I'm Moving!
#87007 - 07/06/04 04:16 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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I just had to share my exciting news! My boyfriend and I just got approved for our new apartment and will be moving in August! I'm so excited, no more smelly, mold covered bathroom for me!
It's beautiful, it's got these big floor to ceiling windows that go through the whole living room and it has a dishwasher and washer/dryer (a big plus for me!).
So, anyone have any moving advice for me? I haven't really done a serious move before, when I moved out of my parents house I lived in residence at University and you can't really decorate there, and then we moved into the apartment that we're in now but we knew we wouldn't be here too long so we didn't bother with it too much.
Now I'm all excited to paint and decorate, but I don't know where to start! It's kinda ironic, my mom lived for home decorating and I was always soooo bored when she would drag me to home stores, and now I've become just like her...I'm totally excited. However, I wouldn't know how to choose a paint color if my life depended on it. So, I'm in need of some pointers...any pointers 
Thanks!
Kelly
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Re: I'm Moving!
#87017 - 07/06/04 04:24 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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First you need to find out if the landlord will allow you to paint the walls and/or make any alterations to the place. Can you change the window coverings? Will he let you hang shelving on the walls?
Next, you need an inspiration piece. Do you have a favorite fabric? Favorite picture or poster or print? Take the colors from that piece; those are the colors you'll want to use in the room where that inspiration piece will go. Choose a warm color from the piece to paint the walls. Choose another for your couch. You can even pick a pattern fabric that has a combination of those colors.
If you have a couch that you're keeping, then you'll need to work around the colors in the fabric of the couch, since that's the biggest piece in your living room. If it's a print, then you can pick a chair fabric that coordinates with the couch. Again, pull a warm color from the print to paint the walls.
You need to describe your new place. I can help you better that way.
This is very exciting -- and a lot of fun. I sure hope you know how to sew, because you and I are gonna make some drapes, Girlfriend!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hey Bev,
I had to laugh when I read your post, I've got to be the worse sewer in the world! Suzie homemaker I'm not let me tell you, can't cook, can't sew...I can however make reservations and um, buy drapes? Pathetic I know.
We are allowed to make alterations to the apartment, it's sorta like a condo so we can paint, do draperies, hang shelves, whatever we want.
I do have a focal point for the bedroom at least, it's a big beautiful picture I got when my mom died...maybe I'll post a pic of it and pick your brain?
As for the apartment, I put up two pictures that I took on my picture website if you want to look at them: http://groups.msn.com/VicamsPictures/shoebox.msnw
This is the exact apartment except on a higher floor, so we have two sliding doors in place of two of the windows. I really don't know what to do with the bay window in terms of coverings, I've never had a bay window before.
I'm going to try and get a pic of the picture for my focal point as well, and then maybe you can tell me what you think
Kelly
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Wow... that's truly gorgeous. Congrats! Here's my true and unvarnished opinion. DO NOT PAINT an apartment. We lived in two apartments where we were "allowed" to paint. In both of them we just had to paint it back to neutral upon moving out. So we did. And both times, after putting lots of coats of primer on so that all traces of our paint were eliminated the apartment complex decided it wasn't good enough and charged us a hefty fee. One claimed we got paint on the ceiling so all of the ceilings in the entire apartment needed to be repainted (we only painted in two rooms in that apartment).
My feeling is that if you don't OWN it, don't PAINT it.
But feel free to ignore me! 
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It comes down to the art of living on [color/red]
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hire movers or befriend a football or rugby team
take off the day before and the day after the move. you'll need the time.
do NOT wait 'til the last minute. you'll kick yourself.
go to a truck rental place and get lots of bubble wrap. invalubale!
if you think it's too heavy to lift by yourself, it is: so don't.
use the trashcans as "boxes" for the important stuff you'll need right away. that way you'll unpack them then have your trashcans ready to use.
there is never enough packing tape, markers, cardboard boxes or beer.
don't commit to any colors 'til you've lived with a swatch of it on the wall. (trust me!)
Congrats Kel, that's great news!
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The Windows
#87038 - 07/06/04 04:56 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Okay, I'm a little confused. You have sliding glass doors where these windows are? Good grief, I hope there's a balcony out there!? From these pictures, it looks like there's a fabulous view of trees, with total privacy. Why would you want to cover the windows and block your fabulous view? If you don't need privacy, but you just want something soft, I'd opt for sheers that would gently blow in the breeze when the doors are open. You can buy ready-made sheers.
I'd like to see the picture for your bedroom. Yes, please post it, and I'll share some thoughts with you for color options. I'd hang it over the bed, then invest in some soft bed linens to pick up the colors in the picture, then buy some soft drapes to match.
Where is the bay window? In your living room or bedroom? I'm a little confused here. The one picture has windows, but you said you have sliding glass doors instead. The other picture -- ?? What goes where?
Bay windows are beautiful. How handy is your boyfriend? Can he make a window seat to fit under the bay windows? I'd have a cushion made (well, okay, I'd sew it myself) to fit over the top of the window seat (and coordinating throw pillows), where I could lie down and read a book, look out at the trees, when I'm not feeling well.
This is all very exciting stuff. I'm jazzed about helping you with it.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Congratulations Kelly, that's so exciting. My suggestions, hmmm let's see:
You might want to make sure they'll allow painting before you start. You wouldn't want to have to pay a fine.
Also, don't try to rush anything. Allow yourselves to enjoy what the apartment has to offer before you start decorating. Hope that helps. 
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~ Rachel (IBS-C)
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade!!
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It comes down to the art of living on [color/red]
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