Home Front

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius
Washington Post Home Staff
Thursday, March 6, 2008 11:00 AM

Every week, the Washington Post Home staff talks about various ways to improve your home. Find out about new home trends, upcoming antique shows and a variety of how-to help.

Ask Post staff writers Annie Groer and Jura Koncius about all things home related.

The transcript follows.

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

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Annie Groer: Good morning all...And just when we thought primary season was over and spring had finally arrived, wrong on both counts. Oh well...

First, thanks to those of you who already emailed Terri Spaienza about your pricey decorating mistakes. She'd love a couple more...sapienzat@washpost.com

Anything from hideous paint color to a comforter that makes you sneeze all night.

Ok, enough about her. It's time for all of us.

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Capitol Hill: I have a very small study I'm hoping to turn into a nursery. If I add wainscoting, will that make the room seem smaller? Thanks!

Jura Koncius: It depends. If you do it half way up, it might cut up the room a bit. But if you do it all the way up, and keep it white, it shouldn't matter.

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Hi: Good morning: I could really use your advice for a speedy fix up. I adore your tastes and I am now getting my house ready for rental purposes. My house is small with a small cathedral ceiling in the open living/dining and kitchen area. I'd like to paint the whole house using a nice neutral color and using Behr paint. Any color suggestions? Do you suggest new carpeting or laminate flooring? Its been rented for April first and the tenants have children so I'm not sure which direction to go. Thanks so much!

Annie Groer: Oh, we love when you love our taste. You don't say how old the renters' kids are but you might consider doing a combination (if the people don't also have a dog with scratchy claws). People do like the look of hardwood so consider laminate on the first floor, easy-to-clean tile in the kitchen and carpeting in the bedrooms. Get a security deposit that equals one month's rent, and require that your tenants also have renter's insurance, in addition to your own homeowners' insurance. Good luck.

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Alexandria, Va.: Where in the metro area can I find fresh, contemporary drapery fabric? I want to make simple box valances for my living room. G Street Fabrics is too conservative for my taste. I've looked at Ikea. Any other ideas?

Jura Koncius: I checked with Julie Weber of Washington's J.D.Ireland interior architecture and design - She says for ready made contemporary, you might want to check West Elm. You could unhem them and redo them if you found fabric you wanted. She does not know of a good retail location for contemporary fabrics in this area. For their clients, Julie says, they go to Washington Design Center to-the-trade showrooms like Angelo Donghia, Cowtan & Tout and Hines & Co., where they rep companies like Glant and Bergamo. She says if you go to New York, stop in at ABC Carpet & Home.

Any other ideas out there???

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In-laws coming -- help! Sprucing quickly!: Dear Divas,

I need to whip things into shape before the in-laws arrive in a couple of weeks and would be grateful for some quick advice on two things:

Paint for my west-facing kitchen. I inherited a nice renovation with (very warm) red oak cabinets in a plain, modern style and (very cool) blue pearl granite counters. Any suggestions for the walls that will get along with both? Appliances are white; dishes, towels, mixer, etc. are medium blues. Hoping for more warmth and color than a straight gray or taupe. The one workable idea so far is RH silver sage. Good? Other thoughts?

Dining-area rug. Can I get away with a 6' round or octagon under a 4' round table, or is that too skimpy? Space and funds are limited, unfortunately, and I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

You rock. Many thanks!

Annie Groer: Restoration Hardware is a very popular light greeny silver color, but also check out Behr's Cool Sky which is a blue-gray and Morning Breeze, which is a yum light blue, just to make sure you're not missing something that could be really very lovely.

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Jura Koncius: By the way, Susanne was kind enough to post this to our email after last week's chat.

She said she saw the question about the mom-to-be who was looking at wall decals and needed sources.Here are two good ones.

http://www.harmonie-interieure.com/02produits/1stickersgrand.htm

http://www.whatisblik.com/walldecals.html

Thanks so much! And don't miss Terri Sapienza's great story today in HOME about MULTIPLES and how to deal with them. Multiple babies that is.

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Lakeland, Fla.: Can you give me a pale, pale yellow wall color that will go nicely with a white/green floral quilt? I've seen colors that are too bright or too beige. I want something that is so pale, you almost can't tell it's yellow (but not a shade that would look like dirty white).

Annie Groer: Good morning Lakeland (home of the world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings on one site, Florida Southern College, one of my favorite off-the-beaten-track Sunshine State places to see before you die)...

