Decorating/design advice
 

As we have a wide range of likes and dislikes amongst us I thought you lot would be good to ask advice from

Our living room closet for coats, shoes, etc,. has a bifold mirror doors. Now apart from the sheer 1980s/retired middleclassness of the style I hate mirrors. I have no desire to be reminded how ugly I am.

I am trying to think of ways to get rid of them.

So far:

Change the doors, the alternative seems to be louvre, which is equally naff.
Paint the mirrors?? Wouldn't this scratch easily, and also look cheap?
Wallpaper the doors? Could work but easily could look naff.
How would covering the surface with vertical strips of wood, or a plain trim work?? then painting the trim??

Any bright ideas??

The house is style is cottagey, I think. Messy, eclectic, Bohemian, in touch with your inner trollope. The light fitting isn't my taste either, and the ceiling fan will be changed.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

You can get solid (well, solid in appearance) bi-fold doors from any Home Depot or Rona.

I like the stove. However, as I don't think I have an inner trollope I am a bit reluctant to make any design suggestions.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Ah, yes, sorry. I should have said that the doors are non standard width and I was looking for a cheap solution rather than paying a chippie to make new ones.

Don't you even know a trollope that could help ???

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

OK, heres my thoughts.

Paint I think would scratch off in an instant so thats out of the window - however why not cover them first with some of that sticky backed plasticky stuff - THEN put some moldings on so it looks like panels, then paint the whole lot in whatever colour you decide?

Cheaper than getting new ones made and you can do it all yourself :thumbsup:

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Thanks Mands, I tried some of that sticky back plastic fake etched window stuff, but that is very hard to get on without airbubbles so I imagine the other sticky back plastic would have the same problems. I suppose I could wallpaper then paint the wall paper.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

ooooh thats a good idea, and yes I agree that it would be quite hard to cover that area without bubbles (although fairy liquid and a pin are your friend when covering things like that) using SBP.

You could match the shape of the panels to mirror the ones in your front door!

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Fairy liquid???

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

yup if you are covering something such as glass (like putting blackout film / frosting on windows etc) dampen a sponge (only just damp) and put a tiny bit of fairy liquid on it - wipe the area to be covered and it allows you some movement when putting the vinyl on rather than a stick and hope situation!

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You could take the doors off and hang a curtain. It could be any colour until boring and then replaced.

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You could also glue some hardboard over the mirrors You can paint and add mouldings to that It is less likely to scratch or tear than paint or wallpaper

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

When we are putting the clings on the windows at work we use windex and a squeegy thing.

When hubby is putting pinstriping/stripes on cars he uses soapy water and a sponge.

(wallpapering and painting seems to be the way to go I think!).

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

I think so too, will be easy and theres no need to go and get boards etc

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Ok, thanks, food for thought.

Doesn't the windex/fairy thing stop the cling from clinging? I might try that again as there was a white bamboo pattern that would look good.

I'm still thinking about glueing different thicknesses and widths of wood strips on there, then painting over them. Whatever happens it seems glue will be involved.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

having worked in the sign industry doing vinyl graphics,
you can buy a simply spray that allows you to apply the film, and gives plenty
of time to move it about a bit, remove bubbles etc.. often you can use the edge of a credit card if you dont have the right tools, this stuff would do the job http://www.rapidtac.com/

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

We went for the totally rad option and took the doors off altogether. In fact it's now serves as a rag-rolled alcove displaying a large painting instead.

However... assuming you actually still need it to hide coats shoes etc. one simple option might be to get a local carpenter to make up a custom-fitted pair of doors in MDF - you can choose the finish (louvred, tongue and groove, chamfered, panelled or whatever) and then paint to match or contrast with your decor.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Do you need to have the clothes and shoes there? I'd take the doors off and make a recessed shelving unit for books, pottery [insert nic nak of your choice] and a lamp, and it would fit with the eclectic inner trollope.
Shoes and coats elsewhere, maybe a free standing armoire of some sort?

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

I moved the boot tray from the front door and we now use the back door through the garage mostly. Trouble is the few visitors we have had now leave their shoes on, and that really annoys me. I don't know why it annoys me but it does.

There isn't really any space for free standing anything, its a small house, 1000 sq ft., so we need that storage space. Especially in the winter when the garage will be too cold to keep coats in. Hmm. will have a think about where to move the storage to.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

I just tell all visitors to take their shoes off. In the winter I have a boot tray by the door outside, though admittedly I am usually not dealing with Ontario style winters, just rain...rain...rain...:(

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

What if someone points at their shoes and asks you, in a way that means they really dont want to take them off? I think I need to be more assertive.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

I just cheerily say that with all these kids and a dog, I just cleaned the carpets, so yes please. I also just say "leave your shoes right there on the tile, thanks".

I have seen those twee box things somwhere that say " Please take of your shoes" on them. They are usually next to those awful garden ornaments and chicken things people insist on sticking on porches.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Just a thought ... have you tried looking to see if they can be reversed? We had some a few years back and we were able to take them off their tracks and put them back up the other way around. I think the backs were wood and we just painted them. Might be worth checking if you haven't already done so.

J :)

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

ohhh now thats a good idea :thumbup: :thumbsup:

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

I hadnt done so, so I did, and you can't.

It was a good idea though.

All this has got me thinking about rearranging the room completely now, and maybe doing the shelf cupboard thing.

When I have a better plan I will suggest some ideas to MOH....

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

When you say non-standard, what are the actual dimensions of the opening?

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Why? are you going to make some doors for me??:wub:

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Not a carpenter my dear. :(

I'm just curious and have a possible idea but can't say unless I know the dimensions.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Ah, instead of 36 inches they are 34 and the height is 79, the gap maybe 80 though without the runners

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Is it possible to attach some 1x4 or something to either side of the opening to reduce it to 32"?

If so you could possibly get a 32" bifold closet door to fit that opening.

Just a thought.

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Thanks Mandy - I don't have them that often so it's nice to be acknowledged - even if it didn't work ...... ;)

J :)

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

Did you try rotating them vertically too?

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

It's a good thought. simple but effective. I thank you

Re: Decorating/design advice
 

You can get glass etching spray and either use a bought stencil or design your own - anything from twee victoriana to a french floosies boudoire - your choice!;)

The attachment shows mirror with a simple grid pattern which looks quite classy. At least you could keep the miorror doors but make them up to date with very little expense but with more of your imagination and flair.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/g...hing-it-003594