Decorating Room

[Elizabeth Elindel]

Hi all! I'm wanting to decorate my room Tolkien style (I tend to like Rivendell, FYI) and I want some ideas!! Anyone have any??? I was thinking some fake ivy would be pretty...
Elizabeth

[Legolas]

You could join the elite Barrow-Downs members by making your closet door look like the Doors of Durin, the western gate of Moria.

[Daisy Brambleburr]

I drew out a picture of Durins doors! It took me ages, but it looks very cool. But that's not really very Rivendelly. I suggest makking everything light and airy, I'd get some very long and flowing drapes for the windows perhaps, and some nice bed sheets like the ones Frodo had smilies/smile.gif Fake ivy would look really nice. In Rivendell they have lots of swirly and natrual architecture, but I'm not much of an expert. Art on the walls is always good. I've got some John Howe posters up at the moment.
Hope that helped a little! I'd be intrigued to hear any one elses ideas.

[Meela]

Voile in the windows, a canopy and drapes over the bed, a thin wicker chair might be nice by the window... some gold or silver borders around the walls, such as elvish patterns and swirly designs.
Ivy is a nice idea, as well.
Quite white, light, airy, nautural colours, lots of drapes, pale cushions, little swirly lampstands, perhaps some crystals hanging from the ceiling or in the window (I have these all over my room, and they catch the light and I get rainbows and light patterns dancing on my walls. Very pretty!)

Oh, and if it wasn't so expensive, it would be great to put a couple of small pillars or columbs in the window, either side. Sort of Greek, only more elvish...

[ November 06, 2003: Message edited by: Meela ]

[Arwen1858]

Elizabeth, I've been trying to do this lately, too! On top of my dresser, I put a dark green journal that looks very Elvish, then got some fall colored leaves and scattered then around the journal, to bring the nature in, as nature seems to be such a part of the elves. I also want to get some plants to put in various places around the room. For the window, I want to make some curtains with some sheer drapy material and hang it over the top of the window and leave it hanging down the sides, like is shown in a picture of Arwen and Elrond in Rivendell. I'm also trying to use the deep, rich colors that seem to go along with the elves. Deep red is what I'm using the most. I absolutely love the elves, and want my room to look elvish, and like it's a part of Rivendell smilies/smile.gif If I come up with any more ideas, I'll let you know.
Arwen

[Sleeping Beauty]

Wow, Meela next time I need an interior decorator, I know who I'm calling. smilies/smile.gif
But use your windows wisely. Natural light is a wonderful thing. So is the pleasant breeze if you can open them. Ah nature... Candles are also very nice too, for the evening air, like the warm fuzzy feel you get when you read the scene with Bilbo's song in the Fellowship. A nice fireplace would work, but that's going a bit too far.... smilies/wink.gif

[Elizabeth Elindel]

hahaha... I can just see me asking dad for a fireplace in my room. He'd raise his eyebrows just a little, and say "Why?" and I'd timidly say "beacuse I want to decorate my room like Rivendell." He'd look like "you're joking, right? And if you're not (heaven forbid!!) then..." smilies/eek.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Olorin_TLA]

A charred Book of Mazarbul (the book in Moria) adds life (or the end of it) and character(s) to anyone's room/novel. smilies/smile.gif

[Arwen1858]

beacuse I want to decorate my room like Rivendell." He'd look like "you're joking, right? And if you're not (heaven forbid!!) then..."
I can see that being my parents reaction if I said I wanted my room to look like Rivendell, too smilies/biggrin.gif They'd definitely think I'd gone off the deep end!!

[Sleeping Beauty]

Yeah, I could see my mom reacting to that. "You are painting the forest on your walls so it will look like....Middle Earth? What are they teaching you at college?" smilies/biggrin.gif

[Gorwingel]

Here are some images that may help you much...
TheOneRing.net Scrapbook (http://www.theonering.net/scrapbook/range?q=Decorating&g=1&s=1)
These are images from a Swedish design magazine about decorating your house in the style of the elves.

I agree with everyone else. For a Rivendell style of room use a lot of flowing fabrics, muted light, candles, light colored woods. From the movie it looked like they used a combination of whitewashed furnature and light wooded furnature. Everything should look muted, and relaxing.

[Arwen1858]

oh, and here's a great link: Last Homely House (http://councilofelrond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Crafts&file=index) This has articles with a lot of good ideas. Not just on decorating, either. I would highly recommend it!!
Arwen

[Daisy Brambleburr]

How about some Middle Earth maps? I think you can get some nice ones from tolkientown.com , but if you're artistic you could do it yourself. Get some parchment from an art shop (they sell it in Paperchase) some ink and an ink pen, and copy from the back of one of the books. And I know what else would look good! You could get these wrought iron (is that the right word? sort of black metal, anyway) candle holders and put some big church candles in. We've got a really big candle holder like that and it is very Rivendell like. And I know in Elrond's library he has loads of old books, you know the sort. Having some of those on display on a shelf would look good.

I've got a crystal hanging from my window. It makes some very cool rainbows when the sun shines.

smilies/smile.gif Lots of ideas spewing out from my brain today! Hope they weren't daft!

[Finwe]

I just had a decorating spree in my room with a can of gold spray paint, and now I've got a very Elven hanging candle-holder. All you have to do, is find a candle-holder (color won't matter since you'll be painting it) that looks Elvish (i.e. flowing stems, vines, leaves, etc.) and spray-paint it completely silver or completely gold. It looks great. Since my entire room is painted in a pale yellow color, and all the wood furniture in my room is a warm, sort of golden brown color, I spray-painted a hanging candle-holder gold and hung it on my door. I also semi-gilded a wood basket that's supposed to hold books, and now it looks very graceful and Elven.

[Ophelia]

Wow , what nice ideeas you`ve got there smilies/wink.gif ! I like the idea of colouring thigs silver and gold ! *runs off looking for something to re-colour
OK ok ! Now I can say some ideas . About those plants . A good choice is Chlorophytum comosum . I have a big one in my rom and I have placed it on a shelf . It`s leaves are hanging down like waterfalls and those white little flowers ... Another good choice is my personal faves - Saxifraga stolonifera . (Another idea) put on a re-coloured or black metal ME-style curtain hanger and put these Saxifragas on the ends of hangers . It would look really Rivendell . And let`s not forget Gardenias . Those who are tree like . I wish I would have enough place for one . More good ideas that look Rivendell-ish : Rosa chinensis , Spathiphyllum , Stephanotis floribunda , Senecio rowleyanus and the prettyest one - Moth orchid or Phalaenopsis . My window looks like a garden only I don`t have all the plants I named . Too bad . And a another thing - I saw a really nice little green lantern with a leafe motive . I think it would look good wiyh a candle in it . And to make it more Rivendell release some fireflys in your back yard smilies/biggrin.gif . Well I hope I helped a bit at the least . smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/tongue.gif

-OpHeLiA-

[Calencoire]

I don't beleive anyone has suggested this, but in the Extended Edition DVDs of both FoTR and TTT, they have still galleries of all the locations and rooms of Middle Earth on disc three. Since you seem to favor Rivendell, pop the disc in and go through the Rivendell gallery. They have clear pics from many different angles from everything to the walls, furniture, and accessories. Very beautiful.

