Home Front

Every week, Annie Groer and Jura Koncius help you in your quest to achieve domestic bliss. Got a question about decorating? They're happy to whip out their paint chips and suggest the perfect hue, call a retailer to help track down a hard-to-find accent piece or offer some do-it-yourself (orcall-in-a-pro) advice. They can even help you cope with the eternal pets vs. furniture battle.

Built on years of reporting experience, Home Front is an online conversation between two longtime Washington Post Home writers and their readers about the best way to feather the nest. From bargain shopping to spot removal, antiques to armchairs, they invite all of you to submit questions and share you own great tips, ideas and, yes, the occasional complaint.

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

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Annie Groer: Yucko, seriously awful weather out there but we need the rain so I'll keep quiet.

Hope you find today's issue full of good advice going into Thanksgiving. I'd love to get a good debate going today about your feelings on having a separate Kids' Table. Is it a boon to parents, who may want to dine peacefully with other grownups, and a favor to the children who may not see their cousins or buddies very often during the year?

Or is it yet another way we isolate kids and don't teach them how to act at a formal dinner, how to act with other adults, table manners, etc.

Weigh in please.

Also, since next Thursday is Turkey Day, Jura and I will be chatting with you next WEDNESDAY at 11. So if you have last minute decorating crises, come on in.

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Comment on table settings: I'm the one with the universal trim color question, but I wanted to comment on the bit about colorful china in today's paper. When we registered seven years ago, my mom cautioned me against colorful china, pointing out that it may clash with linens we'll want to use for different occasions.

We selected Federal Gold by Lenox, and couldn't be happier with our white china with gold rims. When we feel chef-like, the food takes center stage, but when we feel festive, we can use Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter colors in our linens and centerpieces without clashing with the china. There is such a variety of gorgeous placemats, etc, out there, it's nice to have the option to use any of them.

Annie Groer: Hooray for Mom! And it's true, you can totally change the look of a table with accessories. But some people really do like dishes that pop, and if they have room to store them and money to buy them, we say, go ahead.

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Arlington, VA: I just received the latest copy of Washington Consumers' Checkbook which features a lengthy article on shopping for furniture. There are tips on what to look for when evaluating furniture and reviews of local furniture stores. I'm not affiliated with WCC, just a satisfied subscriber. It is available at many local libraries or online at www.checkbook.org. Thank you, ladies, for your advice and information. I look forward to your chats each week.

Jura Koncius: That's a great tip. Thanks.

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Today's House Calls: Love the Foyer in today's house call, but what was the designer thinking about the chandelier. Looking at the top of the door and the old fixture, the suggested chandelier would hit anyone over 5'3" in the head!

Jura Koncius: Hmm. We will check this out.

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Woodstock, MD: fyi...Home Decorators Collection Outlet is having one of their big rug sales. Not great quality stuff, but attractive, decent wool rugs fairly cheap.

Jura Koncius: Fairly cheap is good.

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Jura Koncius: Share your wedding china stories with us. The family featured in today's HOME section got tired of their formal look so they gave away all eight place settings after 20 years of marriage.

I still have my Haviland Limoges pattern Vieux Paris. I still love it, although its a tad formal. But it has pink and olive green in it so you can use hot colored linens and it makes it less stuffy.

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Atlanta, Ga: Hi - A while back, I bought a bolt of beautiful fabric at a decorators' showroom sale. The fabric is woven, somewhat translucent and a lovely and neutral flax/wheat color. The lady at the booth said it was used for "sheers" in one of the houses they did. I have enough for three windows in the dining room of my Craftsman house. My question is: What do sheers typically look like? I was wanting to do Roman shades, that is use the fabric as the main window treatment. I like the idea of the window being covered when I want but still letting in light. Any thoughts?

Annie Groer: Sheers are usually too fragile and flimsy to hold up as Roman shades. Their virtue is that they let in light while providing a bit of privacy, and are often used along with draperies. That may be a bit frou-frou if you're doing Craftsmen decor, so if you decide on shades for that room, consider the sheers elsewhere.

And since you're Atlanta, we've gotten a question from a group of women here who are headed to your town for some serious stylish shopping.

How about suggesting three of four cool places for antiques, furnishings, home accessories (and their neighborhoods.)

Thanks in advance.

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Alexandria VA: Often, I think, having a separate kids table is due to having a main table too small to seat more than 10 or 12 people - the kids just won't fit there. If your gathering is small enough, then you do seat everyone together.

