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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Washington: After making some expensive mistakes in purchasing furniture, I am finally feeling defeated enough to seek out professional help. Can you advise how I should go about hiring an interior decorator or designer? I don't know the first thing about this, and I'm anxious to not spend a ton of money. Should I expect to have to pay for the first consultation/interview, etc? Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Call the American Society of Interior Designers, Washington Chapter. 202 488-4100 and ask about their Spring Spruce Up Program.

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Elyria, OH: LOVED the question about the yellow/gold paint on the White House walls - we, too, have been trying to find out the name. I've called the White House, the Curator, etc. and no one could tell me. I truly hope you have an answer in next weeks' column. It is a lovely, warm color and we are ready to paint!!!! Thank you so much for your wonderful weekly exchange of ideas!!

Jura Koncius: I was lucky enough to be invited to the White House Press Christmas Party last night. And I asked someone from the office of Laura Bush about the paint formulations. She thought most of them were custom paint mixes and were not anything consumers could mix up on their own. But she was going to check into it. It is a beautiful color.

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Boonsboro, MD: Kinda of a paint question:

We painted our main floor guest bedroom Restoration Hardware's Sycamore Green -it looks terrific. The room has an adjoining bathroom and hall to the rest of the house that could use color. Should I play it safe and use the same color, or would it be Ok to use a different palette?

Annie Groer: Good morning all --- All you ready for the holidays? Things are getting a little crazy around here, too. So let's not waste your precious time, and start to rock.

Sycamore Green is a very pale celadon/celery shade that's a lovely neutral. No need to do limit yourself to this one color, however. You can go slightly darker with Bay Laurel,or dramatically darker with Blue Sage. Or you can totally shift gears and go with the blue-gray Shore.

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Herndon, VA: Good afternoon - I am considering replacing the white tile in my shower with travertine. The bathroom floor and counter is also white tile. Is it tacky to just do the shower? Or should I relplace everything?

Annie Groer: Dear Herndon - Using marble only for a shower enclosure is not tacky, particularly given the cost of removing the current floor and wall tile and buying marble for the whole room. Just make sure that there is enough white veining in the travertine to pick up the existing tile, and keep it light enough so that the shower enclosure does not look like a yawning cave.

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Silver Spring, MD: Hi gals! Can you give me some creative ideas for where to find interesting decorative mirrors for an entryway and small bathroom? I am looking for something on the small-medium side and not too heavy. I have tried Target and Bed Bath and Beyond without much success. Ideas? Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Check out the beautiful Peruvian mirrors at www.incalink.com. Also West Elm and Pier 1 Imports usually have a good selection.

Any other ideas out there?

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Nursery Green: I am looking for a nice green paint for a nursery - but greens seem to be very tough. Any suggestions for a good Behr color? Thanks!

Annie Groer: Dear Nursery - Lots of paint questions today...but green has always been a great, gender-neutral color for a baby's room. Try Behr's Spearmint Stick for a pale, minty hue or Water Sprout, which is a bit closer to celery.

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Jura Koncius: Hey everyone. We need some help from you. Pronto. Annie and I are doing a story about people who entertain without alcohol. We are looking for a party or celebration of some sort to photograph this weekend. Are any of you in this category? And also, just if you want to talk to us about strategies for going to a party or hosting one when you don't drink. Please email us at groera@washpost.com, or konciusj@washpost.com today with numbers where we can reach you this afternoon. Many thanks as always!

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Gainesville, VA: Hello Annie and Jura,

I have a 2 story family room that is currently has white walls. I'm not quiet ready to have it painted due to budget issues. But what I would like to do, is cozy it up a little to make it feel homey and welcoming. What can I do without breaking the bank?

Annie Groer: Dear Gainesville - This is when large wall-hangings come to the rescue: A favorite quilt, a splashy print fabric stretched over a frame, a wall of identically or similarly framed family photos. You can also get a couple of tall bookcases and fill it with your favorite things...books are obvious, but also consider photos, souvenirs from trips, small art works.

