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: Good morning all, and for those of you in the DC area, happy spring! Love this weather. So let's get started because we've got loads of questions.

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Washington, DC: Someone gave me a gallon of Behr paint because the color didn't work out. Do you know of any place that would accept it as a donation? Early last month you did an article about places accepting donations, but I didn't see paint. Any help to do good is appreciated!

Annie Groer: Habitat for Humanity ReStores, which sell gently used building materials and home furnishings, take full cans of paint. For the closest location to you, go to www.habitat.org

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McLean, VA: I love, LOVE the desks in today's redesign. Major kudos to today's designer! I went to the Fairmont Designs website to see how to purchase the desks, and couldn't find much information. Any chance you have additional insight?

Annie Groer: They are pretty cool, we agree. Kat Hom, the House Calls czarina, says that although the desks are not shown on the Fairmont Designs website, you can call them for ordering details.

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Jura Koncius: This is a message from Jennifer Mangum and Suzan Meredith about their House Calls from last week's Home section. They are responding to concerns raised in our chat last week.

"We wanted to address a couple of the questions/concerns over the design.

The homeowners did not like the current layout of the cabinets. The present folding area was not being used because it was not near the washer/dryer. It has become a place to stack and leave items. Also the cabinetry was peeling and damaged. They wanted to use a large portion of the room for storage; the 24" deep cabinets were selected to solve that issue (for some reason they didn't put that info in the article). We divided the room in work stations, The Laundry Center, The Mudroom Area (coats and shoes & backpacks), The Storage Area, and the Kitty Area. With the hope of helping the client to be more organized".

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Fort Worth, Tex: My husband insists on mounting a TV above our fireplace. I need to place the sofa on the opposite wall, and remove the freestanding bookcases that are there. What do I do to decorate a huge blank wall that will be behind the sofa? One sidewall is a bank of windows and the opposite space is open and exposes the kitchen.

Annie Groer: Ordinarily I'd say a large mirror behind the sofa, but then you'd see a reflection of the SuperBowl or Desperate Housewives when the TV is on. If there is space, you could put the bookcases against that wall to create a library effect, or a large piece of art to counter-balance the TV.

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Jura Koncius: I wanted to mention that we just received the Bethesda's Best in Home Fashion booklet. It's in its six edition and it lists 80 of Bethesda's home fashion venues, including furniture, accessories, art, rugs, hardware, framing, interior design, antiques, etc.

You can pick one up in the info kiosk's in Bethesda that are run by Bethesda Urban Partnership. Or go to the office at 7700 Old Georgetown Rd. or www.bethesda.org or 301 215-6660. They mention a few new shops - Loft Living, Thai Crossing, Daisy Babies, Architectural Ceramics, Cannon Upholstery, Cover With Blinds and Shutters - any of you been to any of these?? Chime in...

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Lexington, Va: Good Morning Ladies,

Have an old mountain house that is a blank slate. No furniture or rugs yet, just lots of windows, lots of light, wood floors and B. Moore Ivory White Paint on all the wood trim. I want to paint the LR and DR (which are connected) a grown up neutral type green. However, the adjoining foyer is a dark almost closet-like room. Should I paint them all the same? Any green color suggestions?? Foyer suggestions? Prefer Shermin Williams or Ben Moore. Thanks so much, I learn something every week.

Annie Groer: Lucky you, a mountain getaway. I'd go with Ben Moore's Soft Fern or the darker herb-like Rosemary Sprig for the two rooms and then the paler Silken Pine for the foyer. And pop a mirror and over light in there for added light.

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Enterprise, Ala.: Jura - Enjoyed the article in Elle Decor v much. Love when familiar names pop up other places!

Jura Koncius: Thank you Enterprise! I appreciate it. It was fun to write about style in my favorite city. What's doing in Enterprise these days?

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Re: Desks in Redesign: I admit I really like those desks too, but they look better suited for a bill paying station than a home office for two. I didnt see too much space for file storage, or any space for papers you are working on on the desk. If they dont have too much paperwork it looks great!

Annie Groer: Actually the large cabinet against the long wall and the smaller cabinet on the smaller wall are there for storage and so is the divider bookcase, which has doors to hide all the mess. But those desks are much better suited for laptops than PCs.