Annie Groer: Thanks. A case of necessity being the mother of the kids' table.

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Tampa, Fla: I have been having such a hard time finding a nice lime green to paint my room. I am not looking for anything too bright, just something green and happy. Everything I try looks awful although I see great lime green in so many decorating magazines. I finally just decided on a tan color, but I would love to find a nice green. I just can't decide!

Jura Koncius: Try Ace Hardware's TWINE. It's really lime but not screaming.

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Kids' Table: My extended family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners get so big that the kids' table at this point includes those under 40!

Seriously, though, are one or two nights a year going to make a difference in teaching kid manners? That should be taught throughout the year. That it's even an issue is silly to me.

Jura Koncius: That's true.

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Gaithersburg, Md: Wedding china: when we got married in the mid 70's, formal china was not much in fashion. We didn't register for any and didn't really want it. My mother called and told me to look at Lenox Solitaire (cream w/platinum border) and "if I didn't hate it", they would buy us 12 place settings for a gift. I can't tell you how many times we have used it over 30+ years. I have other, more colorful dishes and serving pieces that I add depending on the occassion.

Jura Koncius: Good story. Thanks. The 70s were not a formal time!

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Great Falls, Va: Really loved the Foyer makeover- that was a refreshing

change from the usual MBR's and family rooms! The designer

did a great job. Great hints - who would think of replacing

the door!

Jura Koncius: Thank you Great Falls. How's the rain there?

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Kensington, MD: We are buying a 1950s era home with the quintessential pink bathroom, with pastel pink tile walls, floor, and all fixtures. Any suggestions on what to do with paint/clever modifications until we have the money to remodel?

Annie Groer: A fun, vertical stripe wallpaper that is pink and white, dark green and white, even black and white is one possibility. Or paint the walls a pale gray, like Benjamin Moore's Solitude and get matching towels. And for a real laugh, add a couple of large poodle prints or other period artwork. And check eBay for vintage fabric that can be used as a shower curtain.

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Silver Spring, MD: Hi Annie and Jura, would you happen to know what happened to the group of antique furniture storse on 14th in the U Street area. I went down there about two weeks ago and they were gone and there seemed to be some construction going on in their old buildings.Do you know where they have moved? They had great old furniture and home accesories.

Thanks

Jura Koncius: I'm confused about which you mean. Check out this website. www.midcitylive.com. It lists a lot of the retail and restaurants down there.

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Bethesda, Md: On kiddie tables: If there are kids, there will be a kiddie table one way or another -- because if kids sit at the adult table, the good china doesn't get used and adult conversation gives way to taking care of the youngsters. My grandmother had a kiddie table for every holiday... it was fun, and the fancy adult table had a certain mystique that we kids aspired to.

Annie Groer: Thanks...And also the kids could talk about the grown-ups. How old were you when you graduated to the adult table?

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Charlotte, NC: My wedding china is plain white, octogonal in shape, and I love it, even after 27 years and two marriages. My mother, on the other hand, had a rose pattern that is lovely but looks old fashioned now. I don't remember her using it much. It will go to my younger daughter upon her marriage.

It's funny how perceptions change. My mother-in-law had a mid-century pattern, Heavenly Mist I think, that struck me as hopelessly Fifties when I first saw it. Now we have it in our mountain place, and I love it. So you never know!

Jura Koncius: How funny that the 50s stuff looks great in your mountain place. It is amazing how our eye changes and how the tastes of a generation are reflected in tableware.

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Vienna, VA: This is probably a stupid question, but my shower stall has glass doors. I wipe it down after I shower, but how do I make sure that it doesn't get all grimy and soap scummy?

Annie Groer: When you clean the bathroom, use a spray bottle filled with white vinegar...It will cut the scum. But if you use soap, and we trust you do, there will, invariably be residue.

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Enterprise Ala: I have wedding china and a Christmas pattern. Love both but use the Christmas pattern everyday from Thanksgiving until Christmas because it is dw safe. The good stuff sits - handwash only.

Jura Koncius: How great to use your Christmas china every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's sort of like that radio station that plays Christmas songs every day for that period. By the way, don't they start doing it like this weekend. I forgot, what is the station? I love it driving to work!

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re: my wedding china: My husband and I picked out a set of china for our wedding when we registered. I think we were given only three sets. Since we didn't want to spend the money to complete it at that time, we returned one set. We still love the pattern and now use our two place settings for special occasions: birthdays, holidays, etc. We really should use it more often though.

