Are these solutions to impossible problems?

[thekitchenfairy]

We have been in our house 5+ years and it has been a huge project. Now the essentials -wiring, plumbing etc- done we need to sort the 2 things bugging the hell out of me.

Front bedroom window frames are flush with the ceiling and one wall, impossible to put curtain poles, blinds etc. we currently have dark grey muslin sheers from extendable wire, it is hideous and a shirt term solution it is my DS room and it looks really messy from outside. Could we hang blinds from the ceiling! Seems July option to me.

it is an Edwardian terrace that was bedsits for about 20 years. We have stripped the original floorboards in 2 rooms, but the hall is concrete - poured over the original tiles and beyond restoration. I would like Zasous lino tiles but worried they are not durable enough. DH is suggesting laying new boards, and painting them, and painting the 2 rooms the same. Woodwork on bannisters etc is grey (oak apple from fired earth). I could colour match this at the trade suppliers but is such a pale colour a totally daft idea?

[thekitchenfairy]

... Sorry ipad key pad is sticking...
Short term solution ... And only option...

[InsertUsernameHere]

You can ceiling fix curtain poles and blinds. You can get curtain tracks that are low profile that are also ceiling fix. Have a look around the silent gliss website and you'll see you have lots of options re curtains. Only challenge might be opening windows if they swing into room - but presume they are sash and case

[burnishedsilver]

I've had roman blinds attached to the window frame because there no wall above. It looks fine. It is possible to attach curtains or blinds to the ceiling.

If you are going to the trouble if laying new wood floors why paint them?

[thekitchenfairy]

The ceiling is moulded fibre board grim but can't replace as DS had anaphylactic reaction when pulled down similar to replace and replaster. Not sure would hold fittings?

Was thinking if painting boards so they all look the same... Think new will look v odd against the originals even if stained the same colour...

[puffylovett]

Can you get in to the room (or loft?) above and see if you can screw the fittings in to the joists?

If you lay new floorboards, bear in mind that you would presumably be raising the level of the floor quite significantly. Could you maybe lay a new tiled floor in the hall? You can get cracking Minton style reproduction tiles...

[thekitchenfairy]

Hmm.. Whatever we do it will be raised. The floor is concrete and very uneven hence I thought wood rather than tiles. Is there a more obvious solution that I have overlooked? (Carpet not an option as DCs can be relied on tread a bootfull of sand through the hall at least once a week!

[Sandthorn]

What are your windows? If wooden frames, it's pretty straightforward to mount a lightish* blind or curtain rail to the frame. If double glazing, you try googling "perfect fit" blinds for something that clips into the windows themselves.

The floor is tricky. I'm not sure you can just put boards down on a concrete floor: they need to be ventilated underneath. I think your vinyl tiles are the better choice, though I can't comment on durability. You'd want to even out the floor with a layer of plywood first, which would reduce the risk of cracking, and smooth out high-points that would wear quicker.

*doesn't have to be made of spiders' webs, but probably not chain mail either!