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hippiechick · 05-31-2016, 08:30 PM

Not getting any responses on the request for help with our cracked wall issue so thought I'd try an easier, "happier" topic. Even though we have a way to go before the decorating begins I'm looking forward to the day we will put the flooring, all the cabinetry and countertops, the curtains and the gauchos back in place. In the picture the large swath of fabric with the leaves will be curtains, the tan fabric is the upholstery, the cabinet door is the color of the refinished furniture. The flooring and counters are the decisions to be made. There are two samples of VCT on the floor with some small laminate samples. We are also considering Marmoleum flooring and counters. Just looking for early and honest opinions and of course suggestions before finalizing the choices. Thanks.

Piggy Bank · 05-31-2016, 09:19 PM

Glad you asked! I really like to do interiors.

My overall general opinion on doing a space such as a trailer is that unlike your home, in a space like a trailer you really see everything all at once, all the time. It can be easy to keep adding things because they "match" or "go" or "coordinate", but that is a recipe for an overwhelming and chaotic result.

So, starting with you jumping off point, which is your fabric with the leaves. Consider it the 1 item that must define a yes or no to all others. I find it a great option in that it is relatable to being in nature and using an Airstream, without being a too trendy of a motif. It has a lot of soothing colors, the scale is a good one for curtains, and the colors are going to be easy to find other items to match.

Now here is where I have a little decorating trick. Take your leaf print fabric to the paint department of your local hardware or paint store. Try to find a paint chip to exactly match all of the colors in the fabric, including the background. Now when you get home, cut out a sample of the 2 fabrics about 4 inches square, and tape to a piece of white paper, also with the several paint chips of the colors in the fabric taped to the fabric. Take this paper with you whenever you are shopping for items for your trailer. Color undertones, especially in beiges, are really tricky to get right. If you fabric has a yellow undertone, it will clash with gray. If it has a green undertone, it will clash with beigey-pinks. This is the most important to get right.

From the way the color looks on my computer monitor (which might not at all be how this all looks in real life), the gray flooring option doesn't match the leaf fabric or the lovely brown upholstery fabric. The lighter one seems better, but on my monitor looks too yellowy. (Again, this is what you can see that we can't. I'm not being critical of your choices or saying you are choosing things that don't match. They just appear that way on my computer monitor based on what I see. Which could be inaccurate)

I think that if you wanted to look at other flooring options, I would try to find a natural cork type of color to consider. Also I would say that all things being equal, the color of dirt is a good element to have in a floor that may not always be debris free, just to keep things looking good. I would also consider other stone types of colors.

And for other decorating elements, I like to do 60-30-9-1% in colors. And in scale of pattern. So of the 4 main colors (including background colors) in the leaf fabric, I feel it's emphasis has 60% background, and then 30% browns and golds and gray, and then 9% green, and 1% reddish brown. Now if you like some colors better than others, you can swap out the % of emphasis.

And to have 60% be one scale or texture of fabric or other item (like the leaf print), 30% something else (like the solid upholstery fabric) 9% something else-probably countertops, and 1% the bling. Probably hardware on cabinets and plumbing hardware.

This idea is to help balance the amount of any one color you see. An unsettling result can be seen when an accent color is used with too much emphasis. So if you like this percentage emphasis, then try to have red leaf color be used like jewelry, not as a main color.

And if you prefer less color, then just go with the background color on the leaf fabric, the caramel brown of the upholstery fabric, and the cabinet color and add a natural white as the "color" to break it up.
__________________

Hittenstiehl · 06-01-2016, 12:01 AM

Okay I would try also but Piggy Bank almost echoed my thoughts to a tea.

I like the fabrics and wood. I'm not as keen on the floor tile or counter chips. They are what I call good or okay but just not quite right.

I would also use the leaf pattern as my base and match, blend or contrast from it but get closer to the tonal quality of the colors.

The cabinet colors look warm dark and luscious so maybe several shades lighter to not darken the trailer to much for the flooring.

