apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I like the clouds...

I like the clouds too!

Use canvas or silk or some other material to cover them, giving the area and room some texture.

I like the clouds, adds a cute touch of whimsy :)

Really insane wallpaper. Like the Teal and Gold Brocade currently offered at Flavorpaper. The rest of the room needs a redo too while you are at it. Or colored grasscloth paper in a modern finish and color. Would go w/ the 70s Scan hodge-podge you seem to have going on. You can always temporarily tack it up there instead of papering over it using paste.

Or, just keep it. I like the clouds. Go w/ my whole childhood bedroom theme circa 1979. Get some rainbow pillows shaped or printed pillows, a shag rug, a small disco ball suspended from the ceiling or Macrame plant holders with spider plants. OWN IT and WORK IT, don't fight it. You already have the Scan 70s style Ikea chair and bamboo window shade. All you need is the above and some Scan pottery and you are ready to go.

Otherwise, I would paint the whole nook a sky blue or robin's egg or something not too deep, or when you paint the rest of the room, some other complimentary color.

Make it POP baby, make it POP

And what's w/ the no dark colors restriction? It's just paint. You can always just prime and paint over it again when you get ready to move out.

Leave the sky/clouds and add some very tall grass blades or a tall wheat field, from an insect's point of view.

I'm for leaving the clouds too. To be honest, your furniture collection's not doing you any favors.

Fill the space under the clouds with floor cushions. No chairs there at all.

The clouds are hideous indeed.

How would she feel about plain white, to match the other walls, with a stick-on wall graphic? Or that stylised birch wallpaper than everyone's been doing their nut about lately?

I think that an abstract monotone image/pattern will be less obtrusive but still fit with your landlady's requirements.

I like the clouds too personally...

but the first thing I thought of as an alternative was a cheery yellow background with a huge mandala, like half to a side, painted on top in oranges and possible some very sparse brick reds. I don't know if you are up for painting a new mural in your space though ;)

The clouds are awesome :D I'd put a bunch of pillows there to lie on and stare at it :) Or a hammock :D Would make and awesome relax nook, retreat with a book and a drink and pretend your outside, even when it's raining. Can even put fake grass(like) stuff on the floor :D

Obviously, you guys hate the clouds. So leaving them is probably not the option you want to hear. What do you guys like? Are you city folk? How about an awesome city scape? You guys could go with the asian type design... black branches with cherry blossoms on the rest of the walls? The branches could extend into your little nook and you could have a little enclosed nature scene in there maybe...

Do a jade background and a few sprigs of cherry blossom branches. Super easy and much more sophisticated than the clouds.

Simon & Thomas just did a lovely gold leaf tree design that ran up onto the ceiling on their last episode. I can't find an image of it, but the trunk was wide at the bottom and narrowed as it went up and branched off into three or four branches. The branches were bare but for a few flowers, it was very Asian looking.

I know you asked for ideas to paint over the clouds, but there are a few things that are pointing you back to leaving them.
First, the owner of the house likes the cloud mural and secondly, she is asking you to replace it with another one when you are leaving. Are you ready to make the investment for paint now and a new mural then?
Could you compromise and perhaps get a large white sheer and do some creative draping from the center of the dormer roof line? This would soften the mural to acceptable levels for you, she gets to keep her clouds and the money you saved from NOT painting and replacing a mural can be used for some new pieces for the area....?

I'd love to paint it the same as the walls because its such an interesting feature in itself, seems a shame to overdo it. I think using fabric as a non-permanent option is an awesome idea! Then when you move out you can just take it down to keep your landlady happy, as well as being able to match the fabric to changing decor.

I like the wallpaper idea, because if you use the right stuff, you should be able to strip it and give the owner back her clouds at the end of your tenure.

I, myself, would want to just to an accent color, plain, if I were going to repaint this.

I've often toyed with the idea of using wallpaper paste to adhere images to the wall, to create a giant mural. Maybe a classic tree of life design, or something silly and funky. (I got some great vintage paper dolls the other day, and keep thinking how awesome they'd look decorating the wall of a child's room - or even just the closet drawer or a bureau.)

Yeah, don't paint over it unless you are prepared to pay for it with your deposit when you move out.

There are at least two or three brands of "easy strip" wallpapers, that come off without damaging the underlying wall, so that is what I'd go for.