Jura Koncius: That is really charming!

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Alexandria, VA: I have never sat at a kid's table or had a separate table for the kids. Everyone just found a space and enjoyed. Actually, it was more like the women and the kids ate first b/c the men were all outside getting reacquainted or watching sports.

I'm putting my wedding china up for sale soon. I used it everyday and some pieces have been broken or chipped. I'll be upgrading to vintage Noritake.

Annie Groer: Thanks for sharing...So if the men ate last (women and children first sounds so, well, Titanic) does that mean they also clear the plates and do the dishes? If not, this could be the year to initiate a new guy-tradtion.

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14th & U: Hi,

There is an antique shop in that section that is only open on Saturday and Sunday from 11AM-6PM. It is called Ruff and Ready.

Jura Koncius: Yes. I was there the other day! It is chock full! They have wonderful buys - but it's hard to get around!

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Lenox Solitaire: The poster who got married in the 70s brought a smile to my face - my husband and I got married last year and we, too, received 12 place settings of Lenox Solitaire china as gifts. (Must be timeless!) Even though we're in our mid-20s and don't have many formal events, I love pulling out the china for special dinners, parties, etc.

Now I'm just looking for some snazzy, more colorful coordinating plates. Any suggestions beyond those listed today's (excellent) section? They were a little pricey for our present means. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Terri says try Pottery Barn for some autumnal colored plates. Or Target and Pier 1 Imports have nice colored plates and bowls too.

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The Good China: I had an aunt who used her good wedding china everyday of her life. She lived on a farm and served the farm hands a mid day meal on it, she served holiday dinners on it, she served breakfast on it. Her feeling was that she loved it and there was no point in not using it. She also used her good silver everyday.

Jura Koncius: What a dame! Love it!

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Washington, DC: Good Morning Ladies!

I am thinking of painting the upper half of my sons nursery Behr's Light French Gray and the lower half in Rejuvinate. All of the furniture in the room is white. I am going for calming but I'm starting to think that 2 colors may be too much and that I should stick with one of the two. What do you think?

Annie Groer: I think your instinct to do one rather than both is on target. And I'd go for the Light French Gray. It's a color that will grow with him. Very nice.

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Silver Spring, MD: I never understood the need for special china. I love Depression era glass and collect a bunch of it. I mix and match it with cheaper pressed glass plates I got from Crate and Barrel.

I also have plain clear glass plates--service for approx 40. My neighbor has 20. If we ever have to host 60, we can combine.

I never understood the need for silver, either. But I'm on an never ending quest for a decent stainless steel service--one with easy to handle forks, soup spoons that aren't gargantuan, and sturdy butter knives.

Jura Koncius: I know what you mean about the stainless. I do not use my silver every day because I don't want to put it in the dishwasher and am too lazy to handwash it daily.

My stainless isn't that distinguished. I'd love a new pattern. Anyone got a good one?

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Clifton, VA: If the children need a separate table so the adults have peace and quite it is their parents fault.

Children need to know what behavior is expected of them and parents need to recognize the limits of such behavior and plan ahead.

Seating them at a separate table is a cop out. The parents need to grow up!

Annie Groer: Good point. And I bet your kids are probably well-behaved in restaurants, as well. But let's not open that can of worms.

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Great Falls, Va: Practice what you preach - here's to validate that Jura

Koncius does practice what she writes about. Last weekend ,

we visited our mother in Cape Cod and she looked around

the cottage and insisted that we take 2 lamps to the local

lighting store to redo the shades. Not only did the shades

make a design impact in the rooms , but also the light

coming from those fixtures changed as well- Our mother

was delighted.

Annie Groer: Ladies, I hereby award each of you a gold star. And Mama Koncius, you raised two great daughters.

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new neutral!?: Hi-- please suggest a warmer/creamier/butter-ier neutral than Benjamin Moore's linen white. Is a color with a hint of yellow OK for all the walls in a small condo? (I have colorful accent pieces.) Prefer Ben Moore hues. Thanks.

Jura Koncius: Antique White by Ben Moore would be good.

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Catonsville, MD: With spouses and children added to the mix, my family has long since outgrown my parents' dining room table, so we added a second table several years ago. Rather than designating it the "kids' table," though, we just divide people up so there are some kids and some adults at each table. There's definitely a different atmosphere at the second table--it's in the kitchen so it feels much more casual, and the adults at that table end up being the runners for everyone--when the main table is out of dinner rolls or stuffing, someone in the kitchen invariably jumps up to take them some more.

