Home Front

Every week, the Washington Post Home staff talks about various ways to improve your home. Find out about new trends, upcoming antiques shows and a variety of how-to help.

Ask Post staff writers Annie Groer and Jura Koncius about all things home related.

You may also browse an archive of previous Home Front discussions.

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Good morning everyone. It's Jura here at the keyboard. I'm back from a lovely week in Canada in Montreal and Quebec City. Lots of fab design shops and boutiques and a super Italian Design show in Montreal. Check it out.

Meanwhile, before we get going, let me throw out a plea for a story I'm doing. I am looking for people who don't like air conditioning, who refuse to use it, who have never had it installed. Do you know people who tough it out through out hot and horrific summer months and would be interviewed?

Please email Jura at konciusj@washpost.com. Many thanks and now let's roll.

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Bethesda, Md: In lieu of the traditional mirror, what would you suggest to hang on the wall above a mid-height dresser in the bedroom?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Now why would you not want a mirror? You could put an accessory organizer. Kitchen pegboards, ccordion hooks, a small cabinet to put your jewelry or handbags. You could put up a collection of vintage evening bags on hooks from Anthropologie. A hat collection - cocktail hats with veils perhaps? Some fabric hanging down from the ceiling? Will that keep you going? Chime in anyone else.

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Bowie, Md: LOVED the story about the $1,000 "free" makeover! When I dropped my cable service last year, I agonized over losing HGTV, which I found addicting (one principal reason I dropped cable...).

It's reassuring to know the reason I can't redo my home for free and have it look as professional as their example is that they didn't do it for free, either.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: You said it.

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Silver Spring, Md: Loved the article about the woman who was on HGTV. I have questioned whether the things they 'find' were really there to begin with. But I like the concept of looking at what you already have.

I wish somebody would do an article about one of the homes where TLC does a 'While you were out' project on. Some of those look crazy and I can't imagine they wear very well.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We will pass it on.

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Cheltenham, Md: Good Morning Ladies, I am in the midst of redecorating my dining room, antique table with new bodega chairs from Rowe with a funky pattern. I am looking for long curtains, where should I look and should I try to purchase them customized? Thanks for the great advice every week.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Check out www.tradingcompany.com. also www.thecurtainexchange.com. Storehouse has wonderful curtains off the rack.

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Washington DC: Good morning,

I'm looking for a paint color for a powder room that has black fixtures. Can you recommend a color that will not clash with green?

Thanks

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Porch Ceiling Blue by Martha Stewart Everyday Colors. Or other suggestions from Martha's line: Heirloom Rose, Lamb's Ear or Coir.

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Silver Spring, Md: I am in need of some advice. I must replace the carpet in the living/dining room of my townhouse. There is a 65 pound dog in residence so the carpet is almost always dirty. I am considering hardwood but am not sure how to match it up. I have a cream color painted tv armoire and a dark brown (walnut maybe) dining room table and china cabinet. I am not a big fan of the light oak color but just fell in love with the tigerwood because it has all the shades of wood in the room. Opinion please?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Tigerwood sounds wonderful. But will your dog's nails scratch it up? You might consider an area rug on top of durable wool in a dark color.

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Alexandria, Va: Ladies, Yea or Nay? For a small living room - Pottery Barn's Bradford sofa in Cardinal Red brushed canvas with the Bradford armchair in Walnut brushed canvas. Too much red? Bad combo? We have pale yellow walls w/ white trim, hardwood floors. I'd probably get the Adeline rug to complete it. Thanks in advance!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: A bit too much red for our blood.

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Alexandria, Va: Please help! I would like to know if there are silk plants for the outdoors. If so, where? My green thumb has turned brown. I want to spruce up my balcony.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Annie, who approves of faux flowers and of course Jura is sniffing in disapproval, says that Michael's sells a great hanging basket of faux ferns. Neither of us of course approves of plastic flowers which would be waterproof, but many of the new latex flowers out there are very convincing and many would hold up well outside.

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Silver Spring, Md.: I have a beautifully framed print over the dresser in my bedroom. The mirror is on the back of the door.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Nice idea. If you can stand to look at yourself full length.