Or, like someone suggested, canvas. And floor cushions.

i would also either use removable wallpaper, or cover with fabric or some other material that can be removed when you leave, with the clouds underneath intact.
the clouds are cool, and it IS your landlords's property and i'd respect her clouds. lol that sounds funny; respect her clouds! :)

but yes i think it would look awesome with some cool wallpaper like osbourne and little style.
and yes, update your furniture before you worry about the ceiling. :)

good luck! PLEASE post after pictures!!!

kindly,
vintagedress
http://www.vintagedress.etsy.com

I also like the clouds! And I agree that that nook should be a chair-free space, it would be amazing with just a lot of floor cushions in it.

And just to be contrary, I think you should leave the clouds as is but paint the wall around the nook the same (cloud-free) sky blue. I think then the clouds wouldn't be such a visual shock, but the nook would still be eye-catching and special.

(I like the clouds, but I accept and validate that you don't.) I'd drape either a sheer white or a dramatic sheer satin, move the chairs, add floor cushions, and make the space into a sort of exotic tent space. Perhaps a very low table in the middle of the cushions for munchies with friends.

You could leave the clouds but cover it with bird vinyl wall decals or paint it white and add a cherry blossom wall decal.

Good luck!

I'm in the cloud-loving crowd. If I had to paint, I'd probably just paint it something neutral that the landlady can't hate.

I think these clouds look cool, but not in an adult space. I can't think of what may be comparable to clouds. I say paint it white, and re-paint the sky and clouds when you move.

i actually like the clouds compared to all of the stark white walls in the room. but if you dont like it, how about doing a metallic paint? gold or bronze or something?

I'd leave the clouds but get some oversize, jewel-toned pillows to put in that alcove. That, and some floating bookshelves

What about a stencil design, in yellow, something like this:

http://designamour.com/2009/03/26/new-moroccan-stencils/

or this:
http://designamour.com/2008/11/11/paint-it-black/

Not sure why, but the idea of painting a pinstripe pattern on the wall jumped out at me as the right thing to do for that space. I think it's because if you painted the lines parallel to the centerline of the nook, then the slope of the primary roofline would cut off the pinstripes in very interesting ways. it would look kind of like the sleeve of a paul smith suit had been turned back to reveal a delightful lining.

Wow, this *is* a good question! I'm very surprised by how many people like the clouds. I totally sympathize with you, I'd want to change them asap. The first thing I thought of when I first saw your space was to do a mural inspired by the pattern on your chair pillow. You could switch colors, have the background a (lighter) lime/avocado color, and make the blossoms oversized and less well-defined than the ones on the fabric, so that they're more botanical and dreamy and in that sense closer in concept to the clouds. I'd like to see an 'after' pic of whatever you end up creating.

See if she'll pay for you to do this:

http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/02/diy-fabric-wall.html

then you can have a cool bright design and she can have her clouds back when you move:)

great fabric sale here:

http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/ItemList--$4.98-per-Yard-Sale-Fabrics--m-634

Yes put cushions instead.
Zen the space out ,add a short japanese or thai tea table

i like others' ideas (esp. wallpaper idea), but what about something like this?

http://assets.designspongeonline.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/jenbedafter.jpg

it's got the same friendly feeling as the clouds, but a little more subtle.

here's the original post, which shows how it was done: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/06/before-after-jennifers-bedroom.html

Reminds me of my childhood room! Which I love, but I understand why you wouldn't.

Personally I'd just repaint the wall to be a more realistic sky (less shocking blue, more naturalistic clouds) just to tone it down to go along with the lovely simple furniture like your table.

It's too bad she said no dark colors - a night sky with constellations would be simply lovely, and a lot more simple.

Actually, you could possibly do that on a much lighter blue, really. Go with something similar to now, but MUCH less saturated. Paint it with constellations, but in a subdued silver color.

Basically something like the ceiling of grand central terminal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/1329816124/

I'm loving the clouds. It looks very well done and gives the room a great pop. What a fun element to design around! You should spend your time finding furniture that actually works together rather than fixing what isn't broken.

Well, I'd paint it white if I were to paint it. But seeing as your landlady likes it and wants something similar as a replacement, I'd go with the other suggestions to either use a removable wallpaper or interesting fabric. The wallpaper would probably be the easiest to get right. The fabric might be a bit trickier to install. But the fabric would be reusable at your next place. So I guess there are pros and cons to both.

If you do something temporary, you can cover up what you don't like but your landlady gets to keep it. And you can avoid the pressure of living up to something she already loves.

