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Interior Decorating

Charlie Traffas

2006-09-01 16:04:00

 

ANSWER: The finish on walls and ceilings should not limit you to much on your style of furniture. The fact that you chose to have it finished in a Tuscany look makes me question your preference on furniture style. The parchment color leaves many opportunities and definitely no limitations. A Tuscany look is very warm and welcoming. Combinations of textures and rich, warm colors, along with classic styles are used to achieve a relaxed old world style.   Contemporary furniture will have very clean, sleek lines. While being very simple in style, we can often create a very dramatic look. Contemporary can be very sophisticated and glamorous by simply contrasting dark and light fabrics and woods. You can also achieve an art deco look with bold bright colors. Keep in mind the rooms in your home should all have some balance with the other rooms. If you decide to go with contemporary furniture in the formal dining, then make sure the great room is contemporary also. Your home should reflect your likes and style.  

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Interior Decorating

Diane Lewis

2006-03-30 14:20:00

QUESTION: What can we expect for the 2006 Midwest Winefest?

ANSWER: This year marks the 11th annual Midwest Winefest, so it’s entering its second decade. This year also marks the fifth Old Town Walkabout, which kicks off the three days of events.In addition, two other, smaller events are planned as part of this celebration of food and wine.Presented by Standard Beverage Corp. and the Wichita Chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF), the Winefest seeks to educate participants about wine and its responsible enjoyment. Since it began, Winefest proceeds have been earmarked for the Guadalupe Health Foundation. It is the primary grantor to the Guadalupe Clinic, which provides medical care for needy people in the area who are working, but can’t afford medical insurance. The Foundation has received more than $1.3 million in the past decade.The Walkabout in Old Town kicks off Winefest on Thursday, April 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Participants check in at the Farm and Art Market Plaza at First and Mosley where they pick up a souvenir glass and a map.There are 17 venues – restaurants, bars and museums – each serving different food and wines. Tickets are $27.50, and a limited number are sold. Previous Walkabouts have sold out in advance. Musicians will perform throughout Old Town, and two trolleys will transport participants who would rather ride some of the route.On Friday, April 28, AIWF will host five multi-course gourmet dinners in various locations around the city. Each dinner has a different menu and different wines and a celebrity guest from a winery. They are Van Duzer Winery and Stone’s Throw Winery at the Hyatt Wichita; Montevina Winery at the Olive Tree; Michael and David Winery at Yai Yia’s Eurobistro; Summers Winery and Vineyard at Wichita Marriott; and Flora Summers Winery and Vineyards at Wichita Airport Hilton. Prices range from $85 to $105 per person, and seating is limited. For reservations and information, call (316) 682-5502.The main event comes on Saturday, April 29, at Century II Exhibition Hall with the Grand Tasting and Auctions. Those attending will be able to sample from more than 350 wines. A dozen area restaurants will provide all manner of “wine-friendly” food. There will be a silent and called auction, and a number of wine- and food-related booths. At 5 p.m., the live auction begins. Fritz Hatton, a noted wine auctioneer from California, is returning to Wichita to call the auction. Lots include rare wines, gourmet dinners, vacations, artwork and merchandise.Tickets for the Grand Tasting and Auctions are $45.Saturday afternoon will also see two new events: a Riedl glass tasting/seminar at 1 p.m. and a Reserve Tasting of exceptional and limited release wines from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. Tickets for each are limited and must be purchased in addition to Grand Tasting tickets. For tickets and information about these two events call 264-8974.Tickets for the Old Town Walkabout and Grand Tasting and Auctions are available through Wichita TIX -- charge by phone (316) 219-4TIX (4849), in person at Century II Box Office in Expo Hall or online at http://www.wichitatix.com/. Additional Winefest information is available at http://www.midwestwinefest.com/.

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

2006-03-30 14:20:00

All the trendy decor I see is in solid colors. Are patterns not trendy anymore?

ANSWER: The trend the last few years has defiantly leaned towards the solid colors. We have seen many beige's, browns, gold's, and greens. Home decor, much like the clothing industry goes in cycles. Manufacturers have been introducing much livelier fabrics. While you may still see more conservative fabrics in many sofas and loveseats, notice all the interesting fabrics in throw pillows and chairs. Reds, in every shade are really hot right now. Other popular colors are bright greens and many shades of aqua's. If you are wanting a little more sizzle, try a bolder pattern. The geometric patterns along with a more retro style can really make a bold and stylish statement. Keep in mind while shopping for your home that there are many companies that have custom order options. We will be glad to help you chose a style and fabric or any combination of fabrics that will best fit your lifestyle and personal taste. Don't get too caught up in the trends. Your home should reflect your style. Who knows, you could be the next trendsetter.

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

2005-09-01 07:39:00

:  I am a recent college graduate. I have just landed my first professional job a few states away from where I have lived all my life.  I will be moving quite frequently the first few years.  My generous family has bestowed on me quite a lot of used, might I add some very used furniture. I have some money put aside for home furnishings but know that I don't have enough to purchase all new furniture. The only thing that has sentimental value is a dining table from my grandmother. No chairs and it needs refinished, but I have a lot of happy memories at that table. Where do I start?

ANSWER: The furniture you describe is what I refer to as late basement and early attic. It also sounds like you have some wonderful family memories. It's okay we can make it work.Keeping in mind that you will be making a few moves, let's think basics. Versatility is what we want. I would buy a neutral, smaller transitional sofa. Transitional, meaning not ultra contemporary and not a fussy traditional style. Something we can dress up or down with your other furnishings. By neutral it could be any shade of beige, brown, gold or green with little or no pattern. We can always add throw pillows.  The next item I would purchase would be a large area rug. Not a pricey original, just a nice rug that appeals to your taste. Don't be afraid of the pattern in the rug. Chances are that you will have furniture sitting on a lot of the design but it gives us a sort of grounded layer and it also can disguise some pretty bad flooring. The third, and I think one of the most important items, is artwork for your walls. Purchase something that is of interest to you. Something that in a new city, you can hang on a wall and it makes you feel at home. Last but not least by any means, Grandma's table. You don't even have to refinish it. Drape it with a large tablecloth that goes all the way to the floor and then layer a somewhat smaller cloth over that. Top the table with a really interesting centerpiece and no one will ever know it needs to be finished. The chairs do not have to match. You can have two of one style and two of another. You can buy unfinished or used chairs, paint them all the same for a more uniform look, or different colors for a little interest or whimsy. Another idea for dining chairs would be an upholstered parson's chair. These are available in many styles and fabrics. The bottom line is, this is your first home and what an exciting time. Add a few pieces that are new, and keep a few pieces that you treasure and cherish from your loved ones that have been there before you. Good luck!

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

2004-12-01 10:32:00

: I love the look of mixing patterns in my furnishings. How do you know when to mix plaids with stripes or flowers without creating a busy mess?

ANSWER: Remember when your mother told you that you couldn't wear stripes with plaids? Well, you need to put that out of your mind if we are going to decorate with a mixture of fabrics. The answer is in balance and layers. The first look I think of with florals, stripes and plaids is a cottage or French country look. It is very cozy and if done correctly is irresistibly relaxing.First chose fabrics that will compliment each other. A floral with several colors, for instance, corals, yellows, creams and greens. Then maybe a bold stripe with corals and yellows. Chose another fabric, maybe a plaid or check in greens, corals and yellows or a combination of all three. You could even add another stripe, one not quite so bold, maybe a cream and green. Look at the fabrics and decide what you want on the largest piece of furniture. Ask yourself, is it too bold, will you get tired of it? If you decide you want the stripe on the sofa and then add contrast pillows in floral and checks then you need to make sure you don't want a stripe on the wall behind the sofa. It is all about balance. You want your room to have a visual appeal that is aesthetically pleasing. If you feel like your eyes are drawn from one piece to the next and then to another and oh my gosh what's that in the corner you have created a busy mess. Try to remember to layer, stripe wallpaper, floral sofa, okay. Stripe wallpaper, stripe or plaid sofa, no, no ,no ,too many lines. Floral sofa, floral wallpaper. To much, way to much.    Above all remember to bring your personality into your room. Use a few things that you collect and love, notice I said a few things its a home not a museum. In a room like this be light hearted. Don't be afraid to add a little whimsy. Old shutters with a new coat of paint would be wonderful for window treatments. Take off a closet door, paint the shelves, use different size baskets for storage and maybe a sheer or lace panel suspended at the top by a wooden rod. Layer and coordinate fabrics. One foot note, when you are done with the room, the advice I gave you about forgetting what mom said about mixing plaids and stripes goes back in effect when it comes to your wardrobe.

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

2004-10-01 15:07:00

: I've read that many designers just sit in the room needing redecorated and wait for an inspiration.  I've been sitting in my house for three months waiting for something but all I've gotten so far is gas pains.  Where does an 'inspiration' come from?

ANSWER: For starters, I have never heard of anyone being inspired by gas pains, but the longer I'm in this business the more I realize there is a first time for everything. If you are really at a loss on the look you would like to achieve lets start at the beginning. Purchase a few home decor magazines, relax with a cup of tea and mark the rooms that appeal to you.  It is also helpful to walk through furniture stores and get an idea of your likes and your dislikes. I have had clients that have decorated their homes from photographs almost identically, but most of the time, it just helps set the mood for the room.  Have you ever been to a resort that you just felt so comfortable you never wanted to leave? If so was it near the ocean? Were the colors in the room pastels and soft or are you more at home in a mountain lodge with rich woodsy tones, or maybe the desert or a lake???? Sometimes inspirations can come from a piece of art, a quilt or picture, maybe something as simple as a flower or favorite color.......try to think of the room in layers. Keep in mind that the rooms in your home should all flow together. It shouldn't  look like you’re in a different country in every room, I hope this will help get you inspired.......P.S.While looking through the magazines for decorating ideas you may also find products for that other matter you brought up. Good luck .

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

2004-08-01 09:19:00

How do you hide an open laundry room?