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Washington DC: Help! I've already spent $3k and my room looks terrible. Our family room is painted Benjamin Moore acorn yellow (#2161-40) and I hate the way the room looks with the brown couches and chairs I bought. I'm going to move them to another room and start over. What colors would work for the couch and chairs? We've got a large kilim that is primarily red, so anything in the red family is out. I love white or ivory, but I do have two young kids. Any ideas? Thanks!

Annie Groer: Dear DC - I feel your pain. Before you despair, you may want to consider repainting. Acorn is awfully dark. If the room isn't too enormous and you don't mind painting yourself, go two shades lighter with Kahlua and Cream. You may need to prime first.

Then you can perk up the dark sofa and chairs with pillows and throws in prints or stripes that pick up the red and the wall color with jolts of added yellow and light green in the fabric (washable, of course).

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Annapolis, MD: I hope you can help me. I lost the article from last week's paper HOUSE CALLS section. I loved the sectional idea and need the name of the company they referred. Are these archived somewhere?

I learn so much from these chats. Thanks to you Annie and Jura for all your wisdom.

washingtonpost.com: House Calls (Dec. 7, 2006)

Jura Koncius: Yes. Thanks.

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Falls Church, VA: I am preparing my 3br condo for possible sale in the Spring. Which improvements/updates would give me the best possible chance to sell quickly?

Annie Groer: Dear Falls Church - Good thinking to get started early. People really want great kitchens and bathrooms, which, as we know, are the costliest to redo.

But there are other simple, inexpensive other tricks. Declutter. Then declutter some more. A fresh coat of neutral paint throughout. Clean carpets. Some nice plants outdoors. Updated window treatments (sometimes that just means removing fussy drapery or shades.

Jura Koncius: Concentrate on your kitchen and bathroom. If there are minor remodeling jobs you can do to update them, invest in this. You will get a higher price on your house, say experts. Also take everything out of every closet and only put back what you really need - put the rest in storage someplace. Closet systems are also very helpful in luring customers.

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Washington, DC: I'm purchasing a "terrace level" condo in a lovely 100 + year old Victorian and am concerned about making sure that the exterior drains clean and fully functioning. Any recommendations for specialists in this area? Also, any recommendations on retrofitting window security bars for emergency fire safety?

Annie Groer: Dear DC - Get a home inspector to check out your drains (they don't have anything to sell, but they do understand basic water flow).

As for window bars, see if you can get a security company to remove the ones you have on the outside and move them indoors, attach them to a frame and put them on hinges so they swing inward. You then have a lock with a key in a handy space for easy egress. I did this in the first house I bought...not retrofitting, mind you, but to allow me to bolt in case of emergency (never needed it, thank goodness).

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Annapolis, Maryland: I love decorating for Christmas but the fireplace mantle is always a challenge. I see so many lovely ideas but they don't work with a wood burning stove/fireplace insert. I need something that will stand up to the heat. I'd love any ideas you or fellow posters might have.

Jura Koncius: Check out next week's HOME section. We will have a host of fab mantel ideas from some of the area's most talented style makers. Terri Sapienza our colleague is working on this right now.

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Jura Koncius: By the way, if you are looking for a home inspector check out these two websites.

www.ASHI.com or www.nahi.org

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Adams Morgan: Hi, we just have our bathroom remodeled. We absolutely LOVE it. Our contractor did a fabulous job.. The before and after picture is quite stunning. I am wondering if we can submit some before and after pictures of the remodeling project to any publications to acknowledge our contractor's work. Any suggestions on how we can go about that?

Jura Koncius: Many magazines have before and after issues and are looking for just such projects. Try Metropolitan Home, House Beautiful or Southern Accents or Home magazine. Go to their masthead and email one of the editors with your photos.

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Washington, DC: Hello,

We used Behr's Celery Bunch in our nursery.

We like it a lot. It is pretty bright.

Jura Koncius: Great. Green is a good choice for a baby.

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Falls Church, VA: I have a Christmas cactus that I'm afraid I'm killing! My intuition tells me to let it be dry and in a sunny spot, but it just doesn't look right. Any ideas?

Jura Koncius: Pray. Adrian isn't here so we can't ask for help for you. Keep the soil fairly moist and keep it in the sun. That's all we can tell you!

