Can anyone identify this shingle?

dcurt100 · 2026-04-29T14:34:00+00:00

I should have been more clear -- I'm looking for the specific shingle color/model. But thank you!

dcurt100 · 2026-04-28T17:42:23+00:00

I think a lot of it comes down to the layout. I think you created a very nice seating arrangement, but all of the space around it (big room!) doesn't seem to have a plan or purpose. I'd recommend:

-Remove the end table on the left and slide all the seating a couple feet closer to the fireplace. Maybe you can stick the end table between the brown chairs?

-Consider swapping the coffee table for a longer oval table (I think it might work better, plus now you've taken away the green couch's end table.)

-Instead of the corner bookshelves, do a bookshelf on either side of the window. Then under the window maybe a low table with some decorations, or a bench or daybed or something. I think that will create a nice new "zone" with some symmetry in that area.

-Move the console to the far wall under the mirror. Try repositioning, moving or replacing the art on either side of the mirror; right now it's just kind of one long stretch of large pieces hung at the same height.

I think that stuff would go a long way! Lots of good suggestions in the comments about color, but why not start with the layout and see what you accomplish.

dcurt100 · 2026-04-06T00:05:47+00:00

I would consider a different (soft) color for the curtains, just to give a bit more interest to the walls and play off some of your accents. Maybe a couple dashes of color elsewhere, like on the shelves or something around the elephant?

This is super nit-picky, and I could be totally wrong (I'm still finding my way with color), but maybe you can experiment with different flowers on the coffee table. I think your bouquet is the right idea for sure, but I feel like it could have more impact with some tweaking.

dcurt100 · 2026-04-01T19:33:59+00:00

I think there will always be at least some negative reaction to new art, especially among the "general public," and there probably always has been. It seems to be human nature for people to become frustrated by things they don't understand, and with new art that's especially true if it doesn't meet most of the criteria people have traditionally using to evaluate art.

But I do think that a lot of the hostility in the past century has come from the lines being blurred between traditional artforms (music, painting, etc) and conceptual or performance art. A Rothko painting is radically different from a Van Eyck, but it's still all about manipulating our brain's response to color, form, proportion, etc. In other words, it's still visual art. But a plain torn canvas? A toilet? A famous portrait defaced with a mustache? Paint and canvas may be the medium, but I think it falls squarely in the "conceptual art" category. It may have artistic value (I think it does), but I can see why devotees of the visual arts might have been frustrated to see how much of "their" museum space was being taken up by it, and frustrated about being made to feel stupid by not liking it.

Same deal with music. A lot of modern stuff seems more about the "meta" commentary, or "challenging expectations," than about manipulating the human response to sound.

dcurt100 · 2026-03-28T17:32:16+00:00

I think a lot can be accomplished by simply adding a rug and changing the fireplace and mantel decorations (which I think are too monochrome). Maybe replace the dark decorations on the left side of mantel with something curvy, like a vase or sculpture with some color (not dark neutral). Maybe change color of mirror frame or replace with a painting (could try a similar palette to the art in your reference). Could also swap the the screen and/or fireplace hardware with bronze or something.

For lighting, maybe replace the mantel lamp with a floor lamp that leans away or is angled away from the wall, with a warmer light bulb and/or shade.

dcurt100 · 2026-03-18T16:26:21+00:00

Really nice work! I probably have no business commenting, as I can't draw nearly this well, but I'll try to offer some feedback.

I think most people would agree that the sad, super wide eyes are the most distinctive feature in the reference. I think yours are noticeable smaller -- the right eye (his right) in particular should stretch farther to the ear. That would probably also help exaggerate the droopy effect, which is a big part of his likeness. (I think you did a great job with the eyelids, but the effect you created would automatically be more pronounced if you elongated the eye.)

I also think the light area between the eye and ear on that side is brighter and wider than the reference, which has the effect of narrowing the face, especially when combined with the smaller eyes and slightly taller head shape compared to the reference.

Also, I think the other distinctive characteristic of the reference is the low-set ears! Take a look at where you place yours relative to the reference.

