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 to all. It's a hot country out there I hear. Well here in Washington, we are all just trying to keep our hydrangea alive and our ac compressors from failing.

My dear partner in all things homey is in MEXICO of all places at a spa, lucky dog. Annie reports that it is in the 70s and actually cool at night there. We will soldier on without her. Let's chat.

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Arlington, Va: I have an open living room/dining room area. I also have a love for black furniture. I currently have a black coffee table and a black dining room table. I'm in the market for a console table and a buffet. Is it okay for them to be black as well? Should they definitely not be black? And if it's okay that they are, how do you recommend adding color?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Hmmm. That's an interesting question. It would be okay for them all to be black, but you should definitely set everything off with some punch of color in the paint or rugs or accessories. Or go black and stark white. In an era when everyone is going eclectic pairing all kinds of furniture finishes, colors and woods, it makes a nice statement to go the other way.

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Fairfax, Va: Hi Annie and Jura! I was thinking of putting some framed family pictures along the staircase wall leading up to our bedrooms. Can I mix and match color photos with black and white photos or should I stick to one type? And do all the frames have to be the same style also?

Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Fairfax:

I love those walls of family photos and the stairway is a good place to do it. One of my friends has framed all the wedding invitations and birth announcements back several generations and put those on one wall and that looks great also. It would help if they were all color or all black and white, but if you can't resist go ahead and mix them. Using the same frames would unify it and give a more polished look. Try places like Target, Michael's, A.C. Moore, Tuesday Morning or Walmart for inexpensive frames.

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Closet door substitutes: Hi ladies! I'm looking to replace the ugly folding closet doors in my bedrooms & linen closet with something...different. Some ideas I've had include fabric "curtains" (great opportunity to use a fun designer fabric), roman shade, maybe even a funky beaded curtain. Any other inspiration from you or the peanut gallery?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: I like your ideas a lot. My son has a beaded curtain in the door to his room - although there is a real door behind it. It says it gives him warning when we're about to enter his room when the beads rustle.

Meanwhile, another idea is to use those hanging capiz shell strands you can buy at places like West Elm.

Any other ideas out there?

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Arlington, Va: Have either of you ever been to Urban Chic? Is it worth a visit? I will be buying a BUNCH of new furniture in the next couple of months for a new home and want to get the best prices (meaning the lowest!!) for good furniture. Thanks!!! I LOVE your advice!!!!!!!!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Please tell us where Urban Chic is!

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Washington, DC: Is there such a things a warm blue? I'm looking to paint a basement bedroom blue, because I love the color, but everything I try seems so cold. Not what I want to wake up to. Any ideas? Or, do I need to pick something more like a light yellow to deal with the lack of light?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: A warm blue is a good idea. We just got a new paint collection from Ralph Lauren - from the Vintage Masters Collection the color Wisteria is a warm blue in my book. Also Vast Sky or Resolute Blue from Duron.

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Norman, Okla: When I ask anyone this question I just get a blank face. I have always dreamed of having a four poster bed with white shears at each corner that you can open or close. I have a metal four poster now. Do people use curtains for things like this? Or does it look dumb like you're using curtains? Do you alter the curtains somehow? Should you buy shears made expressly to hang on beds? I want shears!! Love your discussions - can't wait for Thursdays.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Hi there Oklahoma and thanks for tuning in!

We think your idea is romantic and sounds very cool - and cooling. Buying tab top or pocket panel sheers is totally okay and would look wonderful. These can be very inexpensively purchased probably at your local JCPenney or Kmart. Don't know if you have Ikea there but their curtain panels are very long and made of great fabrics plus cost very little.

So go for it!

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Alexandria, Va: Hi! I just painted our study Benjamin Moore's Baby Turtle, which is a great olive-y green. I'm now planning on painting the trim to cover the red paint splatters from the previous owners. I suspect (but don't know for sure) that it was originally painted with an oil-based paint. Do I need to stick with the oil-based or can I switch to latex? Is one better than the other?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: You can switch to latex, says Brett from Monarch Paint and Wallcovering at 2130 Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown. He says the best way is to sand the surface lightly, paint it with an oil primer and then top coat it with a latex.