Good luck!

[Finwe]

Another good idea for a Rivendell-ish room is get Indian scarves with rust/gold motifs, and hang them all over your room. It doesn't matter where. You can drape them over the back of chairs, put them on shelves, put them on curtain rods and use them as curtains, etc. They're really quite versatile, and some look especially beautiful.

Some decorating schemes:

Rooms painted warm colors (tones and shades of red, yellow, orange): rust/bronze/gold/red scarves

Rooms painted cool colors (tones and shades of blue, green, and purple): blue/green/purple/silver scarves.

I'm going to put up a few warm-colored scarves in my room to make it look more Elvish. Of course, all the posters that I have up kind of defeat the purpose, but that's all right.

[Lady Snickerdoodle]

A charred Book of Mazarbul (the book in Moria) adds life (or the end of it) hahaha!
Okay I have a big problem. I have just redecorated my room, painting the walls in an oceany theme with lotsa ethereal blues and greens and silver fishies and now I just got inspired to do a Middle Earthen theme and I don't know how to break it to my parents... they're probably gonna make me pay for it this time... Oh well. How do I incorporate lots of silver fish (and one crab in the corner) into a Middle Earth layout?

[ElenCala Isil]

ah, I would take that theme and inspire it from the valar, basing it as much as I could on Ulmo, Ossë and Uinen...I think Silver would do wonderful...and perhaps one of those fake white trees as your own Telperion would be splendid, then I'd probably have lots of maps, perhaps even redraw Tolkiens 'ship' style map in a bigger version on parchment. (that can be found in BoLT I, by the way. smilies/wink.gif )

[Meela]

I have just redecorated my room, painting the walls in an oceany theme with lotsa ethereal blues and greens and silver fishies

Dol Amroth! Gorgeous!
I might turn my room into Dol Amroth... at the moment it's somewhere in between Rivendell and Minas Tirith.

[Daisy Brambleburr]

Wow! The oceany room sound good. Sea-like, get some gulls in! My room is of no particular theme, some LotR posters here and there (a stunning one of the Argonath- I highly reccomend it) lots of books, cushions and chairs. I like to think that my room reflects my personality. But I'm very interested in other people's ME style rooms.

[Rindoien, elf of Lothlorien]

The CoE has some really good bedroom tips!!

Council of Elrond (http://www.councilofelrond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Crafts&file=index&listcrafts)

[Meela]

I was just in town, and I went on a major shopping spree for Xmas decorations. There are some really good things out this year, including some great golden leaves. I strung them up around my room, and it looks a lot more Elvish now. So it might be an idea if you're looking to re-create Rivendell to go out and see what decorations are on sale.

Anyone got any tips for a Gondorian room? Obviously the city isn't grey inside, right? Would they have tapestries? Statues along the corridors? Purple or red curtains?

[ 1:01 PM November 28, 2003: Message edited by: Meela ]

[Iris Alantiel]

can just see me asking dad for a fireplace in my room. He'd raise his eyebrows just a little, and say "Why?" and I'd timidly say "beacuse I want to decorate my room like Rivendell." He'd look like "you're joking, right? And if you're not (heaven forbid!!) then..."

I did this (well, something similar) to my mother. We're walking through Wal-Mart trying to buy everything I'll need for my new room, b/c I was just preparing to move out of my university residence and into a townhouse. She suggested a certain curtain rod to me, and I was like, "No, it's got to be this one, this is much more Elvish". I also had to have the Elvish curtains, Elvish shelving paper, and Elvish day bed. I tried to convince her to let me buy an Elvish desk lamp, but we couldn't find one, and I think she was going to kill me if she heard the words 'Elvish' or 'Rivendell' one more time.

I wonder why she worries about me . . . smilies/wink.gif

[Gorwingel]

hahaha... I can just see me asking dad for a fireplace in my room.

Gosh, that is not weird; I have always wanted a fireplace in my room. Actually one time I was thinking of building a treehouse, and I was trying to figure out how I could stick a fireplace up there.

Right now I really don't want to decorate my room in a Middle Earth style. But I already have plans for in the future to do at least one room in the style of it. I really want to do a room in the style of Bag End. With fireplace directly copied from it and everything. I would love for it to be a meeting room, and also a place where I could display all my LOTR memorabilia. One of the careers I am considering going into in the future is interior design or architecture (architecture most likely, because the school that I most want to get into does not have and Interior design program), so this is just a natural progression for me.

[Sleeping Beauty]

I really want to do a room in the style of Bag End. With fireplace directly copied from it and everything. I would love for it to be a meeting room, and also a place where I could display all my LOTR memorabilia.

Exactly, Gorwingel. That what I have in mind too when I get a place of my own.
A Tolkien room. smilies/redface.gif I particulary like the picture John Howe did of Bilbo's front hall.
John Howe's Bag End (http://www.torania.de/luthien/hobbit/howe-bagend.htm)
A perfect spot for a spot of tea and dreaming of elves. smilies/biggrin.gif

[lord_of_rohan2003]

You might be intersted in catching a show called Monster House.Once they redid this couples room up to resemble a Medevial castle.It gave me some good ideas when I move out within the next year/year and a half,I plan on making up my plase like the golden halls of Edoras.

[Catlyn21]

Wow, I decided to do my room like Lorien a couple of months ago....ironic that I just discovered this thread....but I painted my walls ivory and my trim a dark green, and I stained all my furniture a darker color. I have a white canopy bed, which I have gauzy green fabric hanging off of, and a dark green bedspread, along with a huge mirror that has metal leaves surrounding it, its really pretty.

When I told my mom about how I just HAD to make my room elvish, she just looked at me. And then said, in a rather exasperated voice, "okaaaaaaaaaaay then...." smilies/rolleyes.gif

Haha, anyway, this has given me some great ideas, so I thank all of you, and wish you all some great luck on yours!

My ideas: plants, long gauzy curtains and canopys, silver - lots of silver, candles, --basically everything you guys have already covered! Plus, I'll put all my LOTR posters up (all 5 of them...I'm not obsessed!), my calender, arrange all my action figures (They're not dolls, I swear!) on a shelf, etc.