Now, back to your question..Check out a couple of colors from Glidden - available at Home Depot --Moonscape or the slightly darker Soft Yellow.

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Kensington, Md.: Are gardening questions fair game here? I have two that are related. I have in a pot in my house a hydrangea that is blooming. Can it be planted outside? Also, I am looking at my empty containers on my deck and I am feeling spring and wondering what can be planted in them now. Thanks.

Jura Koncius: Thankfully, Adrian Higgins our garden wizard sits right next to me. And he is here!

Here's what Adrian says. Yes you can plant the hydrangea outside, but wait until late April, early May. It may not perform as well as a garden variety. To cheer up empty planters, put in pansies, primulas or snapdragons. Yeah Spring!

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Lofts and children: I'm thinking about purchasing a condo that has a loft area that is open to the living room below. My loft is a little different from the one in House Calls. Between the opening and the LR is a long half wall, rather than a railing. I'm pregnant and am considering eventually using the loft as a play area. But I'm concerned about safety as the baby gets older and is walking and climbing on things, etc. I like the half wall, but it's not quite high enough. If I buy this place, I'll want to add something to the top of the wall for more safety. I thought I could have a carpenter build a screen on top of the half wall. I'm picturing something very sturdy, the same depth as the wall, in a lattice type pattern. I want to still allow in light, and still be able to see into the LR from the loft. Will adding this extra screening look funny, or diminish the value of the condo? Should it go all the way to the ceiling?

Annie Groer: A better bet, in terms of safety and resale value, would be to put up an 18" high addition to the half wall made of shatter-proof glass. You may also need to buy a lifetime supply of window cleaner, but it will keep the kids safe, let in loads of light and be nearly invisible, thereby not detracting from resale value.

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Fairfax, Va.: I had a new laundry room built on main floor of house. Appliances are white and walls painted Day Spa (very light zen like blue) w/1 window and a small closet. Any ideas for storage? Don't want metal shelving and would like to keep room uncluttered.

Jura Koncius: Wow it sounds just fantastic. I am so jealous as I do my laundry in my dumpy unfinished basement. Althought I do have the very beautiful Whirlpool DUET washer and dryer.I'm wondering what kind of storage you need if you have a closet. Is it for detergent and such? You could put up plain white shelving and then do wicker baskets to hold things to keep it organized. They have nice ones at Crate & Barrel right now that come in various widths and heights that are very sturdy.

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Washington, D.C.: Can you offer some tips on maximizing a legitimately small space? I have a one bedroom condo that is about 650 sq. ft., and I'm really looking for some ideas to make the space as open and as functional as possible. The living room is a decent size. I have an over-stuffed chair that I've been considering getting rid of for something smaller. I also have a fairly large media wall unit that I think overwhelms the space. The bedroom is on the smaller side. I currently have a queen-size sleigh bed that takes up most of the room. The entire unit does not get a ton of natural light, but there is some. Any ideas you can pass along would be appreciated. I'd actually be willing to work with a designer if there's anyone who specializes in small spaces.

Annie Groer: Your first instincts are right on target-chuck the overstuffed chair for a tub chair that's comfy and compact. The media unit also can go. If you've got a flat screen TV, consider mounting it on the wall. Get a smaller console unit for your other electronics. Call the Washington Design Center and if you're really lucky, they may have an hour or two left at the Spring Spruce Up rate of $100 an hour (max. 2 hours). Even if not, tell them you live in small quarters and you need someone who specializes in diminutive rather than humongous.

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Annie Groer: Duh...I forgot to give you the W/Design Center's info: 202-488-4100 or e-mail Leslie Ehrmann, who runs the local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers...leslie@asiddcmetro.org. Ask her about Spring Spruce up and small-space specialists.

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Washington, D.C.: Fun baby articles today! And perfect timing, as I have a nursery decor question. Since we don't know the gender, I'm thinking maybe a nice springy green color for the nursery. (I think you've mentioned before that this is great baby feng shui.) Any specific color suggestions? I'm also very interested in using one of the more "natural" paints like Aura or similar, so info on that would also be helpful. Thanks!!

Jura Koncius: The official AURA Affinity Colors paint deck has only something called SPA green that would be light enough for a nursery. But I don't think that has enough spring-i-ness to it if you know what I mean.You can get the AURA formulation on any standard Benjamin Moore color - so I would say, Celadon Green or Fresh Cut Grass or Summer Lime would look great! Congratulations!

