A Blank Slate

Ok, here it is, the moment we've all been waiting for. I'd prefer to have had the time to get everything nicely styled or even cleaned up from the construction, but I just can't wait.

So Ta-Dah!! I present to you my freshly painted apartment (please excuse the amateur photography and less than stellar lighting)!






Welcome to my newly neutral living room!






I went with Benjamin Moore Moonlight White on the walls and BM Simply White for the trim. And all low-VOC! As you may have noticed, something else is missing. My other big decision was to remove the picture rail. It's an amazing thing to realize that rather than agonize over a difficult design element, you can just remove it.







For a little fun, I highlighted the room's archway and molding by painting the faux columns BM Thundercloud Gray. My green Replay Sofa from EQ3 ties in nicely with my original fashion inspiration for the room. The lamp, though probably not in its permanent location, has little flowers on the shade that nearly match the gray paint. A complete unintentional coincidence.

The archway separates my "entry" from the rest of the living room. The door on the right is my "entry" closet. There are gorgeous glass knobs on all of the doors that fit with the time period of 1904 building.

Though it may look plain, remember my design inspiration. I love me some clean, danish mod lines. The room also feels like it has doubled in size.



What in this picture doesn't fit??

I know I could probably get away with the pink radiator, but please understand that after living with the color for two years, the goal is to create something like this.

So there you have it. My blank slate. It may seem a bit generic to some, but remember, a 475 sq ft space is not going to be my long term home. The goal is make something that is both gorgeous and universally appealing.

Now the possibilities for my next steps (bathroom? bedroom?, kitchen, oh my!) seem endless. This is only the beginning folks.

The Pink Elephant in the Room

As you may remember, when I started this little adventure called home renovation, I began with a watermelon pink livingroom. See Exhibit A.

Exhibit A




At this very moment the pink is being replaced by the most perfect white ever. (It must be the most perfect because I looked through a bazillion shades of white to pick it out - so therefore it is perfect). You will see the reveal of my now beautifully neutral space later this week.

However, one pink stain will remain. My radiator. My 3 foot long, cast iron, 250lb, 100+ year old radiator. Its a gorgeous piece, as you can see. The seashell details are lovely.




But the thing is still bright pink. Not exactly the look I'm going for. Radiators are functional, but they can also be decorative, and I want my radiator to be a cool accent in my space, like these.



via apartment therapy

I love how this yellow radiator pops against the blue and pulls out similar hues in the painting above it, as if it were a piece of furniture intentionally put there.




via emmasblog

Here the radiator is actually functioning as a shelf, but simultaneously recedes into the background, seamlessly blending into the rest of the decor.




via absolutelybeautifulthings

Going antique calls out the age and grandeur of a radiator. I think it adds wonderful character and charm like this radiator does to what would otherwise be a pretty plain wall.

However, it apparently costs a small fortune to have a radiator removed, repainted, and reinstalled. So right now I will continue to live with the giant reminder of my watermelon pink.

If anyone out there in the blogosphere has suggestions about how to deal with my pink behemoth, I would greatly appreciate the help!