apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I just painted my bedroom and realized i did not choose a water-based paint. I only painted it on Sunday but have had the windows open in these frigid temps and still there is an odor in the room. Any tips for getting rid of the smell? I used Glidden paint - I like the result, just not the smell.

ChiJenna - I just recently painted my bathroom (which has no open window) and the smell is gradually receding. It's going to take some time...it's been greatly reduced since two weeks ago but you can still (barely) smell it. It'll get better. :-)

Also, I have an interesting question/feature for Apartmenttherapy. I'm an adult male who, um, enjoys his vintage toys, urban vinyl, and pop surrealist art, and wanted to know of interesting interior design ideas incorporating these pieces. I'd certainly love to see pix of peoples' home s who do a sophisticated job of exhibiting their pieces. What are the chances of getting an AT challenge like that together?

i've heard of people using bowls of vinegar left sitting out, but i haven't tried it myself.

Is anyone else out there as sick of the Dominick's holdiay commercial as I am??

That song makes me want to hurl. Why would a grocery store chain's advertisement care about whether or not I "am gettin' any lovin'"???

Chijenna, I don't know of any solution other than air flow and time. If you can, get a fan in the room and open the windows when you leave the apartment. You need air flowing through the room.

Good luck.

I know this will come up later but I had to comment on today's House & Home article about decorating trends.
In a nutshell, it saddened me. Yes, antlers have been overexposed for a while as have suzanis but isn't bringing good decor to the masses the MO of publications like Domino? Why is Needleman admitting defeat?
B/c I am addicted to shelter mags, design books and web-sites like this, I consider myself someone prob more exposed to good design than the average American but that doesn't mean I have more to spend.
An example: I saw a Moroccan wedding blanket in an issue of Living Etc about 2 years ago that I fell in love with. I spotted it as a trend in the making, I am seeing it more and more but I can't afford one and prob won't be able to until it catches on more and someone reproduces it at a lower price point. At that point, it will be almost over.
Do I sound like a fashion (design) victim? Maybe but what Im trying to say is that when something new and beautiful catches my eye its frustrating that I have to wait until everyone else loves it too until I can afford it. Thats when I really look like the victim of the newest or not so new trend.
Most of the time I just skip it altogether which I guess is less consumerist anyway.

Vinegar works. Done that.

Also Hints from Heloise said to do the following. Granted the first step can't be done, but it is a idea for the future.

Add a couple drops of vanilla extract to the paint. (If the paint is white or ivory, use one drop of lemon extract per gallon.)
To help absorb odors, place several large onions, cut in quarters, on small plates around the room, as well as small bowls filled with vinegar.


My question - you used oil based paint? How did that cover on the pre-existing "" I assume"" latex?

hope this helps.

Janella13, I just used a latex paint, I presumed it wasn't water-based because it didn't say it on the can, but upon further inspection, I realized duh... it is water-based. I am new to painting so forgive the ignorance! :)

Although I will say, Glidden paint worked great. It has awesome coverage.

Shoshana:

As someone who starting buying Moroccan things -- mostly textiles -- 15, 20 years ago, I'd say don't worry about it. If it's something you love and it relates to whatever else you have it will transcend style.

omg, kathryn. i'm laughing so hard. that damn song gets stuck in my head and i have to sing something obnoxious to clear it out.

maybe it will make you feel better to know that you're not alone. :)

oh, and kathryn - i think it goes "are you gettin' any love in?" as in, "are you making the time for familial affection?"

quick question. I am going to repaint a dresser I have. It is a totally cheap piece (from Wal-mart) but it's 8 years old and in great condition! It's not solid wood, but I think I can sand down all of the surfaces in order to repaint it. My question is, what type of paint should I use to repaint it? I want to do a color not a stain. Do I use regular interior wall paint, or something else? Also is there a special primer to use? thanks! you guys are always sooo helpful!

In response to your comment, shpanky, I think it's a really great idea. My fiance is a sculptor and toy collector, and one of the first challenges when we moved in together was successfully integrating his collection of toys and sculptures into the grand scheme of our apartment. I think the trick is interspersion. Rather than have shelves lined with toys, scatter them. Create vignettes on your end tables with more conventional objects (books, vases and the like) and add a couple of your toys to the display. Stick some of them in your planters. I think your place, as a whole, would have a more whimsical feel than if you were to strictly designate one or two places in your pad for your toys and vinyl. I think this should do the trick to avoid, to quote Seth Rogen in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, "looking like you live in Neverland Ranch"!

Although if you have a framed Asia poster, I'm at a loss on what to suggest.

Parallelfirst, thanks for clarifying that line. It's only slightly less repugnant to me now!!

glad to hear i am not alone!!

ChiJenna - wall paint doesn't hold up as you need on furniture, unless you cover with polyurethane. However, I have used flat wall paint to create that distressed, old furniture look. And the paint will wear, which isn't so bad a look.

However, if you want to create a nicer look, you can do the following:
1. sand
2. use a primer, helps seal the wood and gets the final coat to stick better.
3. paint

I have used enamel paints - but color selection may not be what you want. In that case, I would use an enamel finish (like for baseboards) and cover with poly.

All depends how much work and money you want to put into the dresser. A primer is a must - the rest could be what you have laying around the house.

I have done it both ways!

Good luck

ChiJenna,

Try adding a plant or two to your room to clean the air. Spider plants are well known for this function. Next time try a low-VOC paint to reduce the toxic fumes (I know, too late now, but I've learned this lesson, too!).

If you can, remove a drawer from the dresser you are planning to paint, bring it with you to the paint store and ask the experts what type of paint and primer will work best for that type of surface. Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback, I'll let you know how the dresser turns out!