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Washington, DC: I have a kitchen with shiny copper hardware, black appliances, cherry cabinets, and bianco romano granite (white with black and red flecks) and was thinking of painting the walls a light orange shade to compliment the copper or a red to bring out the red in the granite. Do you have any suggestions?

Annie Groer: Just make sure that the orange or red does not clash with the cabinets.

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For Ft. Worth: Umm, didn't she say she has to remove the freestanding bookcases that are currently on the open wall facing the fireplace, to place the sofa there? How about a trio of favorite family/vacation photos, enlarged and framed to coordinate, placed above the sofa? Not a huge fan of mirrors above fireplaces or sofas, myself, when there's so much beautiful artwork out there.

Annie Groer: Thanks for the tip. We're big fans of family photos and real art. But it may also be possible to make room for the bookcases and the sofa, depending on the size of the living room.

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Re: Bethesda's Best: I have been to Loft Living, they advertise on craigslist. The place is really small and I think they have a lot more furniture you can order than whats out on display. The stuff there is very cute, similar to Pottery Barn/Crate and Barrel style, but the parking is a nightmare. I lucked out and was the only one there when I went, but I think there are only something like 3 parking spaces? The prices are fairly reasonable, better than PB/C&B too.

Jura Koncius: Oh thanks for that. Usually parking in Bethesda is far easier than parking in Georgetown for shopping. Cady's Alley has the worst parking around many people say. But this must be in a spot that doesn't have one of those public parking lots around. I must go to Bethesda and check out all these places soon.

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Mukwonago, Wisconsin (southeastern WI): I really like the home office today in the makeover. Has there been any discussion intra-WaPo-office about an article featuring this feature. I'd love to know how designers are chosen (do they contact the Post or does the Post go looking for them), are they established designers or are they new, and most importantly how many families take the designers up on their designs (whether all of a design or just a part).

Annie & Jura we still love your articles too. They just don't leave us hanging with "What ifs"!

Annie Groer: Some designers volunteer (they do this pro bono) and some we contact if we've seen their work when we're out and about. Some are longtime designers, others just starting out. Sometimes the homeowners do follow their advice (and in some cases, actually hire the designer) and some do not. I know this is a bit vague but that's pretty much how the feature works. We've been talking about doing a follow-up piece or two about homeowners who've taken the advice, but for many of the folks, it's a matter of doing the makeover a bit at a time.

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Maryland: I have mid-century Italian dining room set--it's very cool, but the ladderback chairs w/caned seats need some work (the seats are unraveling and wood is splitting on the legs of one of the chairs). Does anyone have any recommendations for furniture restorers/refinishers? I'm hoping to keep it in use.

Jura Koncius: I was given the name Morrison Chair Caning 301 948-5130. Also All Done Caning and Upholstery 301 933-0633. Georgetown Refinishing does work like that 202 333-3311.

Any other sources out there?

I have a Brazilian antique chair in the basement that needs caning but I haven't gotten to it yet...

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Today's House Calls: A fountain? In an office? Seriously?

I hope they have a restroom right near the office, because I think if they listen to flowing water all day, they're going to need it!

Also, the desks were very cute, but not at all practical for an office.

Jura Koncius: Hmmm.

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Annapolis, MD: Please help--been trying to come up with a bedroom color for over 2 years! Very small condo--LR/DR are BM bennington gray which I love. Prefer some plum or warm color in BR which is also very small--off-white berber carpet--white distressed type bed and turquoise sheets.

Thank you--chats are highlight of the week!

Annie Groer: We love being so eagerly anticipated. Try Lavender Lipstick or the slightly lighter Beach Plum for the bedroom with those taupe-y Bennington Gray larger room. A hit of turquoise will set it all off nicely.

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Leesburg, VA: Has anyone tried those no-iron, 100% cotton sheets? Do

they really stay crisp & smooth? Are they comfy to sleep on,

or does the no-iron treatment make them feel, well, a little

slick?

Jura Koncius:??? Anyone???

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Jura Koncius: By the way, the people at the Washington Chapter of ASID say they have some slots left for the Spring Spruce Up. For more information. go to www.asiddcmetro.org or call 202 488-4100. $100 an hour consultations are available with designers.

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Antiques Road Show: I love this show abd see that it has come to the area several times. How can one find out in advance if it will be nearby and how do you get in to have your things appraised?