When looking inside the trailer you want your eyes to rest between spots, then move on gently while still picking out the pops of color or groupings.

My favorite color in the leaf pattern is the dark rust color. If this were my pallet choice I would accent with the rust for added warmth to the nice neutral leaf pattern.

Lily&Me · 06-01-2016, 04:56 AM

Wow...you hit the jackpot with decorator expertise responses!

I agree 100% with suggestions as to your flooring. Something that will not immediately show dirt and bits of debris that will find their way inside is the best choice, in my opinion.

You can sweep, vacuum, mop, etc., but don't want to be doing this endlessly, nor have your eyes constantly drawn to bits that pop out when you look at your floor.

Have fun!

Maggie

hippiechick · 06-01-2016, 06:36 AM

I've paid people for less advice than these responses! Thanks! Yes the monitors do change the color tones sometimes but the comments are spot on about the flooring colors. They aren't quite right. The choices were limited at Lowes when I picked these two up. I'm trying to decide between light and darker on the floors and counters. And also between tan tones and grey tones. I have lots of tan in my house which I like but was leaning toward warm grey for a change here. There is a nice grey in the fabric with a slightly blue undertone. I am all for a floor hiding dirt and blonde dog hair. Piggy Bank, it's funny that you mentioned cork because we bought allure traffic master in Lisbon cork when we first started the renovation. But being optimistically naive we only bought enough for the traffic areas. But now we have seen the light and have gutted the whole trailer for new sub flooring. So we don't have enough for the whole job. We may be able to find more but may be a different dye lot. Also I've read some posts here about gapping with temp changes. Will post a pic of the flooring.

hippiechick · 06-01-2016, 10:43 AM

Here's a pic of the Allure traffic master Lisbon cork.

Lily&Me · 06-01-2016, 11:01 AM

I have the cork in my very small space, and like it.

It also blends well with the grey of my countertop and the tan of my Ultraleather, so I think you would be happy with it.

I rather like neutral backgrounds, which allow you to change out other colors as your mood sees fit.

Maggie

Hittenstiehl · 06-01-2016, 11:31 AM

Nice colors on the cork. The variations match up nicely to lights and dark.

STPNWLF · 06-01-2016, 11:56 AM

I'll throw in my two cents on the flooring. I'm not good with color, but I put down cork flooring tiles 3 years ago in my '65 Tradewind and they have worked great! They snap together and I staggered the joints. The floor "floats" and all joints stay tight. The floor is warmer to the touch than vinyl or carpet in my opinion.

hippiechick · 06-01-2016, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STPNWLF

I'll throw in my two cents on the flooring. I'm not good with color, but I put down cork flooring tiles 3 years ago in my '65 Tradewind and they have worked great! They snap together and I staggered the joints. The floor "floats" and all joints stay tight. The floor is warmer to the touch than vinyl or carpet in my opinion.

Do you remember the brand of your floating floor?

hippiechick · 06-01-2016, 12:38 PM

Just got quotes on materials and labor for marmoleum $1250. For VCT is $450.

STPNWLF · 06-01-2016, 12:55 PM

Sorry I don't remember the brand but they were 1' x 3' tiles. As I remember, I think I spent about $200 for the material and a weekend to install. Hard part was cutting to fit round corners of floor but there were only a few of those.

Vwilson · 06-01-2016, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

Glad you asked! I really like to do interiors.

My overall general opinion on doing a space such as a trailer is that unlike your home, in a space like a trailer you really see everything all at once, all the time. It can be easy to keep adding things because they "match" or "go" or "coordinate", but that is a recipe for an overwhelming and chaotic result.

So, starting with you jumping off point, which is your fabric with the leaves. Consider it the 1 item that must define a yes or no to all others. I find it a great option in that it is relatable to being in nature and using an Airstream, without being a too trendy of a motif. It has a lot of soothing colors, the scale is a good one for curtains, and the colors are going to be easy to find other items to match.