ANSWER: Instead of hide lets think in terms of disguise. Without knowing the exact room layout or if it is a true laundry room, or just a washer and dryer. Let me try to give you a few ideas to make a backdrop for a room setting. A room divider is an excellent way to block off unsightly objects. These can be purchased at furniture stores in different sizes and for many different decor's. If you are a do it yourselfer, you can use bi-fold doors, or framed lattice or screen panels. After hinging these together, you can paint, stain, or even use fabric, or a combination of all three. Another idea to conceal an area that needs easy access is to use a simple curtain rod across the top of the area and tab top draperies, you could simply slide the curtain to the side when needed. You could also use swing-away brackets in side walls and simple window treatments.  The swing-arm brackets would allow you to move the actual treatment to the side or back against the wall. If needed you could use a combination of both curtain rod with the swing-arm to have a layered effect for a back drop. If room allows, add some dimension. A silk tree to the side or a group of silk plants at varying heights. A bench or trunk, maybe a few baskets, or crocks. Try to achieve a setting or tone for the area.

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

2004-07-01 10:52:00

It seems like we spend most of our time in high traffic areas when it comes to redecorating, but unfortunately, the one room we cherish most- the master bedroom- suffers from "redecoration stagnation." If one has a pretty good sized room, what are some of the things that can be done to bring it up to par with the rest of the house?

ANSWER:  The master bedroom should be an oasis in your home, a place to unwind from hectic schedules and ever increasing daily demands. The first thing you need to do is get rid of the clutter. I'm talking computers, ironing boards, sewing machines, electronic games........ and so on. The least expensive way to change the look of any bedroom is a comforter set and new paint. Keeping in mind the way the rest of your home is decorated, chose a color scheme that says relax. If you purchase the comforter first, it will help inspire the paint choice. The bedroom furniture does not need to match. Decide what pieces will make the biggest impact in the room. It is not always the bed, however I think a comfortable mattress set is a must. People tend to keep their bedding for many years, sometimes passing it down through the family. If you purchase a set of bedding that will accommodate your sleep habits you just won't believe the difference it will make in how you feel when you wake up and how refreshed you will feel during the day after a good nights sleep.You may want to start with an armoire or dresser and mirror. If carpet or flooring need replaced, don't forget, area rugs come in all shapes and sizes, and so many different themes that I almost always use them in the master bedroom. If room allows, another nice touch is a cozy chair and ottoman. A place to settle in with a good book. A basket full of assorted magazines and a soft chenille throw can really make a chair inviting.  Don't forget, decorative screens, silk trees or plants are great accessories for the master bedroom. Also pillows all sizes and colors are available but you need pillows and lots of them. Last but not least, lighting, both natural and artificial are very important. If the sun is going to wake you to early, or your a day sleeper you need to invest in room darkening shades or blinds. When choosing bedside lamps, three-way bulbs are nice. Soft, subtle light along with a reading light are usually needed in a bedroom. Light a few candles with a soft clean scent at the end of the day. Keep them on a tray with cloth napkins and a vase with just a few flowers, what a nice touch. While this room needs to flow with the rest of the house, it should be a place where you feel totally at peace. My favorite place to be in my home after a tough day is my bedroom. It's a warm embrace, a gentle hug, a place to nestle and relax....enough for now, I'm ready to go upstairs to my oasis...

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Interior Decorating

Diane Lewis

2004-06-01 12:23:00

Question:  How will the vase I put my flower arrangement in affect the amount of time they are fresh and beautiful?

ANSWER:  Picking the wrong vase is a sure way to wither a fresh flower arrangement. Here are some helpful tips for pairing the right vase with the right bouquet:Short and Stout:  Shallow, bowl-shaped containers are a good choice for tables where you want to see over the arrangement. Many types of vase can work, from soup bowls to sherbet glasses and coffee cups. Short-stemmed blossoms, such as violets, impatiens, and begonias, are best suited for these containers. To create a rounded arrangement, cut floral foam so that it fits inside the container and rises an inch or so above the top. Crisscross floral tape to hold the foam in place. Insert some flowers at an angle pointing down so that they overlap the edge. To camouflage floral foam in a glass vase, line the container with moss or broad, flat foliage, such as tulip leaves, before inserting the water-soaked foam.Simply classic:There's a good reason why an urn-like shape is the most popular for vases: It makes the most sense for flower arranging. The narrow neck holds the flowers in place while the wider bottom and slightly flared top allow the stems and blooms to spread out. Virtually any kind of flower works well in this type of vase, but it is particularly well suited to lilies, spider mums, and other flowers with large, showy heads. When assembling a single-flower arrangement let taller stems with tighter blossoms or buds define the upper and outer edges of the design. Place larger, showier heads near the bottom for balance. To make arranging easier and to keep vase water clean, strip the leaves from the portion of the stem that falls below the waterline. Also, change the water when it becomes cloudy.Slim and Trim:Bud vases come in a range of sizes and shapes. The one trait they share is a narrow neck. Flowers with distinctively shaped heads on graceful stems, such as tulips and roses, are a good choice because they look good alone and echo the graceful lines of the base. For a pleasing balance, the tallest element should be two-thirds higher than the vase.Tall and Wide:You're likely to find these sturdy vessels being used in other ways around the house-as buckets, water pitchers, mugs, and crocks. Often as wide as they are tall, these containers make excellent flower vases since they can accommodate all kinds of stems. Strong-stemmed clustered flowers such as daisies and yarrow work especially well. For floppier flowers, you may need a device to hold the stems in place, such as floral foam, a needlepoint holder (called a frog), crushed chicken wire, or a lattice of floral tape. Large-mouthed containers, such as this crock, often need a holding device to keep flowers evenly spaced. A quick and easy solution is to create a lattice across the top from strips of floral tape.Now the next time you bring home that gorgeous bouquet, you will be able to choose the perfect vase to compliment your arrangement and keep it looking fabulous for many days to come!

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

2004-06-01 10:44:00

Question: What’s new and hot in home decor?

ANSWER: Decorating your home has never been more exciting. There is literally something for everyone. The earth and spice tones along with leather and a wide array of plush chenille fabrics continue to be very popular. This combination will give the room a warm and cozy feel. For all of you that are tired of the warm tones, I have very exciting news. Color is back. Bold, bright and fun; more variations of color than the largest box of crayons you can imagine! Just think of all the possibilities. Furniture market was in April and the buyers came back very excited. Technology in the textile industry has produced some very exciting new fabrics. They are not only bright and bold, but also durable. Micro-fibers, which were introduced a few years ago, feel and look like suede but is extremely durable. The new micro-fiber fabrics are both plain and patterned and have a completely different feel than the micro-fibers we've known before, and thanks to technology, these fabrics have taken durability to a new level.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2004-05-01 08:19:00

Question:  Our guest bathroom has ugly pink tile and I don't think I can replace it for a while.  I hate that tile/ what do I do?

ANSWER:  Paint it, palm plaster over it, or live with it.  Any good paint store can direct you to the proper paint and preparation steps to take.However, should you accept the challenge of living with your pink tile, prepare to cover up, color and condition.  No, I'm not talking about hair, I'm talking about a new life for your bathroom.  You don't say if you prefer a contemporary or traditional look for this room, but before we're through, you'll feel like a magician.First contemporary:  Paint the walls a deep bright green.  Tack a string from the top left corner to the bottom right corner, and then use a pencil to draw a line along the string.  Next, tack the string from the right top corner to the lower left corner and again draw a line along the string.  Now, you should have four triangles.  Paint the two side triangles the same pink as the tile.  Frame a contemporary print in a silver frame and hang it in the middle of the wall.  Add green rugs and towels and a contemporary light fixture and you have a totally different feeling.Now traditional:  Let's try a romantic look.  Start with a floral print wallpaper with a cream background.  I can see pink rosebuds and deeper pink cabbage roses, with soft sage green leaves trailing across the room, sweeping you back to a nostalgic feeling of long ago.  Hang an ordinary vinyl liner inside the bath and gather a wide lace panel on a tension rod in front of the tub.  Tie back this panel to one side with a cream colored satin rope.  Add a hooked rug in a rose print to the floor and finish with a romantic look light fixture and presto, a walk back in time.Remember, pink flatters skin tones.  Your guests will enjoy the glow.Whether you choose contemporary or traditional, remember to choose the right colors for your personality, as your home is a reflection of who you are.  Brights for a fast moving, wake up feeling.  Cool blues, pinks and greens to wind down and relax.

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Interior Decorating

Diane Lewis

2004-04-01 16:41:00

Question:  After watching home makeover shows on TV I have come to the conclusion my house is lacking architectural character. Do you have any suggestions to enhance the space and add depth and color to an otherwise perfect square?

ANSWER:  Lets start first with some fun color choices. With a little paint and an endless imagination you can turn any room into a masterpiece! First, talk to someone about what you do and don't want! Find a theme that fits your personality, because as they say, your home is an extension of you! Next head to the paint department and find a sample paint strip that has 4 colors that make you swoon! Make sure as the colors get lighter there is enough contrast, if not then move to the next color choice. This is where it gets fun…Choose one wall in your (soon to be) new favorite room and paint the entire wall the darkest color you've chosen from the 4. Next, using a tape measure and a straightedge, block out a geometric pattern. Blocks should be larger than the room's architectural elements, such as windows and doors. Make the horizontal rectangle large enough to span adjacent furniture (example: 5X9 feet). Draw a smaller vertical rectangle (example: 7X5 feet). Tape off the first rectangle and paint it in the third lightest color. Tape off the second rectangle and paint it in the second lightest color. Paint small light colored rectangles last for the finishing touches. This look is great for any room or if you have a child who loves color give their room a little Pizzazz! Next let’s look at another great way to create a focal point in a plain room.  A piece of crown molding and some scrolled wallpaper can make you look like a decorating genius! With this placed not at the ceiling but along the center of the room you will not only draw the eye to an important part of the room but this look will give you another place to display that family portrait or a great piece of framed art that has just the right flare! Here's how…Your intentions are to draw the eyes of your guests to a more visible height. Although this is accomplished by using the same materials as you would at the ceiling! Go to your favorite home improvement store and purchase molding and a decorative border. Mark the position for the molding's upper edge (tip: below the chair tops and above tabletops) with a level and hard lead pencil. Cut small wooden blocks to wedge between angled molding and wall. Screw blocks to wall studs and nail molding to blocks. Cut and nail a 1X4 plank to slightly protrude on top of the molding. Paste wallpaper border below molding.Now, you have made a ledge to place your art! A home with a solid foundation can easily be turned into a place to share, laugh and love. Decorating does not have to break the bank and at the same time you are able to take pride in the accomplishments of your decorating talent!

