Amazing views / concrete prison decor!

8 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi. I am renovating and would love to hear ideas for my exterior walls. This is an apartment with lovely views, big windows, and deep windowsills. The construction is concrete. There are pillars between the windows and they sit out about 10 cm from the wall under the window. There is currently a stylish (not!) vinyl strip in lieu of skirting/baseboard. The windowsill and apron board are dead plain and there are no decorative features at all. At present the sills and aprons are painted white and the walls and pillars are creamy off-white. There are three windows with pillars between across the length of the room and one large window at the end (you can see the corner where they meet in the first photo). I am thinking that given the era of the building and the basic concrete construction, the look will need to be simple and modern rather than traditional/character - but open to lateral thinking! Thanks for any ideas!

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Comments (5)

PRO
User
8 years ago
that faux painted fireplace.......

i think a lot of the problem is how to a fix things to the concrete, hence the vinyl. the best step might be paint, and next i would say hardwood floors... I know that alone would help a million. lighting might be important here too.
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mbcook1
Original Author
8 years ago
Har! The fireplace is just a temporary Christmas decoration - it has gone back to the garage!

Thanks so much for your ideas!
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Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com
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User
8 years ago
Industrial chic is hot right now. You have that look without even trying.
inthedetails
8 years ago
Wow! What an incredible view you have! I think you first need to frame it out. I would suggest changing out the carpet with hardwood floors with a worn or weathered look. Definitely get rid of the plastic and replace with white base moulding. Next I would paint the walls a color in the pale grey or grey/blue family. Next, I would suggest some crisp white sheers to frame each window. In the pictures, it looks like the Windows on the right are two windows wide. If so, I would also place panels in the middle of those 2 windows to continue framing the view. These are for decorative purposes only and not intended to distract from the view. It looks like there is a big space between two of the windows. I would locate a large architectural piece to place on that wall to add some interest. Remove all the small items from the window ledges. Finally, I would love a round table in that space. Good luck with your reno!
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mbcook1 thanked inthedetails
samsamyd
8 years ago
You could get stained glass or window film in abstract design for those 'transom' areas;

COMMAND strips ought to hold art onto the concrete and still remove easily when you get tired of it -- just not too heavy art and better with acrylic than glass covering if needed (oil paint, acrylic, tapestry, art quilt would not need covering glass)

Get a plywood panel of sufficient size to go below window trim, column to column and decorate it how you like ... paint, wall paper, faux brick, tin-tile (ok, it's plastic tile that looks like a tin ceiling/backsplash), or actual tile -- if sized correctly and resting on the floor, it will stay in place or can be helped with adhesive backed velcro
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mbcook1 thanked samsamyd

Amazing views / concrete prison decor!

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inthedetails

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Amazing views / concrete prison decor!

Comments (5)

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mbcook1Original Author

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inthedetails

samsamyd

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mbcook1
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