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Rockville, Md: Hi Ladies,

Can you recommend a warm green paint color for a kitchen that doesn't get much light and has black and stainless steel appliances with cherry cabinets. Counters and floors are neutral. I've tried BM kittery point green, fernwood green, guilford green, LA olive 3 and RH sycamore.

Thanks

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: BM Kittery Point is one of our all time faves. Not to be on a Martha jag this morning, but Book Binding Green, Seaweed, and Old Enamel Green are also wonderful from the Kmart and Sears line Martha Stewart Everyday Colors.

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Washington, DC: I'm a little overwhelmed with knowing where to start in my new place! The living room and bedroom are bare of furniture and I'm not sure what color schemes I want, the bathroom and kitchen will need a total re-do, probably with the help of an architect.

Do I work on the two rooms that don't need structural changes, so that I can at least feel like I'm making some quick progress, or do I dive into the big projects first?

Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: I think you should nest a bit in your place so you'll be happy you're living there, not just take on a big expensive project right away. Start looking at photos in magazines and coffee table design books of living rooms and dining rooms you like. And spend weekends browsing stores like West Elm, Pottery Barn, Arhaus, and Belfort. Check out some local yard sales and estate sales too.

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Crofton, Md: Just wanted to say "Thank You" for the Sticky Paws suggestion. They are working great on our living room chairs, so much better than covering new charis with a sheet.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Oh thanks so much for writing in! It reminds me that I need to buy more Sticky Paws because my husband is threatening to evict my cat Gus due to his scratching this one corner of a chair in the living room! It does work, but you do have to replace them because they come off with head and humidity.

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Arlington, Va: Do you know of a local source for tin backsplashes?

Thanks.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We spoke to Andrew Berry of The Brass Knob's Back Door Warehouse at 57 N St. NW 202-265-0587 who says they sell vintage pieces of ceiling tin that measure about 2 feet by 4 feet and they range in price from $25 to $65 per panel. He does not do any sort of custom cutting there, but if you are handy, or know someone who is, and you wear protective gloves, you can do this. Take a pair of tin shears and cut exactly what you need.

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Silver Spring, Md: We currently have floor to ceiling windows, but we're moving to a place that has windows from about hip-height to the ceiling. I want to make sure my plants get enough light, so I was thinking of getting a console table for the window. I've never put plants on wood before though - what should I do to protect the wood? I don't want to cover the whole thing with a cloth because I'd like to still see the table.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: How about getting a piece of glass cut to match the size of the top of the console table?

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Washington, DC: I'm looking for a pop-up trundle bed. I've seen a bunch on three online sites: humbleabode.com, namebrandbeds.com and justdaybeds.com

I wondered if anyone has used these any of these retailers and could give me feedback. Thanks.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We do not trundle, Annie and I. But does anyone out there have info on these companies?

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3 paints to choose!: I recently bought a beach house and it's M-T right now. good time to paint (brand new house, so no prepping needed).

I tentatively think I'd like to have this scheme - an aquamarine blue - not too loud, not too green, almost swimming pool blue but not OUT THERE if you know what I mean.

color two - a soft peach.

color three - sandy beige.

what colors above would you reco (Behr - I love Behr) that would go together, and

what would you suggest for color 4? (it could be louder, I could put it in a powder room).

or should I stay with three but have gradations of the three above?

thank you!

(and I suppose this means I have to have light colored furniture, right?)

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Well, here's our selection! From Behr, as you requested. Try Aqua Spray for the swimming pool color, Bright Citrus for your peach and Bagel for the beige (sesame or poppy, your choice). As for the fourth color, we have chosen April Mist which is the color of a beach glass green or overcast day. And yes, paler colored furniture would be your best bet.

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Alexandria, Va: You should do a story on newlyweds trying to find space for all of the gifts they get!

New husband and I live in an apartment, and since our wedding 1 month ago, we have had to think very creatively about storage. I know we're not alone!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: This is very true! And you have all these giant gift boxes bearing amazing gifts and no place to put them. If your in-laws or parents live in the area, you can do what a lot of newly weds do. Go to the Storage Unit of Mom and Dad. No use paying for a storage space elsewhere.

