Decorated or undecorated?

[JoceAndChris]

I am starting work on the hallway. I know, I am not to buy any paint, paper or fabric until I've spent at least one afternoon at Sir John Soane's museum. But I can prepare can't I?

We have decided to use the cupboards in the hallway as wardrobes as we like the currently rather sparse look of the bedroom. I'm working on the principle of having just 3 Regency frocks in a mule chest - but it hasn't happened yet.

The cupboards here are very ancient in their appearance, delightfully so. But I decorated one last year, here it is:

Did I make a mistake?

Should I leave the next one as it is? Every time I reach for the paint, a little voice says "Don't decorate me". Have I finally lost the plot?

This cupboard is under the stairs. I'm not sure what the little holes under each step are for, (should I not fill them?) or if I need to replace this section of plaster. (which seems very loose and springy, but doesn't seem to have a structural purpose,.

Lastly, the cupboard's quite dark - it needs some lighting. Any suggestions for something bright but unobtrusive?

As usual, thanks so much for listening and contributing!

 

[Moo]

Regarding the lighting, do get your electrician to instal one of the gadgets that switches the light on and off whenever you open and close the cupboard door. I've got one in my larder and it's a boon and a blessing.


ps Wallpaper (providing it's the right one, of course) inside cupboards is lovely.

 

[TimM]

Yeah I don't as a rule have much time for wallpaper, but in the wardrobe... genius!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks both of you! I think wallpaper inside cupboards and chests is pretty long-established?

Great idea about the sensing light!

Chris is still my electrician, as well as tree surgeon!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

As that second cupboard is under the stairs maybe you should tidy up the plaster walls and paint them in an appropriate finish and colour rather than wallpaper . Depends what you are going to keep in there---booze, or boots etc or hoovers etc? Moo's suggestion for the lighting is perfect, think I'll follow suit.

 

[JoceAndChris]

None of you seem to think leave as is! :lol: The undecorated cupboard under the stairs is going to have to be a wardrobe for clothes.

 

[robgil]

decorate , you know you want to. you dont want your finest robes in a dusty old cupboard amongst the spiders and things.

 

[Ushy M]

None of you seem to think leave as is! :lol:

Umm... do you remember the conversation some shared in an earlier post about the difference between patina and squalor? :wink:

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol:

I spend a lot of my life wondering where the line is between what's lovely and old and what's just plain disgusting! Chris is very fond of saying "Just because it's old doesn't mean it's nice". To which I reply "Which is better, nice or interesting?"

Somebody, maybe a hundred or so years ago, took a good deal of trouble to do the fake wood graining paint effect - most of it's been painted over - this door and one other is left- once I paint over it it will be gone! And yet as you can see it's in a right state!

I don't really want to live with other people's colours though. Specially when they're worn out.

 

[Moo]

the sensing light!

That makes it sound very technical, Joce. Actually, it's just a little plastic spring-loaded pressure switch. There's a little plastic rod that is pressed in when the door's shut, but is allowed to spring out a little way when the door's open. I didn't buy it myself, but I guess they're cheap as chips and very easy for someone even half-competent to instal.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Ah, thanks Moo,I'm not having much luck finding what you mean online, but when I do, I'll post a link.

 

[Flyfisher]

Something like this: http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/door-light-switch-p-1318.html

 

[JoceAndChris]

Brilliant, thanks!

 

[Moo]

See? I said it's cheap as chips. Now you can really splash out and have one in every cupboard.

 

[Tom]

Ah, thanks Moo,I'm not having much luck finding what you mean online, but when I do, I'll post a link.

Joce, it's the same thing as is in most fridges

 

[Juju]

In terms of lights, we've put those battery operated ones in places like the attic and the cellar where we occasionally need extra light but don't want to go to the expense of getting an electrician in. IKEA do a good selection. I notice they also do solar powered desk lamps now - not that they would be any good in a cupboard!

I would decorate the cupboard if it's for clothes especially Regency frocks but not if it's just for the hoover or similar stuff. I had an undecorated cupboard in my last house - old plaster falling off the ceiling and remnants of a 1930s wallpaper. I liked the contrast with the rest of the house! But it was just used for boxes of stuff, Christmas decs, etc.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Juju - that's helpful. I'm glad you share my nostalgia for the old schemes - but yes, it is so nice to put your clothes and bags in a clean, decorated space.

The hoover and cleaning stuff live elsewhere.

 

[Penners]

Did I make a mistake?

Joce, dear, do you think you're getting a bit too close to this house project? I hope that doesn't sound patronising, but honestly - the only person who can answer the above question is you. And the answer is easy-peasy to arrive at...

Do you like it?

As for whether you should decorate the other cupboard, the answer is equally straightforward. Do you like it as it is, or would you prefer it to be different?

The holes in the wall are made by the little-known Escalier Beetle. Being intensely sensitive to altitidue, this little beastie has an interesting way of ensuring the perpetuation of its species - it lays a few eggs in each of a series of carefully gnawed holes at precise vertical intervals up a wall. Then, when the pupae hatch, if they're uncomfortable at their particular altitidue, they can easily migrate through to the staircase and ascend or descend to a more comfortable level.

 

[Feltwell]

Joce, it's the same thing as is in most fridges

What, you mean the Fridge Goblins that my father told me turn the light on aren't real ??????

Another childhood illusion shattered. You'll be telling me next that if you undo your belly button your bum does not in fact fall off.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Careful what you do to belly buttons you can get pregnant don't you know!

Dear Mr P, it's all very well for you to be so calm and reasonable, and to see things with such clarity and conviction. I am female, and so prone to hysteria and attacks of the nerves! I should probably take a break altogether, and go off and read something soothing for a few months.

I'm torn between wanting a shiny redecorated house or a scruffy museum. I want it to feel like a window to the past, so that I feel here as I felt when I went round Severs' or Handel's house - am I alone in wanting that?