Annie Groer: Go to www.PBS.org and type in Antiques RoadShow Schedule, which I've pasted below since I don't know where you live.

All the info about appraisals, tickets,etc. are on the site.

June 7 - Palm Springs, California

June 28 - Dallas, Texas

July 12 - Wichita, Kansas

July 19 - Chattanooga, Tennessee

August 9 - Grand Rapids, Michigan

August 23 - Hartford, Connecticut

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house calls: have you considered doing a separate chat session for house calls?

Jura Koncius: Well, we have actually. But we also enjoy dishing them here!!!

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Iron or steam?: Just purchased two pairs of nicely lined silk curtain panels and need to get the wrinkles out. I'm afraid I'll do this the wrong way. Should I use steam while they are hanging or lay flat on a bed and lightly press out wrinkles? HELP!

Jura Koncius: Steam would be safer. But if they are lined, wrinkles should hang out...

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Washington, DC: A few weeks ago the Home section had an article on light bulbs. We've been trying to do our part this year and go a little greener. I have to tell you I really don't like the compact florescent bulbs. The one in my bathroom doesn't give "good" light and the flickering gives me a headache. Is this all in my head or has anyone else noticed this? And is there another "green" alternative?

On a more positive note, thanks for the chef article. I have a new crush - the seemingly unpretentious babe of a chef at Hook!

Annie Groer: If you read carefully, you'll see he has a girlfriend. Oh, well. As for the green bulbs, they do come in several shades of light. Check with your hardware of big-box store to get a sense of what will work for you.

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Daisy Babies: Daisy Babies is adorable. They have a few cribs (vignettes?) set up with lovely Serena & Lilly bedding. I painted our child's nursery ceiling light blue after noticing they had done it in the store's bathroom. It is a sweet shop.

Jura Koncius: Love it! That sounds really cute. We needed a shop like that... will pass along to our gang here.

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Roof Deck Designers: How can I find a designer who can help me design my roof deck. I have a large deck/terrace with great views and want to create a fabulous setting for entertaining and relaxing. So, I guess I need a combination of outdoor furniture and landscape designing and I'm having trouble figuring out who does this. Any ideas?

Annie Groer: Try a garden center. You may want to bring digital pix and roofdeck dimensions with you, or you and the garden pros may decide a house call is in order. I don't have to tell you to be sure you have a water source up there unless you want to do a cactus garden or the watering can routine.

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Centreville, VA: I recently bought a beautiful matching set of side tables and a coffee table. I was wondering if you could suggest a place that will custom cut glass for the tops of the tables to protect them? Do people still do this? How expensive can it get? I bought them from Belfort, so I don't think getting them through the store is an option. Thanks!!

Jura Koncius: Yes, mirror and glass stores should be able to do that wherever you are. I'm in DC so the only one I know locally is Columbia Mirror and Glass, 2212 Wisconsin Ave. NW 202 333-3037. They cut a piece of glass 3/4 inch thick for my round dining table which I still have to this day - and its 25 years old! Also, they cut a piece for a wicker tray I use often and for a skirted round table I have in my master bedroom. It really protects surfaces and you don't have to use coasters or napkins when you put down a beverage.

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Alexandria, Va: Today's frustration of the day: where to buy a good quality shower liner. I usually get the "hotel quality" ones from Bed Bath and Beyond, but they seem to only last a year or so before I'm washing them every could of weeks to try and bleach them back to white. Am I doing something wrong, or is there secret place to buy great shower liners??

Annie Groer: Dear Alexandria - How about buying a heavy-duty clear vinyl liner. The scum will come right off with vinegar and every couple of months you can pop them in the washing machine.

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Annapolis, Md.: My question did not get answered last week, so I'm trying again. Do you or any of your readers have exerience with the the Home Decorators Collection (homedecoratorscolection.com)? I would like to order some things, but want to find out if anyone has ordered from them and how satisfied they were.

Annie Groer: We don't have personal experience, but we'd love to hear from those of you out there who do....Tell us what you bought and how well it's held up. Thanks.

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Washington DC: What is your favorite coffee table book? Can be design-focused, art, or just something fun. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: What a great question! It's fun to rotate your coffee table books on your coffee table as they make great room accessories are well as things for guests to flip through when they are sitting in your living room. One of my favorites is the "Oscar: The Style Inspiration and Life of Oscar de la Renta" by Sarah Mower and "House & Garden's Best in Decorating" from 1987.