The main thing to do, is start using some of this stuff so you can ditch the boxes and packing material - which is seven or eight times the size of the item. Use checks you got for gifts to maybe buy storage cabinets.

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Bad Kitty! in New Haven Conn: I moved from DC, where I had beautiful hardwood floors, to CT, where i have ugly wall to wall carpeting. I have done what I can, putting my rugs over the ugo gray w2w but my problem is the kitty. She used to only scratch her post but now is taking our her hostilities on the ugo gray w2w (not my lovely rugs). Any suggestions?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Bad Kitty is right! Have you tried Sticky Paws? See earlier message. You can put them on the rug too in spots to discourage her. Flood the area with scratching posts covered in catnip.

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Lovettsville, Va: Hi Ladies, The next room in the house to for me to start is our office. It is in the front of the house that faces north. We also have a front porch so it gets very little light. What is a good color for a home office? We have honey color oak floors?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Hmmm. A home office should have a creative mood. What about C2's Cornbread or Live Wire. If you're daring, try BANG a lipstick red to get you really jazzed to work.

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Alexandria, Va: I know BM Kennebunkport Green, I'm not familiar with BM Kittery Point Green. What is Kittery Point Green like?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Kittery is a shade or two lighter and less intense than Kennebunkport.

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Silver Spring, Md: Love your chats!!

Did I miss the Mastercraft Interiors auction / going out of business clearance / sale?

I've been watching for ads in the paper, as you recommended, but I've been traveling for work quite a bit, so I'm afraid I may have missed it!

Thanks very much!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Go to www.mastercraftinteriors.com and they have a link for bankruptcy information which will give you all the details about what's going on. A call to Mastercraft just now produced no useful information except that everything in the store is now under the control of the liquidators.

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Faux Flowers: What are some other non-flora spruce ups? We have a cute little MS patio set from K-mart. We have no room for an umbrella. I had experienced plant envy when I saw a woman carrying homegrown hydrangeas.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Why can't you buy a couple of pots with live flowers and keep them alive? Nurseries have pre-planted pots - and so do Kmart and Home Depot by the way and grocery stores do too - so you should be able to find something.

Other accessories might include lanterns, solar powered lights, plastic flamingos of course and other yard art.

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Silver Spring, Md: I have a problem with kitty scratching too, although it's getting better. I used Sticky Paws, but she would find the spots not covered, and I didn't really feel like covering the entire sofa with Sticky Paws (gives a funny visual for our sitting on it though!) Whenever she scratches the sofa she gets a "No!" and she stops. I pick her up and put her on her scratching box (she doesn't like the nip), and pet her and coo to her while she scratches where she's supposed to. She's not perfect, but it's working. I've also gotten her some alternative scratching areas - a basket that she likes to lie in and scratch and door mat.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Scritch Scratch. You sound like a VERY patient teacher. Lucky kitty.

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Re: Internet Bed Companies: I didn't use any of the companies listed -- and didn't buy a trundle -- but when I was looking for a comtemporary sofa that folded into an extra bed I did my homework online. I went with www.affordable-beds.com. I was a little nervous ordering something I hadn't seen before, but we were very pleased. Price was right and delivery was free. They wanted to charge extra to bring it from the truck to our condo, but we decided to do it ourselves. The driver helped us to get it to the elevator anyway -- really above and beyond service.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks for this. We love when other people do our homework!

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Plants on table: Would cork trivets work in that situation?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Sure. But the cork can get waterlogged with spills and damage the top of the table.

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Arlington, Va: What colors for furniture and flooring would work with Sherman Williams' Sundance? Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Arlington: This is usually the opposite of how we work - usually they don't have the paint color; in your case, you have the paint color and want ideas for the rest. Sundance is VERY bold - it's the orangey yellow color of an Arizona sunset. Dark wood would make a nice contrast to that. Flooring could be ebony, which is hard to achieve, or a honey colored wood.

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Charlottesville, Va: Any suggestions on how to refresh tired looking wood floors without the cost of resurfacing them?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Have you tried waxing? But be careful, because you can slip and break something...

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Crofton, Md: Too funny, the cat we had to buy Sticky Paws for is also named Gus.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: That is HYSTERICAL. Gus is a great name for a cat. They are naughty though. Perhaps my cat is living a double life...he has a secret family.

