apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

does anyone know what kind of paint do art galleries use on their walls? is there a standard color of white that is used in art galleries? i will be remodeling a loft and wanted to know how to get that art gallery feel and color?

Vik: Sorry we didn't get to officially post your question - it's a good one! I'm glad you added it to the open thread.

Benjamin Moore Super White is often mentioned as "the" white paint. It is said to have no color cast, no blue, yellow or pink tints, just pure white.

I used it for the first time a few months ago in the bedrooms of my apartment and I am very happy with it. After living with it, and seeing it in under varied lighting conditions and at different times of the day I agree with what I'd read about it. It isn't warm or cool, just a clean crisp white backdrop.

Thanks janel - couple other questions - do you use primer before applying it - if so which one?

also, for the Super White - what finish do you use typically for living / bed rooms?

thanks,

vik

I went this weekend to the new Biedermeier exhibition at the Milwaukee Museum of Art. I'm new to Milwaukee, and so it was my first time visiting the museum. The architecture on the new extension blew me away. The building is phenomenally beautiful.

I was also impressed with the exhibition. It was very well curated. It was interesting to see the very beginnings of modern design and to learn about it's historical origin. The link to the exhibit website is in my name. Also, in the basement, there's a facinating exploration of furniture design throughout American history as an intersection of cost, functionality and art.

If you haven't made it up to Wisconsin in a while, I'd recommend taking a daytrip.

Wisconsin, and Milwaukee in particular, is the unsung, unnoticed younger sibling of Chicago. While Chicago steals all the thunder, Milwaukee (and the rest of Wisconsin) quietly labors and creates amazing art, architecture, etc. Well worth the trip Anthea recommends.

vik:
I did use primer first, but only on one of the walls (which was painted orange - a killer to cover!). I don't remember the brand...it was a basic primer and worked fine. I didn't prime the rest of the room where I was covering less intensely colored paint and the Super White looks consistent throughout the room.

The usual finishes for interior walls are flat or eggshell. For the gallery look you are after, you probably want to go with flat.

Hi all, I was referred to this site by Edgewater speaks. Got a problem, need advice and ideas:

Over the weekend, the LL agreed to let me take up the carpeting in the bedroom. [ I had allergies & sinus problems that were aggravating...the minute I took up the carpet, all the allergies & sinus problems went away and I can sleep a whole night's sleep.

So the guys came and removed the carpet. The guys didn't have a sanding machine - they said they had to look for one, and then they just disappeared. I don't think they had a machine in the first place. The floor is raggedy looking, lots of glue and paint stains.

So I'm looking around for a handyman who can do the floors, the prices I get are in the range of $250-300. This is way more than I intended to pay.

I'm a renter. But - there's nothing in the lease that says the LL has to DO ANYTHING, he's not OBLIGATED to do anything except basic repairs.

At this point, there's no need in asking the LL because he wrote us a letter a few years ago that he wasn't going to make improvements to the apartments (paint, floors, etc.) in order to keep the rent low. And truthfully I'm paying below market value for the apartment; and truthfully, nobody visits, so it's not like I HAVE TO HAVE THE FLOOR REFINISHED.
Actually I can live with the floor and just put an area rug down and ignore it. And when company comes over I can close the bedroom door or just apologize.

What's my next move? Would you go ahead bite the bullet and do the floor refinish? I'm not expecting to live here forever and ever, in fact next year this time I plan to move to a co-op or another rental apartment.

Thanks all for your advice. [don't suggest that I get a sanding machine and do it myself, I'm not that skilled]. Email accepted at Chicago_48 @ mytrashmail.com

Sally-

If you're leaving in 12 months just get a stop-gap solution.

As long as the floor is safe to walk on why not jsut paint it.

Get a gallon of semi gloss (or hi-gloss if you like) paint that matches your decor (black is always easy) and just paint the floor. Do it one morning and then go to breakfast, come back for a second coat and then head out to lunch and by dinner you're done!

I do hope you have all this in writing though as come time to get that security deposit back you might be up that river...

HI
I would not pay to have the floor refinished- This is a silly and kinda out there idea, but why not staple taught, muslin painters drop cloths to the floor (hopefull around the periminter) . That would compliment a cleaner look - if you like color then do a Jackson Pollack on the cloths???