Good luck!

Do you expect to rent there a long time or a short time? Does the landlady ever expect to use the space again herself, so that the clouds are too meaningful to her to lose, or are they something she just admires but that you can justify not being a draw for future renters? Do you really hate them or do you just have a burning yearnign to make your own mark?

I think they are cute, and I don't find them oppressive to the room's potential, but lots of suggestions have been made to disguise or cover them without painting over them. If you don't have a long term committment, I'd use one of those ideas and leave the mural alone. (It's not your house, after all.)

You could include a low "Moroccan" day bed with tons of colorful pillows and some plants or hanging lanterns, and sheer drapes pulled to the sides for glam, and the whole niche would take on a focal point look that could be really great.

I'm just surprised how many people are suggesting to leave the clouds - as the couple obviously want to get rid of them. Granted the clouds seem executed extremely well, but cute for a kids room, weird for adults. unless you're a hippy.

I was thinking stripes too, but it might look too optic in with that architecture. solid color (yellow, lt green, some sort of neutral orange) would really bring out the space.

Don't you just love how landlords get attached to weird decor in their rentals...
...and they're not the one's living there?

That said - I think I'd spend my efforts in upgrading the furnishings in that apartment rather than a few silly clouds on an old lady's ceiling.

Yellow or green with a simple white stenciled design all over, similar to this, but with a smaller design.

But honestly, I like the little cloud alcove. I think it's the rest of the apartment that needs some work. You guys have a nice apartment, but you're not doing enough with it.

The walls framing the alcove, for instance, are way too big and blank. You need to hang some art there. And a few rugs (you can start with one big one for the chair area) will do wonders to break up the space and add color and visual interest. Reupholstering the chairs and adding a few bright toss pillows will also liven up the place a little.

Paint it black, then add golden stars when you're ready to move out.

Those clouds are truly hideous, if they were slightly more stylized or maybe more realistic instead of obvious sponge blobs, I'd work with them. As it stands, I can't blame you for wanting to get rid of them. I would just put up some fabric in that alcove so that the landlady can have her cloud 'mural' when you move out. Some sheers with a subtle stripe maybe?

The clouds aren't my style either but I feel like whatever you do your just going to disappoint the landlady and incur more expense and time that it's really worth do do something that will please you both.

I love the idea of doing fabric. It's such a tent like space already. Then floor cushions for a little chill out nook. What a fun space.

You could put wallpaper over it, the kind that's easy to remove when you move out. Win-Win.

To me, clouds like that only belong in a kids room. I can't believe the landlady thinks they are so great, lol. It's hard to suggest something "as good or better" than the clouds, since our (and apparently your) ideas of a good design clearly differ from hers.

I like Auburn's idea of just covering it with fabric. You can make it drapy and romantic or plush to the wall so it's like wallpaper. That way, you don't have to worry about the landlord getting upset or making you change it and it can be easily changed out or removed if you leave.

your landlady is a pill and a pain... more like an evil fairy in a fairy tale... such a trap she has set for you... hmm... she does have to be able to rent it again, that is understood, and you must defer to her judgement on that, nutty as it is in this case... but jeez, the clouds are FOUL. why did I have to rant? don't know, don't care. cut foamcore panels to size and have fun on those.

what would be a gas would be reflective mylar in those triangular shapes to BAM the light you are getting in the dormer. a bigger budget would afford mirror cut to size. POW.

correction: oblongular.

or trapezoidical.

Many years ago I moved into a shared apartment, an arrangement I'd hoped could be long-term. But the original renter, a friend in fact, wouldn't allow me to paint my own room because he was attached to the color! WhatEVER!

I hope your landlady has someone to talk to about her control issues.

I'd go for painting a solid color and using decals.
Etsy has some interesting ones like:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=2673131

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27828476

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23998646

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26890234

The clouds make me think of Magritte.

I know there are lots of comments already, but I really like the clouds too. if you're intent on changing it, I second the fabric idea - it'd be like a little tent nook, and you can go crazy with fabric patterns in bold colors. definately something dark - like purple or bright red, and not light, to bring more contrast with the rest of the space.

Unicorns!