Au revoir!
Catlyn

[Arcuwen]

I don't feel so insane now that I see how many other people decorate their rooms ME style smilies/biggrin.gif . I recently went from a flowery orange and yellow theme (about as far from LOTR is you can get) to something a lot more elvish. Rich fabrics, flowing and organic shapes, and nature-inspired furniture are some of the keys to making an elvish room. There was a bed that looked like it was made out of vines and branches that I could just die for, but unfortunately it was too large and expensive. But I'm going to get some supplies from the local craft store and make my own vines to twist around my bed frame. Bring the outdoors in by buying plants and maybe even going as far to paint a mural of the forest or and elvish backdrop of some sort (of course parents may question your mental health if you do that...). Don't use geometric shapes, stick to organic, flowing lines and check out some pictures of Rivendell to get some more ideas. Pillars might look neat, although they might be expensive and bulky.

[Thulorongil]

My room right now has a celestial/sky theme. It all branched off of a pillow, a mask, a bowl, and a couple other little things, but I've really added to it and made it more of what would be (how I think) the Elves would represent this theme with their love of the sky and Varda. It's not really purely a LotR theme, but it incorporates/I plan for it to incorporate a lot of the ideas already listed; candles, filmy draperies, etc. (Of course all just in a different color scheme) And of course other Middle Earthen things I do have, like attractive books, some Elven-ish smilies/biggrin.gif jewelry, and all my dragon, medieval, and of course LotR paraphernalia have made their way in, too. So I guess it's a couple different themes.

But if you can find a bedspread, bed, wall color, or any other major thing for a room that you like, you can use a lot of the main Elven of Middle Earthen themes and styles in whatever theme you have already.

[The Dark Elf]

just make a wallpaper of a forest and put the house of elrond in the back round somewhere

[Elladriar]

scattered a few orange, gold ad brown autumn leaves around the floor and on the window sill...

[Linaeve]

Why not try painting the walls of your room based off of scenery from the movie? That might look a little odd, but if you're an artist, it could work smilies/smile.gif

I'd just love to live in a replica of either Bag End or Rivendell . . .

[Finwe]

Put pots of fake ivy in random corners of the room. It always gives the room a rather Elvish-looking touch. Actually, any sort of fake trailing plants will do, since the real ones are rather messy and require watering.

[zb]

Thanks to this thread, I just cleaned & decorated my bookshelf.

It's a basic chip-board type setup, very ugly but practical.

I took all the books out (you never realise how many books you have until they're all over your floor) and painted the shelves with a dark-red-ish wash. It was just water colour paint diluted heaps - it took a few coats to get much colour, but hey, I was limited by what materials I had lying around. Then I put white ribbon with gold edges along the edges of the shelf, and stuck fake skeletal leaves (the type you get in scrapbooking stores) at various points, mostly to hide the edge of the ribbon. Then I put all my books back, in alphabetical order by subject (I'm that kind of pedant) with my Tolkien collection getting the top shelf.

It doesn't look specifically elvish, but it does have a faint whiff of elven air about it. It's nicer than chipboard, anyway.

Next project: my bed.

[Raefindel]

I'm renovating my house and although I don't even have walls right now, I have it all planned out in my mind. I do plan to paint the walls in elven style like Linaeve suggested.

I'm planning to paint Elven-style arches on the wall over my bed- something like the Doors of Durin, but no hammer and anvil.

And since the Arwen banner is sold out I'm either going to paint it on a wall or see if I can embroider it myself.
Alatáriël Lossëhelin Put a link to the banners on "The Collection Grows" thread.

Calencoire I'm glad you mentioned the Extended Edition DVD. It took me till this week just to watch the movie (I got it for Christmas) and I don't think I would ever have bothered with the third disc if you hadn't mentioned it. I've been pulling up pictures off the internet.

It should take months to finish, but I'm hoping to be back in my house by fall. I'll post pictures then.

[Elennar Starfire]

Here's what I'm going to do:

I'm going to get three slightly different shades of green paint. Then I'm going to paint a background with the middle shade. I'm going to get a leaf-stamp, and put leaves randomly on my walls with the other two shades. I'm getting green curtains, of light fabric, so the light can shine through. I might write tengwar on my ceiling, and probably will around the door: Namarie. Nai elye hiruvalye Valimar. (Hope I got that right, I don't have the book handy)

[Raefindel]

Sounds beautiful. Be sure to blend the two leaf stamp shades of paint to give a marbeled look. It makes them look less stamp-like. Also, silver or gold veining on each leaf would give it an Elven look.

Leaves are actually very easy to paint by hand (unless it's a maple- then I would use a stamp). If you are unable to find stamps like you want use REAL leaves (and ferns too, they add variety).

[Hot, crispy nice hobbit]

Great ideas! But I prefer to decorate my back door with spider webs and bones...

[Meela]

I recently began re-decorating my room. I'm working on a mixture of Minas Tirith and Dol Amroth.
I've got pale green/blue, with a hint of lilac and cream splashed about. I'm currently in love with fake flowers, so I've got a lot of vases of cream and white flowers in my window. I've got some pale pine furniture, some in an old style, and a pale, floaty voile in my windows.
I've added a few shells to the plant pots, a few pieces of rock from the beach to use as placemats and things like that. I've hung a lot of crystals in the window, and I've draped pale shawls across the chairs and bed.

The rest of the house is more in the style of Minas Tirith. I'm trying to turn my room into a haven that would suit Finduilas. Any ideas to add to my current efforts?

[Sirithheruwen]

Wow Meela! Sounds beautiful!

I am currently redecorating a section of my basement for a little hangout for me, and I need ideas! Right now, it is just plain, grey, boring concrete, and it needs to be spiced up! Remember, I have to share the room with my sisters, even if I am doing all of the work, so it can't scream ELVES! or HOBBITS! or ROHIRRIM! I like your ideas, however, Elennar Starfire. Not bad ideas at all!

Right now, my room is about as non-LOTRish as you can go, although it reflects nicely on my personality. The walls are split in half. The top half is bright (but not hot) pink, and the bottom half is a vibrant orange. I have Hawaii-style flowery bedding, and all of my furniture is painted in my accent color, white. I like it a lot, and I wouldn't change a thing! :D

[mark12_30]

The easiest thing I can think of that would remind *you* of Middle-Earth without overwhelming your siblings, would be to think the way elves think, and make the room as *natural* as possible. Think of (subtly) turning it into a forest, or a garden. Soft greens, quiet browns, sky-blues up high.

Add some good-sized plants if you can (does it have any windows, enough light for plants? A few potted flowers would be lovely.) Add an indoor fountain if you can.

Your sibs should probably be able to deal with a fwe elvish artifacts, and for you that should complete the effect.

If you have any instruments that could pass as elvish, they'll help--you can always play them ;)

You could also add some Celtic- or Indian-print sarongs.

