Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with interior

Bold Colors and White Trim...Name This Trend

Smarson — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:16:28 -0800

What is this interior painting trend I see before me? Mrs. Smarson and I have been in the housing market for the last six months and are finally set to close on a house (YIPEEE!!!). We're currently in the midst of the"what colors do we want to paint the bedrooms, living room, kitchen, etc.?" discussion. The house is a bit older and we're hoping to bring it into the 21st century somewhat with a more modern-ish paint job. We both like some of the styles inside the newer townhouses we toured where the trend seemed to be solid colors (sometimes neutrals like taupe, mocha, beige and sometimes brighter reds, greens, and blues) with white trim. Examples here, here, and here.

Is this a nameable trend? Is there any kind of formula to it? Really I'm just looking for terms/phrases to put me on the right track to finding more examples.

More examples: Here, here, here, here, here, here, and here

Ahgh. Mold.

Alligator — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:27:47 -0800

How do I remove mold and milk residue from the fabric interior on the seat of my car? This is gross. A not-quite-finished bottle of milk which I seem to have discarded into a seat (and promptly forgot about) split open somehow in my car in this summer's heat. Now there is just a lot of mold growing in the spot where it leaked. What can I do to get rid of the mold and the milk residue?

(Also--would driving my currently moldy car be a major health risk?)

Help me pimp my new guest house!

miss lynnster — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:52:19 -0800

Inspire me! Where are your absolute favorite places to find incredible, unique interior and outdoor decorating treasures and bargains in Los Angeles (or online)? I'm looking for cool stuff to fill/cover walls, floors, windows, garden, patio, home office... you name it! I LOVE finding bargains so the Rose Bowl and PCC swap meets are already on the list, as are other places... but I'd like to hear where you find YOUR inspirations! I'm dumping most of my old furnishings and will be designing my new living space *almost* from scratch. I tend to be drawn to things that are cool vintage or have slightly ethnic (asian, european, middle eastern) influences. When I'm done, without going broke I want this new place to feel like a really comfortable sanctuary where people love hanging out. :)

What are some creative uses for my unusable staircase?

scarylarry — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:33:47 -0800

What are some creative uses for my unusable staircase? Due to the strange layout of the house in which I am now living, there is quite a long staircase in the middle of my apartment that I will never use to get up to the next floor. As the staircase is smack in the middle of my apartment, there's a lot of unused space.

I've already used some of the stairs as a bookshelf and some as a liquor cabinet, but there are about 12 empty steps. What are some creative uses for these steps? I'd love ideas that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing....

Thanks!

Finding interior design help that is not on cable television.

boots77 — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:04:36 -0800

How can I find design resources similar to the home design/interior design shows that are on cable television? I have been very reflective about home styles and "how to" ideas in terms of interior design recently because I am on the verge of buying my first home. The problem is that there are some wonderful shows on cable television that offer this sort of thing regularly in half-hour segments, but I don't have cable television. I'd rather not get cable television if I can at all avoid it. How can I find resources online or otherwise that could help me get the same kind of help?

What I like about the shows that I've seen when at homes with cable television is that the shows are created for beginners. They show you the process and not just explain it to you. For example if they say that a mantle should be over the fireplace, they show you the general idea of how it is made and sometimes will show them going through the installation process. They also explain color schemes, or where to buy cheaper hacks for otherwise expensive furniture, and most importantly, before and after pics. Anyways, I am open to anything that any ideas for resources that any of you have found helpful. Thanks all!

My house needs design help

bluekrauss — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:41:02 -0800

Are there places on the internet that offer free interior design advice? There are a few rooms in our house that need a major overhaul, but I have absolutely no interior design skills. I need some decorating ideas for the living room, and advice about possibly knocking down a wall/putting a wall in a different place in an entryway.

I'd rather hold off on spending $ on hiring designers or architects right now. I was thinking that I could take some pictures of the rooms in question and link to them when asking for advice at design sites or blogs. Do such sites or blogs that give this kind of advice even exist?

cute diy boat decor, plz.

cior — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:52:18 -0800

I'd like to do some interior design/cozying to my sailboat's interior. Before charging off with a sewing machine and some rubber cement, I thought it might be good to seek some advice. Got any? Here are two photos of my current interior.

I really want to warm the place up a bit, make things comfortable and homey. At the same time, whatever I do needs to stand up to moisture and general boat skank. I've started by sanding down and coating the cabinets with teak oil, but don't know where next to go.

Any experiences to share? Any mods to avoid? I've been looking at CRAFT magazine and a few other sources, but not getting very far in terms of practical ideas that would work on a boat. I've also asked some sailing friends, but haven't gotten a lot of helpful advice -- their boats are either too new or nice to make an equation with my shabby environs.