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Interior Decorating

Diane Lewis

2004-03-01 15:44:00

Diane Lewis Question:  My home has a western theme, how can I decorate with denim to add to the feeling of the 'old west'?

ANSWER:  Jeans, they are probably your favorite item of clothing. It seems like they go with everything from black and white to floral, red and camel. Denim is the universal color; it adds flare and style to everything…including your home décor! Here are a few tips to decorate with this fun, durable fabric.A sofa or chair covered in denim is a good place to start. It's classic, soft and practically begs you to sit down and stay a while. Choose pre-washed fabrics for the softest feel and keep your chair out of direct sunlight or you will find it fading in all the wrong places.  Because denim is a plain fabric it is easily dressed up (and easily changed for different occasions),  don't fear mix and match trims and welts on a grouping of pillows and add some to the upholstery and curtains. Use your decorative flare to show your personality.The denim look can be added to your walls, try this in a powder room, for a boy's bedroom with a cowboy theme or for a girl who loves horses and riding. Bedrooms are another room where denim feels right at home. Denim comforters and bed skirts, chambray sheets and curtains will surround you in denim heaven. Break up the all-blue look with another print that incorporates a blue denim color. Look for printed tone-on-tone denim fabrics too, in patterns such as paisley.Use an old pair of jeans to make a cornice or valance for your windows, or cut out a square around the pockets and make it into a one of a kind pillow.You can dress denim up a bit with chintzy floral, or dress it down with pillows made from $1 bandanas. Try some paired with a wonderful leather sofa or next to a white cotton duck slip covered piece.Denim fits comfortably against walls of white, camel and yellow. Keep furniture light- in pine or painted wood and on the casual side. Repeat denim blue colors in your window treatments, pictures and accessories. Baskets and wood boxes also fit well with a denim scheme. Use natural wood tones or try painted styles in barn red or navy blue.Denim for the table is also popular. Many well know manufacturers make denim dinnerware and blue calico plates, denim floral and light blue chambray colored pottery. Look for it to enhance your denim rooms.Denim can be at home in any room, or all throughout your home. Use it, as the basis for a wonderful, livable color scheme and your guests may never want to leave.

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Interior Decorating

Diane Lewis

2004-02-01 09:19:00

QUESTION: Can you tell me the tricks of the trade on stenciling?

ANSWER: Simply peel away what you can and then the rest of the border can be removed by mixing liquid fabric softener with hot water (about one cup fabric softener to a gallon of hot water). Just mix up the fabric softener and water, take a sponge and thoroughly saturate it with the solution and "wash" the area of border that didn't come off. Wait a few minutes and then take a scraper and remove.How do I prepare wood for stenciling?If your wood is unfinished, sand first and then wipe with a moistened cloth to remove dust residue. Apply a stain or clear wood sealer (flat or satin finish). Allow drying and then proceed with stenciling. You may then apply an oil or water base finish after you have allowed your stencil paint to cure (usually 2-3 days). Follow manufacturer's instructions for cure time as well as finish application. Keep in mind that water base finishes rarely yellow surfaces, while oil-base polyurethane can.How do I end a stencil design so that it ends perfectly at the corner of my room?Simply increase (or decrease) the space between the repeating elements of your border or design. Another option would be to place a coordinating design between the repeating elements, in such a way that increases (or decreases) the space needed to make your design end right before the corner. Obviously, if your border does not contain repeating elements, this would not be applicable. If you have a design that is continuous, you can try to extend (or shorten) various portions of the design to make it "fit".How can I add depth to my stenciled designs? I want them to look more life-like.You can do this by adding shadows using the same stencil. For example, if you wanted to place a shadow near a leaf that you've already stenciled. Take your leaf stencil and trace on a piece of paper. Cut out the leaf. Place the cutout on top of your previously stenciled (dry) leaf and secure in place with a small piece of masking tape. Take your leaf stencil and place it just beyond your cutout, where you would like the shadow of the leaf to fall. Stencil this "shadow" portion using a shade of gray.I would like to stencil a border at chair rail height. What’s the correct height for a chair rail?Most chair rails are usually between 32 and 36 inches from the floor. If you have a long, narrow room you may want to consider putting the rail at 36" to give the appearance of a lower ceiling and a more cozy space. If the room is small, place the rail lower at 32" to give the room height.

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Interior Decorating

Diane Lewis

2004-01-01 11:40:00

QUESTION: What are some things to keep in mind when selecting colors to paint interior walls?

ANSWER: When you plan to paint the walls in your home, keep in mind that colors change in different light. It is very important to look at your chosen paint color during different times of the day. You should also remember to look at your paint samples under different types of lighting, especially artificial, as fluorescent lighting in particular, alters the color.The following are some guidelines to keep in mind:•  If your room is dark and needs some added light, don't paint the walls Brilliant White. White without light appears gray.•  Determine the direction your room faces. If it faces north, it likely does not get a lot of sunlight, and therefore may feel cold. A color scheme from the cool side of the color wheel will make it feel even colder. Cozy colors will warm the room. If it faces south, it will get a lot of sunlight. If you want it to look sunny, choose warm shades. Remember though, these colors might be overpowering in the full glare of the sun. To keep your room light and airy, choose cool shades of color. •  Overhead lighting will make colors appear flat or dull. Installing dimmer switches to lights creates ambient lighting.  •  Paint usually dries to a darker shade! Test the paint first on non-absorbent white paper before applying to walls.•  Pale neutral shades may appear washed out in strong daylight or artificial light.  Consider more intense shades.•  The paint's finish will determine the final results. Gloss finish will appear lighter than a matt eggshell finish. If your wall surface is smooth the colors will appear lighter than if you are applying paint over textured wallpaper or using a texture based paint.  •  Halogen bulbs give a truer representation of color than ordinary Tungsten bulbs.Remember these helpful hints and keep in mind, "A house is where you hang your hat.  But a home is where you hang your heart."

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-12-01 10:27:00

:  I just decorated my new living room with an all white rug and white furniture, but it just doesn't look right.  It almost seems like it's floating.  Any suggestions?

ANSWER:  Yes.  Balance, balance, balance.  It is floating and you need to add a balancing agent to the floor.  You don't say if your style is traditional, country, contemporary or eclectic, so I'm going to shoot for contemporary.     Consider an area rug in front of the sofa.  If a smaller room, a 4 x 6 will work fine.  If a larger room, go with a 6 x 8 or larger.  If color is not your thing, try a rug in white, black and brown.  Go as wild or as calm as you feel, after all the point of decorating is to tell a story about who you are and what makes you happy.   Next, repeat the shades used in your rug, around the room with toss pillows, pictures, art glass, etc., use your imagination.   Let's say you did the black, brown and white area rug and you have white pottery lamps.   Cut a square of cardboard in two sizes that would fit on the front of your lamp base.  Now lay the larger one on the front of the lamp and draw around it with a pencil, then take the smaller one and lay it inside the large square and draw around it creating two squares on your lamp.  Paint the outside square brown and the inside square black.  You clever thing, everyone is going to wonder where you found a lamp that so perfectly matches your rug.  Of course, the shapes are endless.  Square, round, diamond … get creative.   Another trick is to purchase a piece of fabric in the colors used in a room, then fringe the fabric to use as a decorative throw across the arm of a sofa or chair.  Make sure your fabric is soft enough to drape.  How simple was that?   Remember, your home speaks volumes about who you are, it says all the things you may not be able to say about yourself.  Whether your style is formal, casual, or eclectic, a little planning and forethought will create the space of your dreams.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-12-01 09:52:00

: Can you suggest how to transform my daughters room into a "Girls Getaway"?  What are the best methods to give dimension to the room and still make it fit for a child?

ANSWER: You don't say what the age of your daughter is or what size the room, but let's cover a range from six to teenager.   Children are usually passionate about things they love, but often that passion is short lived.  Likes and dislikes tend to change like the weather.  You probably know your daughters color favorites and her main interests, so incorporate these in her room.  Be creative and fearless! Take boring to bright and no matter how gray the day, her room will be as happy as a brilliant sunrise.   Paint is a big decorating tool at a small price.  Walls can be painted in her favorite color or in all of her favorite colors, or have a mural painted in her favorite theme.  A whole wall painted as a dance floor with dancers, as an aquarium or a flower garden, can be enjoyed for years.  If she is a budding ballerina scatter a wall with degas dancing visions and she will be inspired and delighted.  The ideas are endless.   Comfortable furniture is a must.  A loveseat or big chair that makes into a single bed would be a great addition and would allow for guests, or try twin beds or a daybed.  Bookcases are a must for books, CDs, DVDs, videos and collectibles.  A small TV can be put in a cabinet or on top of a chest.  Make sure there’s room for crafts, homework and a computer. A triangular desk can fit into a tight corner.   For a romantic touch, gather fabric on a curtain rod and hang behind the headboard as close to the ceiling as possible.  Let the fabric flow all the way to the floor.  Make toss pillow for the bed in the same fabric.  She'll love it.   What a wonderful way to show your love and the creative vision of you both.  Celebrate the poetry of each day.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-11-01 15:24:00

: They say the color of your car is a reflection of your personality, does the same hold true with the colors in your home?  If so do you have an idea of what they mean?

ANSWER:  I'm no expert on human personality, but I can tell you how color generally affects our mood, which relates to your question.PINK soothes and is easy on the eyes.RED stimulates and adds drama.  I notice most artistic people love red.ORANGE also stimulates and cheers.  However, I have a friend who says the color orange makes her feel angry.BLUE calms and relaxes.GREEN is refreshing and seems to balance most other colors.PURPLE comforts and promotes well being.YELLOW is energizing and adds warmth.BLACK conveys authority and strength.WHITE unifies and leaves a feeling of crisp clean space.   I think most of us have favorite colors and they do influence our emotions. Active colors like yellow, orange and red are usually preferred by extroverts, while the more passive personality usually enjoys cool colors like blue, green and purple.   Neutral colors or "uncolors" are brown, beige, gray, white and taupe.  Darker neutrals can tone down other colors; while white intensifies them.   When choosing color for your home, start with your favorite color, then look on either side of the color wheel.  Use one or both of these colors in your room.  Another good choice would be the color straight across from your favorite, as this is considered the complimentary color.   The colors that make you feel happy are the right colors for you.  Focus on what you love, then love the atmosphere you have created.  Color your world happy.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-09-01 15:40:00

:   We are beginning to decorate the nursery for our first child.  Is there anything we can do to create an environment that will evolve with him as he grows up without spending a small fortune?  

