BEDROOMS

LIVING ROOMS 

PAINT COLORS

ACCESSORIES

Question:

I have one big open room 15 x 26 which we use for living room and dining room. Also has 13' cathedral ceiling with skylights. Room(s) has plenty of light but want to keep colors light. Furnishings are white leather couch, beautiful but massive oak entertainment center (seriously considering changing this piece and getting rid of stereo and tv equipment from room altogether), fossil stone and iron (gold and black) dining room table base and coffee table base with glass tops, and matching iron dining chairs (gothic chairs from Pier 1). We are well into the process of remodeling this room. We just installed Pergo flooring (diamond pattern, looks like bleached poplar with a pattern - LOVE IT)! The one solid wall that joins the two rooms is painted Northcoast by Dutch Boy (an intense medium green that sort of leans toward teal). The ceiling and other walls are white. We have 3 contemporary oil paintings with lots of color... green, blue, purple, pink, red, etc.

Whew... what advice can you give me? I guess my questions are... accessories? I am looking for ideas on throw rugs colors, table decor, centerpieces, should I try to incorporate more color? Does the room scream color and the furnishings seem blah? Can that work? I seems to look fine just a little barren. We are also considering a chair to complete the living room area. We are leaning toward wicker or a contemporary upholstered chair in a cream color. TIA

P. S. I read hometalk on the HGTV web page and your site has come up quite a few times. People seem to love it! Thought you might like to know.

Advice:

You want to gently bridge the white and the colors together. I would try bringing in some varying tones of white, light tans and off whites. Try to do this with natural materials, such as wooden candlesticks something weathered, keeping the fossil stone table in mind. They can be small for an end table or you can get larger ones that would sit on the floor, put them in a nice grouping. For the centerpiece, I would add a very simple classic vase, add fresh flowers as often as possible. For the rugs I would look at sisals and needle points, both types lay very flat to the floor. Sisal is a very neutral grass like rug. It will complement the Pergo flooring very nicely. Needlepoint's are just that a needlepoint. They can be a little expensive but look around you will find something affordable. This type of rug will have more color than a sisal, but the colors are usually muted.

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BATHROOM

Question:

Just found your site and am thrilled! Still can't figure out why you're so nice to give all this free advice, but thanks anyway! Here's my dilemma. I have a "real" bathroom, not like the big beautiful ones on the decorating shows. It's long and narrow and divided into two areas with a doorway (that used to have a folding door that separated them). One area has the toilet on one side and a long vanity with large mirror on the wall. The other area has the the tub/shower on one side and a recessed closet with shelves and had folding doors that I removed. The house is 31 years old, so the tile (which I like) is tan (goes up the wall halfway) and the floor is one inch ceramic tile squares, also tan but kinda speckled. I would like to paint the vanity cabinets and trim and paper the walls. But, I especially would like to know what to do with that recessed closet. I removed all of the shelves but one (across the top for towels). I honestly didn't have a bunch of stuff to store in there! Didn't want to anyway, not with the shower and all! I thought about putting an old armoire I have in there, or maybe a dressing table, but there aren't any outlets for lights, etc. and probably with good reason since it's three feet away from the tub! Hang a matching shower curtain? Any ideas would really be appreciated. I think I'd like to "frame" the mirror too in some way. Thanks again for your site. Donna

Advice:

Well, I have to say you have some great ideas of your own. I love the idea of the armoire.

Does the bathroom share a wall with any other room in the house where you could use some extra space? If you are not using the space maybe you close it up on the bathroom side and open it up on the other side of the wall.

Another option is to keep the shelves and add some decorative elements such as books, magazines a vase of flowers some photos in nice frames. Possibly a small bench beneath the bottom shelf.

Hope this helps.

If I can be of any further assistance feel free to contact me again.

Question:

I have a small (old) bathroom that's been newly wallpapered with a med. floral (lt. pink, blue, green) with pink stripes on a white background. It has a white chair rail with faux white tile below. Now the room has little contrast and seems to need some "punch." It has the old-style inlaid woodworking door. I thought of painting the inside borders with a complimentary color and applying the matching wallpaper as the "framed picture" inside the borders on the door. Is this a good idea? If so, would a bold choice of black or dark blue be the punch I'm looking for OR a metallic antique gold?

Also, what accessories could I use on the wall to break up the busy print--I've thought of pictures, candles/with sconces, glass w/brass corner shelving, hanging floral plant . . . (It's a 3-fixtured bathroom, barely room for anything else.)

Thanks,

Carole

Advice:

I would suggest adding a pair of small decorative shelves with a candle or something interesting on each shelf. As for the door, that sounds like a good idea. I would go with the antique gold or one of the colors in the paper.

Good Luck

Question:

I am installing a corner garden tub and have been told to be careful not to fasten the top flanges directly to the wall. The reason for this is because any movement of the tub would cause stress on the plumbing. I understand that l will have to frame it for support, but i'm puzzled as to how l will fasten the outside flanges nearest the walls.

Respectfully

Art

Advice:

I believe all you have to do is screw the flanges into the 2 X 4 frames. If you need more assistance please feel free to contact me again.

Question:

I have a small (old) bathroom that's been newly wallpapered with a med. floral (lt. pink, blue, green) with pink stripes on a white background. It has a white chair rail with faux white tile below. Now the room has little contrast and seems to need some "punch." It has the old-style inlaid woodworking door. I thought of painting the inside borders with a complimentary color and applying the matching wallpaper as the "framed picture" inside the borders on the door. Is this a good idea? If so, would a bold choice of black or dark blue be the punch I'm looking for OR a metallic antique gold?

Also, what accessories could I use on the wall to break up the busy print--I've thought of pictures, candles/with sconces, glass w/brass corner shelving, hanging floral plant . . . (It's a 3-fixtured bathroom, barely room for anything else.)

Advice:

I would suggest adding a pair of small decorative shelves with a candle or something interesting on each shelf. As for the door, that sounds like a good idea. I would go with the antique gold or one of the colors in the paper.

Good Luck

QUESTION:

Our bathroom and closet share a cathedral ceiling with our bedroom with the closet and bath each sharing half of the ceiling pitch. The bath is partially tiled in bone with dusty rose for trim. The floor is white vinyl with mauve and a hint of teal. The Jacuzzi, shower and toilet are also bone. The layout is as follows: you enter with the toilet, sink and Jacuzzi on the right with the 8' high part of the ceiling then at the far end across from the Jacuzzi is the stall shower along the 14' high ceiling. The bathroom is 14 X 8 until you get to the shower then it opens up to 14 X 12. The walls are white now and I want to paint it a color to warm it up or at least to give a sense of not being so hugh. Do I paint the walls teal? I love the color but will it look OK next to the tiled area? Is there anything that I can do with the awkward ceiling pitch? I was going to put a wallpaper border on the two 14' sides of the room where the ceiling meets the wall but on one side of the room it would be at 8 feet and the other it would be at 12 feet. That would look awkward. Any suggestions? My husband will not let me wall paper anything.

ADVICE:

I would put a decorative shelf with decorative brackets (scroll brackets) underneath the shelf. I would place the shelf at 7' or 7' 6" high. The top of the shelf being 7' or 7' 6". I would carry this around the entire room at the same height. This will create a common ceiling element throughout the space and scale it down a bit. I would paint the shelf and the brackets the same color as the wall. You can leave the shelf empty or add some accessories to the shelf (small boxes, dried flowers etc.)

As for the color of the room, you could leave it white and see if the shelf and the accessories do the trick or you can add a color to the room. I don't think the teal will be a problem but the shade you choose will be the key to the success. I would get some paint chips and but them against the tiles and see which works best. Then I would buy a small amount of the paint and test a portion of the wall.

Another option could be to add wainscot paneling with a chair rail on top. The height of the wainscoting could be at 36" or you can take the paneling up to the 8' height. You could still add the shelf in either option. I would paint the wainscoting. You can paint it and the ceiling the same color or you can use two different colors. If you paint it two different colors I would paint the space between the 14' wall and the 8' wainscoting the same color as the ceiling.

The paneling could butt up against the tiled portion of the wall or you don't have to add the paneling to the walls that have tile. If the paneling butts up against the tile it should be the same height as the tile. If you don't like the tile you can put the paneling right over the tile. Not in the shower area.

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BEDROOMS

Question:

Hi, I just found your site and I really like it.

My questions is: We currently have a queen size hybrid-waterbed. And I have always wanted a canopy bed. But we can't afford to buy a 4-poster or real canopy bed. So I was hoping to get some suggestions on how I can make a simple, inexpensive one myself. Any ideas would be appreciated

Advice:

There are two options I can suggest. One is to add 4 posts to all the corners of the bed and add a canopy to the top. The second suggestion is to leave the bed as is and add a canopy by suspending it from the ceiling.

Good Luck,

Question:

Hello!!We have recently bought a house and I would like to re-do the bedroom. Right now there is a beige/tan wall to wall carpet on the floor. I would like to do the room (bed linens, curtains etc.) in a red/black plaid color theme. Do you have any suggestions for new carpet colors and wall coverings/color. I would like to keep it subtle. I saw bed linens in this color theme and loved it. It is kind of rustic looking. Am I being realistic in wanting to use these colors in my bedroom without overdoing it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

Advice:

These colors work well together, I would add a natural creme color to balance the red. As for the black, use it as an accent color, a black lampshade, black hardware, etc. The walls can be both red and creme. You can paint or add wainscot paneling to the bottom of the wall, painting it in a creme. The top section of the wall can be painted a shade of red or you can use a red patterned wall paper. The existing carpet color should work fine.

Hope this helps.

QUESTION:

Hello!! We have recently bought a house and I would like to re-do the bedroom. Right now there is a beige/tan wall to wall carpet on the floor. I would like to do the room (bed linens, curtains etc.) in a red/black plaid color theme. Do you have any suggestions for new carpet colors and wall coverings/color. I would like to keep it subtle. I saw bed linens in this color theme and loved it. It is kind of rustic looking. Am I being realistic in wanting to use these colors in my bedroom without overdoing it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

Advice:

These colors work well together, I would add a natural creme color to balance the red. As for the black, use it as an accent color, a black lampshade, black hardware, etc. The walls can be both red and creme. You can paint or add wainscot paneling to the bottom of the wall, painting it in a creme. The top section of the wall can be painted a shade of red or you can use a red patterned wall paper. The existing carpet color should work fine.