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Mirrors: Try http://www.novica.com/. They also have nice rugs, vases, and lots of other decorative items.

Jura Koncius: Yes. Thanks.

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Bedding: Where can I find good quality bedding (coverlet, duvet cover, etc.) without spending an arm and a leg??

Jura Koncius: Tuesday Morning is good. Also Marshalls and TJ Maxx have amazing deals sometimes. www.horchow.com has great linen deals and they are having a sale right now. Any other ideas out there?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Also try Homegoods and JC Penney.

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Old Towne Alexandria: Another paint question: I've painted the walls in my condo myself. I've made a few visible mistakes, which I then tried to correct. I have strategically placed some furniture, but it will be noticeable when buyers come to look at the place. Should I completely redo or get a professional to correct?

Jura Koncius: No. Not necessary. They will probably repaint anyway.

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Nursery Green: We just painted our baby's room Behr's Key Lime and I really love it. It's not your usual baby green and it's pretty bright, but I think it works well as a gender neutral color (if we want to add some more gender specific touches, I can see adding ladybugs or it would work as a "playing field green" too).

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks, it is a great color. Lucky baby.

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SE DC: Hello ladies! A safety question. Many houses in DC were made before lead paint was outlawed--if you have some chipping what is a good way to ensure your home is safe especially if one has kids?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I LIVE FOR HOME FRONT!

Jura Koncius: Strosnider's Hardware has lead paint kits that really work. You take a little stick and break it and place it on the wall. If it changes to another color, it will indicate lead. The kits cost about $3. There are more expensive kits for $40 that can test the layers of paint on your walls.

Good for you for checking into this issue.

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Arlington, Texas: I bought a small house and all of the walls, trim, and crown molding is painted creamy ivory. I'd like to repaint ceilings and all wood trim white, maybe B.M.'s atrium white and the walls a light neutral color, but I'm concerned that no longer having walls and trim a uniform color will make the rooms look smaller?

Jura Koncius: No. You have the right idea.

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Chevy Chase, Md.: We would like to find a company or person who could make ottomans for us in exactly the size and height we need in a fabric of our choice, and on casters, so we can kick them out of the way when necessary--and for a reasonable cost, of course. Many thanks.

Jura Koncius: Try Calico Corners.

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Washington DC: I am looking for two news chairs for my living room. I'm thinking of a plaid (think Ralph Lauren) that features the sofa color and the drape color. It struck me this morning that this look would be nice in the winter but might look funny in the summer sort of like wearing a big wool sweater in August. Is there a way to summerize this look? Thank you for your chat!

Jura Koncius: Yes. A dark Ralph Lauren-ish plaid does conjure up a roaring fire and a cashmere throw. For the summer, you could put in a sisal rug and put a lighter colored pillow on the chair. Slipcovering is another option.

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear All,

Another request from those of you who live in the greater Washington metro area...

In January, Annie is starting a new feature that will focus on people's favorite thing or place in and around their home. For example, one guy loves his tiny urban deck that is squeezed between two brick buildings...it's a place where he can stand outside and drink coffee.

Someone else has a favorite lamp that belonged to her grandmother. Someone else might love their childhood high-chair, or a 50-year-old jade plant.

The idea is for you to send a digital photo and maybe four or five sentences about why you love this thing/space, and a way for us to contact you during the day. If you don't do the digital photo thing, you can mail a picture. If you're selected we'll reshoot you and it together.

send your faves to annie at groera@washpost.com or mail them to Annie Groer, Washington Post Home Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Wash. DC 20071.

Thanks in advance to all.

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Arlington, VA: Embarassing question, but my house seems to have acquired an unpleasant sour odor. I've lived in the house for several years and it has not been a problem untile the last few months. There are no pets or little ones to cause unseen problems. Febreeze doesn't help and candles just cover it up. How do I go about figuring out what is causing it to get rid of the problem for good?

Jura Koncius: Wow. This is a real problem that aromatherapy candles won't mask. I recently bought a new rug and I notice that the jute pad under it has a strange smell. My cat is going crazy jumping around it too - he must hate the smell. I don't know if you bought any rugs recently. Sometimes spilling milk or something on a sofa or rug can cause a sour smell. Check the filters on your furnace and air conditioner and humidifier.