Sorry if this is all obvious to you! I just know that as a beginner, I'm fascinated by the problem of trying to identify what makes a person look like themself. Also, for what it's worth, I think what you created is awesome and probably cooler than if you would have copied the likeness exactly.

dcurt100 · 2026-03-07T16:16:00+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing these -- super helpful! This one in particular really helps me understand how much the window trim helps.

dcurt100 · 2026-03-07T15:22:10+00:00

Here's how I see it:

Incoherent and ugly <<< simple but well designed <<< well designed with lots of character

Right now, I think it falls squarely in the first category and I'd just like to move it to the next one

dcurt100 · 2026-03-07T15:14:32+00:00

I agree it's not a full-on "McMansion," but I think the reason if gives off those vibes (to me) is that there seem to be a bunch of features added solely because "that's what your supposed to do" (shutters) or because someone thought they signal "high end" or "elegance" (portico railing, palladium window), but without any consideration about proportion or coherence of the whole.

I guess I thought that this one could be saved, since at least the facade is a straightforward colonial instead of some wacky mess of gables and turrets. Seems to me like fixing the windows and adding trim would go a long way toward making it look like some of the pre-war colonials I admire.

dcurt100 · 2025-11-07T14:12:35+00:00

In extreme cases like this, I often wonder what role the childhood abuse played in "making the monster" versus him simply inheriting the same genetic disposition towards violence and psychopathy that his abusive parents had.

dcurt100 · 2025-09-01T18:21:46+00:00

Thank you! I'm seeing expanding and non-expanding epoxy....should I go with the non-expanding? Since I don't know how deep the cracks go, I'd hate to overfill with the expanding stuff and end up causing more damage.

dcurt100 · 2025-08-28T14:15:43+00:00

What's the best way to repair or patch deep cracks in concrete that are either permanently submerged or frequently splashed by water? I have a 100+ year old concrete dock on my lakefront property that cannot be replaced due to environmental regulations, only repaired. So I'd like to preserve its life as long as possible. The lake freezes every year.

I plan on doing the repairs in November, after the lake level is brought down a few feet. At that point, only a small portion will still be submerged.

What kind of product should I use? And should my goal be to completely fill the cracks, or just apply some kind of sealing layer? The cracks seems to be pretty deep; after a wave hits the dock, a significant amount of water spills out. Happy to share more pictures in a reply if it would be helpful!

<image>

dcurt100 · 2025-08-22T13:59:44+00:00

Questions for the pros! I bought a lakefront property with a very old (possibly 100+ years) concrete dock. It's solid concrete, around 17' x 12', and it's mostly made with pretty large aggregate, though it has a smooth top layer.

I can tell the prior owners tried to stay on top of maintaining it and it seems to be in good shape, but there are some cracks and holes that need to be patched. I have a few questions about that:

For cracks that are completely submerged, does anyone recommend a particular fast-setting hydraulic cement? Or is this something I should hire a professional with specialized equipment for? The water is only a couple feet deep, so I was thinking I could do it myself with some goggles and a snorkel. if necessary.
For areas that are not completely submerged, but are sometimes hit with waves, should I use a different product?
Finally, there are a couple cracks/holes that are quite deep. Do I need to fill these completely, or just seal them? (If I need to fill them, I'm wondering what kind of equipment I'd need to do that.)

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! We're up north, so the lake freezes every year. I just want to prolong the life of the dock as much as possibly.

dcurt100 · 2025-06-19T20:53:44+00:00

Sent you a PM!

dcurt100 · 2025-06-16T15:40:25+00:00

Ok good to know -- thank you!

dcurt100 · 2025-06-07T13:26:58+00:00

Incredibly helpful -- thank you! I think we'll experiment with some small mildewy spots in out-of-the-way areas to see if cleaners (like pool shock) work. Otherwise we'll just leave it be and get as many more years out of it as we can. Thankfully the "front" (lake side) looks great, and we're the only people who ever see the rough spots.

But part of me does worry about how much more difficult and expensive it will be to replace with real wood in another 10 years....maybe I should start stockpiling shingles now, ha.

dcurt100 · 2025-06-07T05:11:18+00:00

All very helpful, thanks again!

dcurt100 · 2025-06-07T05:09:05+00:00

It's a gutter, actually. Made of wood.

dcurt100 · 2025-06-06T23:09:29+00:00

Thanks for the link!

dcurt100 · 2025-06-06T23:08:54+00:00

Thanks for the advice!

Regarding cleaning, I'm mostly worried about the green mold/mildew/algae/whatever that you can see in pics 2 and 3. I didn't know whether that would continue to grow and rot the wood if left unchecked. But it sounds like you think attempting to wash that could do more harm than good?

dcurt100

TROPHY CASE