Annie Groer: Sounds great. A couple of our experts have suggested that midway through dinner, you rotate seating so maybe the kitchen and dining room folks can change places. Is it always the same people in the K and D/R. Are there place cards or just people gravitating toward the vibe they prefer? Do tell.

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Women and Children First: Sometimes, my aunt or my mom would fix them sandwiches or something handy. It was the only time the men came close to outnumbering the women and children. My uncle and my dad were known to bust a few suds from time to time. I miss them terribly as they were also good cooks.

Annie Groer: And that's what this holiday is about. Cherishing those who are still with us, remembering those who are not.

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Olney, MD: For the question about cleaning a shower glass enclosure, I find that a squeegee really helps. Wiping down the glass enclosure with a squeegee after spraying leaves the glass streak free.

You can find them at a good dollar store or Kmart, etc.

Annie Groer: Thanks. We love squeegees.

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HELP!!!: I can't remember the name of the place you've suggested many times for extra long shower curtains.

Jura Koncius: www.fabricworkroom.com or www.smarter.com or www.bedbathstore.com

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Re: colorful china: When my husband and I married we registered for formal china. I can't remember the pattern--its a nice federal style looking china with blue and gold. Very pretty. And we almost never use it.

Three or four years ago my husband decided it would be nice to have everyday dishes that was colorful and festive, so he went out and bought inexpensive dishes in seasonal colors and patterns--blue snowflakes for the winter, a rich red for fall, pastel for spring and colorful flowers for summer. I thought he was crazy, but I have to admit that it's been nice having those. My only requirement is that he uses his workshop space in the basement to store them!

Jura Koncius: What a great husband! Love it.

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Kid Table... YES!: Agree with previous poster that big family gatherings aren't the time to teach table manners. In fact, because of the excitement and strangeness, manners may be hard to enforce... a GREAT reason to put the kids at a tough table on a scrubbable floor, with proper seating so that no one has to eat with their chin on the table. And they will develope their OWN conversation, and tell stories, that kids need to talk about.

If the numbers are big enough. there does need to be one person to play safety patrol... and it's usually either some unfortunate "older cousin", who'd love to graduate to the grownups, OR someone who really really likes being in charge. (Or a hired dinner-sitter for REALLY big gatherings?)

Annie Groer: Mmm, a hired sitter. Now there's a thought.

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Atlanta, Ga: Hi - it's Atlanta again. Thanks for the input on the sheers. As far as great places to go for home stuff, if the ladies are "in the trade," ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) is superb (I bought the fabric at their annual open-to-the-public sale in April). It's in Buckhead, in the Peachtree Hills neighborhood.

Otherwise, there a string of great home shops in West Midtown. Lots of fabric, furniture, decorative accents, garden supplies, etc. Stores are clustered on Howell Mill Rd. and Northside Drive.

Miami Circle is almost a must-vist. It's literally a cul-de-sac full of home stores. It's located in Buckhead off Piedmont Ave. In fact, I'd probably start here.

Finally, the Virginia-Highlands shopping district has great home and clothing stores. Not as many as the other two but still some unique places. Also a great place to eat, lots of nice restaurants and cafes to choose from. Neighborhood is one of the few easily walkable ones in the city (sad, but true). We're a car town, y'all..

I hope they enjoy their stay!

Jura Koncius: Love those tips. We really appreciate it. Anyone else out there have Atlanta shopping tips?

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Wedding China: My "professional bachelor" husband had 3.5 place settings of Corelle when I met him. He was 55 at the time. He did not do the "E" word (entertain) much so he was fine with 3.5 sets. Once it looked like we would be getting married, I bought him some "grown up" china on e-bay, a lovely 1950's pattern (Noritake's Violette). He complains that we have WAY too much china since we have everyday china (Yorktowne) and "Queen of England" china (Violette), to be used when the Queen comes to visit. Of course, the Queen doesn't visit THAT often, but we have used it enough to justify it -- and it IS pretty.

Jura Koncius: Love the 3.5 place settings of Corelle. We think that's quite a few pieces for a bachelor! You are now ready for royalty. What could be better!