We're going to need a better designed boat!

gc — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:47:11 -0800

I want to design a boat. A big boat. Help me learn the basics of interior boat structures. Question first, then background: are there basic, beginner's level interior design books/resources for boats and/or yachts? I realize it's one of those industries that is somewhat obscure, likely by necessity. But I figure there has to be some sort of primer on the subject. I have some idea of what I want, but help me make my design better. My Google-fu and Seattle and King County library-fu has failed.

Background:
I'm working on a story that involves spending long periods of time on a boat, with a crew that ranges from 4 to 10 throughout. And by boat I mean submarine, which, for the world where the story takes place, is as common as a semi-truck. I've got space set aside for cargo, a passenger section, both designed for VIPs or well-paying guests, and for those who just need a berth for a long ocean voyage. I have a bridge, captain's quarters, a sizable engine room, and places for batteries, life support, ballast, and things that generally make the ship go.

But it feels sloppy to me. My references for this sort of thing include spending some time of a fifty-foot Bluewater, some study into the luxury US Subs, pouring over super yacht magazines that were mailed to my house for some reason, and countless science fiction films and television shows (U-571, Red October, Firefly/Serenity, Star Wars/Trek, and on and on). Still, I feel like I'm missing the some of the finer things. I realize that the reader won't be seeing most of the boat, but if I can get a complete picture of the boat, I can give the reader a better picture.

Paintin' purty...recommendations for painters in NYC

kenzi23 — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:02:54 -0800

Recommendations for a good interior painter in NYC? And what do I look for in a painter? I know that I COULD paint my living room, but I just don't feel like it and can afford to pay someone to do it. Does anyone have a personal recommendation (as in, you or a close friend hired them and loved them) in the NYC area?

Also, when looking for a good painter, what should I look for, ask about? Is it assumed that they will have all their own equipment and dropcloths etc.? Do I need to find a bonded painter in case they mess up any of my furniture or floors? Do we sign an agreement?

Help this DIY girl get someone to DIFH (do it for her).

Suggestions for good interior design magazines?

MsVader — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:31:30 -0800

Good interior design magazines? My secret santa this year is my sister-in-law. She's creative and has a great eye for decorating, and has expressed interest in maybe going to school for formal interior design training. Until she can make that happen, I'd like to give her some food for thought. She has added a few books on design to her amazon wishlist. I thought perhaps I'd pick up a book and supplement it with a subscription or two to some good interior design magazines.

I don't know much about the field (though, I'm very interested myself, since I enjoy decorating as well), so I'm offering it up to the AskMe gods. Are any of the books she asked for really excellent (a must-buy) or entirely worthless (don't waste the money)? Are there any others that you might suggest? And I definitely want to get a subscription to a great magazine - those ideas are what I'm mainly after. Help me give a kick-ass gift!

Large public interior

comatose — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:43:35 -0800

What are some of the most beautiful, awe inspiring, large scale, public interior spaces you have ever seen or visited? These can be entrances/lobbies to corporate buildings, libraries, the place you work, or whatever. I am just looking for inspiration in large beautiful interior public spaces.

Wall painting effect

Mitheral — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 02:03:59 -0800

How would one paint a wall with this effect. It looks like a blue base that has a random pattern masked out. How would one apply the top coats get the soft multicolour tile effect?

Are there any general rules for interior decorating, with emphasis on making the best use of space?

mintchip — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 20:11:37 -0800

Are there any general rules for interior decorating, with emphasis on making the best use of space? I recently moved into a studio apartment. Although it's pretty large previous apartment, somehow I feel that I'm not making the best use of my space. The two issues are having the right pieces of furniture, and placing the furniture in the best spots.

The basic shape of the apartment is a big square, plus a walk-in closet and small bathroom (with no storage).

1. I have a long couch along one wall. I can't figure out where else it could possibly go.
2. My bed is along a second wall
3. The third wall is all windows so I have my desk against that
4. The fourth wall is broken up with a closet door and tv. hookup.

Because of the way I have things organized I only have one section of wall, next to my couch, for a tall bookshelf. The couch, bed and windows take up the majority of wall space that I'd otherwise like to use for a second bookshelf and a dresser (which I currently do not have).

I'm looking either for specific tips, general rules for the best placement of furniture, or resources for helping one figure out how to best configure a space., as this is not my forte.

Please Hope Me, Metafilter!

rossination — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 23:29:18 -0800

Help me repair a hole in the (vinyl? leather?) armrest of my car. I recently purchased a '99 Ford Taurus. While otherwise free of flaws, there is a silver-dollar sized hole in the passenger side armrest (on the inside of the door), revealing some sort of white material underneath that looks like firm styrofoam. The picture here gives you an idea of the area that I'm talking about, except it's not a Saturn, and it's on the other side of the car (and there's obviously no hole).

Anyway, I understand that I can't really make it look like new, and that's fine - all I want to do is make it slightly less unsightly and prevent it from spreading. I was told a body shop could do this for "forty bucks or so", but it seems like the kind of thing that I should be able to do on my own. I imagine that there is some sort of patch I could buy at an auto parts store that I could slap on there. Does such a product exist?