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For the loft: Why not a glass block of some sort instead of just glass? I think that would look better than plain glass and would add more privacy to the space while still letting in light. It would look more high-end as well.

Annie Groer: Great suggestion, but it's a totally different look. Glass block is about three inches thick and doesn't really let in as much light or look nearly as sleek as clear panes.

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Crownsville, Md.: Hi,

We built a new home 4 years ago with a fairly large kitchen. Neither my wife and I like ceramic tile, and with two now-teenage boys on the way, we didn't want to go the hardwood route, so we "compromised" on upgrade vinyl. But vinyl looks like, well, vinyl. What are some kitchen flooring alternatives that don't break the bank (hardwood) but would wear well and look decent?

Annie Groer: Linoleum and its cousin Marmoleum, which both have the added advantage of being "green" as they are made of soy compounds, bound together with cork or wood dust and backed with burlap or jute fibers. It's soft underfoot, which means that when you drop a glass or china plate on the floor it often survives. It also comes in cool colors, you can add borders, etc. Can you tell by my enthusiastic description that I have Marmoleum in my kitchen?

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Small spaces: Go check out IKEA for some inspiration for small spaces- they give tons of ideas in their display areas of various square feet.

Annie Groer: Ah, Ikea, the go-to place for so many things.

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Washington, D.C.: I wrote in a few weeks ago asking about how you feel about artificial plants. I think Jura said she likes them, but Annie does not (or is that the other way around)? A chatter recommended another alternative, like bamboo. Is there something similar that's green, (I need green accents for the room), about 4-5 feet tall, and only requires minimal light? If so, where can I find it? I too, would prefer something that's alive, but all the plants I've gotten for this room die because there's not enough light. Thank you!!

Jura Koncius: Chinese Evergreen says Adrian, bless him. Meanwhile it is MOI (JURA) who has a dislike for fake plants or flowers, Miss Annie is more tolerant of them. I did see some tolerable fake Norfolk Pines in a log cabin I wrote about recently in Garrett County. I have called the designer Kelly Stieff to ask her where she got them and hopefully she will call back soon. Meanwhile, the question of plants in weekend houses that you don't go to every weekend is a problem. Anyone out there have ideas?

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Nursery green: We painted our baby's room C2's lemongrass - sort of a yellowy-green - the paint chip doesn't do it any favors, but we love the way the room looks!

Jura Koncius: Yes, sometimes those paint chips are deceiving....

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Lofts and children, again: Me again! Thanks for the glass and glass block suggestions. The loft area actually has a nice skylight, so it does get some light that way as well. I had not considered glass, but will look into that. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: But of course...

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Catonsville, Md.: My husband and I love color--our kitchen is granny smith green, our family room is a pretty terracotta, and our living room is a warm and bright yellow. And our dining room, which opens onto all of these rooms, has ghastly 1980's pastel floral wallpaper, ten years after we moved in, because we can't decide what to do in there.

My husband recently fell in love with a dark blue/almost purple color he saw in a Frida Kahlo movie and wants to paint the dining room that color. For the first time in my life I have cold feet about painting a room such a distinctive color and I'm wondering if we should go more neutral.

So this is two questions: do you think we might end up in Terri Sapienza's article with that choice for our dining room? And if not, are there any particular paints you'd recommend in that shade?

Annie Groer: I have to vote with hubby on this one (in part because I think men tend to get steamrolled by their wives on matters of interior decor so it's always good to "give" them a major decision...and please, no angry letters about what a sexist sow I am. It's just one of those generalities that is often true).

I had a deep purple/aubergine dining room and it was sensational. I'd say go for it. You can always repaint, after you complain to Terri that I made you do it...

Check out the colors Dark Triumph (gotta love that name)by Ace (the hardware folks) paint or Sherwin Williams Morning Glory. And then send us a photo. I think it will be fab.

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Richmond, Va.: Does anyone have any feedback on Fieldstone Cabinetry? We're looking into using that brand in our kitchen. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Anyone?

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Small Space Tip: I had one of those places, in SF, when I first graduated from school -- and shared it with a roommate! I love storage ottomans... if you get them chair height (19-20" I think?), they do double duty as dining chairs (still have storage bench in my dining room to this day, seats 2 kids nicely) and you can scoot them to the foot of the bed, to the living area for seating, or as a coffee table. They also keep a space looking airier, b/c they don't have backs like regular chairs.