ANSWER: A room that grows up with your child is just a dream away.  Your child's room will go through several transitions: Baby to toddler, the early school years and adolescence.  With careful planning you can control the cost of redecorating.    One of the first things you need is a safe crib.  Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, sides that are at least 9 inches when lowered.  A changing table or dresser that can double as a changing table will serve your child for many years.  Buy the best quality you can afford and make sure it has a washable top.   A rocking chair or glider will make feeding time comfortable for you and your baby.   If you can resist obvious baby themes, and paint the walls using a washable paint, the room will be age appropriate for many years.  Consider lavender, light blue or yellow walls with colorful accents.  Add a fun border, which is easily removed at a later date, hang happy colorful pictures (3, 5, or 7) , then suspend a bright mobile over the crib and wow! A room created for your very own little precious person. Eventually, you will want to add bookcases painted in bright colors or in natural wood, to hold stuffed animals, books and other treasures.  Don't fill the room completely, as desks and other furniture will be added as your child grows.   A few words about paint.  If you do choose to paint your nursery, be sure you do it before the baby arrives.  These fumes can be harmful to little ones.  Use gloss or semi gloss paint on walls for a durable, easy clean surface.   Murals are very popular right now, and if you are artistic, you may want to paint a tree or a meadow with brightly colored kites or balloons floating through the deep blue sky.  If painting is not your thing, there are plenty of mural painters for hire.   A new life is exciting and fills your life with love and change.  "It is very beautiful here, if one only has an open and simple eye, without any beams in it.  But if one has that, it is beautiful everywhere." - Vincent Van Gogh.  May your life be beautiful.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-08-01 13:57:00

:  Is there any kind of rule on what kind of flooring one should have with what kind of furniture?  For instance, can wood floors go with contemporary furniture or should one have carpeting?

ANSWER:  What you like should dictate your decision on wood or carpet, tile or vinyl.  Many options are available from which to choose.  Smooth sleek light flooring compliments contemporary furnishings.  A medium stain is most often used for a traditional look and darker, distressed flooring creates a rustic or English cottage look.     Keep in mind that wood flooring, while beautiful and lasting requires skill and time to install.  One reason so many people are opting for engineered or laminate flooring, is it can be installed in a day.  Even bamboo flooring is now available.  It's attractive and durable.  Of course, linoleum and vinyl are always popular.     Wood floors warm the cool starkness of contemporary design.  Adding an area rug to anchor your grouping of furnishings creates an inviting gathering place.  Wood floors in the traditional home are just as inviting, whether light, dark, medium or washed, when combined with cozy sofas and chairs.  If your furniture is darker than your floors, don't forget to add an area rug to balance your room.  A 4 x 6 may be all you need to do the trick, placed in front of the sofa, it provides the perfect anchor.     Wood flooring is robust enough to withstand lots of traffic yet adds a soft earthiness to your space.  A natural choice for a dining room, it's durable and easy care and once it becomes unattractive with wear of the ages, you can sand and re-stain and restore it to it's original beauty.  Keep your flooring simple, as the background of your canvas.  If pattern is easily removable, you'll have more design options for your room. Choosing a busy floor pattern locks you into a certain style and could be cause for regret in the future.     Most importantly, make your rooms reflect the personality of the persons therein.  Whether the fun modern mover and shaker, or the steady, reliable rock, go with the beautiful person inside.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-08-01 11:28:00

: How high should I hang my artwork?

ANSWER: Artwork should always be hung at eye level.  Keep scale and height in mind when arranging your art.  Large or vaulted spaces call for large objects.  Remember your artwork needs to be compatible in scale, if not arranged in balance the eye won't be content.Let your home tell a story about what you love, where you've been and where you're going.  You can create a narrative of your life.To avoid costly mistakes, plan your wall arrangements before you hammer the nails or picture hangers into the wall.  The easiest way is to lay all the pictures you plan to use on the floor and move them around until you achieve a balance and design that's pleasing to you.  If you have a problem with this little balancing act, remember the biggest and darkest at the bottom and the lightest and smallest at the top.Of course, there are always options and few rules are absolute.  If you want to create a feeling of intimacy in the room, consider hanging some artwork a bit lower to visually link it with the furniture.  Lets say you wisely spent most of your bedroom budget on a dresser, mirror, mattress and box springs, but don't yet have a headboard.  Not to worry.  Put that mattress and box on an ordinary metal frame and push it against the wall.  Stack a couple of pillows on each side of the bed and hang a big poster over the center of the bed, low enough to have a "finished" feeling.Consider what type of artwork you’re hanging before you select a frame.  Modern art looks great in a metal frame, while traditional paintings call for carved wood frames and mats.  Now, about selection.  Whenever you make a connection with a painting, its no longer a picture in a frame, but a window opening you up to light, color and beauty.  When you fall in love with a painting and the hair stands up on the back of your neck, pay attention.  Don't regret years later, that you let this treasure slip through your fingers.  Don't worry about the size and color of the painting in question. If you love it, buy it now.  The investment you make now is one that will bring you joy for years.     When it's storming outside, you can look at a beautiful botanical print and know that spring is just around the corner.  Art points the way to how beautiful our daily lives can be.

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Interior Decorating

Deb Drager

2003-06-01 16:04:00

: How does one get walls to have a 'translucent' look when they're painted?

ANSWER: The definition of translucent (In Random House Dictionary) is: Permitting light to pass through so diffusedly that objects cannot be clearly seen.    When referring to translucency in painted surfaces, the term is used to explain a see-through color, or a color that has been diluted to appear as many tones of a color or value of a shade of color.  This effect is achieved by choosing a waterborne paint color (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Home Depot) and adding a medium, called "Glaze" to the paint material. This glazing medium dilutes the opaque color of store-bought paint into a sheerer material that can be applied to walls and manipulated in various ways to create pattern and depth of color.   There are a variety of ways to create illusion of depth with paint. The most popular is "negative glazing" which is applying the glaze/paint mixture in an even layer on a wall, then removing parts to the glaze mixture with rags, sponges, rollers, and various artisan tools on the market today. Decorative paint glaze treatments include sponging, ragging, marbling, wood graining, stippling, and pouncing. Glaze mixtures are easily worked or maneuvered on sealed wall surfaces because the glaze medium is designed to make the paint stay wetter, longer, and allowing more "open-time" to create patterns or movements with the glaze mixture.   The depth of translucency that is created depends greatly on the colors chosen and the many layers that can be applied.  It also depends on the ratio of paint to glaze. Another factor on successful glazed creations depends on the finish or sheen level of the paint chosen. Paint comes in many different sheen levels, such as dull, flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss… each finish has a separate function when choosing a look for a glazed effect. Choose a flat or eggshell paint for a matte look, chose a satin or gloss paint for a "wetter" or deeper color appearance. Also, the depth of color chosen will be a big factor in the outcome of a glazed wash. Pastel colors contain more white and will produce a greater opacity, and deeper tones will create a more transparent look. Finally, the heaviness of application will also determine the final translucent appearance of the glazed surface. By applying sparingly to produce thin layers of color,the surface will appear more see-through than it would by laying on thicker coats, which will dry more opaque.   One other option when desiring a translucent paint effect for walls is working with oil paints and the many paint thinners and solvents on the market to thin-out or dilute oil materials. These are becoming less popular, not only because of the extra clean-up and smells, but the toxicity for the painter and the planet is becoming of great concern.

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Interior Decorating

Deb Drager

2003-06-01 12:47:00

: What is 'faux painting' insofar as interior decorating is concerned?

ANSWER: Faux means, "fake" in French, and when applied to the decorative arts, it is a term used to define creating a painted surface to appear like something else.    Wood becomes Marble…     Metal doors look like Wood… Walls can look like Aged Plaster…Ceilings look like Clouds… Plastic resin appears to be Stone… Concrete looks like Copper Patina…It is the art of illusion.   Faux painting is a "catch-all" phrase being used today as a descriptive for a larger category of special effects with paint, or decorative or specialty painting. It encompasses many effects or finishes that include glazing with colors & the appearance of texture to actual 3-dimensional materials that create depth and texture patterns. It's becoming popular to call anything but straight-paint a "faux finish". In Architectural plans, it is specked as a "Special Finish". Examples of these special finishes may be described as such:     Faux Marble: with a glazing medium and transparent colors to be executed on fiberglass columns,   Venetian Plaster: a material with marble-dust and is troweled on and polished to imitate real marble, over sheet-rock walls,   Faux Gold Foil: simulated foil metal sheets / or paint that is applied on a barrel-vault ceiling,   Faux Stone: using textural materials to simulate 3-dimensional brick applied on foyer area walls.  Using paint to create a wall surface to look like some other texture or material has become very popular in today's decorating schemes. It can hide a multitude of sins on flawed walls, it can create depth and drama and it can be changed as easily as "painting-over-it" when you get tired of it.  Trompe L'Oeil, (another French word) is another term used quite often when talking about this genre of painting and means "to fool the eye" and is a term used to describe murals and scenes that create the appearance of windows in solid walls, openings to other architectural dimensions and flowers, lattice, people, statutes, gardens, etc…scenes that are rendered to create an illusion of more going on in a space. These murals are another form of a faux finish applied in decorating. Many of the above finishes can not only be applied in interior situations, but there are several products with today's technology that take this art-form outside to exterior surfaces, patios, porches, decks, terraces and gazebos.  Practically any surface that paint can be adhered to can be manipulated by artisans or painters to simulate an illusion of textures, surfaces and realities!

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-06-01 12:47:00

:  What is the difference between an interior designer and interior decorator?