Also, FWIW, the interior is a light taupeish tan. Color-matching is not the most important thing in my book, although I'd just as soon it not be, say, bright red.

For those of you who are playing along at home, this is the replacement to the '90 Taurus.

I'm building a project studio.

Human Flesh — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 09:22:23 -0800

Does anyone know of any interior designers or contractors in the London metropolitan area that specialize in sound installations, recording studios, or accoustic treatment?

Where can I find fomulas for calculating coordinating colors?

Vorteks — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 21:27:14 -0800

Where can I find mathematical fomulas for calculating coordinating colors for interior decorating projects? I'm attempting to build an application to assist with interior decorating that will take a primary color for a room and suggest other colors to go along with it. For example, if you picked a certain color of carpet, the application would suggest paint colors for the wall and trim. Or if you picked a certain countertop, the application might suggest cabinet stain colors that would go well.

I've read up on basic color theory, and I understand how opposite colors on the color wheel are "complimentary", colors adjacent on the color wheel are "analogous", and monochromatic color schemes can look nice with some variations of lightness and saturation. However, for the application I'm trying to create, I really need formula that will yield *exact* complimenting color values for a given "primary" color. I've seen a couple of tools that do something like this (here and here, although the results aren't *exactly* what I'm looking for), but I don't know how they work.

Can anyone please point me in the right direction? Thanks!

How do I fix my wall paint color?

partner — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:37:46 -0800

The new latex wall paint in my entry hall is the wrong color. It is too bright; too much color. Is there a technique that will wash out the walls with white without losing all the color?

How can I get a short-term, labor-intensive job in a field I'd like to start a career in?

itchi23 — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 10:48:11 -0800

How can I get a short-term, labor-intensive job in a field I'd like to start a career in? I currently work a series of three month contract positions, and my current position will end in mid-April. The next contract won't start until sometime in mid-June or so, so I'd like a short-term job in the meantime - from mid-April to June.

That sounds fairly easy, but here's the rub: I'd like to get a job, or "internship" if possible, in some kind of interior design/architecture field. My contract position is completely unrelated to this, so it would be nice to have a break and do something different in the interim.

In the fall, my wife and I will possibly be moving to another city where I'll look into started a graduate degree in interior design and architecture. What I'd like to do now is simply work for a few weeks doing a lot of the labor-side elements (i.e. installation, carpentry, moving equipment, light construction, etc.) - but at the same time, try to learn a bit about the field before starting a graduate degree in it. I already aborted a graduate program once due to not fully understanding the career, and I'd like not to repeat that mistake.
Ideally, I'd like some kind of paid-internship where I'd learn a lot about the labor-side of things, and potentially learn more about the interior design/architecture field.
I'm concerned, though, because I wonder if there are any contractor/union issues that might prevent me from doing some kind of short-term stint like this.
If it helps, I'm in Chicago (if anyone might have any potential contacts!)

Any advice? Thanks!

Designer Floorplan Software

Pressed Rat — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 18:22:51 -0800

I am looking for a 3-D floor-plan software for interior designers that can be used to show clients how furniture, rugs, art, lighting, etc. will look in their home spaces. Anyone have any recommendations? Extra points for something simple to use for a computer "novice."

How do I make my car smell nice?

jeremias — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 13:17:07 -0800

How can I make the interior of my car smell nice? I'd like to stay away from the cheapo tree fragrance variety. Is there any pleasant (even subtle) fragrance providers out there?

Interior design / ID software

ontic — Sun, 03 Apr 2005 22:58:05 -0800

Fear of decorating: Is there actually good interior design software? I'm looking for something that lets me visualize room dimensions, colors, textures, materials, furniture dimensions, actual furniture, etc. I'm using Windows XP. I'm pretty much of a lost cause when it comes to interior design and decorating, but I've decided that it might be time to learn a thing or two. I'm getting a house soon and it would be nice to make it feel like home. To that extent, I'm also interested in other ideas about how to learn to make rooms feel like more than just rooms.

I just can't stand watching HGTV with its sickly sweet jingles and hosts anymore.

If there are books that I should get that aren't too annoying for the design-disinclined, that would be good too.

how to re-attach plastic panel in Saturn interior?

amtho — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 07:13:06 -0800

My friend has a 1995 Saturn (as do I). For some reason, the plastic paneling in part of the interior, around the doors, is falling away from the frame. It looks pretty bad. What's the best way to re-attach it? Is there some web site with tips on how to do stuff like this? And should I worry that this will happen to my car too?

This is happening on both sides of his interior, particularly around the front and top of the door windows. It's the plastic paneling, not the cloth "head liner". I'd like to be able to do something nice for him, but need a clue.

Question number 4944

Irontom — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 16:45:57 -0800

I have a friend who is getting ready to furnish his new condo. He has a potential sweetheart deal on picking up some Rowe furniture, but neither he nor I know anything about it. Has anyone had any experience with it? Alternately, is there anywhere he can go to get comparative ratings of different brands of furniture?