So go to it -

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Maryland: I recently found a shoe cubby/cabinet/shelf-type deal in a catalog from homedecorators.com. Have you ever heard of this company and are they any good? I've never seen shoe shelfs like the ones they sell... if there was a physical store that sold something like that, I would love it. This catalog had a mudroom bench, cabinet and open shelf all with small squarish cubbies to fit shoes into.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Yes, I have seen their products and I think they have creative pieces. Has anyone out there ordered from them?

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Alexandria, Va: Can you guide me to a shop that sells curtains in hard to find or unusual colors? I'm looking to add curtains to my dining room that has Sherman Williams' Sundance paint, dark wood furniture, and a light, honey laminate floor. Specifically, I am looking for something in an orange or peppery color, as I think a Santa Fe/Southwest style color scheme will work (although I would like just a solid color and not something with Native American design).

A tall order, I know. But I've had no luck and thought you two and the chatters would be a great resource. Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Storehouse has a lot of earthy colors in their ready to wear curtain line. Check them out. Also as I mentioned earlier Ikea has amazing curtain panels. Also go to www.silktrading.com. Silk Trading has an amazing store in New York at ABC Carpet & Home but you can buy their things online also.Their website says they are going to open a store in Columbia - that's GREAT News.

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Oops! Meant Urban Retreat: Urban Retreat is in REston, VA. Here is there website http://urbanretreatfurniture.com/

Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We will check it out. Thanks a lot.

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Washington, DC: Does anyone out there have experience with cabinet resurfacing? I think Home Depot and Sears both offer it. I'd especially love to hear if anyone has done this with their kitchen cupboards. Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: This is something I have not personally done. Anyone out there want to chime in?

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: A quick tip from our radio show yesterday I want to share with everyone. I was on WTWP for our weekly show with Hillary & Friends and Hillary Howard. (It is from 11 to 11:30 every Wednesday if you want to check this out 1500 AM and 107.7 FM)

I had as my guest yesterday Don Williams, senior furniture conservator at the Smithsonian and co author with Louisa Jaggar of Saving Stuff: A guide to preserving your collectibles.

He mentioned a Washington organization - The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works www.aic-faic.org 202-452-9545. They can put you in touch with a conservator in your area to help you restore your precious family heirlooms like paintings, documents, textiles etc. It's a great resource to keep in your files.

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Bethesda, Md: We're turning a small windowless room into a study for my husband. I'm thinking of sage green because green is easy on the eyes and will let him focus on the task at hand. Furniture is medium wood and the carpet is a light tan. Can you suggest a soothing, meditative green?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Yes. The Restoration Hardware sages are legendary in the paint community. Try Sycamore Green, Bay Laurel or Spanish Moss.

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Charlotte, NC: Homedecorators.com - I ordered a desk, and, while it's not fine furniture, it is decent quality for the price. At least it's solid oak...

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Sounds good. Thanks.

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Funky curtain colors: Try Cost Plus WORLD MARKET. They always have interesting fabrics and neat looking window treatments. Lots with an Indian or Asian flair, but I've seen "southwest-y" colors.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: On good idea. World Market is always so fun to browse through. My sister got an unbelievable big straw purse their for $28 at the beginning of the summer that looked like it came from San Tropez.

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Washington, DC: Hi, there. Question about paint colors. We want to paint our guest room (and hopefully a baby room in the future) a shade of yellow. We don't want it to be very bright and obnoxious but something a bit more subtle that we can then decorate with a variety of color schemes. Any recommendations?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: You probably want a very pale yellow without a lot of green in it. What about Behr's Provence Creme?