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Kids table: I have never liked this idea, but perhaps it is because I come from a country where the kids are EXPECTED to mix with adults of different ages, as well as kids of different ages, and are EXPECTED to know how to interact with all of them. As kids, we were present at all our parents' dinner parties. Unfortunately, I think the kids' table concept is just another example of people shuttling off the kids, which happens all the time in the US.

If you don't have enough room at one table, why not have two tables and mix in the kids at both?

Annie Groer: Great idea, mixing it up, though I am not sure I share you generalization that we in the US shuttle our children away.

But we're not getting into that issue, either.

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Washington, DC: To the person looking for a lime green: we painted our bathroom Benjamin Moore apple green. It's not lime, but it is a gorgeous bright, cheerful green that--paired with hot pink towels and a Marimekko shower curtain--has turned this absurdly tiny bathroom into everyone's favorite room in the house.

Jura Koncius: Love the Marimekko idea. I would love to get a Marimekko shower curtain - it would put a smile on your face when you walked in. Thanks a lot! And that green is yummy.

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Arlington, VA - Kid's Table: One year at my mom's house, all the grandparents ended up at the "kid's table" while the kids and parents were in the dining room. The "kid's table" that year was rowdier than the children! (Of course, wine may have had something to do with it.....)

Annie Groer: Go Granny and Gramps! What a great idea.

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Wedding China: When I got married I thought china was silly and didn't get any. 25 years later, I now have complete sets of Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Mikasa, and 2 antique sets (yes, it's a disease). But I'm glad I didn't get china way back when, because my taste has evolved considerably since I was 20.

Jura Koncius: Lots of people end up chucking their wedding loot a few decades later. There's no way to know how your taste will mature. The fun thing is, there is so much out there and so many new patterns, that you can always add or upgrade.

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Going to Atlanta: If you want to seek out bargains in atlanta you can find two great fabrick warehouses in the Howell Mill area--Forsyth Fabrics and Lewis and Sheron. Bothe are on Huff Street not far from downtown.

Also in Buckhead is the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center for high end furnishings and accessories. www.adacdesigncenter.com.

I've move away from Atlanta and miss these two great shopping venues.

Jura Koncius: Wonderful! Thanks. I want to go.

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Alexandria, Va: I have some heavy velvet drapes I would like to clean. Definitely don't want to trust them to a run of the mill corner dry cleaner. Is there a too way to find a dry cleaner who can handled specialty fabrics??

Jura Koncius: You might consider having someone come to your house and clean them, like a firm such as Service Master. I have some olive green velvet curtains myself that could use a cleaning now that you mention it...

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Bethesda MD: Ladies, love the chat! In my limited reading of design/makeover mags and visits to stores I've picked up on a trend of placing the living room rug at an angle and I'm not sure what to make of it. I get that it draws the eye into the room and can lead you to a desired focal point, but should the furniture be arranged so it's square to the rug or to the walls? I'm getting dizzy!

Thanks!

Annie Groer: Steady, steady. The furniture can be lined up straight or also on an angle. I actually just put a large Chinese Art Deco rug on an angle in my apartment because the sofa (straight against the wall) and the easy chairs scattered about looked too blocky.

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Hired Sitter: OK, this is the limit. You would HIRE someone to babysit at a FAMILY GATHERING???? So your entire family can't take care of their own children, all together??? Sorry for shouting, but this really bothers me.

Annie Groer: Ouch! This chat is really getting to be fun. Pass the fireworks, please.

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Bethesda, Md.: So glad you're having a discussion on this rainy day! I wrote in about a year ago about how to paint a black and white (50s) tiled bathroom. We painted the walls white (with a hint of gray) and are now brainstorming ideas for shower curtain/towel/rug colors. Any color combo suggestions for something fun but not over-the-top?

Annie Groer: Think pink, turquoise or apple green towels, a shower curtain with one or more of those colors, and chrome or stainless accessories.

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Arlington, Va: Good Morning Ladies!,

OK, the BIG Atlanta Girls Weekend is coming up. I just know that you ladies know all the home decorating hot spots we must hit in Atlanta. Help!

Thanks,

G

Jura Koncius: My friend Beth is on the phone again and she really loves Atlanta. She says Lewis & Sheron Trim Co., 912 Huff Rd. is good. And Forsyth fabrics is also terrific for designer fabric,silks, trim, headboards etc. They are near each other. There is also a Ballard Design Outlet. Let's get on the train!!!

