Home Front

Annie Groer: Hello all...

.finally, more spring today. Hope you all saw the section about picture framing and wallpaper.

So let's go.
Portland, Ore: Hello,
My bedroom is 15'x11', wall height is about 8.5'.

One wall has a large window, the opposite wall is mainly taken up by a closet. My husband would like to wallpaper the room and thinks that putting wallpaper on two walls and paint the other two walls would be nice. What's your opinion about that, would wallpapering the entire room be better or not?

If papering two walls are nice, which walls? Thank you.
Our colleague, Terri Sapienza, has a big story today on wallpaper being back in style, so check it out.

The fabulous Kim, our chat producer will provide a link during this hour...

Designers tell her it is great for all walls, an accent wall, even the ceiling.
If hubby is handy, by all means let him do it. I think you should paper the two big walls, and paint the two that are broken up by doors and windows.

(If there is leftover paper, consider papering the inside of the closet, too).
Annie Groer: here's the w/paper story. and if you want to share secret framing sources or tricks, have at it.

Woodbridge, Va: Help!!!

!! We'll be moving into a new townhouse in a few weeks and I'm converting what would normally be a formal dining room into a library!

I have no clue what color paint I should use. The bookcases will be a cherry finish, the ceilings are 10FT high, the carpet is a neutral bone color and there's a huge bay window in the room. I thought about Behr's Pottery Red, since I want a deep,rich,warm inviting color, but I'm not sure if it would be too dark.

Any suggestions?
Annie Groer: Dear Woodbridge - Oooh, love the idea of a library. And if you've not yet finished the shelving, consider making them floor to ceiling for a truly grand look.

Then you get to have a ladder. And Pottery Red is a delish color.
Chevy Chase, Md: Where in the Bethesda or Chevy Chase area can I find some good, reputable fine art glass?

I've heard that there are two great glass exhibitions going on now, but can't find where and the Glass Gallery has closed???

?
Annie Groer: Dear Glass - Local glass artist Tim Tate, whose work is in the Renwick's permanent collection, is having a show at the Fraser Gallery in Bethesda..

.7700 Wisconsin Ave. Suite E (301-718-9651).

. and if you are willing to venture into Georgetown,try Maurine Littleton Gallery - gorgeous glass.
1667 Wisc.

Ave (202-333-9307)
Arlington, Va: Hi there!
I've always loved the classic "white house with black shutters and red door" combination. Can you recommend a good red for a front door?

Thanks!
Jura Koncius: Our colleague Terri Sapienza did a great article on red doors on February 8 , 2007 (perhaps our producer could link to that). She had a lot of suggestions.

For a house of your type, she suggested ICI Paints Master Palette Crimson Velvet 3032 Algonquin Red 3033 and Downing Street 3034. All make the door pop.
Alexandria, Va: Chair Bed?

I need some ideas on where to look for a chair that converts to a bed. Like a sofa bed - but a chair that opens to a twin mattress. I have found ones at Penny's and LL Bean.

I want something fairly contemporary/classic, yet comfortable to sit in and for guests to sleep on. I don't want to spend over $800. Any other good places to look?

THANKS!
Jura Koncius: We checked with La-Z-Boy. They have an oversized chair sleeper that folds into a twin for $799.

It's called the Katelyn. www.la-z-yboy.

com
Rockville, Md: Is there any rule of thumb when it comes to choosing a paint color for a master bathroom? Do people generally use the same color for the bedroom and bathroom, different shades of the same color, or totally different colors? I've got a blank slate of a condo and I'm stumped.

Thanks for your help!
Annie Groer: Dear Rockville - Generally, go for a color that works with but does not necessarily match the bedroom color. Lighter is usually better because you need to see yourself up close for shaving, makeup, etc.

But you can also paper, faux finish or otherwise jazz up the walls in a way that still works with the bedroom.
Jura Koncius: Hey all of your pet lovers. After our lively conversation about green pet food last week, we were wondering if any of you are having pet health issues due to the huge cat and dog food recall.

