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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Manassas, Va.: Good Morning, I'm a little panicked because the painters are coming today at noon and they expect me to have chosen a color for my kitchen but I'm still uncertain. I am having the cabinets painted a soft white and new counters are going in that are honed absolute black extending up as the full backsplash. The floors are medium stained wood and the dining area off the kitchen is golden yellow plus the rest of the downstairs is reds, greens and yellow golden.) I was thinking of a muted green for the kitchen with red accents and a black kitchen table. Any thoughts on which greens to consider?

thanks so much for your insight!

Annie Groer: I trust you saw today's Home Section all about paint. Martha Stewart, who has a line of Valspar "Signature Colors" for Lowe's, is one of the great Queens of Greens.

Check Out Lima Been or Green Fiddlehead; both should work with your colors and really pop off the black table and counters.

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washingtonpost.com: Outside, Consider Painting Outside the Lines (Post Home Section, March 20)

Annie Groer: For those grappling with outside as well as inside....

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Tampa, Fla.: When trying to decide how high to hang artwork, I've heard that it's best viewed at eye level, about 5 1/2 feet (66 inches) from the floor. Does that mean the bottom of the piece should be at 66 inches or should the center of the piece be at 66"? Or am I just driving myself crazy with all of this?

Annie Groer: The center of the piece. But if you live in a house with especially tall or short people, adjust the art so it looks pleasing. And remember, the Victorians liked nothing better than to virtually cover their walls with pictures, so some were way high up and others a few inches off the ground.

Whatever looks best with your furniture (some chairs have unusually high backs, etc) should also be a guide.

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Jura Koncius: Good morning. The first thing we want to do is to draw your attention to our fab PAINT issue of the HOME section today. Since paint colors are a major part of our weekly discussions here, we feel like there is a lot to offer in the many articles written by the whole staff on choosing paint colors, interior and exterior choices, defining primers and finishes , paint blogs and favorite designer color choices. So pick it up today if you can or check it out online. We will post a few of the articles here.

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Jura Koncius: Sorry Annie was overeager and posted a few things before my intro. Anyway, another thing we want to post this morning is a query from Annie about how you handle cleaning in your home. Or not handle it. Anyway, we want to find tips from you on strategies for short-cuts and how to save time, since these are not beloved chores. Send in your time-saving ideas for cleaning every room of the house to home@washpost.com. Many thanks! Now, on with the show.

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washingtonpost.com: Rachel Perls' Hue Consulting blog

Jura Koncius: Check this out.

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washingtonpost.com: Kate Smith's Color For Your Home blog

Jura Koncius: And check this out too!

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Silver Spring, Md.: Good Morning Design Divas!! I'm submitting early - have a meeting during the chat. This is a color question - looking for a nice medium toned warm green for a recently remodeled kitchen. Off white cabinets, hardwood floors - tons of natural light and the best of all, Rainforest brown granite countertops (they're gorgeous). BM and Duron colors are best.

Thanks so much - love the chats!!

Jura Koncius: Patrick J. Baglino loves Guilford Green by Benjamin Moore for kitchens - see the article "Choosing a Color? Hold the Gravy" by moi in today's HOME section. We have a link for it posted.

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washingtonpost.com: Choosing a Color? Hold the Gravy. (Post Home Section, March 20)

Jura Koncius: Here are the designer favorite colors.

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Silver Spring: Hi, I really liked today's House Calls -- feng shui fascinates me, and the items recommended were affordable. We don't have an entry foyer. The entrance to our modest colonial home is located on the side, which opens up in the living room right near the stairs. Any suggestions of how to make a pleasing and functional "landing area" where we can stow bags, mail, etc.?

Annie Groer: If there is a wall by that entrance, put a narrow console table there with a piece of art or mirror over it...The table will serve as a space for mail (best captured and kept neat in a small basket), for keys and things you want to remember to take with you when you leave the house.

You can also get one of those clever two-or-three-step stair baskets to catch mail, etc, but only if your steps are wide enough to accommodate them. Check them out at www.target.com and www.ballarddesign.com

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Washington, D.C.: I loved the color feature today. I particularly liked the article by Jura on designer's favorite colors for rooms. I'm anxious to see if Nacho Cheese looks better than it sounds.