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Ashburn, VA: Good morning. I have a small eat in kitchen and need more light--full of windows, but that doesn't always cut it. Should I go recessed or a pretty fixture with some pendants? I like the Pottery Barn fixture with 4 small glass pendants hanging down. Will this look like yucky track lighting a few years from now???

thanks for advice

Annie Groer: The great thing about recessed lighting is that you can pop those cans all over the ceiling -- in corners, in an X shape, whatever. Track lighting is a bit more limited unless you choose one that curves snake-like around the ceiling. A supplemental light source to think about, no matter what you choose overhead, is under-counter lighting. It makes a big difference when you're actually working.

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Glass Place Closer to Centreville: Had good luck at Circle Glass on Lee Highway in Fairfax for exactly what that person is looking for -- (703) 273-2700

Annie Groer: Thanks.

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Columbia MD: RE: House Calls

Where do the computers and phones fit in this office? The desk tops also look too small to spread out any paperwork.

Jura Koncius: Good question... we will try and get the designer to answer.

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Odenton, MD: I had submitted a while ago (December maybe) regarding BGE Home (programmable thermostat) and I have to say that I didn't use them because they messed up my address and ruined my weekend. They were going to come on a Saturday and I was up at 7:30 waiting for the phone call (I didn't want to miss it because apparently they don't call you back) to pinpoint the time. They called at 8:30 and said someone would be there between 11 and 3. At 2:30, the guy calls to say he's on his way. 5 minutes later he calls again and asks where in Owings Mills am I. Well, I'm no where's near OM, I'm in Odenton!! So, he can't come. The dispatcher calls and says someone can come that "evening" and he can call back "within the hour" to pinpoint the time. I had been away on business all week and hadn't gone food shopping yet, so I asked about Sunday and was told no problem. About 10:30 Sunday I get a call asking if I have heat (I do) and that they are short-handed and have a lot of people without heat can they reschedule! I was a bit annoyed at this point since I had already been rescheduled and told the guy that and he was like I'll see what I can do, but we have people without heat. I finally said no thanks, I'll call someone else.

Long story shorter, I called my home warrany service (it was included in the sale of my condo) and the guy came out the following Friday evening (they don't do weekends) and installed it for about $60 - $70 cheaper then BGE Home. Plus, he explained my system to me and also showed me where the filter is (and that needed to be changed, too).

On a side note, I've already seen a huge difference in the amount of time my system is NOT running and I look forward to the next electric bill! The place was United Air Temp from VA, but they service MD, too.

Jura Koncius: Wow. That quite a saga. Hope you save money in the end...

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Washington, D.C.: Hi -- my kitchen was built in the 1950s and has the original

boomerang countertop and the original old white cute stove.

Love the kitschy cool look of it but wondered what you

thought about how it affects resale value. Would it be better

to replace the countertop and stove with something more up

to date? Or keep the retro look? If it makes a difference, I

live in a condo in the city. Would really appreciate any

advice that you have.

Annie Groer: In a soft real estate market like we're in right now, you might want to put in something a little less retro. But if you're planning to live there for a while, enjoy it. It sounds great. And FYI, Wilsonart and Formica are both showing new mid-century bommerang laminate counter material, truly proving that what goes around comes around.

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Bamboo flooring: I think this was addressed once before, but what are the drawbacks of bamboo? My sister has two big dogs and their nails have made marks on her current 10 year old hardwood. She is going to remodel and is thinking about bamboo because it is "green". What do you and your readers think?

Annie Groer: We've heard pros and cons about bamboo and dogs. It is green because bamboo is such a fast-growing grass, not a slow-growing hardwood. But it can get scuffed and high heel shoes can leave gouges. Opinions out there?

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Ashburn, VA: Hi. We would like to replace the 'builder grade' oak spindle stair bannister with wrought iron/wood. Who can we call? I can't seem to find a contractor in the area that handles replacement. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: On place for wrought iron is City Ornamental Iron 202-882-9411.

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Today's House Calls: The chairs chosen by the designer are not practical for an office and not ergonomically sound. You could get a very high-end office desk chair for less than those featured in the article.