[Raefindel]

I'm still renovating my Flet and I found a really cool ELVEN BATHTUB! Look at this, guys!

.http://www.maax.com/Upload/pics/maaxcollection/products/med/000_moonlight_med.jpg



But, you see, the problem is it is a paltry $6000! :eek: I thought I'd faint when I heard that! And the corker is, for that $6000 you have no choice of color! :mad:

Still trying to make an elven house, dispite the lack of Elven bathtub.

[Sirithheruwen]

The easiest thing I can think of that would remind *you* of Middle-Earth without overwhelming your siblings, would be to think the way elves think, and make the room as *natural* as possible. Think of (subtly) turning it into a forest, or a garden. Soft greens, quiet browns, sky-blues up high.

Add some good-sized plants if you can (does it have any windows, enough light for plants? A few potted flowers would be lovely.) Add an indoor fountain if you can.

Your sibs should probably be able to deal with a fwe elvish artifacts, and for you that should complete the effect.

If you have any instruments that could pass as elvish, they'll help--you can always play them ;)

You could also add some Celtic- or Indian-print sarongs.

Plants...hmmm...not enough light, but some fake ones might be nice...
My sibs WOULD NOT be able to deal with any elvish artifacts, however subtle.
Instruments...hmmm...now there's a thought! :)
Sarongs...nice touch! Thanks for your help mark 12_30!

And lovely bath Raefindel! $6000? No prob! ;)!

[Lhundulinwen]

And I thought I was the only one redecorating like that....
Well right now, all I have money for is posters, etc. from LOTR. All I can find are a few movie posters, but none of the old-timey (is that the word for it now?) posters that were only available online pre-movie craze. Any idea where to find them? And one particular movie poster I WANT (badly): Sam carrying Frodo up Mt. Doom.

Only advice I can give for redecorating is don't be afraid of rich-er colors. Greens, rich reds, and deep golds are all good colors to begin with, as long as they're in small doses. (Think pillows, throws, rugs, etc.) I'd go with a soft brown if you can paint the walls. Oh, and borders can look really cool without being too hard to put up. Visit the discount wallpaper stores. And stores like Lowe's can give you a good deal if you want custom looking handles. (They even have leaf shaped drawer handles!)

Oh my gosh, Raefindel, when I sell my best selling novel (yeah, rrrriiiggghhhttt) I will so buy that tub. Its gorgeous!

[mark12_30]

C'mon, Rae, where's that famous motto of yours?

"Oh, that would be easy to make. That part there, you could make it with stuff you get at the store down the street... You could make the whole thing for a tenth of the cost!"

:D ;)

[Raefindel]

actually, as it turns out, the price the lady quoted on the tub was regular retail. I gave her my contractor's name and viola it was less than half the price! I know it's still a lot, but it's what I want and I'm gonna buy it! Better to get what you want the first time that to regret it forever.

I'll have walls soon! Than I can paint! Can't wait! :D

[Gorwingel]

And one particular movie poster I WANT (badly): Sam carrying Frodo up Mt. Doom.
Have you ever been to the official LOTR store on the official website www.lordoftherings.net?
That is where all the official posters (the ones that you see in the movie theaters) are sold, and that is where I have bought all of mine (I own 8!). The only problem is since they are official, they are a little bigger than the ones that you would see at the mall, and so it's very hard to find ready-made frames for them. I know that they have the one that you want available there.

Oh Rae, you should get that bathtub! It's so beautiful and so untub like. I could see it in a very Rivendell like setting, with a lot of plants, and my absolute favorite Rivendell accent: Lanterns :cool:

[Raefindel]

Gorwingel, I'm gonna order the tub Monday. It'll take 6 weeks to arrive . Hopefully the house will be in a state to recieve it by then. After that I'm never getting out of it! You can bury me in it!

[Lhundulinwen]

Thanks, Gorwingel! I knew I had seen it on the internet, but I was begining to think it wasn't an official poster because I couldn't find it again. You were right, it was at lordoftherings.net. I'll have to find a friend with a credit card I can use, lol. Congrats, Raefindel! Glad your getting the tub of your dreams. :)

[Meela]

That is one beautiful bathtub! I'd better start saving if I want it in my house.

I'm well on the way to having a beautiful room. I've got more crystals, more shells... and that's about it... there isn't much more I can do to my room. It's very much Dol Amroth.

I want to re-decorate one of the downstairs rooms in the style of Rohan. It's already crammed full of dark wood furniture and elaborate wooden carvings and such.
Actually, I'm not too sure as to what colours a Rohirric room would be. I know they live in a wooden house an' all, but I can't really get that style just yet. So what paint am I looking at? And any general style tips?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Meela, the Rhovanion banner is a white horse on a green field, so I can imagine green/white would be a typical colour scheme. I haven't seen the movie in awhile, so I'm not sure what colours it uses in the Golden Hall (besides gold, of course! ), but if I had to improvise, I'd go for dark, rich primary colours - blues and reds, beside the gold.

[Isowen]

there was something on TV about this......they had a mirror of Galadriel basin thingy in their bathroom, a kind of rivendell- looking archway over a bed, and various fake plants on the walls, which were painted with a marbley effect

[Orominuialwen]

That bathtub is so pretty, Raefindel! I bet it looks wonderful in your house.

I found this beautiful Elvish lamp in the store. It has a swirly off-white fabric shade that hangs down from a black metal stand. It comes in two sizes, tall enough to put on a table, and tall enough to stand on the floor. The problem is that I want the floor one, but it's $50, and I'm too cheap to spend that much money. :( Maybe I'll ask for it for my birthday...

[Raefindel]

Did you get the lamp for your birthday, Orominuialwen? I've found quite a few Elven lamps myself.

This removation is taking over my life. I need that crew of Dwarves Birdland told us of once.I was supposed to be in the house in June and now I'm hoping and praying We'll make it by December. But I promise I'll show pictures when it's finished.

The bathtub is sitting in a huge box trying not to get sawdust in it...

Boo hoo! Rae wants to take a bath! :(

[Orominuialwen]

No, I didn't. :( My family got to go to Chicago to see the LotR symphony instead, so I decided that the lamp could wait until a later holiday. I keep seeing it every time I go that store, so at least it's still there!

[mark12_30]

Resurrecting an old Raefindel thread! I keep thinking about decorating my house in an elvish manner. THinking is cheap. I haven't gone and done it. But YOU SHOULD SEE RAE'S HOUSE! Welcome to Rivendell!! I LOVE IT.

[Raefindel]

I'll post some pics soon.

Maybe we can do some MI decorating at your house if I get there. At this point I'm snowed in, so I'll have to wait a few days before I start walking.

[mark12_30]

OK, so...