Hope this helps.

Question:

I am in the process of redoing my bedroom and am in a quandary regarding drapery style. I have selected a sheer fabric for the curtains, but am unsure of what style to do them in. (I need the light). The fabric is a taupe with cream leaf design. have 4 windows in the bedroom, 2 on either side of where the bed will be placed. The windows are at right angles to each other (either side of the room's corner), 33' wide (ugly aluminum) with no moldings. I have just purchased a black iron metal bed (somewhat gothic in design) and will be using the new Croscill "Logan" comforter (taupe, khaki, olive). I am trying to do the window treatment fairly inexpensively as I'm planning to purchase an armoire to hide the TV (the back of which faces the hallway and visible to everyone!) and a dresser. I'm trying to achieve a casual elegance - a collection of different pieces. I have ragged the walls to give them more depth. I'm also looking for wall mounted light fixtures to use instead of night stand lamps.

Any suggestions you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

Advice:

The room sounds wonderful. I would suggest hanging the sheer from floor to ceiling, covering both windows with one treatment. Treat the two windows as if they are one. This will completely cover the windows but the sheer will allow the light to pass through. This will give you a very elegant look. Please let me know how it turns out.

Good Luck

Help! Our bedroom is 15'x15' and has a cathedral ceiling with a skylight. The walls and ceiling are currently a bland ivory and there is burgundy trim around the doors, etc. I really want to paint the room a dark, warm color, such as terra cotta or brick red. My question is, when I paint the room, do I paint the walls AND the ceiling the same dark color? Will that be too much of one color? If I do paint the ceiling and walls different colors, how do I make the separation?

Thank you for your help, I need it!

Advice:

If you use one shade lighter it will appear to be the same color as the walls. If you where to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls the ceiling would appear slightly darker. The variations in color are very subtle. You can also do a gradated painted finish where the coloring gradually gets lighter and lighter as it reaches the top.

Hope this helps.

Question:

Hi, I just found your site and I really like it.

My questions is: We currently have a queen size hybrid-waterbed. And I have always wanted a canopy bed. But we can't afford to buy a 4-poster or real canopy bed. So I was hoping to get some suggestions on how I can make a simple, inexpensive one myself. Any ideas would be appreciated

Advice:

There are two options I can suggest. One is to add 4 posts to all the corners of the bed and add a canopy to the top. The second suggestion is to leave the bed as is and add a canopy by suspending it from the ceiling.

Good Luck,

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DAYCARE

Question:

Hi,

I live in Military Housing in Honolulu, Hawaii. I have a daycare service in my home that takes up quite a bit of our living space. I have tried about every thing my imagination has come up with and am still at a loss as to how to arrange my furniture, so that it still looks homey and comfy, but is still a safe environment for my daycare. I need help, any suggestions?

Sincerely,

Advice:

You may want to try keeping your furniture in the center of the room, using the perimeter of the room for your daycare service. If you have the room to keep the sofa away from a wall, you can use the space behind the sofa for the daycare area. This will help to hind some of the toys, etc. Add a coffee table that has storage inside, such as a large trunk. Upholstered window seats with storage underneath will also help. Keep in mind that there does not have to be a window to create a window type seat. The use of large throw pillows can also help. Hope I could be of some service.

Good Luck

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DINING ROOMS

Question:

Hello !

This is a wonderful service, and thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Here is my question: Is there a "rule of thumb" regarding how large a rug should be when placed under a table? (as in dining room or kitchen table)

Advice:

The chairs should fit on the rug as well as the table. The chairs don't have to fit when they are pulled all the way out from the table. You want to give the chairs room to breath. You don't want them to sit on the edge of the rug.

Question:

Help! I have a problem! I own a home built in the late 1800's, and I love it. The only problem I am having, is the walls. They are made of a boar hair mixture. (I had the chemistry lab analyze it). Over the years, as you can imagine, they have cracked. Not too bad in places, but in others, it seems irreversible. My actual design problem is my dining room. It has three French doors along one wall. They expand the whole wall. They are 9 feet high. My ceilings are 10 feet. Anyway, I have only one wall in which I can't find a thing to do with. There are column bookshelves on one side, the opposite to that, I have my antique piano. This wall leads to the butler's pantry. The wall opposite the doors, (my problem wall) has one door leading to the hallway. Anyway, I have painted it antique white, the moldings are mahogany. The door to the hallway is not center the wall, it is off to the right side. The dimensions are 13X15.

Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so very much!

Advice:

My suggestion is to balance the off centered door. To the left side of the wall create a visual balance. You can add a cluster of pictures in identical frames, say four pictures, two on top two on the bottom. Another option would be to add a large antique mirror over a console table.

Hope this helps,

EDUCATION

Question:

hi my name is Tiffanie and I go to school at east jr. high and I live in Harrisburg pa . and I am very interested in inter decorating and I watch inter motives every day . and I wanted to know what would be a good way to get started I need your help your friend Tiffanie Galloway please write back

Hi, my name is Susan. I would start by taking some art classes. In these classes you will begin to learn about color and understanding color will be very helpful in the design field. You should also pick up some interior design magazines such as: House Beautiful, World of Interiors, Elle Decoration and Interior Design Magazine. Each of these magazines caters to a different area of Interior Design these should help. Really study the pictures and read the articles. The designers in the articles will give you a good idea where their ideas came from.

QUESTION:

I am a high school senior and live in Arkansas. I am wanting to pursue a career in interior decorating. Do you have any suggestions on what kind of courses I should take in college, or if I should go to a special school for interior decorating and design?

ADVICE:

I have family in Ozark ..... I'm in NJ. I went to school in NYC I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology. They have a great program, but I'm not sure if you're looking to relocate.

My advice to you is to research as many schools as you can. It may be difficult to find a liberal arts type college that has an extensive Interior Design program. I would recommend going to a special school for Interior Decorating or Design. Make sure you will finish with a degree not just a certificate. Having a degree is very important. In some states you need a license to practice Interior Design and in order to receive this license you need a degree.

I love what I do and would recommend it, but only if you feel very passionate about helping people and creating interesting environments. I feel that the space one spends most of their time in is very important. I think it can help peoples emotional states. The field of Interior Design is a difficult one so please go into this endeavor with your eyes open. And please discuss your options with your Parents or Guardians.

If you have anymore questions feel free to contact me again. By the way how did you find me in the first place? Did you hear about my web site from someone or did you use one of the search engines?

RESPONSE:

Dear Maxey Hayse,

Thank you so much for responding to my letter. You've been a great help. By the way, I found your address by a search engine.

P.S. My dad grew up in New Jersey--in Englewood, Harrington Park, and Teaneck.

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RESTAURANTS

Question:

Hi we have a restaurant in moose heads Australia we would like to get new ideas . The restaurant is 100 seater in a village atmosphere , Italian food is the bases but changes are needed licensed with bar 50% out door 50% in door. Please reply, noosahed...

Advice:

Who is your clientele? What are some of the architectural elements of the space? Will it function as a restaurant / nightclub or just a restaurant? My first thought is to create the atmosphere of an outdoor café. Let me know the answers to these questions and I will help you further.

Response:

Thank you for responding! The location I'm considering is 12,000 sq. ft , one level, ocean front. It used to be a low end, dingy bar. It is a rectangle shape extending long ways from the ocean to the first street. I want to take about 6,000 sq. ft and make 3 retail units that will be that will be sublet space. That portion will sit on the road. The rest of the building will include a cosmopolitan restaurant and lounge. The restaurant portion will be app. one third on the ocean. The lounge will be the remaining two thirds, in the space between the retail units and the restaurant.

Advice:

This sounds like a wonderful space. First I would start by creating a space plan. Lay out the tables, bar, kitchen and lounge areas. You will also need to determine the amount of restrooms needed. One important issue you will need cover is to make sure you are not changing the use of the space, if you are you need to check with the building department and see what needs to be changed (heating, ventilating etc.) to make it work. As far as the look of the space, you need to determine your clientele. Different people will prefer different types of spaces. Another area that you should analyze is the architectural elements of the space. Are they interesting enough on their own or do you need so add some interesting elements. It seems from what you are telling me you have a concept already. You want to create a cosmopolitan lounge. So with that in mind you need to determine exactly what that means to you. I realize this is very general information but this is a large project that needs development. This is a starting point.

If I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me again.

Good Luck

NIGHTCLUBS

Question:

Dear Sirs,

I am currently seeking for a designer who will create a complete interior for the night entertainment center with nightclub(16,000sqf) , restaurant (9,000sqf) and the bar (6,000sqf) in Atlanta, GA.

I need to have assumptions of costs of creating interior for this venue as the these costs will go onto a business plan for funding. If you can make your assumptions on creating interior for the Top Class nightclub, restaurant and the bar, no matter how much it would be as the amount you would say will go as the amount needed and sufficient funds will be raised for it.

If you are able to estimate costs, please contact me for further information required.

Thank you in advance.

Bets Regards.

Advice:

I can help you with the estimates, but I will need more information.

I am located in the New Jersey area if the location is near by I will come and take a look.

I am set up for long-distance consultations as well. I work with many of my clients through fax and overnight express mail. If you have a set of plans to send me and some picture, this would help get the ball rolling. Some clients even send me videos of their space. I can provide space plans, color schemes, fabric samples, detailed elevations and furniture selections, whatever it takes to create a good design.

My fees will vary from project to project and once I see the space I can give you a better idea of the total cost. As a rule I charge a fee of $35.00 to $50.00 per hour. I also offer furniture discounts to all my clients ranging from 10% to %20.

If you want to speak to me directly please feel free to call 973-338-4656.

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HALLWAY IDEAS

Question:

I need help with my foyer. We will be moving into a house that currently has flowered wallpaper on the walls of a 2-story foyer. I will be removing the paper, but can't decide if I should paint or re-wallpaper? If I paint will the walls look bare with these huge wall all off white or If I wallpaper what type of design and colors. I like traditional style and colors navy, cranberry, hunter green and beige. Thank you for your help.