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Silver Spring, Md: Hi, Jura! Our bedroom is painted Duron's Quietude, and we are looking for a color for the guest room next door. I feel like it should be the same hue, or does that matter? I would like a reddish or orangish color just to be a little different from the blue-grey-green of Quietude. Any suggestions without making it look girly? There are dark hardwood floors and an antique bed and dresser also with dark wood.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: What about Duron's Sunset for something bold. Don't do peach as that might look girly.

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Alexandria, Va: Homedecorators.com: I recently ordered a trunk cocktail table from this company. I didn't know what to expect in terms of quality, but am very, very pleased that I took the chance. The trunk I purchased is made of solid wood, is beautifully crafted and fits in perfectly with my decor.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: A trunk is a great accessory piece. Thanks.

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Silver Spring, Md: I've wondered about Home Decorators also - they have some really good prices and quite a range of selections. I wonder if anyone has had any experience with buying their rugs... they have great prices and there are so many!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Rugs at a good price are always something our readers are searching for. Has anyone out there bought one from them?

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Washington, DC: For the person asking about curtains Smith and Noble has curtains. I just looked at their catalog this morning. They have some nice earth tone shades.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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Home Decorators: They are great! We have ordered several things, always suspicious of the quality for the price, and they always turn out to be fabulous! If you like it, go for it!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: So far, everyone loves this place. Thanks.

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Charlotte, NC: Here I am again!

We refaced our kitchen cabinets when we renovated in 2000. The cabinet boxes were in good shape and it was about a quarter of the cost of replacing them with custom cabinets. We replaced the doors and drawers, so not much surface shows. After 5.5 years, it still looks good, but there are a couple of corners where the film needs to be glued down again. However, those places aren't noticable, except to me.

I would do it again, if I couldn't afford new cabinets.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks Charlotte!

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Lead paint: How do I know if I have lead paint? If I have painted over everything in what I know to be lead-free, have I resolved the problem?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Strosniders sells a kit that will tell you if the paint on your wall has lead in it. A one-time use kit is about $2.99. You can buy a permanent kit for about $8.

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Washington, DC: Hi, I am a single guy and I want to redecorate my studio apartment. Do you know any websites that could help me with this? I have zero decorating/design ability. Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Wow. We feel your pain and wish we could help you. I suggest you scroll through some of the major retailers websites like West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and CB2. Paint retailers websites are also good education like Benjamin Moore's site.

Does anyone else out there have some ideas for this guy? Or maybe would volunteer to help him out!

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Cabinet resurfacing:: This is just what I've learned from following alt.home-repair for years... Cabinet resurfacing is very tricky to get done right. It's best not done by the DIYer, and you should be very careful about finding a contractor to do the work. You could get lucky with Sears/Home Depot/Lowes, but it's much safer to find someone with good references and examples of previous work. The biggest problem is usually the new surface separating from the doors, especially over stoves and sinks, where steam and humidity can affect the adhesives. It can be done, and done right, but don't just pick a big-name chain that hires the cheapest subcontractors to do the work.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: A good cautionary message.

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Arlington, Va: My mom is a big fan of the synthetic rugs from Home Decorators. She mixes and matches them throughout the house with her oriental rugs and they hold up well even with pets in hot, sandy Florida.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Any rugs that hold up well with pets are worth the investment.

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Washington DC: I just moved into a 425 sq foot studio and am having trouble finding non-flimsy looking furniture that doesn't overwhelm the space. Do you know of any local retailers or shops that have a significant selection of smaller scale furniture that doesn't look cheap?

Thanks,

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Wow. This is a common problem we hear a lot about. Storehouse on 14th St. near Logan Circle specializes in some small pieces for all the urban lofts that have sprung up down there.

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Old Town Alexandria, Va: After reading the article about the difficulties of local furniture retailers, I wonder how much of the problem is the oversized furniture they're trying to sell. So many of the pieces are "biggie sizes" and we don't all live in McMansions. Do you think there's any correlation between retailers' current problems and the number of requests you get for recommendations for "smaller sized furniture"?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: This question relates to the one we just had. Clearly one of us should open a Small is Beautiful store in Washington.