We are horrified to hear of the sick pets, especially cats. Gus does eat wet food, Fancy Feast Beef with Gravy plus Deli Cat crunchy food. So far I haven't heard of these being recalled.

Any other info out there to share with concerned pet owners?
Pasadena, Md: Hi- love your chat. Any suggestions to brighten up the walls of a rather dark bathroom?

Right now it's off-white with white tub/toilet and a stone-colored floor. Shower curtain/towels are deep red and sage green.
Should I stick with what we have?

I'd love to do something a little different, but don't want it to seem smaller than it already does.
Annie Groer: Dear Bathroom - See above question..

.Think about finding a wall paint that is the color of the floor. It will tie things togther without being too dark.

You may also want to lighten up on the shower curtain.
C-Mart: Lucky me, I live close to the new C-Mart and drop in often. I notice they have antiques and wonder how knowledgable they are.

I ask because they had a set of blue-and-white china with a tag that said French and a backstamp that said Bavaria. Can you trust C-Mart on the antiques?
Jura Koncius: C-Mart is a bazaar of items and you never know what you are going to find.

My friends Tinker and Roger went last week and bought a polo shirt and some potato chips!
There are no guarantees when you are buying merchandise that comes from insurance buy-outs and store closings. But if you like it buy it - it's probably not the place to look for investment quality antiques but then you never know!

That's the fun of it.
Washington, D.C.

: Do you follow up on the people you feature in House Calls? Do most of them end up hiring the featured designer, taking some of the suggestions, completely ignoring them..

.? Just curious.

Jura Koncius: We have been asked this many times. And we someday plan to do a follow up on some of the featured homes. It would be very interesting.

Washington, D.C.: I have all white furniture from Ikea.

I have changed the knobs on all the funiture to glass. Any suggestions for paint color? I am open to any and all suggestions.

My bedroom gets a lot of light.
Annie Groer: I trust you mean wall color, not furniture color. How about a restful pale blue or periwinkle - C2 Iris or the even plaer Argon.

Just purchased a new construction home (that wont be ready until late May). Wanted to know if it was better to paint after settlement but prior to moving in or move in then paint? We are going to some new furniture for the bedrooms, dining and living areas.

Also have you ever taken a painting class at Home Depot?
Annie Groer: Dear Forestville - Congrats. It's always easier to paint an empty space.

You won't have to worry about messing up the new furniture. I haven't taken any kind of painting class but would love to hear from anyone out there who has..

.
wdc: Thank you for last week's interview with Alexa Hampton. I enjoyed reading about her favorite paints.

I'm curious--what are yours?
Jura Koncius: I'm glad you liked the piece. Alexa is a really energetic and dynamic designer - and an amazing multi-tasker with those 15-month-old twins.

My dining room is the venerable HC-144 Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue - which happens to be one of Alexa's favorites also. I use an old formula yellow in my living room which is color I got from Mario Buatta for a story I did in 1990. Its not too bright but not too timid either.

I did a powder room in one of Dorothy Draper's signature colors Cactus Flower 1335. I also have some Duron colors upstairs.
Ikea Chairs: Hello!

Anyone have any experience with the Ikea Ektorp chairs? I like the look and the price is great, but the cushions are hard as rocks. The sales person says they will 'soften over time'.

I would love to know if this is true and how well they hold up. Also - any other ideas for softening up these hard cushions.
Annie Groer: Ektorp reports, anyone?

Alexandria, Va: I want to have fitted covers for my living room furniture (couch, love seat, chair) cushions made. I'll obviously get purchase the fabric myself, but I would prefer to be able to give the measurements and supplies to someone else to actually make them. Is this something that most dry cleaners (who also handle repairs etc.

) would do or can anyone suggest how I could go about finding someone who would do this for me? Love your chats!
Jura Koncius: The tailors located in the front window of dry cleaners vary in talent.