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Germantown, Md: I live in a rental apartment, and I'm stuck with the standard-issue brass chandelier. I had a brainstorm about concealing it with a large drum shade, but I've not been able to find one large enough -min. 20"w x 14"h]. I ordered one from Pottery Barn, but it turned out not to be a true drum-shape and one end is too small. Can you suggest a source for super-huge shades? Thanks in advance.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Try this place in New York for tons of neat shades. They are really fantastic and a designer friend of Jura's named Michael Borden suggested it to her. It's a really neat place to visit too if you go to NoLita in NYC. Just Shades, 21 Spring St. 212-966-2757 or go to www.justshadesny.com.

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Faux Flowers: I work two jobs and my husband can't remember to water what's out there. I'd have to manage him and the flowers, too.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We feel your pain. Jura is constantly worried about all the plants out there that need water and she hesitates to remind her dear husband who gets home late from the office. It's a responsibility, like having a pet. You have to keep them alive!

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Rockville, Md : My grandfather is moving out of the three-bedroom home that he has lived in since the 1954 to live in a retirement community. Much of the mid-century furniture still in the home will not be coming with him. Any recommendations about where/how to sell some of his retro furnishings to local stores? Thanks!!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Ebay would be good. Or advertise it in a newspaper. Call Daniel Donnelly Modern Design Studio 703 549-4672.

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Ashton, Md: For wood floors, no wax: try the Bona spray bottle with a microfiber pad. Great satin look, no buildup.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Oh wonderful. Thanks. We will try it too!

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Falls church, Va: I hope you ladies can help me! I have a sage greenish sofa in the living room with a green rug over hardwoods and a multi-color (mostly green) chair. Deep purple and cream accent pillows. It opens to the dining room, painted Glidden's Family Legacy. Any ideas for living room paint? It's got one French door leading to a deck, but doesn't get a whole lot of light.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Keep the walls a very pale green. Love the purple pillows. What about Benjamin Moore's Light Pistachio?

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Tampa, Fla: I read in your online Washington Post column about The Tiffany Blue paint color. My daughter loved it. But I no longer have the column with the information on the exact color and paint company that has it. Can you guide me as to the exact name of the Tiffany color and which company carries it? Thank you so much!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We have called Tiffany and we will get back to you.

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Silver Spring, Md: Hi, there--we recently got replacement windows for our brick colonial. The window trim was white already, but "aged." Now it's WHITE (i.e., refrigerator white). Our front door is red, but the door trim, fan decoration above the door, and storm door trim are off-white/cream. When they replaced the windows, my husband and I thought the door looked a little dingy by comparison. We'd rather not replace the storm door, so what do you suggest for the door trim color?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: I think off-white.

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Fairfax, Va: So, last week we got rid of this awful textured paint in our guest bath. We have spackled and primed and now ready for our next step. Hmm, that's the question!

We have heard about Venetian Plaster but don't know how hard it is to do. Any advice?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: If you want a pro to do it for you, call Adrienne van Dooren, the brains behind the Artisans' Arlington Faux House. 703 971-8252. Talk to her about how hard it is and if you need a pro.

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Washington, DC: Re: grandfather's mid century furniture--try Upscale Resale in Merrifield, VA. There is also a small furniture resale shop in Rockville, on Parklawn or Nebel street behind Loehman's plaza but I can't recall the name.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Okay thanks.

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Woodbridge, Va.: Paint color question

Hi ladies,

I love your chat! Can you please advise on what wall color to paint an open floor living room with a fire place. The furniture in the room is a modern red kidney shape sofa, a red loveseat and a Corbusier black chaise, black and white photographs on the walls, a black and white cowhide rug - lots of natural light. Grateful for your suggestions. Thank you so much!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: White would be true to mid-century. A tailored gray would be a sophisticated backdrop.

What about Gigi's Grey from Pratt & Lambert? Or slightly lighter Winter's Gate?

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks everyone. Please catch our radio show next Wednesday at 11:03. And you can hear our theme song which is FAB. We hope to announce the Tiffany Blue color contest winners.

See ya.

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