Now here is where I have a little decorating trick. Take your leaf print fabric to the paint department of your local hardware or paint store. Try to find a paint chip to exactly match all of the colors in the fabric, including the background. Now when you get home, cut out a sample of the 2 fabrics about 4 inches square, and tape to a piece of white paper, also with the several paint chips of the colors in the fabric taped to the fabric. Take this paper with you whenever you are shopping for items for your trailer. Color undertones, especially in beiges, are really tricky to get right. If you fabric has a yellow undertone, it will clash with gray. If it has a green undertone, it will clash with beigey-pinks. This is the most important to get right.

From the way the color looks on my computer monitor (which might not at all be how this all looks in real life), the gray flooring option doesn't match the leaf fabric or the lovely brown upholstery fabric. The lighter one seems better, but on my monitor looks too yellowy. (Again, this is what you can see that we can't. I'm not being critical of your choices or saying you are choosing things that don't match. They just appear that way on my computer monitor based on what I see. Which could be inaccurate)

I think that if you wanted to look at other flooring options, I would try to find a natural cork type of color to consider. Also I would say that all things being equal, the color of dirt is a good element to have in a floor that may not always be debris free, just to keep things looking good. I would also consider other stone types of colors.

And for other decorating elements, I like to do 60-30-9-1% in colors. And in scale of pattern. So of the 4 main colors (including background colors) in the leaf fabric, I feel it's emphasis has 60% background, and then 30% browns and golds and gray, and then 9% green, and 1% reddish brown. Now if you like some colors better than others, you can swap out the % of emphasis.

And to have 60% be one scale or texture of fabric or other item (like the leaf print), 30% something else (like the solid upholstery fabric) 9% something else-probably countertops, and 1% the bling. Probably hardware on cabinets and plumbing hardware.

This idea is to help balance the amount of any one color you see. An unsettling result can be seen when an accent color is used with too much emphasis. So if you like this percentage emphasis, then try to have red leaf color be used like jewelry, not as a main color.

And if you prefer less color, then just go with the background color on the leaf fabric, the caramel brown of the upholstery fabric, and the cabinet color and add a natural white as the "color" to break it up.
__________________

What a wonderful overview for those of us who have never decorated,much less lived in such a small space. All the renovations I looked at to do before I began to live in f"Starlite", 27' AS International, I threw out the window....Really believe, if you are full time, it is good to live in it before starting to redecorate. Thank you again..Blessings, victoria wilson

AudioMike · 06-01-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippiechick

Here's a pic of the Allure traffic master Lisbon cork.

I am putting down this exact flooring in my 66' Safari. My daughter has had this flooring throughout her house for years and it holds up wonderfully.

kfrere · 06-01-2016, 06:50 PM

Eight years ago we made the decision to use bamboo floors. Eight years later it looks as good as the day it went it. We don't baby the floor; and doggie claws have not made a single mark.

Tampatomgirl · 06-02-2016, 07:18 AM

I'm doing a reno on mine as well. The vinyl hardwood look flooring holds up well under dogs and i have a big one, so that's my choice. Huge selection of colors & patterns & prices as well. I think it's a good look in a trailer. There are instructions on Pinterest for building your own butcher block counter top for $25. Easy to do & you can use different color stains to pull in other colors from your decor. Have fun!!

Tampatomgirl

hippiechick · 06-03-2016, 05:43 AM

I'll check out the Pinterest page. Thanks

NC Camper · 06-03-2016, 06:36 PM

Wow! Thanks for sharing all the expert decorating advice! I'm saving this thread for future reference!

Tampatomgirl · 06-04-2016, 06:04 AM

Super cheap wood countertop is the title. Saved from www.sawdustgirl.comHope that helps. Can't wait to build mine!

Tampatomgirl

hippiechick · 06-06-2016, 03:13 PM

Like the look and color of the cork but concerned that the vinyl planks will gap with changes in temp. So I've ordered large samples of three different colors of the VCT. Will post some pics for attention when they arrive.