If you know someone really good, ask them if they have ever done slipcovers and if they have a sample of their work. Also look in local newspapers like the Northwest Current for ads in the back. Fabric stores are good sources of bulletin boards.

Fairfax, Va: Cats window screens: My 7-month-old kittie starting to get real interested in the window screens, and I want to discourage him from scratching them up or leaning against them: any advice on ways to do this that aren't visible to humans?
Thanks Ladies!
Jura Koncius: Yikes!

You don't want him falling out the window. You could put barriers on the window sills like bolster style pillows or towels. There are sprays you can use - some like sprinkling garlic powder!

You can also yell at him when he does it. Any other suggestions out there as we head to warm weather and open windows? Cats do love to sit up there and catch the breeze.

Washington, DC: I'm stuck on a decorating decision. I painted my living room walls light blue. Somehow I ended up buying a light blue couch I fell I love with, instead of the beige one I had already planned on.

Now I have all this blue. I'm accenting with deep orange tones, and I have dark brown furniture. Hardwood floors are a medium honey tone.

I need to get an area rug to define the living room space. Should I get an orange toned rug to match accessories, or stick with a neutral tone to calm it down? The area rug is the final piece I need to get, and I'm afraid it could really make or break the room.

Jura Koncius: I think a brown rug would be in order. Orange would be too much.
Arlington, Va: I read the article on wallpaper.

I am thinking about papering a small staircase hallway. The hallway stair is enclosed (it's meant to be a secret - hidden behind a door that is also a bookcase). It leads to our girl's bedroom in the attic.

Their room is very bright and sunny, but this staircase is not. Do you think a bright wallpaper will lighten it up while also adding interest? Or do you think a pattern will overwhelm the small space?

Jura Koncius: Go for it. Wallpaper really adds interest to a small space. And it will ultimately last longer then a paint job.

Washington, DC: Hi Ladies,
Any decorative ideas, resources for securing a wrought iron fence?
Annie Groer: Start with Long Fence to get an idea of cost (301-350-2400), CJ Steel 866-750-7170 or Northeast Iron Works (202 -529=9440). All give free estimates.

If you want vintage or antique fencing, call Caravati's in Richmond 804-232-4175 (www.recentruins.com)
Herndon, Va: Here I go based on last weeks discussion.

Costco sheets get two thumbs up from me. Sometimes they even have a sample of the sheet on the outside of the package. As for ironing sheets - try it.

The first time someone told me they ironed their sheets I am sure I looked at them like they were from Mars. I go to Marshalls or any of those types of stores and get linen water. I spray the pillow cases with it.

I Iron when watching tv. I do the pillow cases and the top portion of the flat sheet. Then I fold the sheet in quarters and do a quick ironing of it.

The fitted sheet gets a once over with an warm, unplugged iron when it goes on the bed. This is one of those things that the results are worth the effort. Now if you are one of the folks who do not watch tv, I dont know what to suggest.

Jura Koncius: You are doing a wonderful job of making your sleeping hours enjoyable! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Mystified, Texas: Please help a perplexed bride out!

A dear friend of mine who lives off Dupont Circle gave me a wedding present I can't figure out, and I hope you can help me. It is a set of four pieces of blue and green glassware. They are either highball glasses/tumblers, or votive holders, but I can't figure out which.

The tag on the bottom says "Wide Eye Designs", with an item number of TUM1100 (which makes me think they may be tumblers.)
A Google search has netted me no results. Is Wide Eye a Washington company?

Failing that, how should I word my thank-you note?
Thanks for your help, and for these wonderful chats. I'm a former Washingtonian, and I love that your website makes my former home a little closer!

Jura Koncius: Hmmm. Never heard of it. Chatters?

Meanwhile, could they be those Moroccan tea glasses that are popular these days?
I would say a very gracious thank you for the tumblers - and use them as votives if you see fit!
Previous House Caller: I used someone profiled in the House Calls a while back.

I can tell you that I didn't make any of the changes! But first, let me say the designer's design was really better than what we had. However, $400 for window treatments for an apartment?