Now just a tiny bit of criticism - I'm growing tired of the blog watch column. I'd much rather see information about sales or home tours or new shops. Although I like style court and sfgirl by the bay, I know about them and read them daily. Please give me something new! Thank you!

Jura Koncius: We appreciate your opinions!!!

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Not a decorating question but a Thank you: To Jura for writing the article about Heavenly Days. I had to put my 15 year old cat down on Monday and Heavenly Days was very comforting. I especially appreciated the phone call to let me know they had picked up my cat from my vet's office and that he was "safe" with them.

washingtonpost.com: A Pet Owner's Final Choice (Post Home Section, Feb. 28)

Jura Koncius: Oh. That is so heartwarming. I am so sorry about your cat. It is such a painful experience. Thank you for writing in. Are you going to get another cat? That is always the question...

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Silver Spring: Hello, we are preparing to paint a nursery bedroom in preparation for our first child. I hear that color choice has a huge impact on babies. The folly green suggested by Sheila Bridges seems a little bright and harsh for a baby... any advice or tips on how to select a color? We were thinking of a leaf green -- something on the soft/lighter side -- because the room is up high and feels like a treehouse. (We definitely don't feel the need to douse everything in pink or blue.)

Annie Groer: Hooray, no gender-driven nursery paint. The color you seem to want is the color that's just beginning to pop on weeping willow leaves...it is incredibly soft and happy-making. Check out Benjamin Moore's Classic Colors for Calming Aloe or the slightly darker (but not by much) Crisp Green.

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Need to order floors ASAP!: So please take my question! Has anyone used the new Ikea Balk engineered wood flooring? Thoughts? My other option is an American cherry engineered -- the specs warn that American cherry will darken with light exposure. Am I likely to end up with splotchy marks where the light from the windows hits the floor? Thanks so much!

Jura Koncius: Ikea shoppers. Can you help this poster?

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Alexandria, Va.: I'm re-doing my kitchen this summer and need paint help (of course). The house has an Asian influence and the majority of that floor of the house is RL's Oatmeal (which I think is the perfect shade of beige, which I'm surprised never gets suggested here!), with one wall of Behr's Luscious, and a stairwell wall that continues into the kitchen in Glidden's (??) Vanilla Milkshake (perfect for Terry's bad color choice story!). I was thinking a pale green with an Italian influence, but am wondering what shade and if the two influences will crash mightily. Do you have a green, or should I continue with the Vanilla Milkshake?

Also, one of you mentioned having Marmoleum - where around here did you get it? Thanks and LOVE the column!!!

Jura Koncius: Marmoleum is available at Eco-Green Living, 1469 Church St. NW. www.eco-greenliving.com.

Why not try a very pale green. What about Pantone's Lime Cream or Farrow and Ball's Green Ground.

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Washington, D.C.: Great paint issue! Do you have any suggestions of paint colors for a small bathroom with the old-fashioned black and white tile? Our white paint seems rather cold and institutional, but I can't think of colors that would work with it. Suggestions of shower curtains would help too. I like the Marimekko patterns but I can't justify spending $60 for a shower curtain.

Thank you!

Annie Groer: Price Marimekko fabric by the yard. It may be cheaper. You need 6'x6' for a standard curtain, and another few bucks for a grommet kit to make those metal-ringed holes. Or check Ikea for vibrant 'mekko-esque wannabes, and get some matching towels and a rug. Once you've introduced large fields of color, the white may not look so cold.

If you want to have color -- and with black and white you can go blue, yellow, green, pink or even red or gray --make sure your shower curtain has a hint of it to tie everything together.

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White kitchen needs some help!: Good morning home experts! I would like to paint the walls in my kitchen and could use your color advice. The cabinets are painted bright white and there is white linoleum floor, white appliances, and white laminate counter. If possible, I would like the paint to take away from all of these boring white THINGS, but nothing too contemporary or wild. Do you think I should go with bold colors and some tile for backsplash? This is a quick fix until I get enough saved for a better redo.

Jura Koncius: Well, you have to decide since you have the ultimate neutral backdrop if you want to go BOLD or just something subtle. You can then bring in color in your counter small appliances, towels, curtains, etc. For a pale color, Benjamin Moore's Dark Linen (very very pale green) or Pale Oats (pale apricot) would be nice choices. If you want bold, what about a blue and white kitchen using BM's Blueberry or Down Pour Blue?