I also discovered deep open back bookcases at IKEA--they make either great room dividers, with room for 2 rows of books, art, etc, or if against a wall as I have them, you can store out of season stuff behind books and no one will ever know they are there! Oh, and I kept another habit from small space days--mounting beveled, frameless mirrors on doors if they are that flat hollow-core style, esp if they are anywhere near that minimal source of sunlight. You can leave them as is, or put really simple molding around the edges to look almost like french doors. My neighbors must think I am really vain, with all the light reflecting mirrors I have around.

Jura Koncius: Thanks for all that!

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Hadley, Mass.: A comment for the writer from Alexandria who asked about boxed valences. If you're going to be in NYC, you might want to stop by Metropolitan Window Fashions on Amsterdam Ave between 82nd-83rd Sts. Or call them at 212-501-8282 and get an idea of what they can do over the phone. I think they're the best.

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

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Annie's kitchen floor: Got a pic? I'd love to see this!

Annie Groer: I don't, but I can tell it I've got 18" squares that are a charcoal/black color, stainless Ikea cabinets and GE appliances, black/glittery Silestone countertops and magenta walls (Benjamin Moore's Hot Lips, chosen, as you might guess, for the name as much as the color). I've had it for three years and it wears quite well. It's not shiny glossy black but it feels so great underfoot.

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Thank You!: Thank you, ladies. Reading this chat the last several months convinced me (and I convinced my partner) that we don't have to spend thousands to paint our condo. Last weekend, we got most of the kitchen done ourselves. Bright yellow accent wall and a light buttery yellow under the ancient cabinets. (I don't have the color names with me.) The cabinets are ancient but solid so we decided to paint them. Behr Ultra White semi-gloss. They look like new and are gorgeous! Really brightens up our small-with-no-window kitchen.

Jura Koncius: Good for you for taking up the paint brush.Great feeling of personal accomplishment...

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Pigtown: Hi Ladies!

I wanted to thank Annie for her article about treasure hunting last week. I wandered by Marshalls over the weekend and found a $250 Wedgwood teapot for $7!!!

Here's a link for the picture of it.

Wouldn't miss these chats for anything... except a meeting.

Jura Koncius: Yippee!

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Derwood: we're turning my son's old room into a REAL guestroom. So far we have golden yellow walls with white trim (Pratt and Lambert's Beeswax and Ancestral White), white wooden blinds on the three north-facing windows and a simple black wrought-iron bedframe. I'm thinking black-and-white duvet, possibly toile if it's not too country. I want to get a comfy reading chair. Purple? Red? a print? what other accent colors?

Annie Groer: I'd go for a red chair and maybe a red pillow or two on the bed. The other possible accent color (purple doesn't do it for me in this case) would be a rich yellow if the toile field is not too beigey.

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NW D.C.: Re: the flooring, vinyl question, I couldn't get hard wood in my kitchen because of floor joists that created an uneven surface. My decorator recommended vinyl flooring, which can bend, and I used vinyl that is designed to look like wood. We laid it on the diagonal to create the illusion of more space. I LOVE it, and it's easy to maintain. So don't necessarily rule out vinyl, depending on the manufacturer, it's come a long way.

Annie Groer: Wow! Love the visual image of laying it diagonally. Good point. Laminate countertops, like vinyl flooring, has come a long way. Thanks for the hot tip.

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WDC: Hi ladies! Thanks for the time. I'm a new homeowner on a tight budget and was wondering if you could suggest some flea markets (or cheaper antique stores) in the MD/DC area. I'm interested in buying some older pieces and rehabbing them.

Jura Koncius: There is a website called www.goodridgeguides.com that lists as lot of area flea markets. One of our favorite used furniture places is Ruff & Ready at 1908 14th St. NW (the stuff is jammed in a tight space, but you never know what you will find.) Only open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Lots of fresh merchandise every week, if them can cram it in! Also go to Goodwill, Salvation Army and other thrift stores regularly. And always check craigs list.

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Hardwood floor refinishing: I just pulled up the 25-yr-old carpet that came with my house to reveal hardwoods underneath. These need to be refinished. Do you have any suggestions on someone who can do the job?

Thanks.