Advice:

You have several options. You can use a beige tone on tone stripe wallpaper with a nice border or large crown molding. You might consider doing a custom finish on the wall. Faux finishes add a lot of depth to a room. Maybe you paint the wall a light tan and the trim a creamy beige. Adding pictures and lighting to the walls will help create interest.

I'd love to hear the outcome.

Question:

Hi,

I have a huge hall with a fourteen foot ceiling (or more). The hall is approx. 8' by 25' (three stairs lead up to the kitchen/dining room area around 20', i.e., the 25' is broken up into two levels).

The hall serves no real purpose, but it is in the entire middle of the house, and it is too huge to just put a couple of photos on the wall!

HELP!

p.s. I live in an old church, and this was the aisle that leads up to the alter (kitchen).

Thank you.

Advice:

This must be some house. I would love to hear some more details. I would consider doing a unique custom painted finish on the walls. This will help create some immediate interest on the walls. I would also add some interesting lighting, something that will create a pattern of light and shadow on the walls.

You can also add fabric to the walls. Maybe you add a curtain down the length of one wall. You can also break up the walls by adding a series of curtains (like a row of doors). You can also paint what looks like doors or archways on the walls. You might fool a few people. It would be a great for conversation.

If you want to bring the height of the ceiling down you might consider adding a shelf with decorative brackets at 8 to 10 feet. That gives me an idea. You can create a library gallery. You could add book shelves and sliding ladders. You could also faux the entire thing.

Good Luck

Question:

Hi.

First, I'd like to say what a great service, and I don't expect it to last! Too many people are finding out about your company....

New home, second floor hallway. The builder is allowing us to convert what was originally a linen closet into whatever. The dimensions are 5' wide by 8' high by 2' deep. The home is very open. You can see the closet from the floor of the Great Room below. We would like to make this lighted and some type of showcase, possibly with cabinets and or door with shelves showing off something we have. We can go expensive with maple cabinets or wood or we could stay with the built-in look with paint and plaster. Any unique ideas?

Also, we live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Do you have connections out here? Thanks again. Dan Pilant

Advice:

I think your idea is a good one. I will offer another one just for thought. You can create a window seat area with storage underneath. Above the seating you can have an artist paint a mural. The mural could be windows with a beautiful country view beyond the windows. This would be a great effect from the great room. If you get a really good artist people will think the windows are real.

No I don't have anyone step up out there to come a see your home but I do work with many of my clients through fax and overnight express mail. If you have a set of plans to send me and some pictures we can work long distance.

I can help you with furniture needs as well.

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INTERESTING IDEAS

Question:

Hi, thanks for offering advice to those of us that need some guidance. I am in the middle of building a new home, which is very exciting for me. I would like to decorate it basically using the neo classical style. My favorite color now seems to be taupe, and I will be using it on the walls. I would like to work a lot with that color and whatever will go with it. I really do not like the clutter look at all.

I have an open great room, dining, and foyer with 18 ft. ceilings and tall windows, and a corner fireplace (thinking of painting the ceiling sage). I have ideas on some of the things I would like to use, but really have a difficult finding these unusual things (especially at affordable prices). The rest of the house has 9 ft or cathedral ceilings. Floor space is just average. The kitchen is half-way open into the great room with a bay window.

I would love ideas for furniture color, large scale accessories, window treatments, and everything. I want this house to be sort of casual elegance, and very comfortable. I have been watching decorating shows and looking at magazines, but would love any ideas I can get. I want it to look decorator style without the decorator cost!

Thanks,

Sandy

My first suggestion is for you to really research the Neoclassic Style. Use the library and bookstore you should find some wonderful books. The reason I suggest this is I want you to stay focused on your original goal. It is difficult when you start shopping for furnishings without an exact idea. People tend to see things they like and purchase them without considering their original idea and in the end the room falls apart. Decide all you color and furnishings before you start purchasing big ticket items. Create a presentation board for yourself. Put samples of paint colors, fabric samples and pictures of furniture that you see in magazines and look at all the pieces and see how it looks together. Then go out and purchase the paint always sample the paint on a small section of the room before painting the entire space. Once you are satisfied with the paint then begin to purchase you furnishings.

The Neo Classic Style is a very good style to work with. You can combine other styles with this type of furniture very easily. You should also research the modern period of furniture. Furniture of the 20's, 30's even furniture of the 50's which is very popular right now.

As for the colors, I think taupe or a light tan on the walls will act as a neutral back ground for your furnishings. The sage as well as a midnight blue will work well with the taupe. To me when I hear Neoclassic Classic I think of a dark rich blue velvet fabric. Look for oversized furniture keeping classic in mine. Keep the window treatments very simple and elegant. A classic straight curtain with no top treatment will work nicely. The curtain can begin just below the crown moldings. If you do not have nice sized classic molding in the house I would add some.

To sum it all, research first then analyze you decisions. The overall idea is to create a neutral backdrop with Neoclassic Classic architectural moldings and beautiful bold simple furniture and accessories.

Question:

I'm designing my unfinished basement bedroom. I would like some free tips on what to do my new room. if you would please send some information that would be most helpful.

peace,

Fredrica

Advice:

On thing about a basement is the ceiling are low, putting up molding that are placed on the ceiling as well as the wall will create the illusion of a higher ceiling. If possible put up a sheet rock ceiling it will make for a much cleaner and simpler. If you have to use a drop ceiling you can find tin ceiling panels that fit in a drop ceiling system. They are much nicer than the standard ceiling tile. The tiles can be left in their original metal finish or the can be painted. You may also consider draping an entire wall with a sheer fabric treatment. Hang the fabric from floor to ceiling and end to end. Many times the windows in a basement are not very attractive. This will help create a soft elegant look without losing your light levels.

Hope this starts you creative juices flowing.

Maxey

Question:

I enjoy your web site. I would appreciate any advice you have for finishing my basement. We will be enclosing space for three rooms and a bathroom. Could you make suggestions for the game/play room? It will be 15 by 32 feet. The north end is presently concrete, and will probably have some type of cabinet for a big screen TV and storage. The west side has three double windows. The east side is where the stairs come down, with a door to the bedroom located about 10 feet from the south end, which has a double window, and door to outside.

I had planned to put a table for cards or games between the bedroom door and the windows at the south end. I will need seating for the media area, and all tables. Presently I have 4 antique lawn chairs (wooden with cloth director type seats and back) that I had hoped to use for the game table, and two new wicker chairs (Storehouse).

I also have 14 yards of woven (not chintz) awning stripe in sage green and white that I had purchased for a previous home, and never used. I thought I could use it for window treatments, maybe roman shades. My one design inspiration was to use a beach type theme, but not necessarily nautical.

Questions:

1. What type couch? white leather? kids are 16, 7 and 6

2. Any ideas for tables - end, coffee, game?

3. What about accessories for the theme? Wall hangings?

4. Should I paper the walls, or faux paint? I saw where someone mixed 1/2 paint and 1/2 glaze, brushed on, then brushed part off with a dry brush. Would this be more durable than just latex paint. Ceilings will be 8 feet, suspended.

5. What about furniture placement? I would like to use recessed lighting, so I need to plan ahead for that.

Any ideas, suggestions, advice will be GREATLY appreciated. I think this room will be used often, and would like it to be special. Of course, like most people, my budget is limited, and my husband and I will be doing a lot ourselves.

Thank you,

Kim

Advice:

I have two concerns about using white leather. One is it will always be dirty especially with children. The second concern is leather sticks to you on hot days. I would suggest a textured fabric something that will be durable and comfortable. I would recommend a large sofa with one large cushion, something that three people can sit on comfortable.

As for end table and coffee tables look for some outdoor furniture something you would see on a beach or at a beach club. You may try to create the look of a cabana.

The fabric you have will work well as an awning style window treatment.

The durability of this particular faux finish and latex paint should be the same. A faux finish that has the appearance of sand may work well for the beach theme.

Arrange the furniture around the specific activities that happen in the space. You may make all the furniture movable to accommodate all the different activities.

You should determine how many lights you want to add and do that first. This way when you install the ceiling you know exactly where the lights are going to be located.

Question:

I was hoping you could answer a question for me. I am having my walk-up attic completely redone with skylights, carpet, sheet rock, etc., and I want to make it comfortable and homey looking. Nothing too fancy.

The ceilings are typical attic style -- sloped on both sides (7 foot ceilings) and the eaves are going to be storage areas with small sliding doors in each corner for access to the storage.

I am using a ivory carpet with a light blue speckle in it -- Berber style.

I was contemplating wallpapering the slope with one type of wallpaper, and the bottom portion with a coordinating pattern, or painting the sloped ceiling, and just wallpapering the bottom section. I would like to get matching curtains as well.

My question is will wallpapering the sloped ceiling be "too much". Also, should I match the curtains to the top wallpaper pattern or the bottom wallpaper pattern.

I was thinking of using a stripe and a floral if I used two wallpapers, or just using a stripe on the bottom and a floral curtain to match.

HELP!! I don't want the room to look too busy and am concerned that if I wallpaper the sloped ceiling that the room will look smaller.

Any advice.

Best regards,

Advice:

You need to be careful with putting a pattern on the sloped ceiling. Too big a pattern will definitely make the room look smaller you might try a very small print. I think your idea of using a stripe on the bottom and a floral window treatment is the best idea. I would paint the slope one of the colors in the stripe wallpaper.

Sincerely,

Maxey

Question:

What we are looking for are both advice and, after we get a better idea of where we are going, we will likely want to work with a designer to help us select specific decorative and furniture pieces to flesh out our ideas. What kind of style might fit with African masks and baskets, with a couple of Chiwara sculptures? We don't want purely British colonial, because the historical implications of that would take away from the subtle force of the art.. What flavor of oriental rugs? But how else might we go? We are located in the Baltimore area.

Advice:

I would go with natural materials, a sisal for the rug, woven fabrics and possibly textured or upholstered walls. I would keep all of these elements in neutral colors. Let them act as a backdrop to the art. Taking the material characteristics of the African art and adding it to the space. African art is beautiful and has great character you want that to be the focus of the room.