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Fun story idea: I'd love to see pictures of people who used your color suggestions (to the tee, brand and shade). I admit, the one time I asked about paint color, I ended up not going with it. Hubby didn't like it and I wasn't sure how mustard yellow in a bathroom would work with makeup.

Jura Koncius: We will speak to our producers. Always listen to hubby's views - good strategy.

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Arlington, Va: Hello ladies. I live in Arlington - where is a good local place to get my couch cushions re-cushioned? They are a bit soft these days.

Not too worried about expense, there are only a couple of them.

Jura Koncius: Try American Foam Center 800-241-3626 in Fairfax.

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Sussex, N.J.: I was just reading the transcript of the 2/28 chat (somehow I had printed it out and put it aside), and you had asked if anyone had dark baseboards or trim.

As we've been redoing our house one room at a time (kitchen, DR, foyer, now LR), we've been replacing the 4" baseboard with 7" and painting it and all the trim and doors with BM's Bittersweet Chocolate in a semi-gloss. It's absolutely stunning with any color (we've used Citron's Lemon Bar, TCOS (an olive green), and Lantana (golden yellow) and BM's Douglas Fir and Sweet Orange) and everyone who sees it loves it. I even painted half of a DR wall in it. It's as dramatic as black, yet not at all scary. My husband and I are in love with this color!

Jura Koncius: Drama is good.

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Painting my fireplace in Takoma Park: Hi, I loved today's paint color issue. I am thinking of painting my fireplace mantel and brick. It is a traditional mantel, painted white. The brick is smoke-stained and rather sad-looking. I might leave the mantel white, and paint the brick the same color as the wall (a nice looking taupe-beige). Do you think this would look good, or do you have other suggestions?

Jura Koncius: Sure. Stained brick is ugly to look at.

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Alexandria, Va.: Good morning! My husband and I close on our first home tomorrow! We are so excited to paint and decorate. We have a large combination living room/dining room. The floor has a neutral carpeting. We plan to get a dark wood dining room table, and we have a red sofa set. What color would look best on the wall? I was thinking a neutral tan/brown but I don't know where to start! I've never had color before and this is a large room!

Annie Groer: Neutral tan/brown would work, of course (Behr's Riviera Sand or the way browner Fig. But so would a sagey green such as Aqua Smoke or the lighter Water Mark.

Take the advice of today's featured paint pro, Kate Smith, and buy some Tru-Hue Color Test Board, which mimics wall surface. Paint a very large section and test it in various part of the room in daylight and artificial light to see how it looks.

Sure beats putting swaths of paint all over your walls.

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Indianapolis, Ind.: Any rule of thumb for width of overhead light bar above one bathroom sink? Replacing old fixture - ugly 8-bulb wooden bar. One sink in wide vanity cabinet that fills inset wall. Would 3 light 24" fixture work?

Annie Groer: It would, indeed. And put the light on a dimmer switch so you can go from surgical-theater bright to very soft and moody.

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Bowie, Md.: So I'm finally going to get the laundry room I want. Got white appliances and will have a white ceramic floor. Paint color suggestions, preferably from BM? I'm thinking pumpkin or some kind of brown. Should I try for a different color floor instead of the white ceramic? Thanks

Jura Koncius: A white ceramic floor is a nice crisp choice for a laundry room. It sounds like a great new space to make the chore of washing clothing a bit more enjoyable. Soft Pumpkin by Benjamin Moore is a longtime favorite of designers. Toffee Orange would also be nice. Enjoy!

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Chevy Chase: I have MDF (pressed wood) white cabinets, probably from the 1980s. To save money, I'm planning to keep them when I have the kitchen redone. Is having them painted (professionally) a really bad idea? There are a LOT of cabinets in my small kitchen, and other than the fact that they are ugly, they are extremely functional and well-placed. It just seems so wasteful to rip them out and replace them.

Jura Koncius: I think painting them would be a mistake, personally. Just live with them until you have the money to replace them.

