(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)
Hello AT,
Having recently relocated from Cambridge to a small hovel in nyc, and edited my existence down to the bare minimum, I find I am now in a decorating bind.
As you see from my amateurish photos, I have some fabulous built-in shelving in my studio. Which as a renter, I cannot paint, so instead I lined them with acid-free paper. Now due to my lacking both height and a ladder, I have not been able to do the same with those top shelves.
So what's a girl to do?
So - here are the rules:
1. Aiming for minimalism
2. Suggestions must be renter friendly
3. I am a graduate student, thus poor.
If all else fails.... stepladder suggestions?
Thanks!, Lauren
ps: I include one other bad picture of the other side of my small studio. Any and all decorating suggestions appreciated. I feel the apartment needs something... orange? (and definitely some art and some plants.... I'm working on it!)
Dear Lauren, Kudos for sending great pics! First of all, you DEFINITELY need a stepladder (here's a really nice, lightweight and slim one that will get you up there).
What you have done is SO nice, it is killing us that you haven't finished it. Get those paper squares up there and then spread your books and vases out along the shelves so that there is more balance and breathing room. Don't worry if you don't put anything on the top shelves.
Also, since this is not only storage but a big visual element of your home, arrange the shelves better.
Collect heavier objects on the bottom shelves and carry similar objects from left to right along the same shelf line. For instance, you should have your boxes on the lower right and then your books running from left to right along the middle shelf. A few light vases can be higher up. For art, center it on the shelf so that attention is drawn to it. Pretend your merchandising the window display at Crate and Barrel and make it lover-ly.....
We would also recommend putting down a rug to cover your floor and getting some green into your window, either outside, inside or both.
As far as the rest goes, it's a juicy little project you have ahead of you and your apartment looks like a perfect blank slate. Others jump in..... MGR
Hello.
I wish that I had such nice built-in shelving. If you are thinking of coloring the inside of those top shelves, you could have thin panels cut to fit in the very back. You could then paint or paper them any way yo see fit and then just remove them when you are done renting. No harm done!
I have a growing vase and teapot collection, and always wish for spaces like that for display. Although, with a ladder for access, that would make for a beautiful display area for a row of books.
If this gets resolved, would you treat everyone to another photo?
One way to go minimalist and cheap, go to Ikea and buy 10 (or however many) of the same vase or other object and put one in each cubby.
But the storage freak in me says to find some metal totes that fit the cubbies and use it to put all those weird little things that you don't need very often, but still need in the house (batteries, lightbulbs, a bag of tea lights, etc.)
Lauren-
It really is a nice blank slate. A rug in the front area will help tremendously, as will getting that ladder.
What about a few small square floating wall shelves (a la west elm) on that bit of wall next to the bed, where the lamp is, to act as your nightstand?
And can you add some color and texture to that headboard wall--what about hanging soft curtains (from a ceiling-mounted rod)? Or using your paper technique? That would soften and help define the sleeping area.
I can't tell, but it looks like you don't have a dining/worktable area and are in need of a coffee table too--what about one that does both? (like this one by Calligaris from modern essentials http://www.modernessentials.com/viewitem.cfm/item_id/504)
Good luck!
The "Gorilla" brand ladders sold at HomeDepot (that's where I got mine) are considerably less expensive than the Container Store ones ($40) and fold up to about 2" thick.
My favorite stepladder is the "Ultraslim Compact Aluminum Step Ladder" offered at williamssonoma.com (URL too long to paste in)
Offered in both 2- and 3-step, it folds super-duper fat and is really sturdy.
I don't mind the top row of cubbies being different, and second the ideas above about filling each square with a storage piece (the same piece in each cubby) or placing one graphic, chunky decorative thing in each, all similar in either shape or color or both.
If you do go the same paper-backing route, what about a different color? I love the color you have mixed with chocolate brown.
What I think is more unresolved about that wall is the window treatment, and would love to see that relate to the color you've placed in the other shelves. So, a smoky-blue Roman shade?
And, given the positon of that bed, I think painting the panel directly behind it a color is the way to go. If you are leery of painting a rental, I'd say go for it as long as you restore the white when you leave, or fit in a wood panel cut to fit, and paint, paper or upholster that.
Good luck. You're off to a great start!
Wow! Great place and you have a good head start with the bookshelves--I'd kill for them.
1) STEPLADDER
I agree completely that you need a stepladder. I'd go ahead and finish the top cubbies with the same blue paper.
2) RUG AND PLANTS
Once you have a rug and plants, the room will feel more finished. Maybe you could put potted plants in front of your A/C.
3) BOOKSHELVES
Don't be in a hurry here. You will acquire books and objects very quickly. I advise you to use the bottom shelf behind your couch for files; the one by the TV for printers and so on.
4) TABLE OF SOME SORT
The suggestion above is very good. There are also glass tables that rise to dining/desk height and lower to coffe-table height; thus making them usable for your next space. I'd prefer to see glass in your place so that the view is as unobstructed as possible. (Email me for the URL if you're interested; I can't find it at the moment. I DO remember the brand name HYDRA.)
5) WALL BEHIND YOUR BED.
I'd address this last. Once you have everything in place, your apartment will look far more full and finished. My suggestion would be to do something similar to the blue paper in the bookcases--you could use the same paper, buy a sari in a similar fabric and hang it, or even get a print with the similar blue.