! How can I afford that?!

Also, they suggested getting rid of my footboard...

which is attached to the bed. So couldn't do that either. It was still a very fun experience and I learned a lot.

Jura Koncius: The challenge is to do some of the things they suggest at a lower price!
Re: Ektorp: We don't have Ektorp, but do have the Ekeskog couch. Its cushions started out 'squishier' than Ektorp's, and got even more so over time - now it's like sitting IN the couch, instead of ON it.

They sort of broke down all at once, too. It spent about 3 years as the primary couch before being relegated to the basement.
Re: painting class: Several years ago my husband and I took a Home Depot painting class about faux finishes.

The instructor demonstrated sponging, ragging on and off, stippling, dry-brush techniques, etc. Then the audience was asked to try the same techniques on 12x12 boards. Nothing was revealed that I had not already read about in a paint techniques book, but it was nice to actually try it for real.

The class was an hour, it was in an aisle in the paint section of the (Fairfax) store, and it was free.
Jura Koncius: Free is good.
RE: Chair Bed: We bought ours at Haverty's and love it.

Ours is chocolate leather...

more than the $800 limit. However, it is offered in fabric, which I beleive falls within that price range.
Jura Koncius: Yeah Havertys.

Restrained Gold Response - from 2 weeks ago: Someone asked if I was happy with the color. Love the color the only thing I regret now is that I had the ceiling painted white and I am not sure I really like that..

..the gold is warm and the white seems to stark.

...

now I am wondering what color I could paint the ceiling?
Jura Koncius: A creamier white.
Daytona, Fla: For years our house has been grey or white, but never seems to come together or be very exciting.

The dining room is tiny and there is a mirror wall in the living room, so there are only 3 walls to work with. What can be done to help fix this and what about accent walls? We recently painted it grey.

.. again, with white trim, so looking for subtle fixings.

Annie Groer: Dear Daytona - You can have the mirror removed unless you need it for light/visual expansion purposes. And you can use accent colors in the pale teal/aqua, peach or even a pale yellow -- curtains, throw pillows, dining table runner -- to add a new color and distract from the gray.
And if you like any of these accents, consider painting the walls that color next time around (or even next month).

Rockville, Md: As a very recent homeowner, I love your chats. I have a small silk oriental rug that I would like to hang on the wall. A number of people have suggested that I have a sleeve sewn on the back of the rug in order to run a rod through it for hanging.

Is this the best way to hang a rug? Any ideas on how to find someone to add such a sleeve?
Thanks.

Jura Koncius: Yes. That is what textile experts usually suggest. You could go to your local dry cleaner if you trust their tailor (see previous message for other ideas of finding a seamstress.

) Does anyone know of websites to find people who sew?
Silver Spring Md: Hi Ladies, I'm redoing my kids's bathroom using mocha accessories, i.e.

shower curtain and mats. I want to paint to lighten the room up but to not want blue or green. I was thinking a shade of yellow.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Jura Koncius: We don't think yellow is a good idea. Brown and lavender is the new hot color combo and it just might work in there.

What about Sherwin Williams Daydream or Vesper Violet?
Woodbridge, Va: For the poster who bought new-construction. A lot of builders will tell you to wait a year (I know!

) because they will come back after 10 months to re-do drywall (nail pops and such) and won't touch up with your paint. My husband and I painted after we moved in and so far, the area the was painted (living room, foyer, hallway) hasn't had many noticeable nail pops. But we've had nail pops mostly in the basement.

Jura Koncius: Poppin free.
Charlottesville, Va: Hi ladies,
Can you recommend a medium to dark green paint color that would go with teal curtains with faded gold filigree. I am going for a dusty kind of Old World grandeur.

Or is this color-combo ill-advised? Thank you.
Annie Groer: Love the look - Try Benjamin Moore's Waterbury Green, one of its historic colors.

Or Palm Green. Both are very nice.
N.