You have blue and orange, a natural pairing, in the niche. Why not run with it?
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/colors/blue-home-decorating-ideas/?page=10

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/colors/blue-home-decorating-ideas/?page=13

A pair of these in Korndal blue, one on each side of the window, with a wall-mount light above would be splendid:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19840460

Not in the budget? Perhaps this Korndall blue pillow will fit on the current chair on the right:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00094560

A couple of these on the futon, they WERE available last night, for $24.99 each, now they're sold out (but might be in the store):
http://www.target.com/Fretwork-Pillow-Blue-24x24/dp/B001P1CWPO/qid=1247632320

Check Tonic Living for a neat selection of much better than your average futon cover:

White dots on orange:
http://www.tonicliving.com/productsDetails.asp?categoryid=31&productid=949&currentpage=1&onsale=0

Or white on blue floral (also wide awning stripes available):
http://www.tonicliving.com/productsDetails.asp?categoryid=18&productid=589&currentpage=4&onsale=0

Target has quite a few orange dinnerware items. No idea what this is made out of...
http://www.target.com/Suzanni-Dining-Collection-Lava-Orange/dp/B001RUOZNK

This is porcelain, in a solid orange:
http://www.target.com/sengWare-Tangerina-Dinnerware-Collection/dp/B000K1KJPA/qid=1247632874

There's lots of blue/orange art, simple to complex. Here's simple:
http://www.art.com/products/p13172087-sa-i2268665/pearl-bucknall-orange-gerbera-flower-against-a-blue-background.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=0&ui=4c5a3434d33d4240a385db4de3f2738d&searchstring=blue orange

If you bring the orange and blue throughout the room, the clouds will seem to be part of the whole, rather than sticking out as the ONLY blue thing in the room. You also seem to have orange curtains, and a reddish-orange lampshade and a red lamp over the dining area.

Of course you don't do ALL the patterns, but maybe one or two of them will speak to and be something you love.

Kill the clouds. They're just raining on your parade.

repeating, interlocking heads of cthulhu, surely.

slowdown -- I agree - a cool moroccan or japanese style daybed placed in there with some sheer curtains would almost make it a nice little reading area (and could possibly work as an extra place to sleep if the guests aren't claustrophobic).

I would love to see more done in the couple's apartment before they even consider changing the alcove - it isn't broken and no matter what they do with it, both a) the landlady isn't going to be pleased and most likely will bill them to have the cloud mural put back and b) it's going to look awful compared to the rest of the apartment looking like a college dorm.

What about replacing the clouds with an abstract sunset? You could do bands of color in maroon, gold, orange, cream, etc. that would go with your furniture. They wouldn't have to be very perfect, and retaining a celestial theme might please the landlady. What's wrong with the clouds is the hard bright blue and . . . hmm . . . they're trying a little too hard. I also say no high furniture in the nook. Lounge in it!

I immediately thought of a William Morris-style pattern in a rich color (not too far off what others are suggesting here).

However, the fabric idea is fantastic - especially from a temporary/rental standpoint.

I say fabric. There isn't an alternative that you and the landlady will like. Your look seems to be pretty minimalist, with a few spalshes of color, so maybe a neutral Indian-looking print. I agree that the furniture is wrong in that spot. Maybe move the red seat elsewhere to give that spot some more room. I like this one, that little rug peeking out has the pattern I'm thinking of. http://atgallery.apartmenttherapy.com/assets/0019/2321/surprise4_rect540.jpg

Ooh. Someone mentioned mirrors. If you DO want to go that route, consider buying "carnival mirror." (It's the stuff that you see in a funhouse, but if you don't bend it, you don't get any distortion.) It's super cheap, and comes rolled up in a tube. You can just tack it to the wall and voila.

I know it isn't that helpful, but it is really silly when owners get all attached to whimsy in the rental unit. I mean, if she's planning to retire up there when the time comes and she really wants to have clouds when she does, she should just repaint them then. Sigh.

It does seem like fabric or paper is your best bet. I'd probably want to do something gilded, but maybe that isn't your style.

Maps?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/roundup/roundup-map-decor-090097

I like the clouds too -- play with the design around the clouds! :-)

the clouds would be nicer if they were muted...a little too bright for my taste.

thunder clouds would be hot! varying shades of grey

those clouds scream cheesy baby nurseries in the mid 1990s. ew! awful.

Even wrapping paper (Snow & Graham for example) set with an easy to remove adhesive should be considered. What's expensive wrapping paper is reasonably priced wallpaper. Not to mention low cost and hassle free when your lease is up.

Suggest light gray and dark gray stripes--close together at bottom, angle to wider at top. Would accentuate the architecture. And look more elegant/grown up.