ANSWER:  My dictionary defines the words like this…     Designer:  one who designs, or plans.     Decorator:  one who sets forth decorations, adorns, or embellishes.Most people, however, use the terms interchangeably.   Whatever you call one who helps you put your residence in order, that person or persons should have a good understanding of who you are and what you like.  An interior designer, decorator, is not someone you hire to do his or her thing, but rather, a person you hire to do your thing.  Pulling your dreams and preferences together in a balanced fashion, expressing your personality, creating a comfortable and beautiful cocoon to enfold your lifestyle.   Sometimes you may have an idea of what you want, but be unable to pull it all together;  that's the time to call on a designer for help.  It may be a simple lack of confidence.  What's needed is a combination of balance, color and sometimes guts, to portray the person you are.  George Bernard Shaw said it best.  You see things; and you say, "why?"  But I dream things that never were; and I say "why not?"   Don't be afraid to do something different.  Make a list of your likes and dislikes, grab a stack of magazines and cut out pictures of rooms that really appeal to you, call that decorator or designer and make your dreams come true.  No matter what your taste, casual, formal or eclectic.  No matter what your style, traditional, country, art deco or modern, the goal is to express your own style and tell a story of your life, a story of a very important person…you.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-05-01 14:10:00

:  How can I make a small sitting room appear larger and uncluttered?

Linda Warrington Question:  How can I make a small sitting room appear larger and uncluttered?Answer: Keep it simple and keep it light.  Furnishings that are smaller in scale will visually take up less space.  Using curtains or blinds as close to the wall color as possible will also enlarge the feel of the room.If storage is needed, consider thinking vertically.  Delight the eye and maximize storage by covering a wall with floor to ceiling shelves painted the same color as the walls or in a natural wood that blends with the wall color.  Books, collectibles and other treasures can be stored here without sacrificing the feeling of space.  Don't rule out wallpaper as it has a personality of it's own and expresses your own nature, just watch out for size.  Smaller prints and stripes can be very effective and add warmth to a small room without looming over the inhabitants.Furniture might include a pair of loveseats with a small cocktail table positioned between, perhaps sitting on a pretty patterned area rug.  If the table has a glass top the eye will travel through the glass to the patterned rug and visually, take up very little space.     Remember to use colors you love with no regard to "what's in", after all, in just a short time it won't be "in", but it will still be there.  Expressing yourself with color is a great way to decorate, just limit your choices in one room to three and no more than four colors and remember, don't overdecorate, your not compelled to fill every inch of space.Another great space creator is a mirror.  Mirrors visually double the size and light in a room reflecting light and energy.  Collections of various size-framed mirrors makes an interesting wall arrangement or mirror an entire wall for a real room expander - wow - you won't believe your eyes.   An unframed mirror works great for a contemporary setting but traditional décor calls for pretty framed mirrors.  If your décor is traditional and you want to mirror a whole wall, consider panels of mirror framed with traditional molding that has been stained and tacked to the wall around the mirror panels.     Get excited and get to decorating.  I hope these ideas will inspire you. 

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-04-01 11:53:00

:  We are not in a situation presently to be able to afford a big re-decorating, but I would like to know what direction I could go.  Is it possible to hire an interior decorator to just come and look and suggest some things that might need to be done in a home, without actually going ahead and having them done?

ANSWER:  Yes.  There are plenty of decorators in the phone book that will do an in-home-consultation for a fee.  Furniture store decorators will also come out and advise you of a plan according to your likes and dislikes.  If you want free service, select an item or two in advance of the house call.  If you are not ready to make any selections, simply advise the designer that you need to know the fee for an in home consultation.  Typical fees for an in store designer range from $50.00 for the trip charge (car, gas, time) and $30.00 to $50.00 an hour for the actual time in the home.  Keep in mind, if you live more than ten miles from the store, the fee is going to be a bit more.Normally, a designer will need from one to two hours in your home to create your vision, but there is always the exception.  You can, however, specify you need the house call to end at a certain time.  Be prepared to answer several questions such as ------  Is your lifestyle formal or casual?  How important is the TV in this room?  With what styles do you feel most comfortable?  What are your favorite colors?  Your least favorite?  What are your hobbies?A consultation would probably include measuring the rooms in question, including doors and windows, making room arrangements on paper for your file, so you can select the arrangement you prefer and work toward that end.  Pictures may need to be changed or just re-hung in a different configuration.  Mirrors may need to be moved or changed.  Little changes can make a big difference.  The house call can be as simple or as detailed as you wish.The fact you care about your home, shows you have a loving heart.  As you move through the rooms of your home, take time to stop and touch things of beauty you chose because they "spoke to you", when you made the purchase.  Sometimes such a simple gesture can brighten your day.  You have within you the power to create the perfect room, the perfect day, the perfect environment for you and the people you love.

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Interior Decorating

Deb Drager

2003-04-01 11:07:00

:   I see where a piece of furniture or a wall can be made to look like marble or stone without it being so.  What is the process?  What is the material?

ANSWER:  It is possible to transform walls, floors, accessories, or furniture to look like marble or stone with an assortment of paint and coating materials in the marketplace today. Historically, marbling has been accomplished with oil paints, solvents, and thinners because the oil solutions would stay wetter longer and allow the craftsman time to manipulate the glazes to look like marble or stone. Today there are numerous water-based products that can achieve similar results. Both methods can achieve realistic looking effects with the right training and practice. More and more professionals are switching to the sophisticated water-based products today because they offer the artist a healthful alternative, it's environmentally friendly with low VOC's (volatile organic chemicals), and allows for easy soap & water clean-up.To begin the art of a painted finish, a base color is applied on the surface to seal the area to be painted. Sealing the sheet-rock or plaster walls, and the wood, a laminate, or even particleboard furniture elements is a very important step in beginning the process of creating the "faux finish". A properly prepared and sealed surface will allow the other layers of glazes to be maneuvered to the desired detail to imitate veins, drifts, crevices, and texture of stone or marble.  The advantage of working with "negative color glazes" (applying the color in sheer applications and removing parts of it), rather than working with straight paint from the can, is that the color remains wetter longer and has more "open time" to work with. The illusion of marble or stone is achieved by layering multiple sheer layers, in an artful fashion, using tools such as rags, sponges, feathers, or more sophisticated artist brushes, such as stipplers, floggers, motlers, or badgers to blend, pounce, or blur the layers of transparent color.  To create realistic marble, the art of layering many sheer layers of color, and applying a barrier coat of clear in between, creates the illusion of depth and gives the color a richer appearance.  Gloss topcoats give the color a wetter and deeper appearance over satin or dull finishes.There are numerous books, videos, and instructional workshops available for more information on the application methods, tools, techniques, color recipes, and the finesse of creating believable faux marble and stone. For those just getting started with these types of decorative paint projects, it is advisable to practice glazing and blending of colors to get the confidence needed to tackle elaborate renderings of faux marbles or stone.Today's professionals work up samples to prove their methods and color selections before they begin any contract or commission project on a wall, floor, accessory,  or furniture piece. There are numerous painters, artisans, and artists, with different levels of qualifications, which offer their talent for hire when considering a custom wall or furniture finish.  Look at, and review, their portfolio, samples, and job experience when choosing an artisan for your job.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-03-01 14:09:00

:  What are the rules for having a canopy bed?

ANSWER:  I'm not aware of any, except concerning scale and balance, and don't forget the ceiling fan.  The old rule was - a small space requires small furniture.  Actually, you use less floor space if you use fewer pieces of larger furniture.  Think vertically and use that canopy bed along with a tall armoire.Light colors will also expand your space.  Keep your walls light and your floor a bit darker for balance or try using light colored carpet and adding a darker area rug for balance.  Another expanding trick would be a large mirror or collection of mirrors on one wall.  Always consider what the mirrors are going to reflect before pounding in those hangers.  You want to accent the positive not the negative.  If you have an empty wall across from a big window or group of windows, you can bring the outside in with the use of mirrors.Any wood stain that pleases you will work in this light, well-balanced room.  A small to medium chair, done in a pretty cotton print, tucked into a corner or by a window, offers comfort without bulkiness.Canopy beds come in every stain, paint, metal, style and size.  Use color and pattern to change the mood of your room.  Cool with white, warm with color.  You can have a nothing-special bedroom and add instant romance with a canopy bed.  Add pretty linens and a comforter, fur throw, quilt or kilim rug across the end of the bed and wow!!  Now you've expressed your individual style.  Romantic, western, traditional, country or contemporary, surround yourself with beautiful things you love and your heart will sing.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2003-02-01 14:31:00

:   Do you have any ideas on creating a really fun room for a child (daughter) something that will not have to be redone several times?

ANSWER:  For starters, think about favorite colors.  Consider natural light first.  Warm up north-facing rooms with sunny bright colors, and cool down south-facing and west-facing spaces with soft blues and greens or purples.  Consider washable wall coverings or painted walls with removable decorations, as likes and dislikes will happen often at this age.  Pick classic prints, stripes or checks for curtains, then go crazy with fun, easy to change prints for spreads, pillows, etc.A simple mural of grass, hills and flowers, with well placed trees and a few birds and butterflies, is a fun way to light the light in the eyes of the beholder and provide years of enjoyment.  Be sure to consult your child about his or her thoughts on this artistic endeavor before beginning.  There are plenty of stencils available to help with this job or you can hire a professional.If you select gloss or semi gloss paint for the walls you won't cringe when your little darling tacks up posters.  (you know they will)  Big floor pillows in bright colors are fun seating for the younger set.  Two or three bookcases in a natural finish or painted, are great storage for dolls, books, C. D.s, videos and collectibles.  A corner can provide the perfect place for a deep triangular desk that holds a computer, papers, books, etc.  At the top of this corner you may want to paint a big colorful bow with flowing ties held by doves, a restful distraction when needed.  " Inspiration cannot be willed, although it can be wooed." (Anthony Storr)See your child's room with fresh eyes and a sensitive heart and make it reflect the personality of the life that occupies this room.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-12-01 11:12:00

:  I've heard some people recommend that you pick a color, paint the room and decorate later.  Is this a good idea?