My goal as a designer is to help my clients create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable. I feel the home is a very personal space and I like to bring out the personalities of my clients and their families within the space. I also feel that all of my clients have a vision of how they would like their house to look and feel. I believe it is my job to help you create this vision.

I am set up for long-distance consultations. I work with many of my clients through fax and overnight express mail. If you have a set of plans to send me and some picture, this would help get the ball rolling. Some clients even send me a home movie of their house. I can provide furniture plans, color schemes, fabric samples, detailed elevations and furniture selections, whatever it takes to create a good design.

Question:

We have recently purchased a new two bedroom home in Florida. I've really not had the "knack" of putting materials/right colors/comfort furniture to make a "together" look in our home.

I'd like to utilize the colors green, blue and yellow. Make our living room COMFORT functional. We also have a Florida room which I would like an inviting, comfort atmosphere.

If you can give me some advise I sure would appreciate it. Even to the extent of my chosen color scheme.

Thank you in advance

Advice:

Green, blue and yellow should work fine together. Make one (possibly the green) the predominate color and use the others as accents. Yellows can range from bright yellow to a cream beige. I think you should go out and get different fabric and paint samples. Then place the samples around the room and live with them for a while. You will begin to see the subtle variations between colors and fabrics and this will help you make your decisions.

First I would get several different paint swatches. Look at different paint companies because they all have different colors. Ralph Lauren and Pratt & Lambert are a little more expensive but they have great colors. Hang them all on the wall and see which looks best. Then buy a small amount of the color you like best and paint a small patch to test. If you do not like it you have not spent to much money and you do not have to re-paint. Painted finishes on walls add a lot of depth to a room. You might consider using them. Ralph Lauren has some textured paint finishes you might try.

Just a suggestion, but I might try a green and creamy beige coloring for the rag wash. Look at Ralph Lauren's, I believe it is called Brompton Gray it's a beautiful greenish color. Greens are very soothing colors. Look at the green with a creamy beige. You could also paint the walls in the Brompton Gray and all the trim in the light creamy beige. This is just an alternate suggestion.

One possibility for the Florida room would be a monochromatic color scheme. Creamy whites on whites with a combination of different textures in the beige and white tones. You can add silver accents in picture frames, table legs, lamps, etc. Combine different materials such as camel hair fabrics, woven fabrics and grass fabrics keeping the idea of comfort in mind.

As for the furniture there are many different styles that will work. You can use classic modern furniture or French antique furniture. You can also combine new furniture with antiques.

Good Luck

Question:

We have a darling small "guest house" in our backyard that I want to convert into MY SPACE!!! It is virtually one large room with a post in the center; 3 windows, 2 doors, a darling black wood burning stove on the far end. The walls are wide horizontal boards, painted white; trim is blue; floor is gray. Very low ceiling, like an English cottage would be. It is about 350 sq. ft. There is also a small bathroom with just a commode and a small window. There is no sink anywhere. I am DYING to turn this into a little cottage ... but on a shoestring budget. The furniture currently out there is a nice, old desk (very old, very crude, painted black) and a picnic table w/2 benches. I am looking for a space where I can read, listen to music, entertain my friends, and just basically ESCAPE FROM IT ALL! (No phone, no TV, NO KIDS!) The wood stove heats in the winter, and there is a wall unit AC for the summer. (I am in South Carolina.) How would you suggest I proceed? THANKS! Someone on the Home Arts Forum suggested your site. I've bookmarked it.

Advice:

The first thing that comes to mind, is to add a comfortable oversized chair, for you to sit and read and listen to music. Put a tall reading lamp next to it and add a footstool. Look in second had shops, The Salvation Army, flea markets and yard sales you can find wonderful things for dirt cheap. Look for an old fashioned wash basin, one that doesn't require plumbing. You can bring a pitcher of water in from the main house and sit it on the wash basin. If you find an old chair that needs work, you can just add a velvet throw or some other beautiful fabric over it, an oversized slipcover look. You can do a simple painted finish on the picnic table. On the benches, if they need it, you can add foam and wrap them with a fabric. You could experiment with different colors on the walls and trim as well. Maybe try a distressed look on the walls. Add fresh flowers, candlesticks and beautiful holders. Add pictures of your favorite things to the walls. Think of all the things that are important to you and try to bring them into the room. Add a frame with your favorite poem inside.

Good Luck

BACK TO CATEGORIES

FURNITURE

Hello!

I can't believe I discovered you on the web and you're not too far from me (I'm in Little Silver, next to Red Bank)! I've been looking off and on for several years for chairs to go with my hand-me-down dining table, which is Danish Modern teak. I want something very simple, upholstered, yet slim and not too bulky. I'm also very picky because I'm an art director/designer. Do you have any suggestions as to where I can find a huge selection? Should I order furniture catalogs by mail? I've heard of catalogs called Palecek and Ballard -- do you know anything about them?

Many thanks,

Jennifer K.

Advice:

I would suggest taking a day to shop in Manhattan. Go to Soho you will find a great selection of furniture. You can make a day of it go to Green Street. There are several nice restaurants and plenty of places to shop. You should also try ABC Carpet they are also in Manhattan. They have several floors of furniture. Look in the paper. ABC Carpet often has a traveling sale where they bring their merchandise to other places. You can find some great pieces for a good price.

If you want to send me a picture of the dining table I can see if I have anything in my office that will work well.

Question:

Hi,

I am moving into a condo. all the carpets are beige and white walls. Living room is 21 x 11, long and narrow. we want a TV area and a computer area. I want to add color, but am afraid to darken the walls. there is only one window. Can I go with a light peach to get away from the whiteness? Also, bedroom is 11 x 15. We want to get furniture that will have a lot of drawers, I was thinking of some modular units running together along the walls, but mica is expensive. Also, can I do something with the white walls? perhaps a shade of green? or wallpaper lower half and keep top painted?

Advice:

Don't be afraid of using color there is nothing wrong with brightening a room with color. If the room is very small you do not want to go too dark. There are some beautiful greens out there. Don't be afraid to paint the entire wall green.

Make sure you have adequate lighting in the room (floor lamps, table lamps and decorative lighting). It does not matter what color you use if there is not enough lighting it will always feel small and dark.

As far as using several modular units butted up against one another, I would advise to go with one large piece. Several small pieces next to one another can look cluttered. When looking for furniture you want to make sure it is sturdy and will last sometimes that means spending more money but I would rather spend more and know it will have a long life. That is not to say that mica is always durable. Many times' mica furniture is nothing but laminated particle board. Evaluate the pros and cons.

Question:

My husband bought a 'table'. It is not a coffee/cocktail table, yet it is equal in length, more narrow and about the height of our sofa. What is it? What is its intended purpose? What's your recommendation for decorating/room arrangement with this item?

We have matching end tables and the coffee/cocktail table. Other furniture in this 17' x 15' living/family room are: full size sofa, love seat and two recliners, one hologen floor lamp and two table lamps. Of course the big screen TV and entertainment center take up one entire wall, this is not movable since all the wiring is located in that wall. There's a fire place w/windows at both sides at the narrow end of the room.

Frustrated,

Advice:

This piece would be a sofa table or a console table. This item can be placed directly behind the sofa with some accessories on top. It looks very nice. Many times it is used behind a sofa when the sofa sits in the middle of the room, but it is not limited to that use. This type of table could also be put up against the wall with a rectangular mirror or picture above and accessories on top. When you arrange the accessories on the table, it looks nice to have some height on either side and something a little lower in the middle. The opposite will also work something tall in the middle and something shorter on either side. The side pieces do not have to be the exact same height, in either case.

Good Luck

BACK TO CATEGORIES

FLOORING

Question:

I have a 3 bedroom, ranch-style home with 2 bathrooms that needs new wall-wall flooring. The house has an open floor plan with the dining area directly next to a small galley kitchen. I would like to put ceramic tile (same pattern) in the dining area, kitchen and patio door entrance way and new carpet in the rest of the house. The only problem is I'm not the greatest at matching colors and I'm not quite sure what looks good. If it helps I do have a large area rug with a maroon border and a cream & carmel paisley interior that I was planning to put on top of the new tile in the dining area. I am planning to sell the home in a couple of years and would like the new flooring to be a hot selling point. I suppose I would like to keep it simple, get something that hides dirt and goes with everything. Any suggestions or ideas on specific color patterns/combinations ? The guys at the carpet barn don't care and don't have a clue and I can't afford an interior decorator.

ADVICE:

I have a couple of suggestions' one is to use a natural stone tile. See if you can find a local quarry or a stone yard. You might try a fireplace store they usually carry wonderful natural stone. You will be surprised many times the tile is much cheaper than at a tile store.

Another suggestion is to look at the Pergo or Wilsonart flooring. It is a laminated product made to look like wood. It is quite durable and comes in many color variations with coordinating boarder details. In the patio door entrance you may want to try a design in the center of the floor.

Question:

We added a 15' x 20' sunroom with 12' open ceilings and 3 walls of windows to the north side of our home. I want the room to feel cozy and warm - with the effect of an atrium. If I tile the floor, will I get an "echo" sound in the room even if I use area rugs? I don't want it to feel like a cold, uninviting space. Also, should I consider carpet? Need color scheme ideas too; the rest of the house is fairly monochromatic in neutrals. Thank you. (Live in Michigan - rarely do we even SEE the sun and would like the room to be light, bright, and airy!)

ADVICE:

I would stay with a neutral color scheme.

I think that esthetically the tile with the area rugs would be the best choice. I think this will help you create the effect you are looking for. I would recommend one large area rug. This will help to lessen the echo and still give you a large carpeted area, while still enjoying the effects of the tile.

Tile with area rugs will still have some echo, not nearly as much as without area rugs at all. Carpet would be OK but I do not know how much activity this room will get. If keeping the carpet clean will be an issue then I would go with tile. If you have small children who spend time playing on the floor; I would go with carpet.

Question:

Dear Decorator,

We are considering new carpet for our LR,DR and office. We like the ease of care of the berbers because we have three small children. But, we have antiques in all three rooms and Queen Anne style sofa and chairs in LR. Is there a type of berber that works well with antique furnishings? I know the sculptured berbers are more contemporary and would not work. I have never really seen berber with anything but contemporary and some traditional furniture. Any suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated. I enjoyed your web page and thank you for this service.