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Drowning in Neutrals: I just bought a place that has new beige carpet and newly painted beige walls throughout the house. I love that it's all neutral and nothing needed to be replaced, but now I'm drowning in beige! I'd like to purchase dark wood furniture, a cream colored couch for the living room (much lighter than the carpets and walls), and red accessories (wall hangings, pillows, table lamp). Should I use an additional color to liven it up? I don't want to overdo it, but I don't want it to look bare either. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: It would be nice to throw in a third color. A dark brown or tan would be a nice choice. Pillows in red and chocolate brown would be modern looking.

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Silver Spring: Oh great Gurus... I'm about to do something either very very funky fun or very very wrong. I've a standard elongated guest bathroom (bath and toilet lined up opposite small sink) with the door at one end and a tall blank wall at opposite end. Tiled walls (3/4 height) are pale beigey-grey with light grey trim tiles.

Anyway, I'm enamored with the idea of a five-foot framed copy of Steinlen's Le Chat Noir on that blank end wall -- but what to paint and curtain with?

The bath is off a bright yellow hall that opens into a dark lime-green dining room... so this will either be GREAT or AWFUL!

Annie Groer: Yikes, you may want to rethink Le Chat if only because of the tile color. Too much going on in there, methinks.

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Annandale, Va.: Dear Annie and Jura,

Look forward to these chats every week. Never miss one. I am in the process of having my "dated" bathroom done over. I currently have pink tub and tile surround I want to change. Tub is solid cast iron. I can't decide on whether to get a new Americast tub or have it refinished (Miracle Method Surface Restoration). Do you or any of the chatters out there know anything about this refinishing method? Any suggestions or ideas will be greatly appreciated. I cannot make up my mind on this and it is holding up the whole process. Thank you.

Annie Groer: My instinct is to keep that cast iron tub and perhaps have it reglazed. Anyone out there want to weigh in. We get this question periodically? I had a faded, grotty old white tub I had reglazed white and it looks good.

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Centreville, Va.: Good Morning! Love your chat! I'm looking for a nice "white" for the woodwork and doors throughout the house. Our walls are mostly blues, greens and yellow. Behr would be good. Also, are there any good choices for area rugs besides wool? I love the beautiful wool rugs but I'm so allergic. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: Don't shy away from nylon rugs - they do wear well - and there is also seagrass or sisal.

Check out our designer paint article today - we linked to it earlier - for trim choices of two designers. Benjamin Moore's Simply White is a popular choice for trim.

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Mr. Sandless: Hi Annie/Jura!

I hope that you ladies are having a great week. My husband and I were at a condo conference a few weeks back and there was a company there called Mr. Sandless. They refinish hardwood floors. Have you or any of my fellow posters ever heard of them or used them? Would like some feedback before we commit.

Annie Groer: Other than knowing that it is a franchise operation in the US and Canada, I've no experience with the company at all.

So if any of you know good or bad things, pipe up. We can all use a little education.

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Atlanta, Ga.: I need help with a rug choice and wall color. I have a soft red-colored sofa along with two chairs that are beige with a big red poppy/green leaf print. I've got oak floors and medium-brown coffee and end tables. Should I do brown walls? And I can't think of any kind of rug except brown to go with this red/beige/green scheme.

Jura Koncius: We would do the walls in a rich tan color, not chocolate brown. It might be too overpowering. A textured, tweedy tan rug would be nice, or maybe sisal with a brown edging.

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re: I hear that color choice has a huge impact on babies.: I think their point was that it does NOT. Infants can't even perceive color, just black and white, which is why a lot of early toys are bright contrast black and white zebra patterns. Ease up, the color you paint your kid's wall is not going to affect his life. At. All.

Annie Groer: Thanks. And I'm a big fan of black and white rooms for babies, with lots of bright colored toys, etc.

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washingtonpost.com: Talking About Color (Post Home Section, March 20)

Jura Koncius: Here is another part of our color package in today's HOME section for all you paint people out there.

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Chicago, Ill.: Man, do I love talking about paint colors. One book I didn't see your articles mention today is "Choosing Colors: An Expert Choice of the Best Colors to Use in Your Home" by Kevin McCloud. I love this book and I flip through it even when I'm not choosing paint colors, just because the photographs are so beautiful. He chose photos of real people's homes, and a lot of them are old and European. At the end of the book is an index telling you what BM and SW paint colors match up best to the colors in the photos. It's a lovely book, and his commentary is excellent too.

