I love our new house, don’t get me wrong, but there are things that builders are doing nowadays that either baffle me or are aesthetically pleasing and yet practically annoying. Eight foot ceilings fall into that latter category.
Have you ever tried to change a lightbulb while balancing on a flimsy Ikea bar stool? I have, and I’m not real keen on putting my life in danger for 60 watts. Risking your life should be reserved for saving your kids from flash flooding, raging infernos, evil extraterrestrials. Not light bulbs, and while I like the airiness of our house, I much preferred the sturdy feel of our kitchen chairs under my feet. At my old house, that was all that was required to change out a light bulb.
But the thing about our house that baffles me the most is the Bizzaro Big Open Space above the front door. As you can see from the picture, right now it has Christmas decorations. (Yes, I said right now; I’ve been on deadline, cut me some slack). In October, it was filled with spiderwebs and orange lights and giant fuzzy spiders. But I’m not inclined to fill it with hearts for Valentine’s day, nor typewriters for Secretary’s Day. I’d like to quit risking life and limb by climbing out there at all (trust me when I say it’s not easily accessible).
But that leaves the question of What The Heck Do I Do With It?
And that’s why I’m soliciting ideas. Help me out here, people? I’m the girl who needs a committee to choose a paint color for the living room. This is really NOT my strong suit. What can I put there, oh wise readers? I’m soliciting any and all ideas, no matter how bizarre.
And how about you? Do you have a spot in your house that calls for innovative decorating? What was it and what did you do?
PS: In honor of YOU, dear readers, because we love you and we haven’t given anything away in the longest time, we’re giving away a Kindle Fire (or the gift card equivalent, in the event you have or don’t want a Kindle Fire) to one lucky commenter from now until February 13, when we will choose a winner at random from commenters, to be announced on Valentine’s Day.
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Oh I forgot to mention, I have two spaces like this above my doors. Yes, two to figure out what to do with. If you don’t believe me I will have to attach a picture. I am looking for two large urns or oriental vases. So far I have found a few, but at a price of about $1000 each as my spaces are about six feet tall each!!
Yikes! Those must be some nice vases, LOL!
Ok, I actually saw this done beautifly. My friends husband is a doctor and the their house is so amazing. My friend got her husbands vintage peddle car from when he was a young boy and put it up in that area. It was so cute and extra special when I found out it was his favorite toy when he was a kid. The peddle car was old and rusty, but so cute.
I love that idea….but have no old pedal car! If I did, though…..
I would paint the one wall where the window is, to make it stand out a bit. I would find two pictures that I really loved (family pictures?) and put them on the left and right side of the window. If there is a ledge below the window, I would find some “fake” plants below the window. (no water needed) I have seen some really nice looking face plants. Finding some really beautiful pots for them would really pop. This is what I would do.
I would get a stained glass window film to put on the window. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes in different designs and the film self adheres to any smooth glass surface. They can be cut to fit your window. I think a window film would call attention to the window and you probably wouldn’t have to do much else to the area.
It looks like you can hang an airplane from the ceiling like in an aerospace museum, lol. Seriously if it such a wasted cost inefficient space. Maybe you could put up a loft.
not knowing how high of an area…
first look I thought of lofting that area.. make a nice little reading spot.
[or if me I would put in beams or ruff pine posts for my cats to play on : ) ]
Good luck..
I would definitely paint the area – maybe a deep hunter green or a beautiful sky blue with some clouds. Then you could put some of your favorite antiques or contemporary pieces on the ledge – something very low maintenance so you don’t have to go up there too often.
I, too, was thinking books, but also:
Paint that wall a sky blue, and add some tall silk trees on either side of the window.
Some shelves and silk plants. (I wouldn’t want to have to climb to water real ones.)
A little bit out there and without seeing your home, you could always decorate museum style with antique things like writing desks, type writers, school desks and the likes. You would have to dust but only like 2-4 times per year…just an idea, hope it helps!
go green, plants and more plants
I really loved the idea of adding bookshelfs and rolling ladders, but I have young boys who would end up getting really hurt! So, in my eyes the next best thing would be painting the walls and adding some of your favorite silk flowers along the ledge… Then again cleaning/dusting would not be fun because I am scared of heights =/
I hope I was able to help a little at least =)
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