Jura Koncius: We will pass this along...

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Wait, back up: You can put a vinyl shower liner in the washing machine??

I had no idea.

Jura Koncius: Yes!

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Arlington, Va.: Can you please recommend a place for relatively inexpensive lampshades? I've tried Target and Wal-Mart, but they don't have as big a selection as I'd like. I don't need anything fancy, just one that's sized right for the base of the lamp. Thanks!

Annie Groer: Remember that you should bring your lamp with you rather than trying to eyeball what might work in terms of harp height, shade shape, etc. For the most comprehensive advice, try Annapolis Lighting, which has stores all over the area (www.annapolislighting.com). Also try Pottery Barn and HomeGoods, though you won't get the kind of specific advice you may need. And while you're at it, you may want to install a dimmer switch on the cord for mood lighting.

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Home Decorators Furniture: I know of at least three people on my street who have ordered from that company. We all have little kids so the apeal was that the pieces were relatively inexpensive. One contemporary sofa is a giant piece of fairly rigid foam-OK for short periods of sitting but since we are down on the floor with the kids a lot that's not a big deal for us. Frankly, a lot of what I have seen is cheap but it looks OK, for now. I bought some pieces at Bombay for the same amount and they are a lot nicer. Didn't have the money when they were going out of business or I would have bought a few more things.

Jura Koncius: Good observations. Thanks.

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re: glass for tables: Any glass place can do this. Look in phone book. In No VA. I know of one in Reston and Sterling. I did this for my new kitchen table when I discovered the kids were going to destroy the finish in no time w/scratches. I was disappointed in the quality of the table's finish. Oh well.

Annie Groer: Thanks.

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Maryland: Love the chats ladies! So we're finally getting around to taking down the dated wallpaper in our dining room. The room has chair-rail that we plan to keep. In your opinion, is it better to go with one color above and below the chair-rail or do different colors? I'm undecided.

Thanks!

Annie Groer: Your call entirely. You can do lighter and darker (top or bottom) or the same color above and below. It is really a matter of personal taste; no "rule" to worry about here.

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Jura Koncius: By the way, on the subject of boot trays. Got a Smith & Hawken catalog last night. It ways In the Garden Flowers and Showers on the front. It has two great boot trays on sale. Bronze-toned 34 by 14 inches $31; galvanized boot tray 33 by 12 $31. Also my sister Sig from Great Falls called to tell me yesterday that she was THRILLED to find the new doormats at Smith & Hawken featuring coir tops and rubber bottoms. They withstand the elements as well as dirty and muddy shoes. She said the variety of sizes was great, and looking at this catalog, she was right. Page 32.

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Chefs at home: Love this Chefs at home article. I was just looking at the online slideshow. It looks like Barton Seaver -- who says he has lots of counterspace -- has space under just 5 cabinets (4 on one wall and one on another). And the larger space is broken up by the sink. Are we seeing the whole of his galley kitchen because gosh that's about as large as mine and if he can make it work, I am guessing I should be able to, as well?

washingtonpost.com: Chefs at Home, (Feb. 7, 2008)

Annie Groer: Terri says what you see is pretty much what you get (including Barton's very good idea of storing pots on top of the cabinets). So start culling out the stuff you really don't need and get down to your beloved basics.

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New York, NY: Re: Home Decorators. Purchased a Japanese style chest from them for my daughter's first college apartment. It has been an excellent purchase. Has survived her moves well and she continues to love it several years later. Based on this purchase, have ordered several items for myself and have always been pleased with their products and services.

Annie Groer: Thanks. We love testimonials, pro and con.

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Comments on CFLs: First, let me say my husband is a residential electrician and approved this tip.

A lot of CFLs don't give off the same amount of light (lumens) as an incandecent bulb. When you buy them, they says something like a 12 watt CFL = 60 watt incandecent. If the light you have it rated for 60 watts, put the next size up CFL in it (the one that claims to be equivelent to 100 watts). You are still way under the rated wattage for the light and still save energy. We have found we get much better light this way.

Jura Koncius: Wow. This is really good info.

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home decoators: I did buy something from Home Decorators. I had heard one's experience either goes well, or very badly. Luckily, mine went well, no problems. I bought a small asian cabinet that I turned into a sink base for my half bath. I intentially did not spend a lot of money, so didn't expet the quality to be that great. But for the price, everything went well.

