Problem
I have a seventies style house that has a great layout but a terribly ugly timber panelled wall in my loungeroom. This wall is the main wall as you enter and the first thing that people see. It has been badly damaged over the years and has a large stain to one side. What can I do to fix this as removing it will affect the ceiling and the floor.
Solutions
A few suggestions that may help, each option should be assessed to compliment the style of your home now or to the look you want to achieve in your renovation. Often giving a difficult area a special treatment of texture or colour will create a fantastic visual impact and be a really powerful design statement in the room.
Colour it
First suggestion would be to paint the wall, this is probably the simplest and the cheapest and I would strongly advise using a contrast colour paint companies such as Porters Paints, Murobond and Resene have amazing colours and special finishes. Depending on the length of the wall you may wish to use a slightly metallic finish with textured brush strokes. This can be either very soft or subtle if you choose a colour like warm champagne or dramatic should you go with a darker bronze or aubergine colour.
Cover it
This is really great as you can create amazing results. A really great look can be achieved by fixing sheets over the existing panelled area.
You may use sheets of gyprock and place them directly over the existing wall. You may need to address the floor at the skirting area, removing the existing skirting and refixing it once you have placed the sheeting on. Remember to also check the cornice at the ceiling level, the sheets will need to be what’s called “Stop, Set and Sanded” This is not a difficult job but if your considering doing it yourself you can always get some advice from somewhere like Bunnings Hardware store. They also run training workshops for different home reno jobs.
Light it
Once you have selected the finish for your wall you should also consider using lighting to create special effects. This can be achieved by placing downlights at different spacing’s to create light and dark effects against your new feature wall or to direct spotlights or halogens to a wonderful artwork or wall sculpture that you may wish to hang.
Make it Unique
Whilst plain gyprock is a simple solution why not stretch the imagination a little further to something like applying perforated sheets in front of the existing wall. These sheets can be laser cut and laser cut in many different mediums. Mdf sheets, steel!! Core 10 is a beautiful product and you can use the rusted steel product for a unique effect. With the sheets you can have the laser cut any design you choose, say a wonderful Moroccan or Moorish or Retro design. You could even allow a cavity behind and light it from behind. Imagine the effect that would be created at night as the patterns were omitted from behind.
With the opportunity to create a wonderful bathroom and luxurious bedroom overlooking the water the big decision was made to have no separating walls. Allowing the client to view the water wherever they are. Envious?
This elegant luxury only occurs as a result of really clever forward planning. It doesn’t just happen. Here are a few of my favourite tips for this room.
Create a layout that only shows the great things and conceals the rest. Notice the toilet is discretely concealed behind the wall for privacy. This also gives us a return for our vanity and a place to position some art.
Conceal the mess. A 100mm wall cabinet with mirrored doors holds everything from perfume, makeup, the electric toothbrushes –of course with power points are all accommodated inside here. The secret is to design it into the room with the ceiling cornices wrapping around the cabinet. This means things don’t stick out and the design is elegant.
Mirrors are used to give a larger feel to the room and to assist with makeup preparation and dressing.
Another trick is to recess the floor area in the shower this is so neat and means that you don’t require an ugly step up for waterproofing.
Notice that I have even allowed for an area beside the bath for the client to place her silver tray, her crystal bottle of scotch, and the phone is also at arms length from the bath. Chatting on the phone whilst having a scotch…heaven.
The shower even has a shelf in the corner to allow you to place your foot on while when shaving your legs. In matching marble of course
One thing we know about teenagers is that they change. I have a sixteen year old son so I am speaking from experience. This is what you need to consider when designing their room. Of course you explain to them that you are not really taking over, just using the voice of a little bit of reason to not waste your funds on something that will change! Their options are still endless.
Give him the option to select anything that he likes, as long as its not the carpet and the all over wall colour.
Boy’s room’s needs are so different from girls at this age. This is what I would plan to have a happy teenage boy smiling with ….or should I say grunting with satisfaction and pleasure.