ANSWER:  It's one idea.  My personal preference is to pick a sofa or a pair or chairs you love and pick up the background color for the walls.  Most paint stores can computer match any color of your choice.  Simply take your arm cover, toss pillow or cushion to the store and presto, a match.  Finding a fabric to match your walls may not be as easy.Any good furniture store will have a variety of sofas, chairs, etc.  Remember to think about how this furniture is to be used.  Is this to be a formal room or an informal room?  Used a lot or a little?  Fabrics will need to be appropriate.  Let everyone in your household state their ideas, needs and dreams and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.  This is strictly personal.  Set your budget and go for it.Remember fabric, like people, has a distinct personality; some more formal, some casual.  If you like formal traditional, rich damask or brocade will suit you perfectly.  However, if you're the kick back, feet up type, country gingham could be your best choice, or for tougher fabric, chenille.  Chenilles are available in a wide variety of solids and prints and are very popular today.Different people have different ideas about how to decorate.  However, we all agree that repeating your favorite colors, over and over makes sense.  Some people like to decorate with only one color, using different values for interest - monochromatic -.  Others require a riot of color to feel comfortable.  Most of us like to limit our color spread to three or four colors in a room.  Regardless of your preferences, make your home reflect who you are.  "When we lose the right to be different, we lose the right to be free." (Charles Evans Hughes)

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-12-01 09:12:00

:  I was raised in a formal home and enjoy formal furnishings, my husband likes casual, what to do?

ANSWER:  Opposites do attract, in color as well as in people.  Hues opposite each other on the color wheel make dynamic duos and when warm and cool colors are used together, they intensify one another creating excitement.  However, when couples have opposite tastes in furnishings, the resolution can be less than exciting for the parties involved.  Divorce seems drastic, so lets explore other options, like a compromise.Consider a more casual style for the room in which your husband spends the most time.  Try cutting out pictures of sofas you feel you can live with, even though they may be more casual than you would normally choose.  Show these pictures to your husband and see if he approves any of the sofas you selected.The world, in general, is in a more casual mode and you may be surprised to find yourself relaxing a bit more with the right combinations of colors and styles.  Casual can be beautiful.  What your husband probably really wants, is furniture that's comfortable.  If his favorite colors are green, blue and beige, his goal may be a place to relax and escape the hurried world.  If his choice of colors is red, orange and yellow, spice up this guy's life, paint the walls red and roll out the excitement.If the two of you can just agree on a sofa and a sofa color, a good store decorator can put together a room both of you can enjoy.  Another option is to combine formal and casual.  Use things you both love, but try to agree on the upholstered pieces.  If you have a beautiful old antique Oriental rug you love, use it.  A pretty console with a picture above it that makes you feel happy, looks well in any room.  I'm guessing what your husband really wants is furniture that is comfortable to sit in.  Start with a sofa, add a couple of club chairs, and go from there.  Remember scale and balance.  Big sofa, big cocktail table or ottoman.  Let the room tell a story about who you are, both of youThe most important thing in a home is the memories you make together.  These are the lasting pieces of life that matter most.  "and the greatest of these is love."

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-10-01 13:43:00

:  Cottage style really appeals to me but I don't know how to achieve this look.  Any tips?

Linda Warrington Question:  Cottage style really appeals to me but I don't know how to achieve this look.  Any tips?Answer:  You bet/ Cottage style evokes images of painted woodwork, wicker chairs, quilts, slipcovers, cottons and cabbage roses.  A room full of sunshine and warmth.  Who could be sad in such a room?Use things you love and create a nostalgic feel.  Lazy days, porches and croquet.  Vintage fabrics, maybe a touch of bamboo and overstuffed furniture, all enhance the charm.  A basket of sea shells, a collection of handblown glass.  Display a wall full of your favorite artwork on white beadboard paneling.  Now we're getting some place.  A white painted coffee table or a large round-skirted ottoman with a tray for drinks and a vase of fresh flowers adds to the pretty cottage look.  Think of the outdoors, then bring it in, with floral patterns, lattice print, a leaf here and a fern there.  Remember, keep repeating the same colors, but in different patterns, and for a really fresh look, lots of white or off white and vases of fresh flowers.Lets say we start with an overstuffed sofa in a cotton print with an off white background.  Then we add a couple of white wicker chairs, with cushions of green lattice print.  A skirted ottoman in a rose and white striped cotton, brings the furnishings together.   Don't forget the value of an area rug to cozy up this space.A 4 x 6 is probably all you need to balance and warm the room, using the colors dancing across the sofa.A kaleidoscopic array of decorative accessories and you've created a poetic atmosphere for any season.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-09-01 11:12:00

:  I just moved into a new house and I really do not have any idea of what to do with my hallway that leads from the front door to the kitchen.  Right now it is just plain white and I would like to do something to it.  My decorating style is young and very modern.  Any ideas?

Linda Warrington Question:  I just moved into a new house and I really do not have any idea of what to do with my hallway that leads from the front door to the kitchen.  Right now it is just plain white and I would like to do something to it.  My decorating style is young and very modern.  Any ideas?Answer:  Lots of ideas.  Since the hallway in question leads from the front door to the kitchen, it would greet the world and form a first impression for all who enter.  A perfect opportunity to convey who you really are.  You don't say how wide or narrow your hall is.  A narrow hallway calls for light colors.  A wide hallway can be painted or papered in your choice of colors.  Don't be afraid to use color on your walls, just be careful to consider the hallway size.  You may want to balance the floor with an area rug, which will also add interest.  If the walls are painted you may want a mural painted on one side with a collection of various sized mirrors in the center of the opposite side.  The mural could be anything from the most simple Picasso line drawing to the most elaborate abstract design.  Another idea would be to turn one wall into a gallery wall, displaying all your favorite pictures or paintings.  Keep in mind, picture subjects should relate to each other, i.e. trees, birds, flower gardens, mountains, get the idea?Make your hallway as serene or as wild as you want to be.  Black and white photographs have become popular and a simple arrangement of these photos framed in black would make an interesting wall.  Paint your walls in large squares of black and white for a very dramatic effect, or if working with a narrow hall, consider a black and white striped wallpaper with narrow black stripes.  An area rug in black and white will further unify and balance your hallway.Hallway furnishings can be anything from a chest with a picture or mirror to a table console, bench, hall tree, statue, chairs, and any combination of these items.  Just show the beauty of what you love to others.  Feeling at home is ultimately our desire.  A little trick I like to use, is to leave the room completely and go outside.  Take a deep breath and re-enter your home.  Look around, how do you feel?  Does the room welcome you?  Do you feel happy, pleased, interested?  If your answer is -depressed- have a chocolate soda and call me in the morning - not too early/  Works for me.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-08-01 12:16:00

:  How do you know when to redecorate with new furniture (i.e. sofa, loveseat, chair, etc.) and when to re-upholster?

Linda Warrington Question:  How do you know when to redecorate with new furniture (i.e. sofa, loveseat, chair, etc.) and when to re-upholster?Answer:  When your pieces start looking faded or shabby, or when you just can't stand the sight of that sofa or chair another minute.  Believe me folks, I've had one of those tapestry sofas that never wears out and ends up looking "dated".  Every time you look at the thing you just feel a little sick.   Give it up.  Donate that sofa to a charity.  Uncle Sam allows you a deduction for this gift and someone else will love it the way you once did.Sometimes we have emotional attachments to our furniture.  If you really love the shape of your sofa and just can't find another that looks and sits the way the one you have looks and sits and really hate the fact that its wearing out, by all means, re-upholster.  It often costs as much to re-upholster as it does to buy new, but the object is happiness.  Furniture is, after all, emotional.  You could sit on the floor in an empty room.  You would be uncomfortable and the room would not be very pretty, but you would survive.Sometimes a change to an adjoining room dictates a change in  living room or family room upholstery, especially if one room is visible from another.  Making color flow room to room is the object here, creating harmonious space promotes a feeling of space and well being.  A room without furnishings is like a blank canvas.  You can call it art, but it conveys nothing about the person living within.Your home is a reflection of the persons within that home and conveys to the world who you really are.  What story is your home telling about you?

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-07-01 12:22:00

Question:  We have no furniture in our living room because I simply don't know where to start.  Which comes first…..do I paint, buy a rug, or shop.

Answer:  Opinions vary, but mine is SHOP.Start with the sofa.  Once you find the sofa of your dreams, the rest is easy.  Now you know your colors, your style and the proportions.  Don't agonize about what will go with the sofa or if it will be too plain or too busy.  If it's plain, we add figured chairs and pillows.  If it's busy, we add plain or small print or striped chairs and pillows.  And if your really brave, put lots of prints, plaids and stripes together, just make sure you keep repeating the same colors. Now, back to the sofa.  Do you love the way it looks?  Do you love the way it feels?  Are you shopping at a reputable furniture store?  You've found your sofa.  When choosing your furnishings, be sure to consider the size of your room.  If you need a lot of seating, and have a small room, you will need to use smaller furniture.  If the room is large, use larger furniture so it doesn't get lost in the space.  However…..if you, like me, have a small room, but love big furniture, go for it, just use less.  And don't be afraid of color.  Color has a great effect on our mood.  Buy colors that make you feel happy.    Remember, our home is where we cultivate our own creativity and where we can really show off our own style. Don't be so safe, have fun with your decorating.Now you've found your sofa, choose chairs that compliment.  If the sofa is floral, you may want chairs with stripes or dots, etc., in colors pulled from the sofa fabric.  Next comes occasional tables.  Please don't worry about the color of your woodwork.  Tables and woodwork do not have to match.  Color will draw your eye.  If the fabrics in the room coordinate, a pleasing effect will flow throughout.  You may even want to use wood end tables and a metal and glass cocktail table together, or you may choose to do away with a cocktail table completely.  A viable option would be a large round ottoman.  Add a pretty tray with a napkin, teacup, saucer and a small vase of flowers.  Yum.  Aren't you the clever one?Wall color can be any color you pull from the sofa.  It could be darker or lighter, depending on your likes and dislikes.  I have small rooms, so I pulled the light yellow background color from the sofa and put it on the walls.  It feels like sunshine all the time and is definitely a mood lifter.  However, my sofa has dark sage and light sage leaves with sprays of shaded claret and terra cotta foxglove dancing across the light yellow background, so an area rug containing these colors is required to balance this act.  Claret red is my favorite color, so I was delighted to find a mostly claret rug to place in front of the sofa.  I then, added light yellow, sage and claret striped chairs.  Pillows in a sage lattice pattern, thrown around the room, finish the look.We prepare personal spaces that become dear to us in times of great happiness and in times of deep pain.  Our homes heal us and help us relax in to a higher awareness.  "we are shaped and fashioned by what we love".  (Goethe)  Spend time nurturing your home and when you are in need, your home will nurture you.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-06-01 15:05:00

Question:  What is the best way to choose a color scheme for a home?