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Holiday Table: Our holiday meals were always immediate family, so we never had enough people for a kids table, despite my secret longing for one. I do remember spending many a meal sitting on a step stool rather than a dining chair - not because the lack of chairs, but because the chairs were so low. My dad even made a custom cushion for me. And the holidays were one of the few times a year we all ate off the good china and used the silverware - even when I was only 3 or 4 years old. My mom jokes now that she doesn't use the silver anymore because she no longer has kids at home to polish it for her!

Annie Groer: How sweet. Dad is great. The next time you're visiting the folks, insist that you all use the "good stuff" and do Mom a favor by polishing it for her.

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wedding china and good stainless: First, we have Kirk Stieff stainless in the Monticello pattern (I think Lenox makes it now). We've used it every day for almost 10 years and it's wonderful. Solid pieces with a good heft in the handles. Very durable, nice interesting but not fussy design.

For wedding china--I am sure I am one of many who received her mother in law's own wedding china--Lenox Solitaire! We use it for holidays, and I like that it's neutral, which means I can have fun with linens and serving pieces when I want to add color.

My every day china is actually a near-complete service for 8 Spode pattern from the 1930s--Romney. It's got neat gadrooned edges, with a simple, colorful floral bouquet pattern. Found it all (100+ pieces total) at a thrift store for $150.

Jura Koncius: China from thrift shops is a great deal. This whole city must have boatloads of Lenox Solitaire!

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Reston, VA: I just craigslist-ed my wedding china last year, made enough $ to finance a trip to Spain with our daughter! Too boring....don't even recall the pattern name (married 10 yrs), was Wedgewood bone white with a platinum banding. Very pretty, but I felt like I couldn't use it for fear of breakage. Truthfully, we only registered for it under pressure from 2 sets of moms. Now we have: white/yellow banded dinner plates and plain white soup plates from Ikea, yes Ikea. Mixed with miscellaneous patterned bread plates, different shape bowls. If I see a great seasonal pattern at Home Goods, estate sales, etc. I buy 4-8, then mix and match. I also have an awesome set of turquoise/hot pink floral dinnerware I brought home from said trip to Spain, which we use in the summer. Oh, they made awesome serving ware for our daughter's 5th birthday party, with a kelly green/pink cloth shower curtain that I turned into a tablecloth ($10 at Marshalls). After that trip, I'm very into green/pink/turquoise. Now, I enjoy setting the table!

Jura Koncius: Annie and I LOVE that story! Wow. Would much rather have memories of a trip to Spain. Where did you sell it by the way?

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Baltimore, Md: My daughter just got married and part of her inheritance was 1/2 of her grandmother's Wedgewood china. She got several more place settings as gifts Replacements.com. She also registered for a very nice standard white china for every day. She's a formal type of girl and still very modern.

Jura Koncius: What a wonderful legacy.

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Lime Green Paint: Although it might be a little lighter than what the poster wants, I love my guest room in BM's Dill Pickle with white trim and dark wood furniture.

Jura Koncius: Great name!

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Special China: My father happened to really like good dishes. He had three daughters, so bought three sets of fine china (and very different styles). Mother got to pick and choose which to use when.

Mine is the one that cannot EVER go into the dishwasher and is almost impossible to replace, but I love it, mix it with simple Lennox, and use it for dinner parties. And that set is a wonderful reason to just HAVE to buy fun dishes for "everyday"...

The sterling/plate and the crystal, however, get used every day. Dishwasher notwithstanding.

Jura Koncius: Go Dad!

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Black and white 50s bathroom: Our bathroom, like so many other "starter" 1950s homes inside the beltway, has great original tiles. Thankfully ours is the neutral white with black trim.

We painted the walls above the tile a very nice periwinkle blue. We covered the floor with a navy rug, and have a yellow and white striped shower curtain, with lemony yellow towels. Very cheery, esp. on dark dreary mornings such as today! it's been 9 years and it's still my favorite room as far as color.

Jura Koncius: Great!

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Ohio: I got a set of stoneware for a wedding gift

46 years ago. It lasted about a year and

had all been broken. Bought solid sterling flatware, still have it and treasure it.

I now use stoneware from the manufacturer

in eastern PA. Have several sets including a Winter pattern which I can use from

Thanksgiving until I decide to go back to the more springy set.

Fine china and silver are wonderful, and

anyone who has them can consider themselves

fortunate in this time when caring for fine

home articles has become too much a chore.

We all need a little class and formality in our lives. Also To appreciate the nicer things that can be passed down to our children as heirlooms.