Bethesda, Md: Thanks for helping us out. You've been great in the past, and we've got another question. Friends are giving us their kitchen island, but we'll need to get it restained.

Any suggestions about who could do this, and how much it might cost?
Annie Groer: A painter or handyman..

.Ask the donors if they know what kind of wood and what finish are already on it. It's hard to estimate cost without seeing the piece.

I suppose DIY doesn't really interest you?
Columbia, Md: What is the best source to get referrals for individuals who specialize in space planning? I would like to change the existing layout of an office and a playroom/craft room and I think it might involve knocking a wall down, changing the placement of a door, shelves, etc.

Are all interior designers qualified to do this? Thx so much for your advice.
Jura Koncius: We just spoke to the Washington office of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Leslie our dear friend there tell us that most designers should be trained to do that. But if you call her, she will work with you to find someone in your area. The telephone is 202 488-4100.

Washington, D.C.: Yay for the response on the House Calls.

I was thinking about submitting something, but worried that if I got picked I'd be subsequently mocked if I couldn't afford the upgrades. So perhaps I'll send in my pix now.
Annie Groer: Terrific.

This is an aggressively mock-free zone.
Behr Pottery Red: We used this color in a guest room and it came out wonderfully! The color is rich, but not dark.

Also, we did it with no primer and only 2 coats and it's perfect. That's really hard to do with most reds.
Jura Koncius: thanks.

..
Centreville, Va: Ladies, do you know of any types of flower boxes that can be attached to a brick-front house?

I have only seen the huge ones that sit on a wide rail, or the ones that attach to siding. If I can find smaller ones, any suggestions for securing them if I don't want to disturb the brick? Thanks.

Annie Groer: Dear Centreville -- If you don't want to attach it to the brick, you may have to settle for boxes than hang from windows.
Washington, D.C.

: I was wondering if you had any resources for outdoor furniture more suited to a city balcony than the large patio sets Target and other retailers seem to specialize in.
Annie Groer: Dear DC - These are called balcony or bistro sets and lots of places, including Bed, Bath Beyond, have them. If you've got a balcony, consider getting a set that is bar height so you don't feel as if you're sitting in jail.

Washington, DC: Regarding the sleeve on the back of the rug:
you can do this yourself with a length of muslin for about 2 dollars. Measure length of the piece, and then diameter of your rod plus two or three. Fold under the long edges of the sleeve and use stitch wichery to hem without ironing.

They simply hand stitch the sleeve to the top back of your rug.
Jura Koncius: THANK YOU!!

!!
Washington Dc: Window screens feel sooo good on kitty paws.

It lets them snag their claws and stretch their toes, thereby stretching shoulders, back, hind legs...

Cats have the best spinal health, because they have the best stretching habits!
Not so good for the screens, of course. So you have to make it so that it doesn't provide such a perfect surface.

I don't like the idea of keeping the cat off the windowsills altogether, because at least for my cats, it's the closest they get to the great outdoors. For my previous cat, I put strips of heavy-duty double-stick tape all over the screen, in a random crisscross pattern. He couldn't get a good scratch going, and he didn't like the sticky on his paws, so he forgot about it.

I was able to remove the tape in about a month. For my current kitties, well, I had them declawed. Not for my furniture, but for their health.

They were clawing each other bloody. It did have the added advantage of saving the upholstry and window screens, but it's not for everyone.
Jura Koncius: This is a really fabulous tip!

Thanks so much...

St. Louis, Mo. : We bought our house last summer and don't know where to start with window treatments -- what will work or what won't.

We have a century old dutch colonial, so don't want anything overwhelming. We have sheer panels up now. How do we pick out window treatments?

Annie Groer: Dear St. Louis - Go simple. Actually, the draperies will depend on your furnishing style -- anything from solid velvet to a subtle plaid Dupioni silk to a print.

They do give the room a finished look. And if it is small, hang the rods at ceiling level.
Ektorp: I've got the ektorp sofa.

