Saturday, July 5, 2008

Creative Concealment

What a super idea! Melissa at The Inspired Room shared lots of tips and ideas on how to conceal the "less than flattering" areas of our homes, and she invited readers to share their own "creative concealments." Boy, am I familiar with that process because I've got lots of flaws to hide in my house!!!

We'll start in the family room...


This isn't a bad view... especially when you realize this could be the view....


Yup, this wall - visible from the kitchen, dining room, and family room - was the only wall for the circuit breaker box when we had the family room put on almost 20 years ago; the mirror does double duty, both hiding the ugly breaker box and providing a nice view of the deck from inside the house. (And I thought I was the only one concealing a circuit breaker box until I read Cindy's "creative concealment" blog post the other day!)


Just today we moved mirrors around. The larger mirror that used to hang here is now in the entryway.... But oh, dear, this will never do... Look what I just noticed - the nasty gold hanger/hook on the mirror shows, and it is ugly!



And then I had an "aha" moment....


... I went into my old 'clip earring' stash and found a sweet little flower shaped earring to sit on top of the mirror - right in front of the ugly gold hanger...


Much better!!! Okay, on to the living room....


When we (hubby) made the new fireplace surround (which, in and of itself, hides the ugly beige 80's brick underneath), we (I) didn't take into account one minor detail... the flue knob. Since hubby insisted on cutting a big hole to access it, I had to get creative... So see that little framed painting just above the fireplace screen?


Here's a closer look so you don't have to squint so much... Well, this is the ugly little secret hidden behind that miniature masterpiece:


{{{shudder}}}....

And finally, the kitchen... When I painted my dark "fake wood" 1980's cabinets a creamy white, I thought it would be nice for one cabinet to have glass or Plexi inserts... I mean, heck, I could keep at least one cabinet neat and tidy, right?... So when we took off all the cabinet doors for painting, I gave hubby the two I wanted 'altered'...

....Well, after hubby cut out the center panels, I realized that this was the cabinet that had the center shelf that looks like an old swayback horse! I suppose we could have gone out and bought another shelf, but I decided to give the kitchen a little "cottage" influence instead...


... so "old swayback" is now hidden behind two fabric panels... Mission accomplished!

I have lots of other concealed 'flaws' but I'll save them for a later post as I've already rambled on too long! Melissa has a link to all the bloggers who have posted their own "creative concealments" so be sure to visit her blog and check them all out!!! There are some great ones!

Donna

19 comments:

Life on the Edge said...

Very clever! Everything looks like it was supposed to be that way from the beginning.

Kady

Joanne Kennedy said...

Well, well my dear! You sure are the master of hiding things! Looking at your beautiful home one would never know such secretes are all around you. LOL

Great job!

Hugs,
Joanne

pedalpower said...

Very creative! We all have things like that to hide I believe!

Connie said...

Verrrry creative, my enchanted chick!! The flue know was a stroke of genius! Whooooa. Love it all,
Smoochies,
Connie

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Love your creative concealments! I will have to think awhile about what I've concealed, but I'm sure I will remember several! Thanks for sharing!

joyh82 said...

What a great idea. Love the fabric panel inserts you used.

driftwood shack said...

Hi Donna, i wish you could pop round and help my cover our acres of terrible seventies carpets I got brown swirls or red , green and gold floral, or theirs always old yellow- I have to tolerate them though because we rent and everything else is just perfect!

Anonymous said...

Ah, very clever creative one....LOL!!! I especially love the fabric in the doors.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Free Art Printables said...

I wanted to stop by and say hi, and thanks for stopping by my blog!I love your concealments! Thay are so clever! I love how you placed that little picture "just-so" and covered the fuse box! Brilliant!Great job!I'm off to peek around at your blog! Jen R

{oc cottage} said...

I always wondered what they story was behind that little picture above your fireplace!!!!

M ^..^

Unknown said...

Lots of great ideas! Thanks!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Oh Donna I have laughed so hard! Thank you I needed that!! You are so clever at the art of disguise that if I have a problem come up you're the 1st person I'm contacting. We all have those little "spots" that are eye soars, mine used to be a big fat ugly wall telephone mount in a completely WRONG place in our kitchen. I used to cover it with a big Blue Delft plate. When we finally re wallpapered Wes took it out and patched the wall, Thank God!
GREAT post!!
Hugs, Sherry

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Donna, you are so creative! I especially love the kitchen cabinet curtains! I think it looks even better than the original plan. I have an old 1920's house -- want to come over and help me disguise flaws? Lots of work to be done here :-)

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

I love your creativity !! I just have to go read all of the blogs with their ideas ~
Isn't it funny how we all do stuff like that !
xoxo,
Lori

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Now that's what I'M TALKIN' ABOUT GIRL! Love your concealments. You are a master concealer. Great post, I'm so glad you shared your ideas, these are fantastic! Thanks for being a part of the fun!

Happy day!

Unknown said...

You have some lovely ideas for concealing what would in other eyes be an eyesore! Great job! And best of all...no one knows but you!
Blessings...Lorena

Rhondi said...

Great concelaing ideas Donna.

Teresa said...

all great ideas- Love the use of the beautiful earring-
Thanks for sharing-

Susan at Charm of the Carolines said...

Love the fabric panels. Also love the dishes. Ok, I love cottages.

Wanted to let you know I discovered Joanne's "A Better Me" challenge a year too late, so I'm starting my own. You are welcome to join us if you like.

Happy New Year!

Susan