Annie Groer: Thanks. We're always happy to note a helpful resource.

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Rockville: I have a question on backsplashes... I have a green tiled backsplash (hate it - came with the house) and want it gone. Will I have to replace the drywall if I bust out the tile?

Anyone done something like this?

Annie Groer: Depends on what's behind the tile. The drywall could be nasty and old, in which case you'd want to replace it in that space (perhaps using what is called green-wall that is more moisture-resistant). If you remove the tiles carefully and it looks okay, you'll just have to sand the surface and retile. You just won't know till you get in there and look.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Just finished reading the entire Home Section on paint, but still haven't found the answer to my question. I have decided to paint the walls of my family room addition a rich, vibrant red. I have no doubt I will find the color I want. What I want to know is what brand of paint will give me the best coverage for red over white walls? I don't expect one-coat coverage, but I'd like to avoid the 4-plus coats my daughter had to use with Ralph Lauren paint in a similar situation.

Also, the room has two walls of windows facing south and west. What brand of paint will give me the least fading? A recent Consumer Reports article seemed to suggest that good coverage and fade resistance were mutually exclusive.

Jura Koncius: Although it costs more a gallon, Farrow and Ball is a favorite of designers and has been something used in English country homes since the 1930s. Those homes aren't repainted often and the colors take a beating from cold and heat and sun, but this paint brand is said to hold up very well. Rectory Red would be a nice choice. This paint brand is known as going on thick and being easy to apply.

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Re: Reglazing tub and tile: We had our tub and all the tile in the bath (about 1/2 up on all 4 walls) reglazed white from a company called Porcelite out of MD. We loved it - looked like original white tile. (it had been maroon and a dark speckled beige). We then painted the walls a bright light blue for an oceany feel.

Annie Groer: Maroon and speckled beige? Bleccchh!!! Good move all around. Thanks for the testimonial.

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More Cushions: OK, how about in DC?

Arlington, Va: Hello ladies. I live in Arlington - where is a good local place to get my couch cushions re-cushioned? They are a bit soft these days.

Not too worried about expense, there are only a couple of them.

Jura Koncius: Try American Foam Center 800-241-3626 in Fairfax.

Jura Koncius: Is Fairfax too far for you??? We don't have something in DC. Does anyone else?

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Cherry will darken with light exposure: Although you may get some darker areas if they are in full-sun at all times, what I've found is that when you lift your rugs, you'll have pale squares where the rugs used to be.

I've got bookcases of this wood, and end up with a negative-shadow of the book stacks on the shelving.

think suntan and bathing suit...

Annie Groer: Thanks.

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Blinds: Other than Next Day Blinds, are there other stores out there chatters have used with success? The name Budget Blind scares me because it sounds cheap. Would like to know of others' experiences. I am in the market for woven bamboo, matchstick or similar. Thanks in advance.

Jura Koncius: We have not used Budget Blinds. Has anyone out there?

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My new round dining room: Hi, I am moving into a new apartment that has a 10'x10' round dining room - it's really neat! I'm going to get a round dining table and I'm wondering what shape rug to get. Also round or another shape to break it up? Or do I go for a rectangular table with a round rug? The room is only 10'x10' so I'm not sure that will work. Thanks!

Jura Koncius: That's so funny. I actually have an 11-by-11 square dining room myself. I have a square rug and a round dining table. It has several leaves that I can use to turn it into an oval. If you use a round table, I might be tempted to use a rectangular rug.

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Chicago, Ill.: A different opinion - I love the links to decorating blogs. I always check them out.

Jura Koncius: We LOVE opinions. Thanks.

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Capitol Hill: I need a 2' by 6' slab of limestone or marble to put on the unfinished top of a Japanese Tansu chest. No installation, just plop it on top. Do you recommend any stone suppliers?

Annie Groer: Check out Granite Outlet - www.graniteforless.com - which las locations in Rockville and Alexandria or Marble Systems www.marblesystems.com in Fairfax. You want such a small piece you may be able to get a deal on a leftover.

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re: MDF Cabinets: Why wouldn't you paint them? The poster doesn't want to replace them now, and a fresh coat of paint is usually the most common prescription 'round here.