Jura Koncius: We all need a little class. Well put.

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Silver Spring, Md: Help! I made a bad decision last year when I painted one wall

of my bedroom red. Now I loathe the color. I would love to

change the color to a more calm elegant shade of light

brown/caramel/toffee. Any suggestions? Also what color

drapes do you think would go well with a color in the brown

family?

Annie Groer: Oh, dear. Covering red may take several coats, so prepare yourself for that. Consider Duron's Eastlake Gold or Nuthatch. And after you finish, see how you feel about red draperies.

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glass shower doors: Use Rain-Ex (it's usually found with auto washing products); the water beads up and rolls off, so you don't have to squeegee every time you shower. Cleaning is much easier, too.

Annie Groer: Excellent. We love cross-use products.

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Gaithersburg, Md: Thanksgiving table: for years we strung together small tables and mismatched chairs/benches to squeeze 22 people around. Now that only one child is under six foot, it is no longer possible (ages 14 +). So we have tables in 2 rooms and let people sit where they want. The tables always seem to end up mixed. Folks usually sit in a different seat when it is time for dessert. works beautifully.

Annie Groer: Great story. And love those strapping kids.

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Springfield, VA: I've been doing my holiday shopping at the same stores for years, and my gift lists are looking pretty consistent year to year. I'd like to venture into DC to shop for unique presents for my hubby and friends. Any suggestions?

Jura Koncius: Check out the website www.midcitylive.com. That covers the whole 14th and U Street area. It's really got some fun new shops. Rckndy at 1515 U St. NW www.rckndy.com is fun and neat men's gifts can be found at Apres Peau 1430 K St. NW. www.aprespeau.com

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Washington DC: Thanks for this chat. I'm having trouble figuring out window treatments for my living room & dining room windows. Both face out to a pretty view of the back yard with lots of trees but there's no direct light -- the windows face north, plus all the trees. So I'd want to make the windows very open to get more light. The problem is that the the roof hangs low and you can see the underside of the roof (the soffits?) through the top of the windows. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Annie Groer: Yes, and it's pretty easy. Paint the soffits a bright white so they reflect light, thereby adding light and improving the view. Then proceed with window treatments -- Roman shades that remain up most of the time or sheers on rods that can be pulled aside for that great view.

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The good china: My pattern is Nantucket Basket and I really love it. It's an all white basketweave pattern, and can be dressed up or down. Since my every day china is also all white, I'm thinking about getting rid of it and using my good china all the time. It's a shame to keep it cooped up in a closet, unseen most of the year.

Jura Koncius: I love that pattern. It is beautiful. You should use it more.

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Wedding China, D.C.: We have the Tiffany Audubon pattern china and love it! It's a bold pattern, and we pick up the reds, golds, and browns for more formal settings, and the pinks and spring greens for more informal settings. We also have an antique set of ivory china that we mix and match with another antique set in a floral pattern, and it brings it more up to date.

Jura Koncius: Good for you. That is a gorgeous pattern.

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No kids table, but...: we always eat on trays in the living room. The kids and anyone who wants to watch football eat on trays in the family room. I split my time - 1/2 with the "adults" and 1/2 with the football watching fun people.

Annie Groer: Nice compromise, but aren't any of the adults "fun?" No answer required, that was rhetorical.

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Reston, Va: Hi, Ladies! Tablecloth question. Your article today mentioned that polyester is easier to take care of than cotton or linen. I don't need any convincing on this, but I do need help fining nice-looking polyester or poly blend tablecloths--nobody seems to carry them! Any ideas?

Annie Groer: If you've exhausted all the usual suspects (department stores, linen stores, etc.) consider hitting a fabric store for a color or print you like. If you or your friends don't sew, ask at the fabric store or local drycleaner if someone can "finish" the material.

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Friendly, MD: I have a sofa that I love and I want to freshen it up with new fabric. My parents decades ago found and bought fabric in Delaware for their chairs. My mother and her girlfriend would then make custom slipcovers!! Where can I find a wide variety of fabric today?

Jura Koncius: There is a still a Waverly and Schumacher fabric outlet in Newark, Delaware. It is called Interior Alternatives. 302 454-3232, 211 Executive Drive. Definitely work a stop. Another place we often suggest is Discount Fabrics in Thurmont. www.discountfabricsusa.com.

