Designer Solutions

Room Makeover

Redecorating might seem easy -- just apply fresh paint and buy new furniture, right? Not so fast.

There's a lot to consider when updating your home. Choosing a design theme -- antique or modern -- provides direction and focus. And it's important to find a look that is both practical and suits your personal style. That's where Designer Solutions comes in: Here, you'll get insider tips on how to spruce up your digs.

Celia Welch founded Bethesda, Md.-based design firm Celia Welch Interiors in 1997. Specializing in residential homes, Welch says her Barbadian heritage has had a big influence on her design style. Welch's work has been featured at the Washington Design Center and in Home and Design and Forbes FYI magazines.

Welch takes questions and explains her design concept for this edition of Designer Solutions .

The transcript follows below .

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washingtonpost.com:

Welcome to our August edition of Designer Solutions . Our designer for this installment is Celia Welch of the Bethesda, Md.-based design firm Celia Welch Interiors.

washingtonpost.com readers Susan and Derrick Townsend's conflicting tastes were preventing their bedroom from becoming the kid-free comfort zone -- they desired. So we asked Welch to give their room a designer's touch.

Celia, tell us what inspired your design for the Townsends' bedroom.

Celia Welch: In terms of the concept, I was inspired by the Townsends' need for a place to escape from the kids. This led me to try to create a space that was serene and comforting. In most projects the client's preferences greatly influence the color selections. In this case, I started with the wall paper and created the design around that.

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Dupont Circle, D.C.: I'm in my 30s and moving to my first real home (we purchased a condo). It's a 700 sq. ft. one bedroom. We'd like to pitch our old mismatched, right-out-of-college furniture and start accumulating nicer stuff in a welcoming, cozy, contemporary style. Aside from Ikea, where do I go? And what do you think of Ikea in general? Like the stuff?

Celia Welch: Hi, Dupont Circle. It's great that you are starting to focus on your space. It sounds like you have a good sense of the look you want. Make a list of the items you need to complete the look including lighting and accessories. Then figure out what you can spend on the project. Check out Storehouse, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Design Within Reach and I really like the Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams pieces at ABC carpet in New York. Try to mix in one or two older pieces to create interest take a look at the GoodEye store on wisconsin Avenue or eBay. Good luck!

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Silver Spring, Md.: My wife and I living in a home that was built in 1952 (small) and we would like to add more space (remodel). We plan to be in the area for at least five years and feel that it should be comfortable for us during that period of time. What is your suggestions as to which way should we go? The do's and don'ts? Designers/architects/contractors?

Celia Welch: Hi, Silver Spring. Start by looking for a designer and an architect at the same time. It is important to find people that you are comfotable working with and who understand your vision for the house. It is helpful to have the interior designer involved in the initial planning. Do some research yourself, try to develop your own vision for the house. Good luck!

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Anonymous: Hi Celia,

I bought an 80+ year-old rowhouse in Baltimore last year where the rooms tend to be small and closet space is next to nonexistent. My bedroom has space on both sides of a fireplace wall that I want to fill in with some kind of closet storage. I would like it to look like a permanent part of the room without making the room look smaller and also there's a problem with the window blockage on both sides. What do you suggest?

Celia Welch: Adding built-in storage is a great idea. Figure out what time of storage you need- drawers, shelves, doors etc. Try to incorporate the existing architecture in the room to create a really built in look - continue existing mldngs around the cabinets, paint the built-ins in the same color of the Trim in the room, or the wall color. It hard to say what you should do about the window blockage, with out being able to see the area. sorry that I could not be more helpful.

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Del Ray, Va.: I love the bedside table you chose, but, ahhhh! ... $2,500? Can you recommend a place to get something more affordable, but just as cute?

Celia Welch: Thanks. Take a look at the Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams furniture.

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Washington, D.C.: Hello: I live in a small rowhouse (about 1200 sq feet) built in the 1920s on Capitol Hill and am trying to establish a uniform feel, without being to matchy-matchy. Any particular way I should approach this or suggestions? Thanks!