Advice:

The berber will work very well. You are right about the sculptured berbers. Look for a solid berber something neutral, beige with a touch of light brown. Berbers hide dirt well. Another option in the living room could be wood floors with an oversized needlepoint. You could also have a berber bound like an area rug and put that on top of the wood floor.

Good Luck

BACK TO CATEGORIES

FAMILY ROOMS

Question:

Dear Maxey Hayse,

I am looking for some furniture arrangement for my family room to get more seating and to utilize the space in the room better. The room is 14' x 18'. On the 14' wall is a small fireplace flanked by two long windows. I'll call that north for descriptive purposes. On the 18' side in the northeast corner are french doors leading to a study. On the same wall on the southeast corner of the room is a door way from the foyer. On the opposite 14' wall in the southwest corner of the room is a doorway to the kitchen. I have a sofa and loveseat with one end table which I'd like to keep. I presently have an entertainment cabinet which houses the TV but I am considering making an in-wall space for the TV somewhere on the west side wall (18') which is next to the garage and would allow me to indent the wall (the other walls are not suitable for this purpose). Is there any way to get one or two upholstered chairs into this room without blocking up the doorways?

Also, I'd like to know what type of projects you accept? Can you draw up conceptual plans with a customer which they can implement over time as the budget allows ? I have a 1 1/2 yr old and two cats which have been holding me back from investing in some expensive items. Is it possible to design around this?

Thanks

Advice:

We can design around any circumstances. Yes, I can create conceptual plans for you to implement over time. I would give you a set fee for this type of work. If you send me some pictures and dimensions I can be of further assistance.

I would consider creating two seating areas. I would put the loveseat in front of the fireplace. Put the sofa in the center of the room facing the west wall with the entertainment center up against or recessed into the wall. You can put the end table at the end of the sofa or love seat. You will the have room to add two chairs on either side of the sofa. You can place the facing each other, at an angle facing the TV. You can also add three chairs, placing two chairs next to each other to the right of the sofa facing the fireplace and one on the other side of the sofa facing the two chairs.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you would like for me to provide you with a few furniture arrangements and some color and finish suggestions.

Question:

Dear Maxey Hayse,

I discovered your site tonight and am hooked--love your ideas. My "problem"--we recently moved into a house with a 18X25 family room. The cathedral ceiling peaks at 30 ft., and the east and south walls are primarily windows up to the ceiling (including a set of French doors on the south wall). Not only that, but there are also 5 skylights to contend with. A little bit of light is grand, but the afternoon light is blinding me, and I'm worried the navy carpet will soon fade. My furniture is of the navy/burgundy/forest green variety, and the walls are (oh so unfortunately) newly painted a cream color that looks way too white for my taste. My question--how do I warm up this room--am considering oak-stained 2" wooden blinds, but am at a loss for fabric window treatments to complement the blinds and warm things up. I'm afraid of not "pulling it all together."

Advice:

The first thing you need to do is look into put a clear film over the windows to prevent the sun from fading the carpet. The sun will fade the navy to a purplish color. I would suggest painting the walls a warmer and darker shade. You have the light and the size to handle darker walls. This will help to warm the room up and I think you will be happier in the long run. As for the fabric treatment I would try a straight side panel.

Good Luck

Question:

We have recently moved into a new home. The kitchen and family room are completely open to each other. I have set up the family room okay but feel that it could be better. Any advice would be appreciated.

The family room is 24 feet X 14 feet. On one of the 14 ft side is the kitchen and the other has a 5ft 8in fireplace. The other focal point is the entertainment center which has speakers beside it. It measures at 7ft. 9in. On the other side of the wall are three evenly spaced windows. Our furniture includes a couch, wing chair, seat with an ottoman, round cloth covered table, end table and a victrola(2ft wide & 4ft tall). I also have a rocking glider chair that I would like to put in there if possible.

The room looks nice now but there are lots of open spots where my Daughter's toys are. It would be nice to have a small area for her but not a necessity. Thank you for providing this service.

Advice:

One possibility is to put the entertainment center opposite the 3 windows. Place the sofa parallel to the window wall but not up against the windows. Leave 3 feet in front of the windows if possible. Place the round table in front of the sofa and place the seat with ottoman on an angle next to the sofa, facing the entertainment unit. Place the wing chair on an angle at one end of the fireplace and the rocking glider on the other side, facing the kitchen. You can also place these two chairs on angles facing the fireplace. Place the victrola in the corner of the room where the kitchen wall and entertainment center wall meet. I hope that's not to confusing. Now the space between the sofa and windows, which should be a long narrow space, can become your daughter's area.

Good Luck

BACK TO CATEGORIES

FABRICS

Question:

I am looking to replace my sofa. At the present it is a navy and burgundy plaid. I have a forest green club chair with ottoman, and a burgundy leather recliner. My tables are, I guess you would call them a medium oak or a mahogany color. They are by Hooker: a large square coffee table glass insert(display table?) (My mind just went blank and I can't think of the name of it) The tables with the drawers, anyway, I have a problem with finding the right fabric. My walls are a Khaki beige, (but I would like to paint them, if you could suggest something) My living room is separate from the den with a doorway so it is visible from the den. The walls of the living room are a burgundy, with a tapestry sofa, and linen white trim. I want a plaid sofa for my den, with mostly the burgundy and green. But all I see in the plaid I have in mind is in a bright red color. I did see a Ralph Lauren print in a magazine that looked like the color and plaid that I was looking for but I cannot find a sofa. I want a large comfy style with the large pillows, tailored skirt, (I do know Henredon makes a style I love, but is too pricey) My question is: How do you think a burgundy, green, with a yellow(butter color) plaid fabric would look? And paint the walls a pale yellow? I've seen the yellow a lot with Chinese red but how would it look with burgundy? There are two windows on each side of where the sofa will be, and I need advice on window treatments. The house is English Tudor, so the windows have the diamond grids. I think I want wooden blinds and tab tops, but the only ones I can find (I don't sew) are in a sheer fabric, which I think look too much like a bedroom. I like the decorative rods, and I also like the wrap scarves. What do you think? Thank-you so much! (I live in Ga. so I think that is out of your territory for your services)

Michele

Advice:

I think the yellow will look good with the burgundy. I also think the plaid should work. I love a full sheer look but I don't think I would mix a sheer and wooden blinds. I would suggest floor to ceiling side panels, try a cotton velvet or something very drapable. You could use the wooden blinds or the fabric accordion shades. Make sure you get several paint swatches and hang them up around the room. This way you pick just the right shade of yellow. Once you decide buy a small amount of paint and test it on a wall.

Thank-you so much for your advice. I got your address from the Carol Duval BB, and I will put a message on there too, about your help. One more question: You suggested cotton velvet panels, would this be casual enough for a family room? Would you suggest a neutral beige, or a solid color? Also I had thought of a scarf draped over a decorative rod with wooden blinds, do you think this would be too much? I realize you are located in NJ?, but you still sell window treatments, by mail? Also, after deciding on window treatments, and colors, Could I hire your services by faxing you pictures of my family room, and you help me decide on a sofa, and accessories? Please respond. Thank-you very much

Response:

Yes, this would be casual enough for a family room. Some velvets are dressier looking than others so look around. I would recommend a creamy beige that works well with the yellow. You could also use one curtain that completely covers the window and use a tieback on one side. I don't think the wooden blind and the scarf treatment would be to much, but they may compete with one another. The wooden blinds could over power the scarf. The blinds may appear much heavier than the scarf.

Yes, you could send me pictures or you can send me a video, many of my clients send me videos. In return, I can send you pictures of furniture, fabrics and accessories that will work well. I can even send you some pictures or sketches of the window treatment I am suggesting. I offer my clients furniture discounts 10 to 20% off the retail price.

I look forward to working with you,

Maxey Hayse

BACK TO CATEGORIES

HOME OFFICE

Question:

I have a 10 by 10 room that we call the study or library but also has my husband's computer desk in there. His desk is approx. 7 by 7 corner piece, about 5.5 to 6 ft high and about 2 ft in width (from the wall). The wood is golden oak. I have two windows about 36 inches wide opposite the desk. I had originally wanted a computer desk along the wall directly opposite of the windows with bookshelves built around it making it look like one piece and continuing the built-in bookshelves, floor to ceiling, to the adjacent wall. These bookshelves would be the focus when you come into the room through French doors. I have long associated libraries with wood paneling, soft lights and dark colors. My husband had an certain idea of a desk he wanted which is the corner piece we have now. I would like to combine my ideas with his desk. Can I build shelves around this desk covering two walls for books? I am thinking of either painting or wallpapering the walls in deep red color with cream accents like the window sills. I saw a picture of this color scheme in a magazine for a small room exactly what I had described but would like additional feedback such as; will the golden oak go well with deep red? Will the corner desk and built-in shelves be too "messy"? I'm a classic type and would like to hear any tips or ideas. Hope you can get the "picture" without an actual picture.

Thanks

ADVICE:

Whenever you introduce a new color into a room always get paint swatches and put them up against all existing pieces. Make sure you use enough creme to balance the red. My concern would not be the golden oak and red, but I would look at the creme and the golden oak.

Yes, you could build the shelves around the computer desk. Make sure the new shelves have some architectural elements in common with the computer desk. This will help to create a clean look. If you are concerned about clutter you may want to add doors to some of the shelves.

Question:

I would like to build a corner desk in a small room in my home that I use for an office and my wife and children use as the Homeschool Room. The over all dimensions of the room are 10' X 12". The corner in questions has windows to either side of it. On the left the window is 43" from the corner and the window on the right is 46" from the corner.

I need the space to be able to handle my PC, its printer, speakers and hopefully a hide-away keyboard drawer. In addition, I would also like to have space for other purposes besides computing. Maybe a couple of filling cabinet style drawers for storage. And of course, there will need to be some type of shelving overhead. Am I dreaming or is this a workable area for my needs?

Thanks Again!

ADVICE:

I think you can satisfy all your needs within this space. You will need to use overhead shelves. What is the ceiling height?