Maybe I'll start with a few (two) nice Ficus trees. Garlands?

Paintings of vines and leaves and/or trees? Stencils? Stamps?

I loved your idea of using real leaves for the stamps. For a couple of reasons: One, that would make it so much more life like if I did paint a tree-mural on my wall (been wanting to do that for a while.) Two: You could use five or six different sized leaves, and THAT would make it so much more lifelike.

It's tempting to run out, pick some leaves and try it now. The Problem: It's December... Sigh.

Tendrils... yours are cast iron, and I love them, but I don't have a budget for cast iron... I think maybe I should make a stencil for my tree. Remember the tree that you drew on the mug you made for me? I've been drawing trees like that for years. Trees in bud.

[mark12_30]

Voile in the windows, a canopy and drapes over the bed, a thin wicker chair might be nice by the window... some gold or silver borders around the walls, such as elvish patterns and swirly designs.
Ivy is a nice idea, as well.
Quite white, light, airy, nautural colours, lots of drapes, pale cushions, little swirly lampstands, perhaps some crystals hanging from the ceiling or in the window (I have these all over my room, and they catch the light and I get rainbows and light patterns dancing on my walls. Very pretty!)

Oh, and if it wasn't so expensive, it would be great to put a couple of small pillars or columbs in the window, either side. Sort of Greek, only more elvish...

[ November 06, 2003: Message edited by: Meela ]

...Meela, if you're still around this was brilliant stuff... I won't do the capnopy over the bed, but moonlit/starlit stuff, and sparkles to catch the sunlight... oooooo. Love the sparkles. I can pick up some of those, surely...

EDIT

All right, since it's Christmastime, I dug up some old garland. Green, or green and white. So Five peices of garland are draped around my living room: three over painting frames, and two hanging off of (tree-shaped) sconces. (Why I didn't buy two more of those tree-shaped sconces, I don't know. ) I also picked up three holly sprigs and stuck those coming out of the top of the paintings.

It's a big improvement. I'm wondering if I can get away with a few green sarongs as drapery... Hmmm.

Need sparkle chrystals for the windows. Where can I get those in volume?

[Raefindel]

You can DEFINATELY get away with sarongs as drapes. That makes it simple.

Sparkley crystals in volume is harder. The're expensive everywhere I've ever seen them, but it gives an elf gift ideas.

[mark12_30]

It's tempting to run out, pick some leaves and try it now. The Problem: It's December... Sigh.

On the other hand... I have several garlands. Ivy, and standard oval leaves.

And there's the ficus tree....

[Lalwendë]

I bought a box of 'raindrop' Christmas decorations from John Lewis a couple of years ago - they weren't expensive at all, and look like little crystals hanging from the tree and twinkle nicely in the light, despite being made of acrylic or plastic or something like that. My mum loves them. Might be worth checking out some Christmas decoration ranges if you want crystals but cheaply.

[mark12_30]

Hmmmm-- good idea! Thanks.

THe scary thing about improving the bedroom is that first Ihave to CLEAN it. No wonder elves live in flets-- one good wind, and it's done.

[mark12_30]

THis shouldn't have taken me so very much by surprise but it hit me that since (as a mom) I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I should make that a place where I am happy. Elvish. Sparkly, viny, leafy.... tendrils, stars, silver lamps? Ideas? Has anybody decorated their kitchen in a middle-earth manner, and what did you do?

I would, once, have decorated as if it was Bag-End. But I think now I am looking for the kitchen in Lorien, or perhaps the kitchens in Mithlond...

What would an elvish kitchen LOOK like?

[mark12_30]

Second question. The basement, around the woodstove.

And over by the laundry, too. Now I realize elves don't have (or need?) washing machines. But they do, some of them, live underground. How do I take a normal basement-- with rafters, a cement floor, and lolly columns, and a single casement window ( the other is in Gary's workshop) and turn it into something less mannish and more elvish...? I'd start with a rug but that's where the wood comes in for the woodstove, so rugs are sort of out.

[Andsigil]

Some might enjoy some of the pictures here. They're hobbitish in flavor. Quite inspiring.

http://www.bendshire.com/

http://www.alongexpectedparty.org/desktop%20page.htm

[Raefindel]

Ooh! Love those sites!

Helen, I don't know if you remember, but I took you to a little shop in Poulsbo that had a concrete floor; they'd painted it a pale, sandy color (they had a seaside motif) and painted shells on. Yep! They painted the concrete floor and it was beautiful.

[Bêthberry]

THis shouldn't have taken me so very much by surprise but it hit me that since (as a mom) I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I should make that a place where I am happy. Elvish. Sparkly, viny, leafy.... tendrils, stars, silver lamps? Ideas? Has anybody decorated their kitchen in a middle-earth manner, and what did you do?

I would, once, have decorated as if it was Bag-End. But I think now I am looking for the kitchen in Lorien, or perhaps the kitchens in Mithlond...

What would an elvish kitchen LOOK like?


Wouldn't there be several elven styles of kitchen? Assuming that they eat more than just lembas, of course. The flets of Lothlorien don't lend themselves to large ovens, so I would think of something that would include small portable stoves, or even bbqs at the base of the trees and earthen ovens on the ground. Rivendell would be less "en air" as it were and possibly would have large formal kitchens where vegetables would be cleaned and a wall for hanging herbs to dry. But where to place the slaughtering house for chickens, rabbits, other fowls, and larger animals--unless elves are vegetarians. Mirkwood I think would have heavy beamed kitchens, maybe even smokey and dark, real old fairy tale kitchens. And would they have an ice room, lacking modern electrical refrigeration or would there be some elven high art for that? But honestly, I cannot imagine a sort of upstairs/downstairs arrangement for any elven home.

And as for basement, well, one could lay stone on top of cement if one didn't want to go Raefindel's delicate route of painting. But as for

something less mannish and more elvish

I can't help but think of Gilgalad and the long line of elven warriors and wondering what their homes were like. Or did they live in tents like many an army does? Then their laundry facility would be outdoor clothes lines, no?

Just a few thoughts. :)

[Lalwendë]

THis shouldn't have taken me so very much by surprise but it hit me that since (as a mom) I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I should make that a place where I am happy. Elvish. Sparkly, viny, leafy.... tendrils, stars, silver lamps? Ideas? Has anybody decorated their kitchen in a middle-earth manner, and what did you do?

I would, once, have decorated as if it was Bag-End. But I think now I am looking for the kitchen in Lorien, or perhaps the kitchens in Mithlond...

What would an elvish kitchen LOOK like?

Hey, do you remember the cottage in Devon for sale with murals of Goblins and Fairies and Elves all over the kitchen walls by Alan Lee, Brian Froud and Charles Vess?