Answer:  Use colors you love.  For the smoothest flow of space, especially when rooms are not large, making floors the same color throughout will create an illusion of more space.  Use area rugs to anchor darker furniture.You can feel the warmth of the sun in a north-facing room by adding yellow or red.  Cool a sun-exposed room with green or blue.  For both exposures, a yellow and blue scheme will balance with a touch of warm and cool.Coordinate colors in the bedroom and bath.  The window treatments and the shower curtain should be in complementary fabrics.  If neutrals are your bag, go for it, regardless of the room in question.  A neutral can be any color so subtle it mixes with other hues in a room and allows those colors to dominate.  Keep your neutral room lively and interesting with furnishings and accessories.  Vary the range from light to dark.  To keep the textural mix in line with your style, remember smooth finishes say formality while rough textures have a more casual feeling.Be sure to consider how the room is to be used when choosing colors.  A red wall in the family room might be great fun and add a feeling of excitement, however, the same red wall in a bedroom may be the road to insomnia.  Pull your home together using two main colors in varying tones.  To be sure, other colors can be used to create excitement and interest, as long as they're complementary.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-05-01 08:53:00

:  I have some really nice furniture and a pretty home, but how do I make it all come together and look the way I want it to?

Linda Warrington Question:  I have some really nice furniture and a pretty home, but how do I make it all come together and look the way I want it to?Answer:  The most inviting rooms start within your heart.  Are you formal or casual or somewhere in between?  Contrary to popular belief, not all walls have to be white.  You can change your mood with color.  If you love fiesta red and the color makes your heart sing, by all means, paint those walls red.  If however, the room in question is a bedroom, pink might be a better choice and a more restful shade.  Consider how the room is to be used before selecting paint or paper.  If what you really crave is a feeling of calm repose in the middle of your hectic world, greens and blues will cool that brow and relax those shoulders.  Now close those eyes and remember that beautiful bubbling stream below that soft blue sky, surrounded by swaying trees and bushes in every shade of green nature has to offer.  Feel the blood pressure lower?  Ah, life is good.Now, back to decorating fun.  Decide on your style.  Are you traditional, contemporary, country, victorian, arts and crafts, art deco, shaker or an eclectic blend?  If you're just not sure what your style is, cut out pictures of rooms that really appeal to you, lay them on a table or on the floor.  Study these pictures to see if your furnishings can be arranged in the same way.  Chances are, you will need to relocate certain pieces and add a few new pieces to get the look you want.Many furniture stores employ salespeople who are also designers and often they will come to your home free of charge to help you complete your decorating.  However, don't expect store designers to use their gas, car and time to move your furniture around if you have no plans to make some purchases.  Most furniture salespeople work on a commission only basis.  There are plenty of interior designers who work on an hourly basis.  If ideas are the only thing you need, these would be the people to call for help.Identify your favorite things and use them.  Just remember, scale and balance.  A large sofa requires a large cocktail table and at least one good sized chair.  A pleasing arrangement may consist of a large sofa with a large chair to one side and two smaller chairs on the opposite side.  Add tables, lamps a pretty vase of flowers and a few books.  Pictures and mirrors on the wall will help unify the look.  Remember to keep repeating the colors in your furnishings throughout the house, in the pictures and accessories and also in an area rug if one is to be used to complete the look.  An area rug is a great balance maker.  If your sofa is darker than your carpet, an area rug containing the sofa colors will complete your room and add a warm and friendly atmosphere.  There are normally two or three ways to arrange your room.  Arranging furniture around and against the wall isn't necessary, unless you have a very small room.  Placing the sofa in the middle of the room and positioning other furnishings across the room and, or on either side of the sofa, if often a more pleasing arrangement.  Force the traffic pattern around, not through the furniture, after all, one should never have to walk between people have a conversation.Follow your heart, rise above the ordinary and create your own little slice of heaven on earth.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-04-01 16:17:00

Question:  What is the difference between wicker and rattan?  Is either one acceptable for a living room?  What kind of care does each require?

Answer:  Rattan comes from an Asiatic climbing palm with long slender tough stems, sometimes 600 feet long.  Wicker is a thin, flexible twig.  Woody strips are woven together and used to make baskets, decorative items and furniture.  Most of the supply comes from the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.  These vines are environmentally friendly and unlike wood, replenishes itself after being cut and is ready to harvest after each seven to ten year growth period.Rattan is strong and durable, also lightweight, allowing for ease of movement.  It can be stained or left natural, whitewashed or painted, from the lightest pastel to black.  A quality piece will have a smooth, consistent finish.  This furniture is suitable for any room in the house, but is most often seen in bedrooms and sunrooms.  Another area where rattan is being used is in the hearth room.  Manufacturers have a multitude of fabrics to choose from, and the colorful cushions can lift the mood on the grayest of days.Rattan and wicker are virtually maintenance free.  In general all that is needed is a dusting with a damp cloth.  If you wish to enhance the sheen of these furnishings, you may apply a light coat of lemon oil.Rattan, wicker and bamboo are used in abundance in the tropics due to problems with termites.  While not as widely used in the U.S. It is certainly a viable option for today's living.  There's no right or wrong here.Focus on what you love and what stirs your heart.  From the living room to the sun room, express the you that wants to get out and shout…IT'S ME!Till next time…

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-03-01 17:37:00

Question:  Why is it so difficult to find a long couch (one 90 inches or longer)?  All of the ones we can find are much shorter than this.

Answer:  I believe the difficulty lies mainly in square footage available on showroom floors.  Most stores are reluctant to carry too many oversized pieces because of available space, however, these pieces are shown in catalogues.  Ask your favorite salesperson or decorator to find the sofa for you.  Remember communication is the key.  Ask for what you want when you don't see it on the floor, after all, no store can carry everything.  The piece you dream of may have to be ordered, but you can have your choice of fabric, color, style and size.  Stores will usually discount special orders, so the price is no more or little more, than the pieces you see on the showroom floor.Remember your furniture and the way it's arranged should fit you.  For example, if you're the feet up casual type, white upholstery is probably out.  A better choice might be denim, plaids or chenille.  Mix patterns for an eclectic and casual look.  On the other hand, if your room is mostly for tea and talk, more formal fabrics and furnishings may be just what the doctor ordered.  Silk, damask and chintz, would be appropriate choices for this look.Most importantly, never settle for any piece of furniture that isn't what you really want, you'll be throwing it out or sticking it in a garage sale a year from now and you're right back where you started.  Don't expect to make the room light up with just a new sofa.  It takes those little emotional touches, like a vase of pretty daisies on the kitchen table where you down that cup of coffee or tea and scan the morning paper.  Don't just exist, live, you deserve beauty and happiness.  Your energy may not be seen, but I can assure you, it will be felt.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2002-01-01 14:20:00

Question:  Like so many of the people we read about in your articles, we too have an older home with beautiful oak floors that have been covered by carpeting for many years.  We recently removed the carpet so we could use the original flooring.  We would like to know how to choose new area carpets that will protect the floors and compliment our furniture and décor.  There seem to be too many choices.  Are there any other things we need to do to protect our flooring?

Answer:  I can understand your confusion.  There are as many area rugs as fabric patterns.  Just keep in mind that you want to keep repeating the same colors in your area rugs that you have in your rooms.  For instance, if your sofa is a red, yellow and green floral, a green area rug with leaf patterned border will add interest and balance your floor without looking too busy.  Sizes vary and are mostly a matter of personal preference.  Anything from a 4x6 in front of the sofa and under the cocktail table, to a 9 x l0 which touches all of the furniture in a grouping, creating a conversation area, works well and adds warmth.If your sofa and chairs are patterned, you may wish to use a solid colored rug, however, if they are plain, a patterned rug will add interest and even drama.  The first step is to decide what kind of a feeling you want the room to have.  Contemporary, traditional, country, country french?  Country and country-french usually means several patterns in one room, so even a patterned rug works, just remember to keep using the same colors.  Adding and subtracting one pattern at a time may simplify your life but don't be too timid, have fun with decorating.  Stripes, checks, florals, mix all of these, but remember the color thing, we don't want it to end up looking like you hit it big at a garage sale.  If your taste runs to the contemporary, your sofa and chairs are more likely a fairly plain fabric or leather, so a rug with an abstract pattern or blocks of color can be a fun addition, keep repeating the same colors.   Black, brown, beige can look so sophisticated in a contemporary setting, but Picasso made great use of red, yellow and blue in contemporary art.  Think of your room as art.  You are creating a painting and telling a story.  A story about how you feel, what you love, what makes you happy, warm, and secure.Now lets suppose you're starting with a fresh room and no furniture.  Start your room with a great area rug you love.  You know one that makes your heart sing and build the room around that rug.  In a room filled with busy patterned fabrics, a plain rug with a contrast border is the easy way to decorate.Even a room filled with neutrals can benefit from an area rug.  A neutral rug adds texture and warmth to a hard surface floor.  A patterned rug adds texture, warmth and drama, a wonderful balancing agent.  Decorate with colors you love and make each room a reflection of your personality.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2001-12-01 14:37:00

Question: We are re-doing many of the furnishings in our home. It is a rather expensive process. Do you think we need to hire an interior decorator, or can we depend upon the furniture store (s) personnel to provide this help? How extensively will they get involved? How much will one cost? How do you find a good one?

