We just can’t seem to find a decorating solution for those tall walls. Above the big tv and speakers the wall goes up and up and up…with only a return air vent in the middle. The walls are painted a butter-tan which look fall gold, and our furniture is a dark green leather. In one corner is a drystack stone fireplace that angles up to the ceiling. Any ideas are appreciated.
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It could be because of the recent discussions, but a faux window of clouds or mountain vistas comes to mind. I think one discussion is in Interior Decorating about murals, but I don't think the clouds discussion is limited to that thread. If you can't find it, I'll try the search, but I don't have a handle on it yet.
We've considered a mural, the window with clouds is interesting. What do you think of painting a large tree with actual (fake) tree limbs, trump-loi (sp??).
I think a tree would be lovely. Anything to give some dimension to the space. It sounds like the wall is so tall and blank, that the eye travels quickly to get to the top. This creates an effect of shortening the wall.
You need some large canvases in there too. You also need larger scaled furniture than what most people have for 8-9 ft walls. How tall are your walls?
Edited 10/26/2003 9:05:35 AM ET by Mer
The walls are about 14'. We can't do anything about the furniture size. We have a 61" TV with two very large speakers placed on this wall. Its the space above that is very large and blank. We've considered hanging a quilt but something more deminsional is preferable. A talented artist could paint a mural of a forest, or, how about a fake second story loft with railing, roof line, toys, and a ladder? My wife thinks this is crazy. Am I? Its a pretty big area.
Hi Ken,
When I was in Sante Fe recently, I so wanted to come back with one of those roped ladders to put on a tall wall. My family thought I was nuts.
I would put a large scale picture or even two, before a mural, unless of course your rich..then..I am for hire. I am confused, is the fireplace on this wall? or in the corner?
Curtsey,Fledge
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh
The fireplace is in the corner.
An easy solution would be to color block the wall. People are doing fake woodwork trim just by painting. It is really cool and certainly much much easier and faster than painting a tree or adding railing would be. If you are into subtle neutral colors, you could paint the wall one color and then use a complementary second color to paint wide vertical rectangles that would be about 10 or 12 feet high centered on the wall. It's what I would do anyway. Vibrant colors would be great too, but most people are too sissy to choose them. :P
Because your rooms are so large, you can get away with strong colors so I certainly hope you are'nt paintint it white or beige or light yellow.
Do you have crown molding or other wood work?
I totally agree with you about the colors. Your suggestion about how to paint the wall is interesting and one we'll certainly entertain.
Forgot the crown molding question. The areas around the front door where the ceiling is flat, and, all other flat ceiling areas does have crown mold. Where the walls meet the vaulted ceilings does not. The house is just over 2 years old.
well whatever you do, don't paint the ceiling white. Go with a lighter shade (at least 2 shades) than your wall. You should be doing a medium to dark shade for the walls.
You could add a heavy crown around the edge of the room and install lights to wash the vaulted ceiling. I've seen that and it is pretty.
If he wants to bring the ceiling down a little, he can go with a color darker than the walls. I have found the ceiling a great place to play with the colors I love, rather than overpowering a room by painting all the walls that color, or underpowering it by just using it on trim (which I'd rather have wood anyway). So my bedroom has a midnight blue ceiling and the guest bedroom has a dark green.
very good point, but most people aren't that brave. however, most love the end result. :)
Trees would be great. Here's some http://www.trompe-l-oeil-art.com/trompe-murals/trompe-l-oeil-windows.html
and it would be wonderful to also have some real wood for a bigger trompe. The possibilities are really limited to what you would like to see in the background when you are seated facing the TV.
Are there any windows on this wall? If so, and you want a painting, photo, or mural, consider that the "view" needs to look compatible.
Without seeing the rest of the room it's hard to say if you could add a swag effect (sorry, I don't know the term) as if there were curtains, using a fabric you like, to frame the scene as if it were a floor to ceiling window.
I have heard of photos being blown up to HUGE sizes, so maybe an Ansel Adams scene (which would also work well with your tree trunk) is an option, or any art you love.
In my mind, I'm thinking of trying to draw the eye away from the massive TV when it's off.
There's lots good to be said about hanging a quilt or rug, or even just a beautiful piece of fabric--acts as insulation, easily changeable, portable, etc.
Another possibility is a night sky scene. There has also been talk of this in this forum.
You are going to have a lot of fun figuring it out!
Thanks for the link. This is our family room. Coming in the front door you have an opening to a hallway on your immediate right, the entertainment system, and this wall, to the right. The fireplace is in the far right corner. To the left of the door is an opening to a hallway, then another large, vaulted wall. Opposite the door is the back of the house with three large windows with transoms. To the left and back is the breakfast area. Our leather furniture is arranged so anyone seated can watch the TV. Their is room to walk between the couch and a piece of furniture against the left wall. The room is 26' front to back and 18' side to side. The corner fireplace is angled at the top to follow the angle of the vaulted ceiling. The top of the vaulted ceiling is flat and about 6' across. There are no windows. The wall backs up to attic space above two bedrooms, closets, baths, etc.
The 61" TV and 66" tall speakers dominate the room. This is OK as this is where we spend a lot of our time. Its the space above the TV and speakers which is a huge blank area. Honestly, a quilt, even a king, will be lost on this wall. We've read some good suggestions in the feedback and will enjoy receiving more ideas. Please be forthcoming with anymore ideas you may have. Speaking of art work, etc. we live in central Kentucky. We've tried to come up with some sort of native wooded scene to consider. We'll have to let some artistic folks look at it. Thanks, Ken
Call me spatially challenged, but I'm having a hard time visualizing the room--I keep turning right!
What kinds of suggestions has your family offered?
If you want to make your TV a focal point, then decorate the wall with smaller items on a few shelves--some art, pottery, etc.
I'd look for indigenous plants, arts, crafts that you would like to integrate into your home.
For something really drastic, you could install a real window or a series of portholes.
I wish my lame paint program was easier to use or I'd show you what I think your wall looks like.
I'm kind of new at this on line discussion thing, but can we take pics of the area and send them? Or, could I just get your e-mail address and send them directly to you?
You can post them (or email to someone who can), but it appears there are some glitches from time to time. I have never tried it, so you will need to get advice from someone in the know.
Theoretically, you just press the Add Attachment (or whatever that button reads), and then search on your hard drive for that pic, then wait for what could be a while until the button grays out. Clear as mud? Yeah.
There are a couple of people at Cooks Talk that know the ropes, and I think the Sandbox might help.
Using textiles is very effective on large walls. Textiles can be enhanced by placing moulding 6-8" from the edges to frame the piece.
Txgal's idea has my vote. If you are in Kentucky, you should be able to get some local work too.
I spent quite alot of time in Kentucky last year. Where abouts are you?
And what's in your shop, Ken?
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh
I was born and raised in Lexington. Two years ago my wife and I built a home West of Georgetown which is few miles North of Lexington. We own a business in Lexington but I'm a woodworker whenever I can get away from the office. I have a rather well equipped shop and love to spend as much time in it as possible. Lately, I've been carrying on some discussions in the "knots" forum. (that's when I discovered this forum) Back in the '70s I built reproductions of antiques and other custom furniture for a living. Proved there really is such a thing as a starving artist, ha-ha.
I see. Starving artists live in Sante Fe..I have proof..lol..
I loved antiques and had a bunch once, then got rid of them all.
But I would love to live in a house full of them anytime.
There are a few Kentuckians in our food forum, go by and say, "Hi".
Fledge
Reality check.....30 days is up.Le Sigh