Annie Groer: Terrific. And what a good bit of repurposing to make a cabinet a sink base.

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Vinyl Shower Liner: You can also put in the dryer for a couple of minutes to get the wrinkles out. Just don't forget to pull it out!

Jura Koncius: Oh thanks for that.

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Reupholstery: I've been inspired to reupholster a chair given to me by my parents. I was planning on taking a class at G St (they have an 8 week class where you reupholster a chair), but how do I know if I need to replace springs, or other internal organs of a chair? Also, since I apparently missed the start of this session of classes, does anyone know any other places that offer classes where you end up with your chair reupholstered? Thanks,

Annie Groer: Check your local Recreation Department or Community College, which often also offer such classes. Presumably the teacher can tell you if the innards need replacing.

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Heated flooring in bathroom -- to do or not to do?: I am about halfway through an addition that includes a master suite. The bathroom is 11x15 feet and includes 2 vanities, a bathtub and shower, and a separate room for the toilet. My contractor is quoting $1500 to add heated flooring. It's a tile floor on the second floor.

Any thoughts pro or con on heated flooring? Is it worth it? Is it the one thing you wish you had splurged for or is it not worth it?

Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Everyone I know who has heated flooring says its the best investment they have made. A few weeks ago, I did a story on a log cabin in Garrett County where they had heated wood and heated stone floors. They said it gave such an even and cozy heat, it was perfect. Anyone else want to comment?

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re: Home Decorators Collection: I bought a couple of shoji screens fromt ehm, and they are the quality I expected for the price I paid--you can see the staples at the top edge of the screen where the side rails are mortised into the top. A high-end product wouldn't have staples showing, or needed to have used staples at all. They're decorative, but essentially disposable, pieces.

Annie Groer: Thanks...The lesson here seems to be if the price is right and you can live with the look, then go for it. If perfection and fine workmanship matter, look elsewhere.

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newsletter addiction: I have an addiction to decorating blogs and newsletters. There is no known cure. Two weeks ago you addressed some blogs. What newsletters, in addition to the Post's and HCTV's many show newsletters (yes, I get them all!) do people recommend?

Jura Koncius: You want MORE emails!!! We can't believe it. But, we are asking others to add to your You've Got Mail list...

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CFL bulbs: People should be aware that there are special measures needed to clean these bulbs up if they break. You are not supposed to vacuum them because of the mercury they contain. You also cannot dispose of them in the regular garbage- you need to take them to your local hazmat disposal site.

Jura Koncius: Thanks. Very important info.

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Painting Kitchen Cabinets: Do you have any tricks or tips about painting kitchen cabinets? I'm buying a townhouse that has dark wood cabinets I don't like. They are in good condition, just dated. I can't afford to redo the kitchen just yet, so I thought I'd paint the cabinets white. The kitchen is not very large, so there are only a few cabinets to be done (6 cabinet doors total, plus a column of drawers).

I've never done this before, so I don't know what paint to use, or if there's anything I need to be aware of before launching into this project. Thanks!

Annie Groer: Clean off any kitchen grease and grime. Dry well. If there are rough spots, sand them out. And use a high-gloss paint for ease of cleaning. If the doors have panels in them, you might even want to remove one or two of the solid pieces and replace them with glass in order to show off pretty dishes and glassware.

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tired-of-darkville: Ladies, I loved todays house calls makeover. Specifically, I love the desks, especially, the wood tone. Do you ladies see us backing away from the dark espresso and wenge wood finishes? Any trends in that direction? I personally prefer light maple and oak finishes, because they are easy to keep clean. Would to hear your thoughts on this.

Jura Koncius: I do think people are a bit espresso-ed out. All that dark furniture is now available in each and every furniture store at all price points. Crate & Barrel seems to be going a bit lighter now, as do a lot of the major manufacturers.

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re: heated floors: My inlaws have heated floors in their home in NORWAY. It is heavenly. I tried to convince my husband to put it in the kitchen when we got the new floor, and didn't do it.

It feels so nice to stand on in the bathroom.

Jura Koncius: Norway is a chilly place... so this is a good idea!

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heated floors: We retiled our kitchen and put heated (electric) under the floor. You definitely notice the difference, especially on a cold Sunday morning. Best part is the programmable thermostat (cost extra), but we can program the floor to turn on an hour or so before we get up, and on week days, turn off during the day.