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=13296&highlight=alan

I checked the link on there and you can still see the pics. :cool:

[mark12_30]

Bethberry, many interesting ideas.

I think perhaps the first step is (sigh!) to clean it all. The Laundry, that is, and the woodstove 'room'. A few local rugs would be good (that's where the dead rugs end up, of course. So it's another step, finding a not-dead rug. Wish I could put an area rug down there but... really in a laundry, with two boys-- not a good idea. )

THen I think Rae's idea of painting is the next step-- Laundry and woodstove room. The grey cement walls need to be less blackish; I'm not sure if I should go all the way to white; white will show the smoke. Cream will always look dirty around a woodstove. Hmm. Woodstove... brick would be the obvious choice; guess a woodstove is more hobbitish than elvish.


The awkward thing is of course all the appliances... well appliance & water filtration is in the woodstove room; furnace is in the laundry room. How do you disguise a furnace...? Of course one can't, really. Wishful thinking. I must decorate around it or in spite of it. THe freezer...? I guess I could put a poster of trees on it...

[Raefindel]

You said my house was very elven, yet I made no attempt to hide the modern conveniences.

Just bring in what style you can and it will work.

[Beregond]

This may be a bit "out there" but you mentioned "lolly columns" which I assume are some form of metal support - what about carving a painting styrofoam (the dense kind) and sticking it over the pipe to form an elven carved column (the movies may provide good reference for elvish columnar design). Of course it will make the upright bigger, more susceptible to bumping, which would be bad for the styrofoam. Hence way "out there."

I also found this Yahoo Q, which includes a link that may be helpful: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080901122128AAFWBsc

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Here's an idea to pep up appliances - how about leaf decals? They could look like vines, bushes, or just a few fallen leaves, depending on how thickly you strew them, thereby tying in the modern necessities with decorated surroundings. A few on top, down the fronts and sides...

[Morthoron]

OK, so...

Maybe I'll start with a few (two) nice Ficus trees. Garlands?

Paintings of vines and leaves and/or trees? Stencils? Stamps?

I loved your idea of using real leaves for the stamps. For a couple of reasons: One, that would make it so much more life like if I did paint a tree-mural on my wall (been wanting to do that for a while.) Two: You could use five or six different sized leaves, and THAT would make it so much more lifelike.

It's tempting to run out, pick some leaves and try it now. The Problem: It's December... Sigh.

Tendrils... yours are cast iron, and I love them, but I don't have a budget for cast iron... I think maybe I should make a stencil for my tree. Remember the tree that you drew on the mug you made for me? I've been drawing trees like that for years. Trees in bud.

Have you ever seen a corkscrew willlow tree? I used to have a fine specimen in the yard of a farmhouse I once owned. They are absolutely amazing, because, unlike their weeping willow cousins, their branches go straight up and are convoluted and gnarled and spiraling. I made a few staffs and canes out of the branches. Here's some examples of the tree:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/360202238_c68c8e6fbe.jpg?v=0

http://www.denverplants.com/floral/images/cf0095a.jpg

http://www.dagardenguy.com/page1/files/page0_blog_entry1_1.png

http://www.landscapeproblemsolver.com/images/corkscrew_willow.jpg

It would be very interesting in a design motif.

[mark12_30]

Here's an idea to pep up appliances - how about leaf decals? They could look like vines, bushes, or just a few fallen leaves, depending on how thickly you strew them, thereby tying in the modern necessities with decorated surroundings. A few on top, down the fronts and sides...

NIce. And here's a funny-- I already have leaf decals on my computer (at work!) And I got them at the dollar store. Definitely not standard issue... Yes, this takes remembering. The decals are usually right next to the stencils, so this should be easy to do.

[mark12_30]

Have you ever seen a corkscrew willlow tree? I used to have a fine specimen in the yard of a farmhouse I once owned. They are absolutely amazing, because, unlike their weeping willow cousins, their branches go straight up and are convoluted and gnarled and spiraling. I made a few staffs and canes out of the branches. .

Are these the "Harry Lauder's Walking Stick"? I've seen a few, in real life. Fascinating specimens. Celtic knot-trees! Hmmm, I hadn't been planning on a lot of celtic knot-work, but that may be a serious omission. I must re-think that one. Thanks, Morthoron, that's a good idea!

[mark12_30]

This may be a bit "out there" but you mentioned "lolly columns" which I assume are some form of metal support - what about carving a painting styrofoam (the dense kind) and sticking it over the pipe to form an elven carved column...


Hmmm, nice thought, Beregond. I will keep that in mind! I do have a forest theme brewing, and it makes sense to also have a few trees in the basement. Four, in fact.

[Morthoron]

Are these the "Harry Lauder's Walking Stick"? I've seen a few, in real life. Fascinating specimens. Celtic knot-trees! Hmmm, I hadn't been planning on a lot of celtic knot-work, but that may be a serious omission. I must re-think that one. Thanks, Morthoron, that's a good idea!

'Harry Lauder Walking Sticks' are actually 'Corkscrew Hazels' or 'Contorted Filberts' (what a great name for a band!). It is a shrub, but the effect of the spiraling branches are the same as the corkscrew willow.

[Beregond]

Hoom, hmmm, while I'm still "out there" you could, in fact, use real tree trunks. Either somehow split and hollowed out to be put back together around the column, or have branches wrapped around, or something. Wood is better than metal anyhow. :)

[mark12_30]

You said my house was very elven, yet I made no attempt to hide the modern conveniences.

Just bring in what style you can and it will work.


Okay. I will try to remember that! Since your laundry is tucked under your stairs, it's less of an issue, I guess. My laundry is a rather large space, which I would like to make more enjoyable. But you are right. I have to work around what is there, to some degree.


Turning the lolly columns into trees is getting more interesting; because then, the clotheslines could go between the trees. Kind of funny.

I think I want the woodstove area to be like a cave or maybe a foundry or maybe a sort of stone dell. I could transition from the laundry forest into the woodstove cave... The well equipment could either stay there, looking out of place, or I could put up a light cover (plywood) around them that is removable to get at the well equipment, and paint that too.

[Raefindel]

That's not a bad idea, Beregond. I've done something similar to the beams in my ceiling. They would have been too difficult to refinish so we bought new wood and wraped it around them.

[Morthoron]

I think I want the woodstove area to be like a cave or maybe a foundry or maybe a sort of stone dell. I could transition from the laundry forest into the woodstove cave... The well equipment could either stay there, looking out of place, or I could put up a light cover (plywood) around them that is removable to get at the well equipment, and paint that too.

Be ecologically responsible (in imitation of our elf friends!). For your cave, they now have cast concrete that exactly mimics stone (in fact, the concrete is poured in molds made from real stone):

http://www.themoldstore.com/

It's much cheaper than real stone and concrete can be recycled.

