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Remodeled Church Home
Sheila Bridges: Designer Living : Episode FLSBD-206

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Sheila Bridges with guest Frank Faulkner in his unconventional home, a converted church, in New York's Hudson Valley.

  • Decommissioned churches have been transformed into dance clubs, concerts areas and art galleries.
  • When painting, refer to historic color charts for shades that might have been used when your home was built.
  • A few layers of industrial varnish over painted floors give a glossy resilience comparable to marble.
  • Stacked books add architectural detail when placed in strategic spots other than in bookshelves.

Designer's Notebook

  • Consider the natural structure of your unusual space and work with it rather than changing it.
  • Check for hazardous materials, like lead paint and asbestos.
  • Expose original brickwork, plaster and pipes to give your home a unique edge.
  • Create fixtures or furnishing out of materials original or organic to the space.
  • In extremely large spaces, choose oversized furnishings, and then arrange in clusters.
  • Before you buy, arrange a building inspection. Make sure your unusual home is a hit, not a money pit.

Sheila's Fab Finds

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