Answer:  An interior decorator is a good idea and in the long run should save you money in costly mistakes.  You might be surprised to learn that many store decorators are ASID certified.  Also, many in-store decorators are free, or charge a nominal fee for their service.  Whether or not you choose an ASID certified decorator, ask questions and make sure you are compatible.  After all, you want the end result to mirror your taste, not the taste of the decorator.A good decorator should ask lots of questions.  What is the family lifestyle?  How do you entertain?  In what rooms do you gather?  How important is the TV?  What are the hobbies of family members?  With what styles do you feel most comfortable?  What about color preferences?  You may want your decorator to do a floor plan for you to help you make the decision about furniture placement if you are unsure about this aspect of designing your room or rooms.  Be sure you tell the decorator what pieces you want to keep and use in the "new" room so they can be woven into the "story" of the room.If you are unsure of your decorator's talents, ask for references.  A few phone calls should put your mind at ease and promote confidence in yourself and in your designer.  If not, move on to another decorator.Thomas Jefferson once stated, "taste cannot be controlled by law."  Well, thank goodness for that one, because we all have different tastes, likes, and dislikes.  Your home is the place to express your own taste and creative vision.  Any good designer can guide you to proper balance and design, but the ultimate decision must be yours.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2001-11-01 17:37:00

Question: Our formal dining room sets just off our great room and is open. My grandmother left us a beautiful cherry dining room set. Our present formal dining room furniture (two china cabinets with the matching table and chairs) is oak. Our great room is mostly walnut. Is it ever proper to mix woods in the same room, or area of a house?

Answer:  Absolutely, more importantly your home is your family history.  Good memories should be kept alive.  Polishing  that cherry dining room table may bring back thoughts of  family dinners and the time grandmother invited everyone for Thanksgiving dinner and forgot to thaw the turkey in time.  The deli turkey tasted just fine and everyone chuckled about it for years, well, everyone except grandmother. You still smile remembering.  One look thumbing through the pages of Architectural Digest magazine should be enough to convince you   woods can be mixed and still look great.  How boring to have every piece of furniture alike.  I purposely add a piece of painted furniture to nearly every room to provide interest.  If this style of decorating doesn't appeal to you, don't use this method.  I'm not saying this is the only way, I'm saying it's one way.  Different woods can definitely be used together.Don't forget, color is the attention grabber.  Color is where the eye travels.  Balance and proportion are what makes the room pleasing to the eye.You don't say if your dining chairs are padded seats or wood seats.  If padded, the seats can be covered with a fabric that compliments the curtains in that room.  If you are going for a less formal look, wood seats with tie on pads in a complimentary color and patterns are great options.  Also, consider the shape of the table.  A round table softens the look of a square room.  A room with a high ceiling calls for high back chairs.  Mixing tall and short pieces creates interest,  just be sure all the weight isn't on one side of the room.  If one side of the room holds a tall china cabinet the other side can hold a buffet or hunt board with a large picture above for balance.  If your room is small, you may want to move the table against the wall.  Keep in mind that a lighter finish dining room set will take up less space visually than the darker furniture.  Don't be afraid to paint the wall a deep color to add excitement.  Repeat the paint color in an area rug under the table.  NOW you have a great dining room.  Surrounding yourself with furnishings you love will make you and your family feel happy... and that will prove to be as important as anything.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2001-10-01 17:43:00

Question:  We are expecting our first child, a baby girl.  We are very excited about the newest addition to our family, but are concerned about the décor in her room.  Should we decorate the room for a baby or for a young girl?  Can you suggest any décor that can grow up with the child?  What is the most economical way to furnish the room without wasting money on furniture used only in her first few years?

Answer:  Great question.  Planning counts.  The best rooms definitely are the ones that grow with your child.  Plan for changes as your child grows from baby to toddler to early school years and for adolescence.  With careful choices you can keep costs reasonable during these changing times.Children are hard on furniture so choose quality pieces and avoid themes.  The cartoon character adored by your child today may be old hat tomorrow.  Just as your taste changes, so does your child's.When choosing a crib, be sure the slats are no more than two (2) inches apart.  A rocker is a good addition for feeding time and a small dresser can serve as a changing table with storage, later converting back to a dresser with mirror.  A daybed might be a useful item if space permits.   Kids, infants included, love color, but don't overdo it.  One brightly patterned wall with adjoining walls in cream or a pastel may be more soothing to you and your baby.  Make sure wall coverings are washable.Have fun with the décor but make it changeable.  Putting peel off animals or a fun border on a wall at crib height will grab your child's attention and add interest to the room.If space is available, consider an armoire.  This piece will provide charming storage and will be treasured as the years progress.  A simple piece that's well made will be used for many years.  If you choose to decorate the armoire don't get too elaborate.  Simple lattice with a little ivy painted on the doors will remain stylish and transcend the years with grace.When its time to move out the crib, a twin bed or beds may be the answer.  One manufacturer features twin beds that accommodate a trundle unit under the bed.  A bookcase is another useful item for the room.  It starts out holding diapers and ends up holding books, toys and other treasures.Furniture you can wipe clean including laminates and painted surfaces are great for children.  If using mini-blinds in a child's room, cut the cord pulls short to prevent accidents.  Short pile carpet, tile and wood floors offer smooth surfaces for toy trains, cars and puzzles.   Face it, eventually you'll have to deal with posters, so using paint on the walls instead of expensive wallpaper makes sense.  Framed blackboard and corkboards are also useful items.  A desk will be needed at some point, but everything in the room need not "match".Have fun with the room, enjoy putting it together, and make it reflect who you and your family are.

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2001-09-01 11:07:00

Question:  We have a very large master bedroom in our home.  We have everything that makes sense (i.e. night stands, lamps, chest of drawers, make-up table and chair, etc.).  We still have room left.  What are some other pieces of furniture that could be added that would compliment what we have without being 'too much'?

Answer:  Consider two comfortable chairs with a small round table, perhaps located next to a window.  This would create a nice place to have your morning coffee or tea while you enjoy the birds entertaining with their aerial acrobatics.A chaise lounge might provide a cozy reading or resting area in your bedroom and will allow you to keep the bed from being littered with magazines and books.  The chaise can be used in combination with the two chairs and small table or alone.  If your bedspread is figured, do the chaise in a solid color pulled from the print of the bedspread, adding a figured pillow in the bedspread colors.  The pillow does not need to be the same design as the spread, but complimentary.  Your room could include a long upholstered bench for holding the spread or comforter when not in use.Perhaps you would enjoy a small desk in your bedroom where you could store note cards and stationery, with pretty storage boxes for treasures you receive.  If it's possible for the desk to be close to a window, you might gain inspiration watching the butterflies dance and flutter through a rainbow of floral delights in the backyard flower garden. A sitting area consisting of a love seat and two small upholstered chairs in fabrics and colors that compliment your bedspread or comforter, provides your own private sanctuary away from the hectic world outside.If more storage is needed in the bedroom bath area, an armoire might be a welcome and practical addition for holding a variety of items such as clothes, bath towels and cloths, bed linens, or even a TV.  When adding pieces to your bedroom, keep scale in mind.  Apparent size is more than a matter of dimension.  A slender metal scroll headboard will take up less visual space than a carved wood Victorian style headboard of the same size.  Dark woods take up more visual space than light woods. 

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Interior Decorating

Linda Warrington

2001-07-01 12:19:00

Question:  My husband likes traditional. I like contemporary.  We only have one house.  How can we make some of the rooms traditional and some contemporary, and still have our home look right?

Answer:  With color.  Use your favorite colors, and carry those colors through to adjoining rooms.  This will help unite the blend of styles.Your home should reflect your personality and your interests; it's what makes your home you. While traditional style recalls our link to the past, contemporary style states that form follows function.  There is no rule saying the two styles can't be combined to create an eclectic blend.  This is one of the most popular styles today.Design belongs to everyone.  You may want to obtain the services of a skilled designer to help you balance a room, but the colors and feeling of the room should be your own choices.  A simple rule that may help you start is: keep the biggest and the darkest at the bottom, and the smallest and lightest at the top.  This rule applies whether you are talking about furniture or accessories.A dark sofa on a light carpet may look overpowering, but by placing an area rug that contains some of the sofa colors in front of the sofa, the room suddenly becomes warm and inviting.  The sofa may be traditional with rolled arms and still look well with a cocktail table in contemporary marble.  The secret is making sure the cocktail table is in proportion to the sofa.  By keeping balance in mind, you can use pieces that you love.When choosing fabric for your furnishings remember, they have a personality of their own.  Some fabrics are formal, and some are casual.  As an example, brocade conveys a formal personal preference while country gingham suggests a casual lifestyle.If you want to really play it safe, try a sofa in neutrals, sometimes called "úncolors".  A neutral is any color so subtle it easily mixes with other hues and allows those colors to dominate.  Remember that some finishes suggest formality while rough textures lend a casual feeling.  When choosing color be aware of how it affects your mood.  For a family room you may choose yellow, orange and/or red.  These are active, upbeat, happy colors.  But in a bedroom, blue, green, or pink will have a calming effect that will create a relaxing atmosphere.  Neutrals combine and cooperate, bringing rooms and colors together and can be used in any room.Combine the colors, styles, and textures that you like with balance and proportion and they will reflect who you are.  The love and effort you put into transforming your house or apartment into a place where you feel at home deepens your appreciation for what you have.

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Interior Decorating

Nancy MartinMadden

1969-12-31 18:00:00

: My husband and I are having trouble deciding how to decorate our walls. The result has been that after a year and a half the walls are still bare.  Could you please give us some ideas?

ANSWER: The most common mistake that I see in homes usually involves  the height of pictures and mirrors. They are almost always placed too high. Keep in mind, you are decorating the walls to accessorize your room. As a rule you do not want your focal point to be drawn towards the ceiling. Now for the basics. Try to think of the wall as creating an arrangement, not just hanging a picture.  If you are the type of person that likes things in order or balanced or if you have a traditional or formal decor try symmetrical placement.  For instance, hang a picture or mirror centered in your arrangement, then at equally placed intervals on each side place pictures, small mirrors or sconces. This will also work on mantels or over a sofa or entry table. Creating an asymmetrical arrangement can be a lot of fun and very interesting.  You should follow one rule. If you have a large picture or mirror on one side of the arrangement, the collective items on the other side should make up the approximate square footage of the wall space required for the large piece.With this type of arrangement you may mix frames and matting and even colors. If you have a collection of prints, this could be artwork from a child or sketches from a local artist, it is interesting to frame and mat the art alike and group the pictures in an overall arrangement. I suggest arranging the items on the floor until you decide on the perfect arrangement. This helps save on patching and touch up on your walls. Keep in mind you are adding the finishing touch to your room just like you accessorize your favorite little black dress. There are so many different things you can do to make it special. Don't be afraid to be creative. Instead of hanging all the art work you can always sit the frame on a table or mantel and lean it against a larger picture to achieve depth in your arrangement.