Also, consider recycled log products rehabbed from demolished old barns and buildings. You'll get the ancient look without cutting down more forests:

http://www.vintagelog.com/lumber.htm

Check out vintaglog.com's section on fireplace mantels and chimneys for some really neat rehabbed stone products as well -- including an actual iron foundry!

[mark12_30]

Trust me, this has to be low-budget! Stones will be painted, not pointed... I will only be able to do wood-over-lolly if I can find a way to do it very VERY cheaply. Otherwise I will choose between painting on grey bark or brown bark, and then figuring out how to smooth the shape into the ceiling beams (which will then become branches, I think/hope.). Since I love beech trees, and they are very smooth and slender, I may go with beech, hence grey, and that will thematically roll into grey stones rather nicely as well.

I will be making (or buying?) a beech leaf stencil or stamp. I'm thinking of making a beech branch stencil (or three). THe beech tree could be the major unifying theme (at least one beech per room?)

[mark12_30]

http://www.vintagelog.com/lumber.htm

Check out vintaglog.com's section on fireplace mantels and chimneys for some really neat rehabbed stone products as well -- including an actual iron foundry!


Oh, the foundry looks stunning. And that shows me the best way to paint the stones-- stacked flatstone. (Very Rhode Island, actually-- my instinct, being from Mass/ME, is fieldstone, which is MUCH harder to paint-- but the stacked flatstone is a cinch to paint, and everyone from Rhode Island will instantly recognize it-- Yay!)

Thanks, Morthoron!

[Andsigil]

Be ecologically responsible (in imitation of our elf friends!).

Morth,

You might like this website. I'm not sure about the structural integrity of the framework, but it's still quite informative.

http://www.simondale.net/house/

You are looking at pictures of a house I built for our family in Wales. It was built by myself and my father in law with help from passers by and visiting friends. 4 months after starting we were moved in and cosy. I estimate 1000-1500 man hours and £3000 put in to this point. Not really so much in house buying terms (roughly £60/sq m excluding labour).

The house was built with maximum regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives us a unique opportunity to live close to nature. Being your own (have a go) architect is a lot of fun and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the land rather than, at worst, a mass produced box designed for maximum profit and convenience of the construction industry. Building from natural materials does away with producers profits and the cocktail of carcinogenic poisons that fill most modern buildings.

http://www.simondale.net/house/images2/front.jpg

http://www.simondale.net/house/images2/wide.jpg

http://www.simondale.net/house/images2/candle.jpg

[Morthoron]

Morth,

You might like this website. I'm not sure about the structural integrity of the framework, but it's still quite informative.

Yes, that site has been around for quite a while. It is indeed an amazing structure; unfortunately, being a curmudgeonly old Hobbit accustomed to modern conveniences, I would not have it as a primary residence. But it would make a great place for camping in the summer, as my back can no longer withstand hard ground and sleeping bags for more than a day or two. I'd construct such an edifice up on the shores of Lake Superior or Lake Michigan and hang out there until the autumn winds chased me back south.

[Beregond]

I can't tell you how inspiring that house is, Andsigil. To make such an uber cool abode, and to do it so cheaply ($6000 USD? You can't buy a new car for that). Doesn't it make you want to go out, buy a section of forest or meadow, and erect a Hobbit House?

[Raefindel]

That type of structure is very cool and although it works in the UK, their downfall in the US is that they are NOT INSURABLE. In fact they probablly don't come close to meeting building code.

[Lalwendë]

That type of structure is very cool and although it works in the UK, their downfall in the US is that they are NOT INSURABLE. In fact they probablly don't come close to meeting building code.

Most wood framed buildings are unmortgageable in the UK - in fact pretty much the only homes you can easily get mortgages for are standard ones built with proper brick/stone on foundations (and you're lucky if you can get a mortgage on one of those these days :(...).

Building regulations are also extremely strict these days and councils can order yo to pull down all sorts of things - our attic room wouldn't be allowed these days for example, but thankfully cannot be removed as it's been there 120 years ;)

[Mithalwen]

However since the building cost was so low ...mortgage /insurance isn't really an issue - planning is a minefield - a weighted towards the mass developer... I'd be suprised if this had planning permission.

[Andsigil]

I can't tell you how inspiring that house is, Andsigil. To make such an uber cool abode, and to do it so cheaply ($6000 USD? You can't buy a new car for that). Doesn't it make you want to go out, buy a section of forest or meadow, and erect a Hobbit House?

That type of structure is very cool and although it works in the UK, their downfall in the US is that they are NOT INSURABLE. In fact they probablly don't come close to meeting building code.

Well, there are a lot ways to adapt to building codes and still live in an uber-cool house:

Earth Sheltered House (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865715211/ref=nosim?tag=hartworkscom-20&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0865715211&creative=373489&camp=211189)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XKVGTB7QL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

Other pictures here:
http://www.rogerdean.com/architecture/index.htm

[mark12_30]

Hmmm, maybe somebody should open an architecture thread...

Has anyone done a tree stencil?

I'm not afraid of drawing a large tree; what I am afraid of is running out of time while I work on the leaves. SO in my daydreams, I think I can paint the tree trunks freehand, and then stencil on the leaves, or stamp them, or a combination of the two. But then I think of the volume of trees I want to put on the wall, it gets daunting.

So: painting the trunk, then stanciling or stamping the leaves... ?

[mark12_30]

I actualy cleaned the room upstairs, and rearranged all the stuff that was everywhere. Lots of it went onto the walls. Now there isn't much room for more.

Maybe I rearranged myself into a corner.

[Raefindel]

I've both painted trees and used stencils. But stencils are so small they are good for little other than borders. We can easily paint a tree, mural-size, on the wall. If it doesn't look right, hey, it's just paint, go over it.

[Bêthberry]

Well, there are a lot ways to adapt to building codes and still live in an uber-cool house:

Earth Sheltered House (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865715211/ref=nosim?tag=hartworkscom-20&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=0865715211&creative=373489&camp=211189)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XKVGTB7QL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

Other pictures here:
http://www.rogerdean.com/architecture/index.htm

Is it just me and my faulty glasses, or are there no doors to the bedrooms?

[Morthoron]

Is it just me and my faulty glasses, or are there no doors to the bedrooms?

You have to look at it in context, Beth. Roger Dean is best known as designing all the album covers for the band Yes in the 70's; therefore, like the covers and the music, the house is so ethereal that one merely floats into the room through one of those window-like apertures in the wall.

[Bêthberry]

You have to look at it in context, Beth. Roger Dean is best known as designing all the album covers for the band Yes in the 70's; therefore, like the covers and the music, the house is so ethereal that one merely floats into the room through one of those window-like apertures in the wall.