Celia Welch: Start by figuring out your look for the whole house, rather than room by room. Create a color scheme that flows. Try to use three to four colors only and carry the scheme throughout.

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Washington, D.C.: Hey, Ms. Welch. Thanks so much for being here.

I have a smallish living room, much longer than it is wide, with architechtural features on three sides (wide doorways to dining room and entryway, windows).

How can I arrange the furniture to use all the space, and get over the awkwardness of the length? Whenever we have company, we have to pull in the dining room chairs so that everyone can reach the bean dip onthe coffee table.

For what it's worth, I currently have a sofa against the window wall, and an armchair partially in front of one wide doorway. I'd like to add more seating, but can't figure how to arrange it.

Thanks!

Celia Welch: Try creating two seating areas, perhaps placing bookcases or built-ins on one of the long walls to reduce the narrow feeling- You can have a focal point in each of the seating areas. Instead of seating maybe place a game table at one end. Hope this is helpful.

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Fairfax, Va.: I hope I'm not too late with my question. I just bought my first home. The bathrooms are very white -- cabinets, tile, and the walls are painted an eggshell color. The fixtures are fairly modern. I would like to bring color into the bathroom. Can you give me some ideas? I want the bathroom to be sophisticated, soothing and colorful. I definitely don't want yellow, because I don't want it to look like a boiled egg. Thanks!

Celia Welch: Try a tiffany/robin's egg blue.

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Washington, D.C.: Good day, Celia!

My partner and I just bought our first condo, and we were lucky that it was in good condition so we didn't have to do a lot of work to move in. One thing immediately bothers me though, which is the kitchen. It's a galley-style kitchen, with dark brown cabinets, white appliances, light coral laminate counters, and orange walls. In the long-term I'd like to replace the cabinets and counters, but in the short-term, I'd like to change the walls. Any color suggestions?

Celia Welch: Good day to you to! Why not try painting the cabinets. This will make the biggest difference in the space. I would paint them white to make the space feel larger and to blend with the existing appliances. If you decide not to paint them, try a soft yellow on the walls.

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Capitol Hill: Hi, Celia. Our rowhouse benefits from lots of original details but suffers from so-so light in the middle first floor room. We thought about adding a mirror to enhance the light from the north facing window. Any suggestions on size, posittion or quantity? The room is roughly 11'x14'.

Thanks!

Celia Welch: A mirror might work, but it is hard for me to know what size and position without seeing the space. You might need to improve your lighting in general, with recessed lights and lamps. Also see if there are other ways to bring more natural light in for example -- widening a doorway. Hope this helps.

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Baltimore, Md.: In your design ... it seems like there's an awful lot of beige/off-white going on. You don't think that's too matchy-matchy?

Celia Welch: There is nothing wrong with being matchy-matchy as long you create visual and textural interest throughout the design. However, in this space the colors get increasingly darker, the beiges move into browns and pale blue accents are used.

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Maryland: Hi Celia,

I am stuck with ideas for my foyer. It is sage greenish and had a rustic console table (dark wood, brass hardware). I would like a mirror over it but I cannot seem to choose a style of mirror? Others have suggested artwork? It is a colonial style home and I am in my late 30s. Any thoughts on how to spruce up this area of my home? Thanks!

Celia Welch: The foyer is one of the most important rooms in the home. This area should be welcoming and hint at the style to come in the rest of the house. A mirror would be great here, perhaps a dark wood frame. Add a lamp to brighten up the space. Keep the area free from clutter and as well lit as possible. Hope this was helpful.

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Celia Welch: Thank you so much for your questions, I am sorry that I did not have the time to answer more of them. If I can be of any further assistance, you can contact me through my Web site:www.celiawelchinteriors.com. Thanks again!

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washingtonpost.com:

Thanks for joining us today and a special thanks to Celia Welch for tackling this couple's design dilemma . If you want to get decorating advice from a pro, submit your room for consideration to Designer Solutions .

And don't forget to tune in next month, when we tackle another design challenge. See you then.

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