Jura Koncius: I want these!

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Elmhurst Ill: I love Home Front, and check out House Calls for ideas, but today's House Calls doesn't instill confidence in professional designers. The illustration doesn't show much storage (there's more in the description, but not much.) And I can't believe the design doesn't tackle an elementary functional concern: Basements can flood. What provisions does the design make for a few inches of water, so a leak doesn't ruin two businesses as well as a basement?

Jura Koncius: We will try and find out...

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Adams Morgan, Washington, DC: I recently moved in to a much bigger apartment, and I'm looking for a way to store several hundred books. I'd like to find a wall unit that holds my TV and has surrounding bookshelves. I thought this would be very easy, but all the wall units I see have cabinets and such -- I just want the bookshelves. Do you know of anywhere that sells such an item? I can't afford to have one custom-made. I've got a 90-inch wall, and all I want is to be able to store all my books (about 500 or so) together!

Annie Groer: Get enough ready-made bookshelves to handle your library, and space them so that there is room in the center for a separate TV stand. Try Saah Unfinished Furniture www.saahfurniture.com to see what they've got. The website says their winter sale ended Jan. 31 but since it's still up, maybe you can negotiate.

Arlington, VA (703) 920-1500

Alexandria, VA (703)256-4315

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Blueprint: I've just found out that MSO magazine "Blueprint" has been put down. I sort of liked it; was I the only one?

Annie Groer: No, you were not alone. But Martha Stewart is a very smart businesswoman and if something is not working, print-wise, it goes. Look for some of the content online.

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Oakton, VA: Hi! I am redoing my family room with the chocolate brown and blue theme. Any recommendation for a blue/gray paint color for the walls? The room doesn't get a lot of natural light, so I want the paint color to be light, not dark. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Well of course there is the perennial fave that goes perfectly with chocolate brown - Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore. Also, I like Bluetonium by C2.

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Gaithersburg, MD: Last week you were nice enough to reccomend either black or steel grey paint for the door and shutters of my tan townhouse. I think we are going with the steel grey, and I am going to buy the paint tonight. I was thinking Behr's Evening Hush. How does this sound? I would say that my exterior color is very close to Oat Cake. Any other suggestions?

Jura Koncius: Love Evening Hush. Has a very rich charcoal feeling. Will look strong and dignified. Also like Behr's Milestone, but it's a bit lighter.

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Orangeburg, SC: Another one ---how to patch a dry wall (Small piece)?

Annie Groer: Spackling compound and a good smooth spackle knife, sandpaper to smooth everything out when it's dry and a brush to remove the excess dust. The real trick is to match the wall paint at the end so it does not look like you've just repaired a hole or crack.

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Alexandria, VA: Can you recommend a pale blue paint color for a dining room? I'd like it to have enough color to be noticeable, but pale enough to look crisp against dark furniture. I'm also considering using the same color in the master bedroom and going with a beachy theme.

Also, I'd like to make a suggestion - you guys should make a guide for new home owners! My husband and I are about to buy our first house and we need as much help as we can get. Like, contact information for the decorator's association, where to get paint samples, any tips & tricks you've collected, etc.

Jura Koncius: Great idea about the new guide for homeowners. It would be fun to do. Maybe we could do one online.. We will alert the authorities!

As for the blue color, what about Farrow & Ball's Lulworth Blue or Martha Stewart Colors for Valspar at Lowe's - Splash.

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Laundry room color: After last week's talk about laundry room updates, I've decided to try and spruce up our dismal basement laundry room. I'd like to add some paint that will really brighten and cheer up the room. Right outside is an office that is painted Behr's Liberty Blue. The laundry room has a door, so the color wouldn't really be seen but can you suggest something. I was originally thinking a bright lemon yellow or some type of orange color but I don't want it to be too crazy.

Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Good for you! It sounds like it's really going to go from dismal to cheerful. If you like Behr, what about Coral Gold or Just Blush?

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Springfield, VA: What do you think of carpet tiles (on concrete) in a home gym? With or without padding?

Thanks

Annie Groer: It's a great solution, but go for padding. Your knees will thank you.

That's it for today everyone. Great chat. See you next week.

A and J

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