Keep the majority of the walls the one colour. If he wants a specific colour, just do one feature wall. Behind the bed is a good feature wall to select.
He may want posters of his main interest; this may be anything from music to football, to girls. Blue tack can take off the paint, it looks much better if you use a frame to surround the poster or artwork –they cheap as chips especially from larger stores like Ikea. You might even consider a few cork boards to hang on the walls, that way images can be changed whenever the focus changes. I warn you this will be often.
Use patterned doona covers of whatever design he chooses. Let him dictate his own style. The options here are endless and are not that expensive to replace when he changes his style and matures a little. He won’t like it if you have selected his style for him so try to help him.
A laundry basket is a good idea to keep the clothes from covering the entire floor. Good luck
A desk for study, a computer, and if you really want to spoil him many teenagers have a TV and even a playstation or some type of computer game in their room. This is then the place they can go with their mates. Particularly helpful if you are short of a family room.
With boys using a lot of electrical stuff make sure you have an anti surge protector installed either in his room from the main point or even better have one installed on the main switchboard.
A sound system will also be a must inclusion so plan in advance as to where this will live in the room .Use a floating shelf on the wall, great for those micro systems or all in one units
Protect the floor so if you have a pale carpet; consider a darker rug that ties in with his selections.
A great storage addition and often a good place for shoes or tennis rackets are the slide out large drawers that are on wheels and fit under beds.(Ikea)
Some pre made tab curtains add a great finishing touch to the room. Blinds and wide slat venetians also can be easily purchased off the shelf
Oh I forgot to mention that they will want the room to be dark. Sleeping in till at least 10am is compulsory on their days not at school so you will need to consider this with you choice of window dressings.
Last Tip
Try and ask that they don’t eat in this room……..Pizza is really better in the family room, but be prepared!
In ensuring that rooms work you have to have this main objective “To build rooms that have a relationship with you!”
You might be a bit perplexed as to this statement but in delving into what you love , how you live and what makes you feel good I can create something that will be right for you. So right in fact that you would find it hard to leave as it is customised to your every passion and need.
This room was created for a couple that wanted luxury but still wanted function.
Concealing items that we may select to open only at certain times is key in creating overall balance. From the photo no one would realise the depth of considerations that were made.
This is what we considered just for this room, you may be surprised. I will divide it into male and female so you can see how I need to consider both people.
Male
A new plasma screen that was big so as he could watch the horse racing. He owned horses and loved seeing this on a large screen
Somewhere where he could have a cocktail cabinet area. They both enjoyed spending time together before dinner and he loved pouring a scotch for his wife and himself in the luxury of their lounge room. So concealed behind doors is a beautiful glass and marble bar equipped with a fridge and a sink. It sparkles as you open the doors and invites them to relax.
Comfort was also very important for the furniture, He was of course larger than his wife and we had a sofa made that fitted their needs. Not too deep but deep enough for him whilst being perfect for her. The back had to be comfortable for their heads to rest, we even discussed details of how they sat on their lounges, was it together or did he prefer a favourite chair. All this was considered as I designed their personal selections
Female
The colour was important to create a relaxing feeling. It had to feel warm.
Be not too fussy but to still accommodate their most loved things and to be grandchildren proof. Durable fabrics-velvet, washable walls, the coffee table was glass as it wipes done so well etc
There is a huge walk in cupboard that houses games of monopoly, blankets to cuddle up with, the golf clubs, exercise mats etc
She had always wanted a fireplace because they look so great, of course we didn’t want the mess.
Music had to be integrated along with the whole surround sound system . No ugly speakers showing here.
The challenge was installing the TV at the right viewing height and checking that we could have this enormous fireplace underneath. I designed the fireplace to be exactly the correct measurement to fit the specially operated sliding doors above that concealed the TV….intricate. You wouldn’t even know its there
When completing a life space this way my clients and I often develop wonderful friendships as we have created something beautiful and have developed “trust”.
