Entries in the 'Q & A' Category

Painting

I receive a daily email from Mamasource, a website for Moms who want to connect and ask questions. Today I read this question from a Mom:

Hi Moms! Has anyone painted red and blue (think Mickey Mouse colors – we found the room paint idea brochure at Home Depot in the Disney paints) It is red on the top third of the room and blue on the bottom two thirds. I think it looks so cute! His room is cars and trains theme so the colors will go. My question is – is this too dark? He has one window that is fairly large but I’m worried the dark colors will make the room dark and gloomy plus feel smaller. Any advice?

Ths was my response:

I am an interior designer and I have a few points for you to consider:

- cool colors like blue do make the walls recede
- warm colors will make it seem smaller and cozier
- dark colors are difficult to paint over
- dark colors tend to burnish unless you use a eggshell or higher sheen, which I personally do not like for walls
-red is an invigorating color so do not use too much of it in bedrooms
-blue is calming so that is good for sleeping
-borders in rooms are outdated.
-I like the idea one reader had about feature walls
-other thoughts are to bring color in with fabrics and/or to paint the furniture in colors, which can be fun and a great way to make old furniture look good
-consider lighter hues of the colors for the walls and the deeper tones for other items in the room…..accessorize.

Hope this helps others with similar painting concerns!

Kitchen Knobs vs. Pulls

This question came to me via email from a client in Thousand Oaks, CA. The kitchen we are designing has medium dark wood perimeter cabinets and a cream color island.
Jo-Ann,
 Any thoughts on regular pulls or knobs -one vs the other being better?  Our faucet and door handles are all this oil rubbed bronze so I think we should stick with that but will that look ok with our cabinets?  How much does the width matter?
Thank you.

Art for the dining room

This email was sent to me from Mary and she asked me to post it for her.

I am on a tight budget and need some ideas for art for the dining room.  I am staging a house I bought for investment. The walls are very large.  It is hard to find a big enough piece of art and matching pieces are hit and miss.  Should I try to combine some paintings (possibly unframed) with some decorative metal or copper look art?

Any assistance will be appreciated!

Accessory advice needed

The following question was sent via email.
(A reminder that if you prefer to email your questions you may email to coloursandconcepts@verizon.net)
Dear Jo-Ann
My living room furniture is fairly ordinary.  I have a modern sofa, loveseat and 2 chairs – all without arms and all matching in a white colour very close to the colour of the walls.  My problem is that I need to get a carpet which is a very specific size as there is a floor plug which I want to end up under the love seat and the carpet must not cover the plug or when I plug anything in, the carpet will not lie flat.  So I’m thinking of buying a black and white cow skin and possibly add colour with the cushions – I’ll need to buy quite a few of them.  What do you think of the cow skin idea?
I have a black dining table and 6 black chairs with leather seats.  I’ll need to buy a light coloured 8 by 10 rug to go beneath it.  I was thinking of buying an off white shag rug.  I could set the table with coloured dinnerware to add colour.  Does that sound like too much black and white?
Signed …
Digging out of the design duldrums!

What to use for a table top base?

The following question was sent via email;
Dear Jo-Ann:
My husband has milled 2 hemlock boards that are about 4 ft. long and about 10 inches wide and at least 1 inch thick.  They have a beautiful grain and the curved edges of the tree at either side. Right now the bark is on the edges, but it can be removed.  I would like to use these boards as a table top – preferably as a dining room sideboard.  The boards can be trimmed so that only one side is curved and the 2 boards can be glued together to make a single board about 18 inches wide.  They can be stained any colour – or even painted.  My question is – what would you suggest I use as a base to support the boards?
I really need some inspiration on this one.
Looking forward to your response.
Marilyn

Kitchen Cabinets

I can’t afford new kitchen cabinets right now and was wondering if you had any ideas on how to update the solid wood cabinets I currently have?  I would like to make them more modern without it costing me too much money.

Dining Dilema

Edith's Dining Dilema

Dear Jo-Ann:
Attached are pictures of our dining area and adjacent kitchen.
I would like to update the dining area of our old house.  I am willing to repaint the burgandy coloured wainscotting, remove the apple border and remove the wallpaper above the wainscotting which is a beige colour with little apples on it.  I am also willing to refinish the hardwood flooring but I cannot change the colour of the dining table and chairs as some of the chairs belong to a friend. 
 
The kitchen colours are – light beige cabinets with a darker beige wall colour and backsplash.  The kitchen counter top is grey with light and dark grey flecks.
 
Other colours in the house are a yellowish beige.  My sofas are a green pattern.
 
I would like the dining area to look bigger – what colour scheme would you suggest?
Looking forward to your response.
Edith

Masculine/Feminine compromise

Hello!  My husband and I are remodeling, and he prefers a more blocky, monotone masculine design, while I like things a little softer and more feminine.  How can we compromise?

Thanks!

Paints

Hi! I’m going to be painting my living room. What colors are trendy right now?

Old and New

Hi!
I’ve seen a look of modern mixed with antiques a lot lately. Do you this will be a fad or last through seasons to come?