Annie Groer: So don't say where you live...ask neighbors for a recommendation, and go on your neighborhood list-serve as well. And if you're a member of Angie's List, check there as well.

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Frederick, Md.: I have an idea for a unique wall treatment, in lieu of a traditional piece of art. I saw something like it on "Divine Design." The idea is to cover the entire wall with favorite quotes or phrases, one following right after another like in paragraph form so that the overall effect is almost like wallpaper. I know it will be very time-consuming (I plan to use an overhead projector.) My question is: what would you recommend for a paint color if I put it on a sage-y green wall, and also if I put it on a creamy-yellow wall? I want it to blend in and be sort of subtle, and not scream at you when you enter the room. Thanks so much! Love your chats!

Annie Groer: A spruce green, a berry red or gray-blue (a la Wedgwood). Very cool idea. Perhaps you'd like to include a festive quote from one of our chats?

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Del Ray, Va.: Good morning and thank you for taking our questions. We are thinking about painting our adjoining living and dining rooms Benjamin Moore "Saint Martin Sand," but we don't want to drown in beige. Do you think it will look okay with black furniture and deep red rugs/accents? We would also like to do one wall in a different color -- maybe a shade of copper. Any suggestions?

Thank you!

Jura Koncius: Yes that sounds good. What about a wall in Roxbury Caramel?

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Mirrors for light: Loved the tip about mounting frameless mirrors for more light. What about a small grouping of decorative mirrors in my darkish dining area? I was thinking about getting three or five little ones, different shapes but all one color frames (gold), and hanging them in a "cloud" to brighten things up. Think this'll work?

Annie Groer: Every cloud has a gilded lining...So go for it. But don't make the mirrors so small that they get lost on the wall and can't do their light-reflecting thing.

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Washington, D.C.: Good Morning,

Is either of you familiar with Hunter Douglas Trio Convertible shades? It's a fabric blind that opens and closes, but the louvers are similar to those seen on cellular shades. Smith and Noble has something similar called Trilogy. Hunter Douglas also makes another fabric blind called Alouette. I'm considering getting one of these for my living room windows in plain white instead of curtains but they are really pricey (about $350 per window) so I'd like some feedback from anyone who's familiar with them. What do you think?

Jura Koncius: Yes. My college room mate had these instead of vertical blinds in her townhouse in Massachusetts. Very chic and nice. Soft looking. Any other thoughts? She was thrilled with them although commented that they were expensive.

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Chevy Chase: I am planning to redo my small kitchen this year. Will be replacing cabinets, floor, dishwasher, and sink. Not changing the configuration, which is long and somewhat (but not too) narrow, with a door to the outside and a window over the sink.

I don't want to do a typical wood cabinets/granite, or even white cabinets/dark granite. I'd like a little color since it's a small kitchen. BUT the fridge and stove are staying (they are new) and are WHITE. What color cabinets would look good with white appliances? I don't want it to be too dark. Is a silver sage green a good idea? Also, any thoughts on a colorful backsplash to go with the cabinets?

Thanks for any advice anyone has -- I've never had a nice kitchen, and I want to do this right!

Annie Groer: You could do the sagey green thing on the cabinets, or a rich buttercream yellow...and for a back-splash, you could do small mosaic glass tiles that pick up shades of green and the white. And for fun, add a hit of red or bright blue as an accent color.

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Small Spaces: I have a 480-square foot studio, and here are a few things that worked for me:

1. Have 1-2 large focal point pieces of furniture (in my case, a sofa/chaise and a full-size bed). Everything else should be smaller in scale (low bookshelves, etc). 100% small-scale furniture just sort of looks like your home is inhabited by teeny-tiny elves.

2. Pick stuff that can be moved around easily - I have stools and floor pillows I bring out when guests come over.

3. Keep clutter under control - I have wicker baskets under the coffee and end tables for magazines, mail, shoes, etc.

Annie Groer: Great suggestions all, escpecially about clutter control (my weakest area, alas). Can you email a picture of your studio. I've got an idea for a story that's percolating and I'm collecting images. (groera@washpost.com) Thanks.

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Jinx on the mirrors!: I have the same issue in my window-less dining room! I found that mixing in a few similarly framed pieces of art broke up the Versailles-I-am-the-Sun-King feeling. Go for it.

Annie Groer: Another wall-decorator heard from. I kinda like ol' Louis XIV, but hey...