There are two ways you can go about it. One you can create a L spaced area the other option is to put the computer area in on an angle. The later option will give you a deeper space, which will allow you to put the monitor in the back corner of the desk ( use an under counter pull out surface for keyboard) giving you room in front of the monitor for a worksurface. In the L configuration you could but the monitor on the right of the L and the left side could be a work surface. This may be a little tight. The two options would need to be worked out to scale to best evaluate your pros and cons.

I would make the unit blend into the rooms architecture. For example if the you have a crown molding around the ceiling I would use the same molding on the top of the computer station / bookcase unit. Try to make the unit look as if it was always in the room.

If I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me. If you would like me to supply you with some plans, I will need the ceiling height and some more details regarding the rooms architectural details.

BACK TO CATEGORIES

SEEKING DESIGNER

Question:

Dear Susan, Hi can you recommend some designers in the Boston/Worcester area. I am mainly interested in finding someone to help me coordinate all the things that I have collected from tag sales and consignment shops. I would like some help in making our home look polished and pulled together. We also plan on installing new flooring throughout the first floor and we would like to add some custom built cabinets in the kitchen. So far everyone that I have contacted has wanted a consultation fee in the $100/hour range. We don't have a lot of money to redecorate and most of these designers have average prices per room in the $10,000-25,000 range. Oh I would also appreciate any tips on what I should do before I spend time with the designer. I would like to do my homework so that the time with the designer is used to my advantage.

Thanks in advance!

Advice:

The first thing you should do is make a list of all you design concerns. Go through one room at a time and right down questions for the designer. It is a lot easier to concentrate on one room. Dealing with all the rooms at once can be overwhelming.

QUESTION:

We are seeking advice and help of a designer for furniture ideas, kitchen designs, etc. We are building a single-family home in Montville, is this area in your range? The house has about 3,600 square feet, 4 bedrooms and an office. I'm interested in finding out your fees. If you have a brochure, I'd be interested in seeing.

ADVICE:

Yes, I do service the Montville area and I would be happy to help you with the design of your new house. You are very fortunate to be building your own home. This gives you a great deal of control over every aspect of the design process. Building your own home can also be overwhelming and as a Designer with experience and extensive training I can help make the process a simpler one.

My goal as a designer is to help my clients create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable. I feel the home is a very personal space and I like to bring out the personalities of my clients and their families within the space. I also feel that all of my clients have a vision of how they would like their house to look and feel. I believe it is my job to help you create this vision.

My fees will vary from project to project and once I see the space I can give you a better idea of the total cost. As a rule I charge a fee of $50.00 to $75.00 per hour. I also offer furniture discounts to all my clients ranging from 10% to %20. I can also work on a set fee. We can set up a free consultation so I can see the scope of the job and you can review my portfolio.

Please feel free to contact me with any further questions. I can be reached at 973-338-4656.

BACK TO CATEGORIES

PAINT COLORS

Question:

Hi, my wife and I own a beautiful Historic Home in Monmouth County which we will be having painted in the spring. I have been doing research on which paint to use and have heard good things about P&L but I cannot seem to find anyone locally who carries it. Can you help?

Also, have you ever heard of a company called "Fine Paints of Europe"? I picked up information on them at an Old House Fair in Philadelphia. They claim that their paint will last twice as long as the best paints available her I.E. Benjamin Moore. I have to say the stuff looks great but it seems ridiculously expensive. $80 per gallon!! I'm just curious if you've had any experience with it.

Thanks for your help!!

Bob

Advice:

The "Fine Paints of Europe" is expensive but it is a great paint and I am told their gallon will cover a larger area then others. One of the reasons it is so expensive is the paint is warranted for 10 years. If you have a problem with it someone will come out and repaint for you. As for the Pratt and Lambert it is less expensive roughly $28 per gallon but there is no warranty. I like both paints. Call 1-800-555-1212 and ask for the 800 number for Pratt and Lambert. They should be able to give you the name of the local dealer in your area. If you can't get the number contact me again and I will get it for you.

Good Luck

Question:

I will be redoing our bedroom and need some advice on colors. The bedspread and window treatments are jewel tones, (hunter, navy and burgundy with a metallic gold tassel winding throughout the print. I would like to use hunter carpeting , to please my husband. The walls and trim are both off-white, What can I do to the walls to warm them up? I don't want "pink" walls, and I don't want to paper the entire room. I hang wallpaper full-time and would like to do something creative and original. thanks

Advice:

You have several options for wall color. You can use a golden yellow color wash and a solid yellow on the trim. The navy in the window treatments should also work well. A hunter green color wash with a slightly darker hunter on the floor is another option. A final option would be a creamy tone on tone tan, with a slightly lighter trim.

Hope this helps,

Question:

We are re-decorating our large living room. We have purchased oversized sofa, loveseat, chair and ottoman in a dark, hunter green. Our large (almost room size) area rug is a cream berber with light tan chris cross (lattice) design. The pattern is about 1/2" apart.

dilemma is what color to paint the walls. The trim will be done in a cream, however my first thought was to paint the walls in a light brown/tan color. But someone had suggested painting the walls a lighter shade of green, such as sage to tie in the furniture. Would tan walls bring in to many colors into the room? There are several windows in the room. On a sunny day we get a lot of sun.

What do you suggest?

Thank you!!

Advice:

I would go with the light tan walls and a light cream trim. I think the a tan backdrop to the green furniture will make a better color combination. It will also make for a more interesting contrast. You don't want to lose the furniture in the wall color.

Question:

Hello,

I recently found your web site and really enjoy the information.

I really like the subtle effect of colorwashing and/or ragging, and would like to use them in the new house we're building. (Just closed last week, still waiting for building permit, will probably begin digging next week. Yay!) I mainly like it because of the "depth" it adds, as opposed to the flatness of a straight paint job. For each room, I would probably just stick to two shades of the same color or one color and a neutral, to achieve some depth, but not look too "patterned."

My question is, how much is too much? Can I use painting techniques in every room? The house is a tri-level, about 1800 sq. ft. 3 br, living, family, combined kitchen/dinette, 2 baths, somewhat open-concept. The main level is the living room and kitchen area. I'd like to do two different, but complementary colorwash schemes in these two areas. I'd also like to do the family room, and probably the bathrooms (probably do this first, since they're smallest). Bedrooms will probably be last.

However, I have read that color washing is best for *textured* walls, and I really don't want to texture the walls. What is your opinion on this?

We plan to have all-white kitchen cabinets, bath vanities, baseboards and 6-panel doors. I figured all-white would help pull the decor together, especially if we use different colors in rooms. But, since we're doing all the painting ourselves, we could opt for something else. I have considered doing them in white antiqued/distressed look, too. Also, in case it matters, the exterior will be light gray with white trim.

I know this is a long shot, but I don't suppose there is any way you can do design consultation long-distance, can you? I could supply all kinds of pictures, floor plans, etc. I would really like a professional to help me develop a "grand master plan" that we can work from. Otherwise, is there any chance you could recommend someone in the Milwaukee metro area? I would like to go on recommendation, rather than yellow pages, preferably in the same rate range that you mentioned; however, I don't know anyone in my middle-class social circle that has ever enlisted the services of an interior decorator/designer.

This is our first house. Up until now we've always had an apartment with white walls which we could not paint. I'm excited about using color, but don't want it to look gaudy.

Thanks in advance any input.

ADVICE:

I agree with you about the depth that a painted finish adds to a room. Painted finishes can make a room very special. That is why you want to be careful with how much you use. Ragging is rather bold and very special. So if I went with ragging in one room I would make the other techniques more subtle. You do not want to lessen the impact of the ragging.

Colorwashing is good in hiding imperfections in walls but I do not necessarily think you would need to texture the walls to achieve a good effect.

Using white as a common element is a good idea, but sometimes a more creamy color matches bold colors and a larger variation of colors better than pure white. Pure white can be stark. I like the idea of a distressed look. Is the cabinet a wood base? If so, distressed wood cabinets with a white wash are beautiful.

Yes, I am set up for long-distance consultations. I work with many of my clients through fax and overnight express mail. If you have a set of plans to send me and some picture, this would help get the ball rolling. Some clients even send me a home movie of their house. I can provide furniture plans, color schemes, and fabric samples, detailed elevations and furniture selections, whatever it takes to create a good design.

My goal as a designer is to help my clients create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable. I feel the home is a very personal space and I like to bring out the personalities of my clients and their families within the space. I also feel that all of my clients have a vision of how they would like their house to look and feel. I believe it is my job to help you create this vision.

My fees will vary from project to project and once I see the space I can give you a better idea of the total cost. As a rule I charge a fee of $35.00 to $50.00 per hour. I also offer furniture discounts to all my clients ranging from 10% to %20.

If you want to speak to me directly please feel free to call 973-338-4656.

Question:

Our home is about 25 years old and in our family room there's a floor-to-ceiling//wall-to-wall orange brick wall with fireplace. I'd like to paint the brick and the decorator suggested taupe. My sofa and 2 recliners are sagey greens. My sofa pillows are in a 'tapestry' with burgundy and eggplant colors, which look great with the greenish sofa.

Should I paint the brick in PINK taupe or GREEN taupe? I like the green taupe, but I feel that's just too much green, green, green. Should I paint the walls in the same color? What about the ceiling? What about the door (leading to garage) that is "in" the brick wall - paint it the same color as the brick that surrounds it? Door trim - same color too?

ADVICE:

I glad to hear from you. I will do my best to help you out. Regarding the color taupe, I would try to stay with a more beige taupe. I don't think you will be happy with a pink taupe and as for a green taupe I'm going on you're instinct that you won't be happy with it.

If you are having trouble finding a beige taupe, try another paint company such as, Ralph Lauren Paints or Pratt and Lambert. These paints are slightly higher in price but they have beautiful colors. Home Depot carries Ralph Lauren paint. I have used Ralph Lauren Paint in my entire house except for one room and there is a noticeable difference in paint quality.

As for the garage door and trim I would paint it them same color as the wall. I am assuming that it is just and ordinary door and ordinary trim. Therefore, you would not want to accentuate it. I would paint the trim with a satin or semi-gloss paint. This makes for easy cleaning.

