Q: Moving around with the military can definitely have its perks, but renting, in ways, is probably not one of them! When we were house hunting for a place in the heart of downtown in our new city, we stumbled upon a little gem: a penthouse with a view to die for. We were actually looking at a different unit in the same building on the first floor when the realtor mentioned that she had a top-floor tenant who would be moving out soon... and of course she asked "Do you think you might be interested in seeing it?" We said yes, and rode the elevator up:
She knocked on his door and pretty much coerced him into showing us his place, unannounced. It was a disaster to say the least, so I was sincerely embarrassed for him and tried to 'look at the place over the mess' .
I took note of all of the things on my check list and we couldn't pass it up. I did notice the modern-style paint throughout the place but I convinced myself I could live with it and decorate around it. Upon moving in is when I actually realized how bad the paint job really was.
I'm pretty sure the realtor was the one who painted, and the reason she won't let me paint is because she is quite proud of her hard work (there is still 14 ft of scotch blue between the wall and one of the cement rafters!). Anyway, the master is my only real problem area... and it's bothering me more and more every day because I have no idea how to decorate around this oddly-patterned paint job.
Here are my questions:
1. How would go about painting over these raised paint tape lines if she ever were to change her mind in the future?
2. Aside from centering the bed (I know!) how could I arrange photos on the wall to make the room more aesthetically pleasing to the eye?
3. Without buying completely new bedding, what color pillows could I replace the current ones with to make the paint look less awkward with our furniture?
Sent by Brandi
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You could light sand the paint lines without issue and then paint over it all (if you can convince her!)
Or you could hang art right over the "intersection" because that spot is weird.
OR you could hang light material over the whole wall with easy to remove command strips.
my first impulse would be to head for the discount fabric store and cover the wall behind the bed with neutral draperies
Hhhm, that's some bold pattern with no hope of painting over it! BUT, it looks to me like the bed is center, but the paint lines are not, which makes it look uneven. Could you pin up a big square of pretty fabric, to create a 'tall headboard" look? it would cover much of the paint!
IF you absolutley can't paint. I agree with the above post. Find a large piece of art, or a mirror or a piece of fabric and cover up the worst of it.
You could try to lightly sand the tape lines and see if that helps the bad paint job but you'll still be stuck with the pattern.
Since she's jsut the realtor, could you not ask the landlord if they would mind if you painted that small portion?
Jeeze, I've lived with far worse. If it were me I would just hang a large textileon the wall -- quilt, Pendleton blanket, Suzani coverlet, vintage kimono, etc. The color blocks will go away.
You could do temporary wallpaper ("repositional wallpaper") over the entire wall, run generously gathered scrim curtains floor to ceiling across the wall (stapled to a wood strip at the ceiling or on a pole), or (inexpensive fix) get a large stretched-canvas print of a favorite image and hang it over your bed.
I've also read about applying fabric as wallpaper in a temporary way using fabric softener, but I've never tried it.
How about a curtain that stretches along the whole wall? White, or a grey pattern on white, could work. I'd hang it either just below the silvery duct or perhaps at the same height at the highest window frame divider. You can float a picture over the curtains, too, if they are plain.
I can see your dilemma, but I also don't think this is a very severe problem considering all the other great things about the apartment!
There are wallpapers out there that are removal. In my area, you can find them at SHERWIN WILLIAMS paint store.
I'm not a fan if mirrors but a large mirror may work.
Get a soft blue throw or light comforter and fold it at the foot of your bed for a bit more color. You can even get one with pattern since the rest of your space is mostly neutrals.
Good Luck.
Brighter colored pillows would draw the eye to the bed and away from the wall.
You could do the ol' cornstarch and fabric trick. Boil some cornstarch in water to make a glue, and then 'wallpaper' with a fabric dark enough to cover the paint. Cleans up with water.
I would hang fabric over that wall. You could use liquid starch and apply the fabric just like wallpaper. It *should* come off with no problem when you move. Whichever way you choose to hang it, I think fabric is your best option.
Blik wall tiles! (temporary, and you can even take them with you when you leave!) http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/explore?wall_tile=227
yes, hang a long horizontal piece of art centered on the middle then center the bed below that. Or you could hang a whole line of frames across the wall covering up most of that bad paint line.
The paint job doesn't look too bad from the distance in your photo -- however no to my taste either. I think the suggestion to hang the wall with drapes is probably the best solution since you're not allowed to paint. It's really not all that bad and I have lived with worse, and how many people will be viewing your bedroom anyway? I just can't imagine that there is not a higher authority that you could appeal to for permission to repaint...
+1 for the artwork centered in the middle. It's not really that bad except for the awkward intersection.
I agree with large artwork, or even a large quilt or tapestry. I have a queen sized quilt that I have used on many bedroom walls to square out the space (or cover up an off-kilter window) and give the illusion of a head board. If you hang a quilt you can have your choice of colors because the wall will no longer be the focal point.
And please don't let this crazy wall spoil the space for you.
Fabric and liquid starch. Wet fabric with the starch and apply to wall just like wallpaper. To remove just pull it down. Clean up - water and a wet cloth. This doesn't damage the walls and will stay up until it is pulled down.
I would hang one thick board/ shelf across the wall exactly where the horizontal lines meet, 3 to 4 inches deep, not more. Put a few decorative items/ books/ small hanging plant etc. on this shelf and lean some art against the wall. At least one piece that covers this strange thing in the 'middle'.
I agree, it's a strange painting but I like the colours and I like what you've done with the room so far.
My first reaction was the same as many comments above; hang some huge textile piece (or artwork) that would cover most of the wall, and I think the gray/white issue would be less of an issue, especially if it was a bright textile. Other than that, I have done a fabric mural (for a child's bedroom), and double-sided iron-on interfacing and fabric works very well. Iron one side on the fabric, stick the fabric on the wall (it's slightly sticky on both sides), and when you've got it where you want it, iron it on the wall. Stays well and comes off very easily.
You can buy liquid starch at the grocery store. Find a large sheet or fabric yardage that you like that is darker than the wall color. Paint starch on the wall first, lay down fabric, and paint over it with starch. It will dry clear and come off with water when you're ready to take it down. A large decorative textile hung on the wall would look lovely, too.
I think I'd just embrace it and pretend I love it.
"+1 for the artwork centered in the middle. It's not really that bad except for the awkward intersection."
True that. A big black and white photo (landscape orientation) with a white mat and a black frame, hung in the centre of the wall, would change the look of it completely.
As for bedding, the neutrality of the room would encourage me to use some deep colours, whether in patterned sheets or in brightly coloured pillows against white linen.
I actually really like it! Am I the only one?
But since you don't, have you thought about those cork floor tiles, but covering the wall? It would look so neat covering just that one wall, and make it look warmer.
As for pillows... if you bring in some ones with deep, strong colors like dark red, it would pull the eye down to them instead of the wall. Perhaps a contrasting throw, as well?
Photograph the current paint job, take precise measurements and then paint over it with whatever you prefer. Just paint that hideous thing back onto the wall before you leave.
above cover-ups seem good & temp, but, if too sheer, maybe large sheets of foam core that can be notched for the beam. painted/covered, then applied as above.
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