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Great rug store!: I just wanted to let you know that I went to Rugs Direct in the Central Park shopping center of Frederickburg (right off of 95) and found 2 rugs I absolutely loved within 30 minutes! (and I'm hard to please). The customer service was great. I'm buying a new house and need tons of stuff and have been stressed out about most of it but this experience was the least stressful of all. They do have a website rugsdirect.com but I recommend going there and double checking the colors. Some rugs I had liked online I didn't like once I saw them in person.

Annie Groer: Thanks for the tip. Can you tell us the size, price and description of the rugs? We might as well share as many specifics as possible. And that's a great point about checking out color in person. Computer monitors can really distort color. Another reason to bring paint chips and fabric swatches with you.

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Takoma Park, Md.: Thanks for taking my question. I know this has been discussed before but can folks give me opinions on what is the best basic household cleaning book? After dealing with the death of my mother early last year and the estrangement of a close friend, it's as if I have suddenly opened my eyes to how dirty my house has become and I'm overwhelmed! Just little things like the best way to clean the painted woodwork around windows and baseboards, etc, and just getting myself back on a regular cleaning schedule. And, yes, I'd be way too embarrassed to even have a cleaning crew come in!

Jura Koncius: You might want to check out websites like www.heloise.com and www.flylady.com. (By the way, just checked out Heloise's website and there is a great painting tip - coat your doorknobs with petroleum jelly before you paint - it will make drips easier to clean up.) The basic Heloise tip books are wonderful. Also Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson is a wonderful treat to read and has thorough instructions on everything. Good for you.

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Nursery green: Pale Sea Mist by BM. I'm painting an extra room with it now, but it would be great for a nursery or young child's room!

Jura Koncius: Very true.

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Paint Colors: I am so tired of all these make over shows preaching to be neutral, neutral, neutral. I like colors, so I painted my house with a lot of cool colors, and when I put it on the market, I can repaint to neutral land.

Annie Groer: Hooray!!! I'm with you. I call this neutral-mania "Death By Beige." Live in a rainbow as long as possible, then repaint.

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Anonymous: Painted cabinets: Do you truly like your cabinets in semi gloss? I want to paint my cabinets white as well but my kitchen wall is already semi-gloss. Ladies, should I go eggshell for contrast? Thanks.

Annie Groer: Not in a kitchen, the great grease-magnet room. One of the great virtues of semi-gloss and gloss is ease of cleaning.

Go shiny.

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Comment on fabric blinds: I have the Next Day Blinds Savannah fabric shades in my LR, DR and FR. I love the ability to let in some light while still having the effect of sheers. Very expensive. Recommend professional measuring and installation for certain windows (mine had to be mounted on boards first). Biggest downside? Dead bugs. Yes, dead bugs get caught up in the fabric. The installer recommended using a blow dryer on its coolest setting to blow them out.

Jura Koncius: LOVE the tip about the dead bugs. You get TIP OF THE DAY award!!! Professional measuring is key, I agree.

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Frederick, Md. (Again): Annie,

Thanks for the suggestions re: my wall of quotes. I will be on the lookout for the right phrase from here, because it only seems appropriate to include something. I'm open to suggestions, also. So far, I plan on heading towards whimsy -- juxtaposing "You can't always get what you want (Mike Jagger)" with "Fiddle-dee-dee" (Scarlett O'Hara) for example. I'll send you a picture when it's finished!

Annie Groer: Jura and I would be happy to have our names appear after the following quote, usually uttered by one or the other of us around 4 p.m. each day "Is it my turn to make the popcorn?"

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Connecticut, land of mud and cold: I want to replace a very worn, very grotty carpet in my upstairs bedroom, but I can't afford hardwood floors - which is what I have in the rest of the house. Would you go laminate, re-carpet, or save for the hardwood? Also, if you had blue-gray walls, what woods or carpet would you choose? Would oak/tan (more than beige) work, even if I had white trim and moldings?

Jura Koncius: Do something now - It's going to be tough to save in this economic climate. Laminate isn't going to cost much less. Replace the carpet with something fresh , what about a tweedy black and tan twist weave?

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Baltimore, Md.: My husband and I just bought our first home and need some decorating advice. I want to finally discard our apartment living room furniture which was old when we purchased it. The living room in the new house is a mustardy yellow--it was recently painted by the previous owners and I don't think I want to repaint right now.