I would paint all the walls in the room the same color. I would paint the ceiling the same taupe color but a few shades lighter. You can ask any paint store to lighten the color of the paint on the swatch. Usually all it takes is adding more white. I am also assuming you are going with a taupe on the lighter side.

If you have interesting ceiling, baseboard and door molding in your house I may consider painting the trim in a contrasting color. For example: the walls in a light brownish taupe and the trim in a light creamy tan. This may not apply to your house so don't let if confuse you.

There are many possibilities, so if you are happy with the original taupe suggestion go with it but keep my points in mind.

Question:

I would paint the ceiling one shade lighter than the light to medium gray you are using. Your ceiling is not very high and using a darker color will lower the ceiling.

Advice:

If you use one shade lighter it will appear to be the same color as the walls. If you where to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls the ceiling would appear slightly darker. The variations in colors are very subtle.

BACK TO CATEGORIES

LIVING ROOMS

Question:

I just found your website and was very happy to see your offer for advice.

My problem: The family room comes right off the eating area of the kitchen. The fireplace is at the end of the room. The brick work is floor to ceiling and the hearth runs the width of the room. This only leaves two walls on which to place furniture. The one wall has French doors which open to a screened porch. The other wall is blank. The sofa is placed on the blank long wall and two chairs are placed on either side of the fireplace facing the kitchen. I have a large entertainment unit which is 44w x 24d x 78h. The unit is placed at an angle in the corner near the eat-in area of the kitchen. (which faces toward the fireplace). The problem is that this really isn't a closed corner. The back of the unit is visible from the kitchen and is not attractive. However, in order for proper view of the television this seems like the only workable spot. We have thought of building in the walls on either side of the opening to the family room from the kitchen, but feel this might make the room feel too closed in. Do you have any suggestions? Perhaps closing in the walls is the right thing to do? I would appreciate your help. And thank you in advance.

Sincerely, Jean

Advice:

I hope my suggestion is not way off, it would help if I knew the size of the room and if the French doors take up the entire wall. Have you tried putting the entertainment unit on the sofa wall and placing the sofa in the center of the room facing the fireplace but back far enough so you can see the TV. Put the two chairs on the wall with the French doors facing the TV unit. The chairs can be placed in front of the French doors as long as you leave enough room to pass. You might also consider putting the TV on a pull out swivel shelf to help with viewing concerns.

If you need further assistance feel free to contact me again.

Thanks for your response. I should have given you the room dimensions first. I have tried the way you suggested and there isn't enough room for the chairs to be in front of the French doors. The room is narrow and the chairs won't fit with the unit and the cocktail table and having the French doors behind them. If you don't mind, I will give you some more info. and perhaps there might be another alternative. I understand if you can't take the time to help me any more.

The room is 20 x 13 (long and very narrow). The French doors are located in the middle of the long wall and are approximately 6 feet wide. There is wall space on either side of the French doors. The entertainment center is on the same wall as the French doors but angled in the corner of the room so that the unit is facing in towards the fireplace and the seating arrangement. However, it really isn't a corner because the eating area of the kitchen (this eating area is 13 x 9) is right behind the entertainment unit. My concern is the back of the unit being unsightly with the wires. Is there something I could do behind it to hide the wires? As I mentioned before, I was thinking of building in the wall approximately 3-4 feet on each side of the room. However, I don't know if that will close us in too much.

I don't know if I have given you enough info. to aid in your response. But I do appreciate your consideration.

I found your web site by just surfing the web. I went to AOL netfind and asked for help with interior decorating. Your site summary gave me all the info. I was looking for so I went to your website. It's great that you offer the free advice. I have been looking for that for awhile and didn't find any other designers that offered such help. I hope you can continue doing it.

I think the other features you are contemplating adding would be great. I would like to shop on-line. Well, I hope you can understand all of my questions.

thanks again for you help.

Advice:

I don't mind helping you resolve this problem. It seems to me extreme to build a wall just to hide the wires. I would only build the wall on one side of the doorway. You can purchase some wire management supplies, such as twist ties and cord covers to help clean up the wires. You can tack the wires to the back of the unit and cover them with a cord cover. Tie twist ties in several places on large groupings of wires.

The room is very long and it doesn't seem as if you are using the length effectively. Keeping the furniture arrangement ahead of the French doors is not necessary. The room is 13 feet wide; the sofa is probably 7 feet long. This leaves 3 feet on either side of the sofa. That is plenty of room. If you set the sofa slightly off center, you will have even more room.

Another alternative is to flip the entire room. Place the entertainment unit on an angle on the same wall as the fireplace. An additional option is to place the entertainment unit to the left of the French doors at a right angle to the fireplace wall. Then place the sofa on the empty 20' wall facing the entertainment unit. Now you can place the chairs at a right angle to the sofa and facing the fireplace.

Sincerely,

Maxey

Question:

Hi!

We are remodeling a summer Queen Anne cottage at a Pa. lake. There is medium stained wood in fair condition throughout the house except in the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen. A new addition on the back of house has skylights and lots of windows and also adjoins the kitchen area that we are thinking of furnishing with white cupboards.

I like the eclectic look and my furniture reflects this. I also like neutrals and lots of white. ( I have two lawson loveseats (arms height of back) slipcovered in white duck. I would be interested in getting a few scrubbed pine pieces-coffee table, pine dining room table. Our bedroom has a large antique German scrubbed pine armoire, chest and night stand and a brass bed. ) Two fireplaces in the downstairs are a beige brick that looks like firebrick. The floors are all pine which have been restored. The dining room (which we will use as a sitting room) has a fireplace wall consisting of the fireplace flanked by two dark wood doors. Here is my question.

Should I paint all of the woodwork in the house white?

If not, can the woodwork in the addition be white or should it be stained?

The dining room fireplace wall is very dark looking. What would you suggest to lighten this up? The window casings in this room are white while the surrounding wood is stained.

I would be happy to send any pictures if you feel the need. PJ

Advice:

Painting all the woodwork in the house white will lighten the entire space. I think this is what you are trying to do. Also, keeping all the woodwork throughout the house the same will help link the rooms together.

In the dining room painting the woodwork and the doors will lighten up the space. If you don't want to paint you can refinish the wood in a lighter shade.

If you want to send me some pictures I'll be happy to take a look at them.

Hope this helps

Question:

After living with beige/tan/brown hues (and adding different colors with sofa pillows, accessories, etc.) for 18 years, we are seriously thinking about making the big step to buy a deep burgundy leather living room set. It's beautiful, but my worry is that I will tire of a "color" (i.e. burgundy) and afraid it will make the room look "dark". I don't have much of an "eye" for coordinating colors, fabrics, and/or patterns...what would you suggest in that way to keep the room "alive" when using darker furniture? BTW, the walls are off-white, carpet is beige, and we have antique pieces (a secretary, small china cab, children's furniture, books, etc.). Any ideas would be most appreciated! Thanks!

Advice:

One suggestion is not to use an entire matching set. You might consider using the burgundy sofa but adding the other seating pieces in more neutral colors. If you are concerned with the color I suggest purchasing one piece at a time and see how much of the burgundy you want to add to the room.

Hope this helps.

Question:

My husband and I are not quite agreeing on colors for a new sofa and chair for the Living Room, could you please help? Our room is quite small, but adjoins the Dining Room which is open plan to the kitchen, so we need to coordinate right through. We have hardwood floors throughout, and have a mostly red Oriental rug in the Living room, with some camel, sagey green and navy blue in the pattern. We are keeping a light beige wing chair, our wood furniture is mainly Oak and Mahogany. We have two large windows (living room facing West and dining room facing North), because of a porch over the living room window we do not get a lot of sun till late afternoon. I would like to have a shade of yellow on all the walls including the kitchen as I think this would brighten things up. We like traditional/English Country styles and most of our furniture reflects that. I am steering towards a sagey green stripe on the new chair, and a beige pattern on the couch, my husband would prefer darker green chair and stripe on the couch. What would you suggest for window coverings, I like simple, (but definitely not vertical blinds or fussy valances) and we need privacy. Any help would be appreciated, thank you, Andrea

ADVICE:

I think you should go out and get some fabric samples of each of the styles you are suggesting. Then place the samples around the room in the areas of question. This will help you decides where the stripe would look best.

I would suggest a very classic curtain rod with rings. The rod and rings can be wood or a very rich looking metal finish. Take the time to find something special. If you do not like rings you can put a pocket at the top of the fabric. Make the pocket large enough so you can easily move the fabric back and forth.

You can use a nice silk, but make sure you back it with a lining that will protect it from the sun. I like to see the fabric go from floor to ceiling. Use any beautiful drapable fabric. I would consider sheer but I do not know if you will have enough privacy. I think a solid or tone on tone would work well.

Question:

Hello all. Was delighted to discover your website. I was desperately seeking advice on picking a paint color for our living room when I discovered you!

I recently married and we live in a old house. Due to lack of space (or our ability to utilize it) the living room serves as my husbands office and "man" den. We have an eclectic mix of old, new, his & her items etc.

What we have.

The room is about 17 x 15. One double window facing east and 1 small (35") window facing North over the carport. Not a lot of outside light. Original drapes - pleated pale green on dark brown decorative rod (want to replace drapes, keep rod to save $). Old (but not to bad) carpet - dark brown (will remove in about a year, have hardwood refinished in light to medium honey tones). New "used" brown leather sofa. Want to decorate around this. Fairly new blue "tweedy" recliner. (hate it (difficult to recline), will replace ASAP). Really new coffee, console, end tables from Bombay Company in burnished gold metal with glass tops. 2 new pieces of art from Bombay, "Lemonade Morning" & "Lemon Bluebirds", white linen mat/gold frames. Horse prints (also from Bombay) with dark mahogany frames. (have different art to choose from).

The walls are not in good shape and I can't stand the drab off white color. I was very interested to read what Ms. Pitaccio had to say about the Ralph Lauren paint. I have been agonizing over the Suede or Paint Rock choices (don't see one I think will be perfect). Never have used this before but seems like it would be a good choice for a man room. But!! I love color and light. No light but I still want to go color but want a "warm & fuzzy" room also. I was considering the "Mohave Sunset" color. At first I thought a nice warm golden tan would be good, but I sure would like something more interesting.