Your place is great.
I agree with a previous post that you need a table, particularly as a student.
Really like the color you have selected for the shelves.
Another suggestion (which presupposes access to tools): build yourself some sort of box with a perforated front to cover that a/c - radiator agglomeration.
Personally, I think a patterned fabric or paper, carrying over the blue you used below, would look great in the top cubbies.
I have the ladder MGR suggested in the link above (from the container store I guess), and it has been a godsend. I use it almost daily to get to things on top shelves. My husband the marathoner brings it out in the evenings to stretch calves and legs on, so this tells you how lightweight and portable it is. I store it in the hallway, flat against the wall.
That looks fabulous! I'm also a poor grad student (tm)
Where does get the paper? Is it like a contact paper of some sort? Will that come off without harming the wood? Is it gummy or did you need something special to attach it?
Thanks
Great job, your place looks like it's coming along nicely!
In terms of being a "poor grad student": if the recommended stepladders are out of range, try Craig's List. Also, if you know your neighbors, you can try sharing a ladder. We do that in my building--none of us need a ladder frequently, so we have a tall one under the stairs that any of us can use when needed (like when changing the ceiling light bulb...).
great space, just add a plant or two. as for the empty spots in the shelving, how about a collection of vases or something from a thrift shop or flea market? above all don't rush to complete these projects. as a mother said to the child in a garment 3 sizes too big in the fitting room " you'll grow into it"`
If you want a little more visual order out of your bookcase elevation, you might consider actually removing the colored paper from the bottom three shelves on the right... that would give the appearance of a more balanced, symetrical shelf.
But you sooooo have to paint the strip of wall behind your bed! It's so perfect for the limited application of a striking color that perhaps could change with the seasons.
I like your idea about introducing orange, but perhaps in the smallest of doses. Perhaps some slim stripes, along with white,canvas color, dusky lue and chocolate brown, in a painted floorcloth.
lue = blue
These boxes from cb2, currently on sale, may fit into the top row neatly while introducing the orange you were considering...
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=950&f=1650
(also available in a leaf green and a chocolate brown)
Here's something for some possible color palette inspiration...
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=910&f=1513
Everyone -
Thank you so much for the all the thoughtful suggestions! I've only been in the apartment for 3 weeks now, and am doing ok having only spent $700 (for everything, furniture, bed linens, etc.). But I hit that wall and the outside opinions are so appreciated!
For Victor - the paper is simply large sheets you can buy at any art store, the acid-free kind will fade slower (particularly if not in direct sunlight, as my apt. gets very little). I cut it to size for each shelf, and simply used some tack (that gummy stuff you can get anywhere) to adhere it. That way - snappy fast removal if I start to hate the color and want to redecorate.
But I agree, I have to get up there and finish it off so it looks pulled together. I'm loving the Williams and Sonoma ladder - its so slim i could actually sneak it under the couch...
Patrick's right - with time things will settle - more plants, more books. The tips on how to move some of the shelf stuff around were super helpful. And I'm working on the coffee table/desk issue. I'd love one of the new clear acrylic-ish ones at CB2 - but too expensive for me, and too small for me to use as a workspace.
I do think everyone is right about the wall behind the bed. If I hadnt done a fabric thing (again avoiding painting) in my last place, I'd do that asap here again, as it was again cheap and low commitment.
Last - for the orange - just a splash - an orange pillow on the couch, or something in a piece of art, just something to break up the matchy-matchy-ness of it all (that's not a word, but it should be!).
Again - SOOOO much thanks! Will let ya'll know how it evolves with a little time!
WOw - that kumquat and fig candle at CB2 - love the colors together, so perfect! You may have just sold me on green over orange...
Lauren--
Those CB2 storage boxes also come in green. :)
But I think you could make that candle color palette your own by adding your originally-intended orange to the mix...
Well, how about putting one fresh orange smack dab in the middle of each of the shelves across the top? Once you get your step ladder, it will be a cinch. Or, instead of a $$$ stepladder, get a cheap lightbulb changer (long pole with clamp-like thingy on the end) and use that to lift objects to the shelves.
I love your space, and I think the add-some-plants suggestions and the ideas for your wall/headboard space behind your bed are right on. If you like orange, you could buy some great orange fabric, like a shimmery iridescent organza or taffeta, or a brocade, and stretch and mount it to cover the wall. How about hanging a line of framed pictures/photographs down that little nook over the night table by the bed? Paint frames to pick up a color from the fabric over the bed? If buying fabric violates the poor-grad-student principle, mount a plain bedsheet tautly over the wall and pin up pages from drafts of your dissertation to cover the whole thing. Let them flutter a bit.
Oh, you've made me so nostalgic and jealous about grad school! Just have fun fixing the place up, and follow your wildest instincts and ideas! If not in grad school, when?
Au
Lauren,
I think your place is very friendly. An easy and cheap way to decorate your wall would be with fabric. I would get a big peice of something you like, or lots of small 1ftx1ft square pieces in different colors. You can soak these swatches in liquid starch (available at walmart, etc) and put them up on the wall, they will peel off just like your shirt does off an ironing board..very easy (a little messy at first, but worth it).