That being said, I am now not certain about a color scheme for the rest of the room. I like bold colors, so I am thinking of chocolate brown for the upholstered furniture and bright red as the dominant accent color (pillows on the sofa, drapes, rug on the hardwood floors). It is a small room--would this be over the top?

Jura Koncius: First of all, I would not base a new room around a paint color that you didn't choose and aren't that wild about. If Mustard Walls aren't your dream living room, do paint them before you invest in furniture and accessories. It's a lot cheaper to pick up a few quarts of paint first. Chocolate brown and red are a very nice color combination if you want to go there. The Walls could be a khaki color - maybe Behr's Raffia Cream.

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Enterprise, Ala.: Since someone mentioned Divine Design - the design shows always do unique paint techniques but never mention how to get rid of them! Our house had stenciled walls when we moved in and it wasn't easy!

Annie Groer: Ugh, stencilled walls. These shows never tell you how to undo their "damage." I wrote a piece a few years back about people who hated what their neighbors did to them on "Trading Spaces," often just to provoke a fight on TV. Our fab producer, Elizabeth Terry, is searching for it so she can post it as we speak.

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Live in a rainbow as long as possible, then repaint. : But definitely repaint when selling! I'm house hunting, and wow, have I seen the color combos. It's actually hard to picture your own furniture in the place when it totally clashes with the owner's wall color choices.

And carpets! I saw one place with brand new carpet, but unfortunately the owner chose navy blue and cranberry red carpets. I can't do anything with that. Why didn't they just put in something neutral that would appeal to all?

Jura Koncius: Lots of opinions about all of this. Live for the moment has always been my mantra. I can't bother thinking about resale, when I'm living in the place now and want to enjoy it the way I want it.

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Ithaca, N.Y.: previously Gburg - we just moved into a new house and need to replace a lot of furniture with smaller scale pieces. I remember comments from chatters about Pottery Barn quality but don't remember the specifics. Particularly interested in wood furniture. There aren't a lot of brick and mortar stores near here. thanks!

Jura Koncius: Pottery Barn has been adding a lot of multi=tasking pieces to its line that fit smaller spaces. Also try Ballard Designs and homedecorators.com.

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Paint Question - please help!: I love the chats and I need a paint question help. In my kitchen I have light maple cabinets, midnight blueish grey granite countertops and porcelain tile floors. I want to create a beachy feel and want to paint above and below the cabinets in a greenish aqua that would remind me of the beach but yet not on the blue side but would go with everything. I want to make a bold statement and as long as it reminds one of a cool calm day. What would you suggest? I like Behr but am open to anything! Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Let's see, a bold statement that is also calm and cool. What about Behr's Cool Jazz?

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washingtonpost.com: Trading In Trading Spaces (Post, May 29, 2003)

Jura Koncius: here it is

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Fort Washington, Md.: Which two basic interior decorating book would you recommend for the average person? What trend do you wish would die out fast?

How I pick colors... I kid you not... I find dinner plates with colors that I love. Then I decorate around with those colors in mind. I have a palette to pick from to use colors for accents or to change the mood.

Annie Groer: Great idea, if you plan to keep the dishes. And actually, designers say if you want to know what colors you should use for your interior, open your closet. Of course, that means many of us would live in totally black boxes with navy furniture.

As for books, "Downsizing Your Home With STyle" by Lauri Ward to help you declutter, even if you aren't moving to a small space, and "Color At Home" by Meg and Steven Roberts, which has great-looking rooms as well as amazing-hued interiors and exteriors.

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Hunter Douglas: We had the trios and didn't like them because they are hard to clean and get snagged. I would suggest either their vignette roman shades or their silhouette (both from hunter douglas). We love both of those.

Annie Groer: Thanks for weighing in.

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Arlington, Va.: Too much color wears me out. I need to see some restful neutrals here and there to feel comfortable and relaxed in my house.

Just the other side of the story.

Annie Groer: There's always room for the other side. I guess that's why in my own very vivid home, my bathroom is stark white -- fixtures, floor and wall tile, painted walls and ceiling, towels, shower curtain.

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Annie Groer: Thanks all, for a great chat. Remember to tell Terri about your mistakes. And if you have done something really cool with a one-room studio space, send me images and an email.

Back at you next Thursday. And don't forget to set all the clocks (including the microwave, DVD player and guest room alarm) a hour ahead Sunday morning. Yippee!! More sunlight into dusk.)

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