The cushions do soften up, but never, ever stay in place. Every time I get up I have to adjust them. The padding on the armrests is thin and gets pretty flat over time, so if you lean against them for any length of time, it gets uncomfortable.

Annie Groer: Thanks. Nothing like the fanny test.
Arlington, Va: Hi ladies.

Re cats: A chatter last week said: If left to provide food for themselves, our dogs and cats would be hunting down consuming prey animals, not foraging for wheat or corn or carrots. As the old commercials used to say: it's not nice to fool Mother Nature!
So then why did my two cats (may they rest in peace) whimper and pine for cheese, ice cream, and cantaloupe?

Not to mention munch on grass? And they lived to ages 17 and 21.
Jura Koncius: Wow - how did you get them to live that long?

Please tell us what you fed them...

Gus begs for the milk in our cereal bowls each morning - it drive my husband crazy - he then only basicly sniffs at it...

Southern Maryland: A few weeks ago I inquired about getting a pine-panelled living room redone with paint and new floors. I finally bit the bullet and hired a painter who did the work on the walls. He primed the pine panelling and painted them Vanilla Cream.

The crown moulding is done in medium Williamsburg blue. The floors are cherry plank laminate and replace a light gray carpet. The entire effect is 1000% better than the previous room.

The paint covered the pine knots in the panelling. Now my job is to re-hang pictures and restack books and videos in the bookshelves. Thanks for the ideas.

Jura Koncius: Wow. We love a satisfied reader! Thanks for sharing your success.

Washington, DC: Hi, I need a picture frame for a poster of mine that is a bit too big to fit into a regular 24x36 frame. Do you have any suggestions besides spending a fortune on getting a custom?
Annie Groer: Check around at the lower-end stores I mentioned.

Michael's and AC Moore have a range of oversize ready-made frames. Don't forget Ikea and Walmart. It may even pay to buy an inexpensive framed poster and substitute your own.

I did that with an odd-size photo -- bought a double-matted icky floral in a beautiful frame at Tuesday Morning and tossed out the picture.
Reston Va: Need color suggestions for my combo living/dining room. The L shaped room means the colors need to all blend.

Right now I have Laura Ashley Haystack (a beautiful sunny peach) and dark hardwood floors. Looking for all new furniture and art, and can't decide what color family. I'm leaning to neutrals but maybe a blue or green accents?

Annie Groer: Dear Reston - We don't recommend spending lots of money on furniture to match walls that can be repainted for $40 a gallon. Check out the furniture that appeals..

.If it works with peach, great. Yes, pale blue and green accents.

Ektorp Land: I have an Ektorp sofa and the little round ektorp chair (i think it's ektorp). The sofa started out hard but it's gotten very comfortable. It would be much better had I not spilt an entire glass of red wine across 4 cushions during the UNC game last Saturday night.

Most of the stain is out. Most. The little round chair is still rather hard but that may be because no one really ever sits in it.

Well that and the cushion slides out constantly.
Annie Groer: Go 'Heels. But folks, I have to ask why you would buy hard-cushioned lounge furniture?

It's like buying shoes a half size too small and hoping you'll stretch them out by walking long distances in them. If it isn't comfy in the store, give it pass.
Chantilly, Va: Good morning, Ladies.

Painting question here: Is it far from the norm to paint a ceiling something other than white? For example, if your walls are darker -- such as a taupe, red, medium green, etc. -- would it look weird if the ceiling was painted a shade that is several shades lighter than the wall color?

Would having crown moulding to break up the contrast be a preferable solution?
I ask because to me, having a stark-white ceiling when all four walls are painted draws my eye upward, especially when the walls are a strong, darker color. It just seems to take the attention off the walls.

I know that ceilings can be painted to make a room seem bigger or lighter, but is that applicable only when the walls are also lighter shades?
Thank you for your insight, and I look forward to these chats.
Jura Koncius: Some designers actually paint the ceiling the same as the walls.

You can certainly fine a paler version of your wall color, and then add white to it to make it work.
Pittsburgh Paints Green Shale 2429 is a good color.
Richmond, Va: Hello gurus, I need your help!