And if you need padding you can buy carpet padding in various thicknessessesessess at Home Depot- it's stupid cheap (I paid $11 for a 9' X 11' piece)

What about those Flor squares? Seems like a possible solution, Has anyone had any experiences with them? I get their catalog every season and it looks like a good Idea for floor covering. anybody got any thoughts??

Kathryn,

You gave me the number of Andy to do painting. Can you please email me your name so I can tell him who referred me? Thanks!!

jenhorn@jenhorn.com

Flor is a great solutoin but pricey!! Imagine covering a whole room!!

An alternative to Flor is to head over to a carpet store and buy scraps etc...

to Julian: You suggest getting carpet scraps? Hmm, interesting, how would I lay them down. Would I have to cut them?

You would most liekly have to cut them...though with a good utility knife cutting carpet is really easy...just watch your fingers!!

As for laying them down you have many options- if you want them permanent then you can adhere them to floor using linoleum time glue but theat's real PAIN and messy!!

Otherwise you can try some heavy duty double sided foam tape... or heavy duty double sided standard tape- the Home Depot has more tape than one could ever want.

The plus of carpes scraps is that they'll be cheap, you can have piece of mind knowing that you're putting to use something that would end up in a landfill otherwise, and you can create your own patternd etc...

Then negatives are the carpet selections...you may find alot of magenta shag...although a clever individual can do wonders with just about anything...

If you do hunt down scraps tell them you're a student (if you can get away with it) and you're doing some project/thesis..blah blah...

speaking of carpet scraps, has anyone ever made or seen an area rug out made out of them? i am looking for ideas.

OK here I am with another annoying question!

I want to lacquer a whole dining set. Where do I go? I know you have information, Julian.

I'm asking this question as someone with allergies who would love to get rid of the carpet in my rental: Julian, J.P. -- why would someone whose allergies were alleviated by getting rid of her carpet replace said carpet with either Flor tiles or carpet scraps? Although, when I look back at one of her comments, she talked about getting an area rug... I don't have a better solution, I'm just wondering. New carpet would definitely make my allergies worse, I know.

Just wonderin'... ... ...

"why would someone whose allergies were alleviated by getting rid of her carpet replace said carpet with either Flor tiles or carpet scraps? Although, when I look back at one of her comments, she talked about getting an area rug... I don't have a better solution, I'm just wondering. New carpet would definitely make my allergies worse, I know." Not sure it was the carpet, but more the dust & dirt buildup. Been in the apt for 14 years!!!! and the carpet had been cleaned maybe 3 times. So I think it was more the dirt, dust & padding, which when we removed it was disgusting! There is carpeting in the Lvgrm, but I have to sleep in the Bdrm 8 hours practically.
Anyway, carpets come in cotton too - don't they?
I'm leaning towards painting the floor.

Now here's another ? - I could but don't want to clean the floor --meaning scrape up the paint stains and carpet glue - would someone know a RELIABLE HANDYMAN who wouldn't mind getting on his knees with me and doing that?
I have the mop, Goo Gone, scraper, pads, etc. Thanks all. You can email me direct: wright_0048 @ yahoo.com

So you want to lacquer something huh?

A whole dining set...hmmm.

This definetly does not sound like a DIY project unless you have a respirator, garage, paint gun and lots of time... if you have these things I want to meet you!

Obviously you could take it to a custom furniture shop (there are several on Ravenswood on the north side) and see if they'll do it or if they have a "guy" who can...

If you are clever you could take it to a Maaco or Earl Scheib and see if you can't weasel them into doing it. I convinced a fellow to paint a bike frame for me once but it was very hard and never again have I been able to convince them.

Or, depending on how much time you have you might want to head over to the School of the Art Insitute, or Columbia, IIT...etc. and see if a woodshop student will do it for you at a cheap price...

I guess it's all relative to how much you love the dining set and how much you are willing to pay...

And above all, for Sally, and Jennie (2) the first place I'd start is on Craigslist...post an ad looking for a handyman and for a painter person...

And of course tell us how it goes!!

Problem solved. LL came by (after I sent a letter) and offered to sand & finish the floor, but it requires that I move out for 2 days, move the furniture out the room. I didn't know it involved such complications...lots of dust...stuff has to be finished...Oh boy!