Question
Built in wardrobes, what should I consider? I have had a few quotes and the costs vary so much…
Answer
A great saver of space is a really well designed wardrobe. There are many companies that specialise in just that. Eg. Creative Wardrobes, Stegbar, and Ikea to name a few.
Costs will of course vary depending on the inclusions, but will probably double your storage space. I have suggested a few companies to you that will do the lot alternately consider saving money by working out your requirements and going to someone like Ikea and if your handy doing installation yourself.
You should consider
Double hanging for pants and skirts and shirts
Narrow Drawers with divisions for accessories
Deeper drawers for bulky jumpers
Shoe racks
Internal lighting
Do you want doors? This will certainly stop your clothes from fading and also give a much neater appearance.
Placing doors on the robe also allows you to position a full length mirror on the inside.
Pants can be placed on a pull out racks for easy viewing
Pull out ironing board
Internal power points if required
Ties and belts can be organised in a compact way wither hanging or placed in a narrow sectioned drawer
Drawers can be even made with clear fronts to allow for full visibility
For ideas on what gadgets you can insert look at Hafeles web site and follow this link to go straight to the wardrobe section. http://www.hafele.com.au/isapi/online/homecollection/homecollection.asp
Ikea also has a fabulous value for money solution for your robes. Great ideas and a fantastic price, you do of course need some one that can install it for you.
They even have stylish little baskets to insert in your drawers to allow you to place things in compartments without actually having structured divisions
Built in wardrobes, what should I consider? I have had a few quotes and the costs vary so much…
Answer
A great saver of space is a really well designed wardrobe. There are many companies that specialise in just that. Eg. Creative Wardrobes, Stegbar, and Ikea to name a few.
Costs will of course vary depending on the inclusions, but will probably double your storage space. I have suggested a few companies to you that will do the lot alternately consider saving money by working out your requirements and going to someone like Ikea and if your handy doing installation yourself.
You should consider
·Double hanging for pants and skirts and shirts
·Narrow Drawers with divisions for accessories
·Deeper drawers for bulky jumpers
·Shoe racks
·Internal lighting
·Do you want doors? This will certainly stop your clothes from fading and also give a much neater appearance.
·Placing doors on the robe also allows you to position a full length mirror on the inside.
·Pants can be placed on a pull out racks for easy viewing
·Pull out ironing board
·Internal power points if required
·Ties and belts can be organised in a compact way wither hanging or placed in a narrow sectioned drawer
·Drawers can be even made with clear fronts to allow for full visibility
Ikea also has a fabulous value for money solution for your robes. Great ideas and a fantastic price, you do of course need someone that can install it for you.
They even have stylish little baskets to insert in your drawers to allow you to place things in compartments without actually having structured divisions.
A great saver of space is a really well designed wardrobe. There are many companies that specialise in just that. Eg. Creative Wardrobes, Stegbar, and Ikea to name a few.
Costs will of course vary depending on the inclusions, but will probably double your storage space. I have suggested a few companies to you that will do the lot alternately consider saving money by working out your requirements and going to someone like Ikea and if your handy doing installation yourself.
You should conside:
·Double hanging for pants and skirts and shirts
·Narrow Drawers with divisions for accessories
·Deeper drawers for bulky jumpers
·Shoe racks
·Internal lighting
·Do you want doors? This will certainly stop your clothes from fading and also give a much neater appearance.
·Placing doors on the robe also allows you to position a full length mirror on the inside.
·Pants can be placed on a pull out racks for easy viewing
·Pull out ironing board
·Internal power points if required
·Ties and belts can be organised in a compact way wither hanging or placed in a narrow sectioned drawer
·Drawers can be even made with clear fronts to allow for full visibility
Ikea also has a fabulous value for money solution for your robes. Great ideas and a fantastic price, you do of course need some one that can install it for you.
They even have stylish little baskets to insert in your drawers to allow you to place things in compartments without actually having structured divisions.
If you have your own question, please click here to: Ask Leigh