Well, that's a better explanation than I came up with, thinking those rooms must have been designed for owners of lonely hearts, so they would never be used for any activity which is often indulged in privately, particularly when desirous of ensuring that children don't pop out of their safe nooks and go looking for strange noises. :p :D

[Raefindel]

Yeah, I noticed that too. I'm not sure I could live without a door.

[Morthoron]

Well, that's a better explanation than I came up with, thinking those rooms must have been designed for owners of lonely hearts...

Well, without doors it certainly would be a long distance runaround, or annoyingly roudabout, to say the least. And you and I would not be comfortable living there. :D

[mark12_30]

Well, my room has a door, a rectangular one. Luckily it is made of nice wood. There's nice wood trim all through the upstairs.

I've rearranged my room a bit, put some things on the walls that had been taking up surface space, and pulled out more dark green table coverings (old tablecloths-- I had a set of dark green grapevine tablecloths we haven't used in years, so I put them on the dressers), and moved out the rugs that clashed (burgundy imitation- oriental; OK, but clashing with green vines and leaves...) Yesterday I made two stencils, one large vine-tendril (to match the bedspread) and one smallish, bare tree stencil (maybe eight inches tall.) But I have yet to paint anything with them.

I had a blue and grey rug that was vine-ish enough but the grey clashed. So I used fabric paint to paint green over the grey. I toned-down the paint a lot (I thought) but the green was still darker than I had planned. Oh well. It'll fade either by time or by walking on...

So the bedroom has a light-green-and-gold vine theme contrasting with the dark green grapevine theme. But some of the rugs are sea green. It almost works but not quite... maybe I can pick up the right rugs over time.

Now I'm trying to decide whether to put a ficus tree in the room. First I need to find the sheer curtain I took down and put away somewhere (I hope I didn't THROW it away) and paint some vines on that.

I think I need to be realistic about the basement, at least for a while. A few simple touches will have to do... although I'd LOVE to turn it into a forest-with-foundry... not this year.

[mark12_30]

I'm collecting stencils and stamps... vines and leaves, leaves and vines.

If you can't take the elvish wannabe to the forest, why then take the forest to the elf-wannabe.

[Morthoron]

I'm collecting stencils and stamps... vines and leaves, leaves and vines.

If you can't take the elvish wannabe to the forest, why then take the forest to the elf-wannabe.

Hmmm...perhaps around the door you can stencil the runes found on the Hollin Gate, overgrown with your vine and leaf stencils.

[Raefindel]

That's a great Idea, Morthoron!

It's gonna be awesome, Helen! We'll come up with an exciting plan.

[mark12_30]

Morthoron, I love that idea. I could put up some runes of my own, and then tangle them. Now I shall have to think about what I would want to say over the door?

Maybe Mark 12:30... in elvish...

I know people hjave translated various sections of scriptures and prayers into elvish-- I should look those up too. SOme of the quotes could be in english, just in a elvish "font"-- beefore I entangle them in the vines!

Great idea!

Rae-- can't wait, can't wait. My husband is starting to wonder what is going to happen to his house... ;)

[Beregond]

Maybe Mark 12:30... in elvish...

I know people hjave translated various sections of scriptures and prayers into elvish-- I should look those up too. SOme of the quotes could be in english, just in a elvish "font"-- beefore I entangle them in the vines!

I love that idea too! Pretty original, but very cool. If you need help with transliteration I'm sure we'd love to help - but you may know your elvish already! :)

[mark12_30]

My living room now has three wintry trees painted on the walls-- two in the righthand corner, and one on the left by the door. Leaves are very sparse yet. The walls are painted in semi gloss so the stencil paint takes over two DAYS to dry...!

Anyway it's progress. Covered our floor-lampstands with ivy, too. Now the lampshades look awkward.

I've been daydreaming about my wall-scripture in an elvish font... Mark 12:30 is the likely winner, and it will probably go on a slanted ceiling/wall, and then get covered (or partly covered) with ivy stencil. I found an ivy stencil that is appropriately wispy and wandering, I think.

[Raefindel]

How big are the trees? Like feet or inches?

[mark12_30]

Baseboard to ceiling.

I'm going to need a LOT of leaves...

They looked better bare then partly covered with sparse leaves! I've taken pictures... (pause) The first two pictures show with recently added new leaves (sparse because the stencil paint dries SO SLOWLY!!!), the last two pictures were the original bare trees. I almost like bare better...

[Bêthberry]

Baseboard to ceiling.

I'm going to need a LOT of leaves...

They looked better bare then partly covered with sparse leaves! I've taken pictures... (pause) The first two pictures show with recently added new leaves (sparse because the stencil paint dries SO SLOWLY!!!), the last two pictures were the original bare trees. I almost like bare better...

Rome wasn't built in a day, Helen. :)

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

If you're looking for leaves, you could always sponge them on. There is a mural at my school that has a tree with sponged on leaves, and it looks really nice!

[Bêthberry]

Now here's a way to live amongst trees without painting them: an elven flet on the West Coast (http://www.freespiritspheres.com/index.htm)

[Raefindel]

umm, that's a little over the top for me. I think I'd rather have a simple platform.

[Bêthberry]

umm, that's a little over the top for me. I think I'd rather have a simple platform.

See now, with me, I'd be afraid of rolling off the platform. :eek: And I definitely lack Helen's skill with art, so bringing trees into my house that way wouldn't work.

This is near a town where some of the family live, so the next time I'm out there, I might check it out. And if it's like living in a rubik's cube--er, sphere--I'll say you warned me. :cool:

[Raefindel]

Yeah, I'd have to put a rail or ropes like a ship on the edge.

Helen, You're doing so great I'm not sure why you think you need my help at all!

[mark12_30]

Helen, You're doing so great I'm not sure why you think you need my help at all!

Oh, trust me. I'll be much happier with your touches in place.

Need mountains in the distance, somewhere...

Need Smith of Wooton Major trees...

Need Raefindel's signature touches here and there (in faraway/close places...)

[mark12_30]

Today I put (painted) the ground under the tree, so it doesn't float in thin air just above the radiator any more.

The leaves take about three days to dry, but they do EVENTUALLY dry.

[mark12_30]

Hmmm...perhaps around the door you can stencil the runes found on the Hollin Gate, overgrown with your vine and leaf stencils.

Still pondering this one, Morthoron! I think it's going to be Mark12:30; not sure I will use silver (oh come on, how can I NOT use Ithildin??? but the walls are very light colored.) THen the vines, around and entwining.

Light colored walls; Ithildin = silver colored. Pondering. Hmmmm.

[mark12_30]

More leaves, and some ground so that they're not floating...

[Raefindel]

You, My dear Hobbit are an AWESOME artist!