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Pigtown: For Atlanta shopping, look at the two great blogs, Peak of Chic and Style Court. Both are out of Atlanta and have the inside scoop on great places to shop for one-of-a-kind furniture, antiques, tabletop, etc.

http://thepeakofchic.blogspot.com/

http://stylecourt.blogspot.com/

Jura Koncius: Pigtown, you rock. As always.

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Annapolis, Md.: I was surprised by the recent comments regarding the poor quality of Bombay Company furniture and wanted to weigh in. I have a bed I bought there that I love and that really "makes" my bedroom. It is a four-poster with pineapple finials, a high Victorian-style headboard, and low footboard (much easier to make the bed) in a dark solid wood. The only veneer is on the back of the headboard.

Jura Koncius: Duly noted.

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Hired sitter back again: Hiring a sitter does sound terrible, and I didn't mean it like a NANNY... We had a preteen neighbor girl who did NOT have a big family gathering, and was only too happy to come play big sister for an hour or two (actually, she sat in for free) ... until one of us grew up.

Annie Groer: Aha...context is everything.Thanks for the explanation.

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Glassware/Barware: Next week, can we talk about what to do with the crystal, wannabe crystal and all those other glasses that you received with the wedding china. My SIL gave my dh and me a nice set of crystal iced tea glasses that never see the outside of the cabinets.

Jura Koncius: I LOATHE my crystal. It is Baccarat Dom Perignon. It is so so fine and so breakable that I am nervous when we use it and we often break one as we wash it. My husband keeps it in quilted boxes and he thinks it is wonderful. I would like a sturdy old English cut glass goblet that you would not have to be so careful with. I would love to sell it but I think he would have a fit. Next week, on our special pre-Thanksgiving chat, let's go at it about crystal. Wed Nov 21 11 a.m. to noon.

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Silver Spring, MD: Hi, Ladies,

I have a guest room with six different paint samples on the walls. I was hoping that you (and other chatters) could help me with color choice. The guest room is on the first floor and is visible from the living room (a parchment color) through a small hall (a cranberry red). Our furniture is dark wood. I love the color combination of chocolate brown, icey blue and white/beige. I was thinking of buying fairly neutral bedding (chocolate and white) and painting the walls blue. The trouble is that the blues I find are either too gray or too "baby boy." Guests must walk through the guest room to get to the bathroom, which is fairly white. I wanted to paint the bathroom the same color blue (or a shade darker than the bedroom.) It has white tile, and I thought I could use chocolate towels.

I would greatly appreciate any help you can give me. We have been putting this off for months, and I would love for my holiday company to stay in a room that doesn't look like a paint test area!

Annie Groer: Sounds like a plan. I am crazy about Behr's Himalayan Mist. I painted an entire living room and dining room in it (it goes on slightly darker than the fandeck sample). It has a hint of aqua. Check it out.

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Holiday music:97.1 -- they are playing it today (don't know if it started today or if it's just a one day thing). Too early.

Jura Koncius: Oh great! I was wondering. I will listen tonight. Ho Ho Ho.

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Reston again: I put the china up for sale on the NY Craigslist web site--I split time working between DC and NY (16 full place settings, all sorts of serving pieces, candlesticks + some ugly Waterford crystal--oops, never told hubby I included that in the bunch, it came from his mother). Bought by a nice older woman, perhaps she was buying it for her daughter's wedding...got almost $3000 for it all. I believe we used all that stuff once.

Annie Groer: Yes, once. Great story.

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Wedding China:1981: Registered for a very simple white with rust band around the edge. Used it for a couple years and replaced it with a much lighter breezier set. Also, husband was stationed overseas during our first year together and when he came home he brought a beautiful set of china - very simple with a single rose along one side and a thin silver band around the edge. That's the set we still use today for special occaions!

Jura Koncius: thanks

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Alexandria, VA: I have a decorator coming over to help me with my living areas and to help pick paint everywhere else (one that you guys recommended). Before they come, what things should I be thinking of, what questions should I have in mind, etc? THanks

Annie Groer: For starters, think about whether you have enough light in the room, what pieces you are willilng to get rid of and what stay, whether your sofa and chairs are sufficiently comfy, whether you prefer hardwood over rugs or wall-to-wall carpet and where you want the television to go.

Good luck.

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Annie Groer: Hey, all, thanks for a terrific and spirted chat. Love hearing about china, kids' tables, etc. And don't forget, we chat next Wednesday, not Thursday, at 11. For those who can't make it live (you're traveling, cooking, whatever), have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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