Do you small apartment dwellers out there have any tips for us non-McMansion dwellers?

Sometimes vintage or used furniture is of better scale than what we can find today new.

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Eastern Shore, Md: Hi! I've just moved into an old Victorian that I've done up in what a friend has dubbed modern farmhouse. The probelm is that there are 12 windows on the first floor, which is fairly open thanks to some demo of walls, and they all need window coverings! I'd like to highlight the beautiful molding around the windows, but also can't be spending an arm and a leg to do it. Suggestions?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: I'm sure you'd love to leave those windows uncluttered to show off their wonderful workmanship on the moldings. You could do inexpensive roller shades which come in many different colors and textures. Putting up simple sheers would be romantic in a farmhouse also.

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Tecate, Mexico: Hola Jura -- Annie here, reporting in from the spa, and being the tacky brat that I am, I'd like to say that it's 63 degrees, breezy and misty, perfect weather for the two-mile hike I just took. Yesterday's facial was also divine, part of my very own personal revnovation project.

Every now and again, one has to stop focusing on wall paint and window treatments and pay attention to heart rates and aerobics.

You're doing a great job on this chat, and much as I'd love to help out, I must run off to morning stretch class, followed by African dance, followed by Pilates and then a rigorous deep-water workout.

So adios, until next week's chat. Hasta la vista, baby...

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Can you believe this!! I am GREEN with envy. That would be Benjamin Moore's Candy Green to you.

Have a blast, Annie. And we look forward to hearing your color forecast from Mexico next week.

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For the Single Guy: If exotic is your kind of thing, I would suggest Pier 1.

Get ideas from places like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn and just the almost exact thing at inexpensive prices.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: great.

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Rockville, Md: Do you have any advice on where to purchase a sturdy but relatively inexpensive wood table? We are looking for something to replace our wobbly dining/kitchen table but will be moving from our apartment to a house soon and don't want to spend too much on it. We also don't to waste money by buying something we'll have to toss in a year. Any ideas on where to find a smallish wood table to use in a kitchen? Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: go to www.treespirittables.com .

Tree Spirit Tables, 12102 Main St., in Libertytown, Md. is a wonderful country resource for tables. They will even make custom tables to fit your space.

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Washington DC: I have carpet in my apartment. I'd like to put an area rug down to add some depth and color. What sort of padding or under-thingy do I need to use so that it does feel wobbly?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Those rubbery pads you can buy folded up in rug stores should do the trick.

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Alexandria, Va: It always best to assume pre 1980ish paint is lead based and treat accordly.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Amen.

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Studio Decorating Ideas: Try lookign through apartmenttherapy.com. You can post your own design questions/problems for help, or just browse through the archives to get decorating ideas. The site is based in NYC, so there are TONS of people addressing the issue of design in studio apts and other small spaces. Also lots of pictures.

(There are a few regional subsites of apartmenttherapy but none for DC, but the main NYC site has universally applicable information and discussions.)

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: That's a great tip. Thanks a lot. We will check this out.

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Annapolis, Md for Charlotte, NC: Where can you buy the materials for refacing? I've noticed Home Depot is not very helpful in this regard. Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Over to everyone...

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Taming Computer wires: Is there a good solution for taming the many, many, many, MANY computer wires that seem to proliferate when I'm not there? It looks so messy to have all of these wires hanging out under my desk. Thanks!!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: go to www.cableorganizer.com for some great ideas

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Oklahoma: Currently two out of four walls in my bedroom are lavendar and the other two are a white wood paneling. Should I paint the rest of the walls lavendar or will that make the room look smaller? Also, my room is on the west side so it is extemely hot. What kind of curtain or drapes would be good for my room? Any help is appreciated!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: How about painting all the walls white and getting lavender sheer draperies?