We just moved in to a house that has grass cloth wallpaper above the chair rail in the entry, up the stairs and down the bedroom hallway. The walls are white beneath the rail and trim is white too. My husband hates it, I'm reserving judgement.

Anything I can do to make things more interesting? Rip it down? Paint it?

Take a fun decorating approach?
Many thanks!
Jura Koncius: Oh the dreaded grasscloth.

This was a popular treatment in the 1980s and 1990s and unfortunately, it does look a bit dated now. You can't really paint over it - which is the bad news. If your husband really hates it, then get it out of there.

..
Washington DC: Do you suppose there's any market for old windows, or the framed panes?

I'm getting my windows replaced (fake wood grain on the inside, thanks to your advice) and wonder if anyone would be thrilled to find large chestnut-framed single panes of glass.
Would Brass Knob be interested in these? Other ideas?

Thanks!
Annie Groer: Brass Knob might, if they are interesting. If they are just plain windows, give them to charity stores such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 7770 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria.

703-360-6700. They will pick up. Also try Community Forklift at 4671 Tanglewood Dr.

Edmonston, Md. 301-985-5180. It's an ecologically responsible thing to do.

But, here's an idea I saw when I was doing my frame story.
A guy had an old french door with lots of panes. He had photos of his wife and kids blown up to fit inside a mat.

The whole thing hangs as a large piece of art.
Very crafty, very homey.
Heels Ektorp Land: I guess, to answer your question (which is totally on point) --- when you sit on the models in Ikea they aren't hard because everyone else has been trying to figure out whether they're comfy as well.

Jura Koncius: Ektorpia - another idea...

Rockville, Md: Re: Forestville, painting question. We bought our new house in Novemeber, 2003 but didn't move in until December 10th. During that time, we had the house painted because I was pregnant at the time and didn't want to breath the paint fumes.

It worked out great. The painters started the morning of settlement, even before the papers were signed. All the contractors and tradesmen said that they wished they could have had their houses painted before the furniture and especially the rugs came in.

Since we were also replacing the carpeting, the contractors didn't have to worry so much about drips.
One thing to think about though, painting always takes longer than you think it will. You may get started before moving in but end up finishing after your move in date.

Jura Koncius: Thanks!
Picture Frame: www.pictureframe.

com is a great site for custom frames that really do not cost an arm and a leg. Huge selection and great quality. I've ordered from them several times.

Jura Koncius: Wonderful. Thanks.
Outdoor furniture: Ikea's summer catalog has a few items that would work in a small space.

Jura Koncius: Not Extorp, right?
balcony furniture: We had a lot of problems finding small furniture for a balcony last year and finally found a nice table and chairs at Ikea (they had a few options we liked). A bit more substantial than the general bistro set, but leaves plenty of room remaining on our apt.

balcony.
Jura Koncius: Another Ikea fan..

. but bring your own bags..

.
Chantilly paint question: I painted my powder room Sherwin Williams Rave Red and was advised to paint the ceiling a Duron color called October Frost . It is one of their old colors.

It is perfect - much better than stark white.
Jura Koncius: October Frost. Great name.

Reston Va: re: the peach walls...

I know that paint should be the last thing you decide, but this is different. My rooms face east and in the afternoon the sunlight off the trees casts a green glow into the room..

.icky. I struggled a long time to find a color that worked with this proble, that's why the paint has to stay.

So what color family of furnishings would you recommend for this room?
Annie Groer: Aha..

.You can try cherry wood, which has a deep red cast, and upholstery that is grayish, grayish blue or even red. Stay away from colors with a green tone.

washingtonpost.com: , (March 22, 2007)
Annie Groer: thanks, kim.
Milwaukee, Wis: The only reason that wallpaper use is reviving is because designers always want to change things.

