apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

OMGosh! I can't believe your handy man said "artsy fartsy" and that it would look like ass. Such a doofus.
Go for it, but get another contractor/handyman.

Of these, I really like the top one. At this point, I would stick with larger areas or planks instead of traditional paneling like in pic #2. Although you may run the risk of feeling like you live in Dr. Melfi's office.

would you mind sharing his contact info? i feel like i could use more honest sharing of opinions in my life.

In that case, a little capitalization probably wouldn't kill you.


:)

I'm with Sleek. That was a jerk move and I'm sorry it happened to you!

I would suggest calling Wood World. I believe they're off of Elston. I bet they would have panels, maybe in a beautiful exotic, and could probably recommend an installer for you as well.

Stonelake: To express my gratitude for your honesty, I will use caps. Thanks, and keep it coming!

Maybe a more design friendly contractor would be a better idea-or just stick to you guns and tell him exactly what you want and have him keep his comments to himself.

A VERRRY long time ago, in a previous life in Northern California, I lived for about 6 months in a rented Eichler modern house in Palo Alto. It had large teak plywood paneling much like the first picture above (although the planks were even larger, being from the 1950s/1960s). It was an amazing look that perfectly complemented the other dominant materials of glass walls, concrete block, etc. So I would say if your condo already has a very modern look (glass, steel, concrete, etc.) the use of large wood panels is really cool idea. Dump the handyman, follow your muse.

And anyway, what's wrong with ass?

My name is art so everything I do is artsy fartsy.

Your handyman must be pretty young, the whole "looks like ass," "smells like ass" hasn't been around for very long has it?

Anyhow, no sense in listening to some tool that doesn't share your vision. As long as they can swing a hammer...

I second the recommendation of Wood World on Elston. I will be going there for the first time pretty soon to check out their marine grade plywood and teak veneered plywood for my bathroom. I would imagine that a beautiful piece of teak plywood would be great for what you have in mind.

There is another paneling technique that I saw which I think is really cool. I have been meaning to take photos of the University Village lobbies near UIC. (Good idea for AT post). Each lobby is a different color, based on a fruit or a vegetable, because the buildings used to be produce markets, and they have interesting tile and sculptural elements and furniture.

I noticed in one of the lobbies that the wall was paneled with wood planks on the horizontal. The planks were pieces of veneered wood that were stuck to the wall in somewhat of a brick pattern but with large gaps in between them. You'd have to see it in person. This technique would take a little more work and skill because of the cutting and careful installation but the nonetheless it is very cool.

ooops. UNIVERSITY COMMONS not University Village.

For MIA and other DIY-ers,
Depending on the wall that you want to clad/
AND if you want to remove the paneling when you go
...I'd consider:
Most "sheet goods" are sold in 4' by 8' panels/sheet.(How high are the ceilings?) Many types of sheets from MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) to plywood are sold w/ veneers on them (Chery, Walnut,Ash, Oak, etc,),
& at even "Home Center" stores.
OWL Hardwood is in Lombard and DesPlaines> they have better pricing than WoodWorld, generally.(and- if you want something exotic- like say..Zebrawood, they can "lay-up" a sheet for you)
Then depending on whether you decide to stain/"limed/ceerused", or even analine dyes> sealing the wood is crucial as well.
Oh yeah- cleats, or "Z" strips sold at McMaster-Carr is how I'd hang em to the wall- actuallymost elevator Cab paneling is secured this way as well.
Hope this helps.

OH- and tell the HandyMan....stick to bangin' nails- unless he "renews" his Interior Design /Dwell & Western Interiors subscription, 1st.......

Wood World is great. We have shopped there several times. They will even cut down large sheets for you (although probably not on a Saturday). Their selection is good and they seem to know their stuff. And in my opinion, the prices are pretty good, too.

How about the original smallest coolest runner up? He made his own TV cabinet / table.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2005/finalist-5-roberts-golden-handcuffs-002705

Your handyman has taste like ass! Don't listen to him and try it. You can even buy a nice piece of oak veneered plywood from Home Depot to try the look for a very reasonable price... less then $50 for the sheet, a bit of stain or just oil and glue & some veneer edging and you're ready to go. I go into many homes with this look or something similar and it has always looked good to great. I was just in a penthouse near Oak & State and they even had a piece in their kitchen behind a small tv to play off their cabinets and it looked solid.
Have a great night.

We just finish doinng this. I wanted big panels for a big wall we have in out living room...

see the pics here:

http://blueantstudio.blogspot.com/2007/11/birch-panels-and-my-wall-of-clocks.html#links

The panels are plywood with birch veneer and they are 4 feet x 8 feet. big and heavy!

I was also obsessed with this "wall of clocks" I wanted to do from some time ago...

I hope it helps!

regards,

joel maria pirela

Yes, one can use a person who doesn't share their vision if he's good at following directions in spite of himself and just shut up and do it.

However, if you can find someone who does understand what you want and CAN click into it, once it captures their imagination, they can improve on it in ways that you didn't even think of and help flesh it out in some wonderful miraculous way.

So, it might be worth the trouble to find someone like that, although a compromise would be someone who at least will watch the tone of voice and confine their comments to things that have to do with issues they see with the practical aspects of executing it.

You can use cedar fence pickets ($1.88 each from a home center), cut off the dog ears and run them horizontally. This closet exterior was done for $60:

http://thisoldaffordablehouse.blogspot.com/2009/04/studio.html