube mini-doc on how to scream without wrecking your voice. It comes with practice, technique and a lot of water you need to drink, lol.

And it's really, really fun

cheers,
--N

 

[Mycanid]

Pilgrim? Johann? Who be these folks? Friends in a band?

Actually, I'm going to be doing a YouTube mini-doc on how to scream without wrecking your voice. It comes with practice, technique and a lot of water you need to drink, lol.

And it's really, really fun

cheers,
--N

http://www.crimsonmoonlight.com

I met them at the cornerstone festival this year. In all honesty Swedish Black Apocalyptic War Metal is not quite my cup of tea, but they were WONDERFUL people! Pilgrim is the singer. Johann is the base player.

Plenty of their stuff is on youtube also.

 

[Nyaricus]

http://www.crimsonmoonlight.com

I met them at the cornerstone festival this year. In all honesty Swedish Black Apocalyptic War Metal is not quite my cup of tea, but they were WONDERFUL people! Pilgrim is the singer. Johann is the base player.

Plenty of their stuff is on youtube also.

Wow, they are *really* good Thanks for making me spend more money

But, yeah... back to paint and lame stuff like that

 

[sedarfairy]

Wow wow wow... what a great number of suggestions here people! I'm (obviously) new to this painting bit, so I had no idea all of the great techniques that lie in wait out there...

This leaves me a lot to ponder over, and I'm going to make no decisions fast here (Gilladian asked if I had a week or a month to do this, and really... it's as long as I want, haha) but I'll definitely be thinking about what I can do with everything here.

Ummmm, I guess the other thing I want to ask is - do anyone have info on how to prep for painting a room? Stuff like base coats, painting tape, and such? Also, I have some wallpaper in those three recessed shelving units (just on the walls) - how do I get it off? Thanks!!

cheers,
--N

I do know how to get the wallpaper off. two simple options...use steam. the heat will cause the paste to melt and it will peel off in strips. the second choice...you can use a cloth dipped in water, reasonably damp but not dripping, to soak the paper and then it peels off. If you don't have a steady hand, i would definitely get some of the blue paint tape from home depot and tape off the baseboards and door frames. they are too easy to swipe. keep a damp cloth with you as you paint to wipe up drops quickly. yes, i've spent way too much of my life painting things.