Otherwise the designers essentially become obsolete. After purchasing 3 houses over the years that already had wallpaper on the walls, I will never ever do that again. They have either had hidden flaws, re-glued wih an Elmer's type of glue or in one house we had 7 layers of wallpaper on a wall in the kitchen (yes we took a corroborating photo of that)!

Jura Koncius: Fascinating!!!

Re: painting over grasscloth: Oh, I don't know...

I lived in a rental house once where the gold flocked wallpaper had been painted white. The paint soaked into the flocking and made a really interesting texture. The pattern was preserved, but the awful baby-poop gold was covered up.

Oh, and for the person considering painting the ceiling-- we moved into a house once where someone had painted the ceiling the same color as the walls (yellow), and it was the most awful, oppressive little cave of a room. We painted the ceiling white the day after we moved in, and it made all the difference. So if you must put a color on your ceiling, do as light a shade as possible!

Jura Koncius: Another opinion. What do you think of Ektorp?
re: island: Minwax and other brands have stain you can put over existing stain without stripping the old.

Can only go darker, of course, but it crisps up a dingy piece if it doesn't need stripping.
Jura Koncius: Great.
Baltimore, Md: If you had $3000 to 4000, where would you go if you needed to buy a slipcovered sofa, dining table and chairs, and bookshelves?

Also, I want to paint our two bedrooms, which are situated on either end of a long hallway. Any suggestion on calm colors? Our house is painted a buttery yellow throughout, we have exposed brick, and blonde hardwood floors.

I like blue but don't know if that's a good choice given the warm tone of the house. Thanks!
Annie Groer: Dear Baltimore - I'd start at C-Mart, the discount everything store.

There is one in Joppatowne in Baltimore County and another, brand new one in Largo, Md, just off the DC area Beltway. Check out their website www.CMartdiscount.

com
Donate the windows and get a tax deduction!
Jura Koncius: Thanks.
What to Read?

: Hi lovely Home Gurus! For the first time ever, I've rented an apartment that I really like. It's a renovated building from 1915-1930 and the apartment is lovely with great bones and crown molding.

I am enthusiastic about making it my own space instead of something more utilitarian like my last place. But I am on a budget. Can you suggest some fun home decorating books or magazines that have a funky-but-inexpensive feel about them?

I'm in my early 40s so I don't want anything that is for someone right out of college, but I'm not interested in Colonial or staid things, either. I'm not afraid of mid-century, but the last time I bought anything it was at Ikea in the mid-1990s. I don't even know where to start.

Thank you from a New Jersey fan!
Annie Groer: Try Domino Magazine,Atomic Ranch, Cottage Living and then go to the website www.homedecorators.

com. Also, check out furniture consignment shops in the Baltimore area, as well as estate sales. Lots of great deals to be had.

Pet food: Please stop feeding your kitty Fancy Feast. There are so many better quality foods out there. I'm not trying to judge, just help, because I'm sure you want your cat to have a healthy diet.

Healthy food really, truly doesn't cost more. I thought it did, but have learned my lesson, and my pet (dog, in this instance) is so much better for it!!

Jura Koncius: Yes, you are right...

.
Arlington, Va: I'm planning a new kitchen and bathrooms for our home addition - are there any trends to stay away from as well as are there any you would embrace? Stainless appliances?

Farmhouse sinks? Furniture-style vanities? Subway tiles?

Silestone/Zodiaq countertops? We plan to be in the house for many years, and I just hope to avoid looking at it in a decade and thinking oh, that is so 2007. Thanks!

Annie Groer: Dear Arlington - First stainless...

Jura and I both think it's here to stay...

Her 1937 cottage had a stainless kitchen backsplash, which she kept for a long time until she remodeled. My 1957 rambler, which I sold in 2002, had stainless countertops, which I adored and I think the new owners have kept. We like stainless appliances, subway tiles and engineered stone countertops for their ease of care and durability.

We are not so fond of furniture vanities and we particularly don't like vessel sinks.
But since you plan to be there for a long time, go with your own taste and style.
Annie Groer: It's noon, it's gorgeous outside and we're history.

..
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