Did you have any trouble with the application of the RL paint? Home Depot suggested using "sand texture" on the walls first to get a broader choice of colors other than the RL paint.

I don't know what to do. I am sick of this room and am itching to throw some beautiful paint on the walls. Can't spend a lot at the moment so paint seems the least expensive way to make a big statement. Have Torch lamps for bright lighting and am thinking about adding crown molding (white?), blinds with gorgeous topper (or some other new window treatment - like full drapes) to open up room and offset what ever color I decide on. I would like to choose a couple of accent colors - possibly red, orangy red, orange or rust, tan, gold or black.

TOO many decisions for a novice. I've looked at rugs also trying to get a grip on what color would be good for the walls.

Do you pick out the paint first or the drapes, rugs, accents?

please please help!

thank you ever so much

Advice:

I really love the Ralph Lauren paints, the colors of the textured paints are limited, but the solids are beautiful and not easy to find from other paint companies. The textured paints just roll on. You will need two coat. The first coat doesn't look good so don't be alarmed, once you apply the second coat it will look fine.

It sounds to me like you are looking for an interesting color. Try Ralph Laurens, I'm almost positive it's Brompton Gray. It is as a beautiful green that would work well with your furnishing. If you get the paint sample and it does not look green e-mail me back and I will verify the color name. I used this color in my home and everyone makes such a fuss over it. It is the most soothing room in the house. I used a creamy beige on all the trim, doors and crown molding. I would go with a full drape, something simple a beautiful cream velvet will look great. Your accent colors would be the cream and the gold metal and mahogany will become your accents.

It doesn't matter which you pick first as long as they all relate.

PS: I used the solid paint right over plaster walls. The walls were previously covered with wallpaper, so the walls needed to be sanded. I didn't have the patients for anymore spackle dust so I just painted right over the walls. It turned out better than I expected, it looks intentional. It added a wonderful texture to the walls. I would suggest you purchase a small amount and test it on a section of the walls first.

BACK TO CATEGORIES

TEEN BEDROOM

Question:

What would be some theme ideas for a teenage girls bedroom?

Advice:

I would start by asking the teenage girl what she would like. This is a great place for a girl to express herself. Some of the things I would consider: sophisticated colors possibly bold, soft fabrics and interesting textures, much of the same elements I would consider for an adult space. Solid color velvet fabrics with solid contrasting colors something in jewel tones, green, cobalt blue, gold and burgundy comes to mind.

Another consideration is painting one wall a light purple and the rest of the walls a pale yellow. A light golden wooden bed and dresser and some pale green accessories. Sheets could be a pale yellow and cream medium sized strip on top and a pale green bottom sheet or pillows.

Hope this help,

Question:

I am decorating a guest room in my home on Chesapeake Bay. I would like to have a twin bed set - however I am having trouble finding one that is good for kids and also sophisticated enough for adults. Any ideas you have and any thoughts on the decorating theme would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Advice:

For the headboard you might try using a king size board and attaching it to both of the beds. In the space in between you can add an end table. Another option could be to eliminate headboards altogether, and upholster and tuft the wall. The tufted wall will become the headboard. A theme could be to create a playful look, but in a sophisticated manner. You can use interesting jewel tone fabrics and throw pillows.

Hope this helps

Good Luck

BACK TO CATEGORIES

WALL ACCESSORIES

Question:

Would you please give me some ideas as to what kind of accessories I should buy for a wall behind a 19th century Victorian chase.

I have already thought of a gold leafed framed print/mirror. I also need to decide what color fabric to buy, as the chase is oak finished (neutral formal living room).

Thanks in advance for your help.

Advice:

You may want to try a grouping of pictures, keeping the frames similar. You can try a large center picture with 3 smaller pictures on each side. Another arrangement could be to use 4 or 6 pictures with a common theme that are exactly the same size. The use of sconces along with a picture arrangement will also look great. For the fabric color you can stay with the same neutrals as the rest of room. You can also add a color that will complement the neutrals well such as a nice green. For the fabric type I would suggest a cotton velvet, solid or tone on tone. A silk would also look very nice. Another way to go would be to research the original fabric and use something similar.

Good Luck

BACK TO CATEGORIES

WALLPAPER

Question:

We would like to change the wallpaper in our bedroom The existing paper is in good shape but we would just like a change and wonder if it would be OK to paper over the existing paper? Thanks for any help you can offer...

Advice:

It is best to remove the old paper before you add new paper. You can rent a steamer at you local paint store. The paper should come right off.

Question:

Hope you can offer some guidance re our main floor powder room. It is 8' X 4' with a 9' ceiling. I have found a wallpaper and border which complements our color scheme. It a floral and vertical stripe and I am sure the scale is fine for the size of the room. What I am not sure of is:

1. should I paper entire wall

2. paper and border bottom to approx. 46"

3. paint bottom 46" with paper & border above

4. paper and border to 8' level leaving remaining foot painted (re 9' ceiling ht)

Also, background color of paper is white and room has white walls, should I pick up a color from the paper for any painted surface?

Any other suggestions would be most appreciated. Many thanks.

Advice:

I apologize for the delay in my response.

As for option 4, I would not recommend this. The one foot painted section will get lost and this will lower the ceiling.

As for options 3, I think this will look top heavy.

In option 2 you are creating a classic chair rail split in the wall. This option will work fine.

However I would recommend option 1. This will create the look of a higher ceiling. It will also create a cleaner and simpler look.

Question:

Dear Maxey Hayse:

My family room and kitchen/breakfast area is a combined area separated by a half wall/doorway. My family room is currently papered with a cream background with a small stripe of blue and salmon. My kitchen/breakfast area is currently painted cream. I would like to wallpaper my kitchen/breakfast area. My problem is there are two areas where the wallpapers will meet (the top half of one wall near the breakfast area and l full wall into the entrance of my family room). I do not want to re-paper the family room if at all possible. One friend suggested I paint the one wall where the paper's would meet and paper the rest. I am not sure if I like this idea. Please help!!! Also, what pattern of wallpaper would work best with the current family room paper. I was thinking of a neutral paper since the foyer (also visible from this area) is papered in a satin cream on cream stripe with a floral border at the ceiling of rose, blue, lilac and green). Thank you for your help. I learned of your site through the HGTV web site.

Advice:

This is not an easy task. You are trying to coordinate 3 different wallpapers. I think your friend's idea is a good one. If you are not comfortable with that, I might try papering the bottom half of the wall and painting the top half. You could add a chair rail paper border to the new area and use that same border on the top of the existing family room paper. You should check your existing family room paper and see if it is sold with coordinating borders and alternate patterns. You're probably just going to have to spend some time searching through wallpaper books.

BACK TO CATEGORIES

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Question:

Hello,

I'm so glad that I found your web page. I have a "large" problem. We have three sets of French doors that exit from our living room onto a very big screened porch. Currently, there are no window dressings on these doors and you can look right out onto the porch and into the back yard. My husband would like to put plantation shutters on these door, however, the cost of this treatment is more than I would like to spend. I don't want to put blinds on these doors because I don't think they are formal enough for the living room. Please help. I would appreciate any ideas you have. I don't mind keeping it so the light comes in. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the doors are topped with transom windows.

Thanks for your input!

Advice:

I have a couple of suggestions. You can use a sheer cloth pleated shade. They are a little more expensive then blinds but not as expensive as shutters. A Roman shade is another option. You can also find some very nice fabric roller shades that are translucent. The new roller shades often have tabs on the bottom where an iron rod slips through. They are very stylish and dressy looking.

Good Luck

Question:

Hi, I heard you have good advice on deco tips, I have a bay window in my bedroom and I don't want your typical balloon valance on it but I can't find any thing new and not so traditional any where, any ideas? I like tap top, shears and scarves but wouldn't know how to hang it...help!

Advice:

A shear curtain treatment would look nice. Add small tabs to the top of the sheers. Look in some fabric stores, you can find decorative curtain hooks. There are some available that have a short, straight post that comes out from the wall and there is a circular disk on the front. The disks have rosettes on them as well as other decorative motifs. You take the disk off and slip the curtain tap onto the post and replace the disk. if the fabric contains silk make sure it is coated so the sun won't rot the silk. You can also add a coating to the window to prevent sun rot. Place the hardware above and in between each window. You can also add decorative hooks, midway up the window to act a pull backs.

Good Luck

Question:

Hi, I just found your site from a BB on HGTV' home talk. I am planning to make new window treatments for my family room, and would be interested in some suggestions from your staff. My home is a traditional style 2 story with wrap-around porches. We are in a wooded area, so privacy is not an issue. I am an avid home sewer and love to make my own window treatments. The room is painted a warm peachy/taupe with gray berber carpet. The sofa is a forest green traditional rolled arm with plaid cushions in beige, burgundy, and forest. The end of the sofa is beside one window. There are two recliners on another wall, one burgundy & one forest green. There are two window s in room 64 in. long x 39 in. wide. There is a fireplace {brick floor to ceiling} on one wall between the two windows. The fireplace has a black Craft wood burning stove insert and a wide white traditional mantle. The present window treatments are a swag and jabot style, which I am just tired of & I am looking for something different. I would appreciate any suggestions you could give me. Thank you ! :)

Advice:

I would suggest a very classic curtain rod with rings. The rod and rings can be wood or a very rich looking metal finish. Take the time to find something special. If you do not like rings you can put a pocket at the top of the fabric. Make the pocket large enough so you can easily move the fabric back and forth.

You can use a nice silk, but make sure you back it with a lining that will protect it from the sun. I like to see the fabric go from floor to ceiling. Use any beautiful drapable fabric.

Another options could be to add small tabs to the top of the fabric. Look in some fabric stores, you can find decorative curtain hooks. There are some available that have a short, straight post that comes out from the wall and there is a circular disk on the front. The disks have rosettes on them as well as other decorative motifs. You take the disk off and slip the curtain tap onto the post and replace the disk. Place the hardware 15 to 18 inches apart, allowing for nice drape in the fabric. You can also add decorative hooks to the lower 1/3 of the window.

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Maxey Hayse Design Studios, Inc.
104 E. Centre Street Suite 101
Nutley, NJ 07110
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