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Milton, MA: A boring paint question. My husband and I will be closing on a home at the end of the month. It is a colonial/bunalow style built in 1931. The interior colors are currently not our taste. I was at a Benjamin Moore looking at colors and got overwhelmed. I was thinking a beige/neutral color for the living room/dinig room, a blue/grey color for guest bedroom, a sage color for the bathroom and a red/terra cota for the den. These rooms are all together on the first floor. Can you give any suggestions for colors that jump out at you that would work together.

Thanks as always.

Jura Koncius: Dear Milton:

I love Milton! I was born in Brockton.

Martha Stewart Everyday Colors has special cards of colors that go together. Martha is the master of the mix, especially for traditional homes, so check this out.

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Baltimore, Maryland: My kids are grown, and I'm turning the kids' play room into a home office. What's a good wall color to go with a burgundy carpet? It is a very sunny room.

Jura Koncius: Actually, gray goes beautifully with burgundy. Check out Duron's Repose Gray or Mindful Gray. It's also sort of businesslike and crisp which would be nice for a home office.

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Clarksville, Md: Hi. Where can I get ready made white slipcovers for a club chair that I have? I'd like the Pottery Barn look with seperate seat cushion slip cover. If not ready made, a good place to have them made?

Jura Koncius: Dear Clarksville: Check out the seamstresses at your local dry cleaners or fabric shops. You might try Discount Fabrics in Thurmont, Md. www.discountfabricsusa.com.

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Arlington, VA: Years ago you did a story on "use what you have" decorating, where a designer went into a few peoples homes and rearranged their stuff, moved things from one room to another, etc., to fix up a room or two. I love this idea, especially because the House Calls column ideas are generally way beyond my budget. Do you think you could do it again?

Also, instead of straight green, we went with two shades of aqua, medium and light, sponge painted on our nursery walls, and it worked for our girls. I still love it. Target, Michaels, and other stores sell wallpaper cutouts that you can use to decorate for an extra touch.

Jura Koncius: Thanks for your ideas. Makeover articles are such a hit. We do have to do more of them.

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Re: Lead paint: If you even suspect lead paint, don't sand it! It's best to simply paint over it. And, as always, consult a professional if necessary. The same holds true for old asbestos tiles. Don't remove them; cover them.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Oh, great tip. Thanks.

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Washington, DC: Any ideas on how to incorporate cat scratchers into a living room without detracting from the decor? These are the narrow cardboard ones that rest on the floor. If they are removed the kitty will use my couch despite other scratchers scattered in less visible locations around the house. Thank you.

(Please don't suggest removing the cat instead.)

Jura Koncius: Many of us struggle with this problem. I had clear band-aids over the arms of my chairs and sofa in the living room to keep GUS away but they do look tacky, I must admit. I keep my scratcher in the basement. Could you keep it behind a sofa or chair? Could you cover it in fabric to match your upholstery? Yikes.

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear North Dakota - Your question got lost -- how can you get "cafe curtain" privacy on the bottom half of your windows without the fussy, country look of cafe curtains.

Next Day Blinds, which has stores all over the country, sells cellular shades called "top down/bottom up" that actually pull up from window-sill level, meaning you still can get light from the upper portion of the bare window.

Thanks, all...we're out of time. Hope you will share with us your alcohol-free strategies and your favorite places/things. We'll be back next Thursday, which is the winter solstice, for our last chat of 2006.

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Arlington, VA: The person with the sour smell in the house should check around for dead vermin. Gross, I know...but entirely possible that a mouse died under the stove or something.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Yuck, but thanks. It's always possible.

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Re: Arlington's bad odor: Unfortunately, something may have crawled in the walls and died. This is not uncommon when the weather gets colder.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Yes...

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Sour odor:: Is there a sink or floor drain that doesn't get used often? The water in the trap can evaporate and sewer gasses can enter the living space.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: More places to look...

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That Bad Smell: Get a plumber to inspect your sewage pipes, including the vents. There could be a break or blockage.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: and still more..

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Okay, we're really signing off now.

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