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Upstate NY: We've got a teeny-tiny full bath in our newly redone house. White tile floor, white medicine cabinet, white glass on the light fixture, and Behr's Provence on the walls (a very rich blue that you usually see in textiles from, well, Provence). What color and what type of window covering for the very small window?

Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We would stick with white for the windows. How about either white plantation shutters or some white eyelet or Provencale style curtains?

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Washington, DC: Good morning ladies. I am decorating my small living room (15'L x 9.6') and I'm looking for something to place on a blank wall that is about 15 feet long (there isn't any furniture directly below the wall). I will put artwork on two other walls so, I'd rather not use more artwork on that wall. I'm thinking about one or more mirrors to open the room. Would you recommend one large mirror or a few smaller mirrors based on the size of the wall?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: A large mirror would make a great statement. Try places like World Market, Pottery Barn or Target.

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Re: homedecorators.com: I ordered an aluminum chair from them as an accent piece for a bedroom. They have great prices. The chair has been great, but I don't know how other items (with wood and/or apolstery) hold up.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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Chantilly, Va--Small Space Liver: My husband and I have a smallish basement condo and we've had great luck with finding apartment/condo sized furniture at Cost Plus World Market. We have a living room set from them with a less than 6 foot long sleeper sofa, and a dining room set that fit nicely in our low ceilinged living room/dining room space without feeling too big. The furniture is holding up nicely so far (4 years old), and if you wait until they are having a sale, not too expensive.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Another vote for World Market. And you can pick up an Italian salami along with your sideboard.

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Pier One is Not The One: I have found that Pier One's quality is very low, on a whole range of items--from countertop jars to pillows to mirrors. I would definitely not recommend their items over World Market's. World Market is also a great source for inexpensive-ish rugs.

For the frames in the stairway person, TJ Maxx is where I always go for cheapo, interesting frames.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: TJ Maxx and Marshall's are a great idea for frames.

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To Area Rug on Carpet: If you buy the padding that is rough on one side and rubber on the other side and use it upside down (the rough to the carpet and the rubber to the area rug) then it keeps your area rug from buckling and migrating all over the wall-to-wall. Kinda works like a velcro.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Wonderful idea. Thanks.

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Stripped Table Leg: Hi, Love the Chat

I have a console table that I purchased from The Bombay Company that has screw in legs, the wood on one of the legs is stripped so I'm missing a leg. Is there a way this can be repaired?? I love the table and want to keep it.

Many Thanks....

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Yes. A woodworker could repair this, but it's going to cost you. See if it's worth it in terms of what you paid for it. You might contact the store to see if they could help you with spare parts - you never know they might have one in the back someplace.

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Washington, D.C.: Any tips on finding basic small patio furniture in wrought iron or aluminum -- ie bistro table and 2 chairs? Looking for something suitable for small porch or balcony, but finding too many big pieces or cheaply made products. Thanks

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: It's late in the season but try Park Place, 5100 Wisconsin Ave. NW next to Rodman's our favorite crazy drugstore and item emporium.

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Arlington, Va: I ordered cushions for my outdoor furniture from homedecorators.com. They were not expensive and are quality products. I would advise the earlier poster to order from them. Just be prepared to wait as it takes an average of ten days after you order to get your stuff.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Arlington, you're great to share that with us.

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Re: curtain in unusual colors: I was looking for curtains in funky fabrics and was very pleased with the selection from Smith and Noble.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Okay good. Thanks.

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Oops. We are out of time. Thanks to everyone for a lively discussion.

Next week, we have a great package on dorm decorating in the August 10 HOME section. So we'd love to get a chat going about what's in and what's out for dorms and what you need and don't need.

Until then, I must go off to my pilates class and my 1 pm facial (take that Annie) so I've gotta run.

We'll talk again next week. Don't do too much painting in this weather.

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