Annie Groer: True. And the "greenest" thing we can do is use what we've already got rather than remove and replace.

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Alexandria: Hey ladies,

What is that big furniture store with a lot of different brands out in the Chantilly/Dulles area? I can't remember and a Google search doesn't show anything. Thank you!

Jura Koncius: Could it be Belfort Furniture in Dulles. www.belfortfurniture.com. 703-406-7600.

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washingtonpost.com: CertainTeed's ColorView site

Annie Groer: Try this site...

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Alexandria: That link you gave to "Designers' Favorite Colors" seems to only be an introduction to a story, and doesn't include the 12 designers and their colors. Can you post a link to the rest of it?

washingtonpost.com: Et voila, here you can see some of those color choices! Designers' Favorites (Post Home Section, March 20)

Jura Koncius: OOPS!! Sorry. Here it is.

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Alternatives to Pottery Barn: Sorry for the multiple postings, I keep getting an error message. I am looking for furniture similar to Pottery Barn/Crate and Barrel but a little cheaper. I liked Storehouse, but they are gone. I'm in NYC, so stores local to DC won't work. Also, I think Pottery Barn's quality has gone way down lately. I was pleasantly surprised by Ethan Allen's furniture and plan to buy an outrageously expensive bed from them, but I can't afford to furnish my entire house with their items.

washingtonpost.com: Thanks for letting us know about the error message - we're checking it out...

Annie Groer: Yes, Ethan Allen is making a concerted drive to be considered hip, or at least, hipper. If there a West Elm in NY, check it out. It may have what you want.

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Fairfax, Va.: My 3-year-old is dying to redo her room now that she is a big girl. I went a little overboard on the nursery decor, so she's right in feeling things are a little babyish. Since we are celebrating her big girl status (yea for potty training!) I want to indulge her request but also avoid doing this every few years. Do you have some suggestions on how to decorate a room for a little girl in a way that can grow with her?

Jura Koncius: If you buy solid white, or wood furniture, you can change the accessories and sheets and comforter as your daughter grows up. Stores like Target have great sort of little girl and tween decor that you can pick up without spending a fortune.

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Babies' colors: My cousin, who has a Master's in Special Ed, did her first daughter's room in primary colors/black and white because it stimulates babies, blah, blah, blah. Daughter number two got a lavender and pastel room. Go figure.

Jura Koncius: Go figure is right. Wonder what colleges they will go to.

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Art help: Hi Ladies! I recently bought a condo. The LR/DR combo is not very big and is open to the kitchen, so I did Behr's Arabian Sands on all of walls, except the center wall in the DR area. I painted that one a dark red Behr color - I forget it's name, but it's like a dark ruby red. Anyway, on that wall I hung a painting of red, yellow, and orange poppies on a beige background. I'm stumped as to what to hang on the wall above my sofa. I want something that goes with the poppies, but I don't want to drown in flowers. Any suggestions?

Annie Groer: Try a grouping of four or six small abstracts in the living room that contain the vivid colors you want. Stores like HomeGoods and Great Indoors have a wide selection.

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Baby nursery: Hi, I posted the question about paint colors for a baby nursery. Willow tree green sounds perfect. I will check to see if the brands you suggested are VOC-free... how important do you think it is to use VOC-free paint, and is it super expensive?

Jura Koncius: It doesn't cost much more at all. And all Benjamin Moore paints are available in the AURA brand which is low voc...

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MDF cabinets again: I'm the MDF cabinet owner -- why is painting them a bad idea? Will the paint not stick? One contractor seemed to think it was possible. I would actually like to keep the cabinets if possible, not even replace them later, since they are very good cabinets other than the way they look.

Is there some technical problem I should be aware of?

Jura Koncius: I guess Annie and I differ here. I am not a fan of painting fiberboard because I don't think it ever looks quite right. But if you are set on freshening them up, then that might be your choice.

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Painting my fireplace in Takoma Park: First -- to get the smoke stains off brick, just scrub with dishwasher soap and a scrub brush. You'll have to rinse it off well, and it makes a big mess (lots and lots of newspapers on the floor!)... but it works!

(and those same stains will bleed through the paint too)...

I wanted to bring some pretty ugly fireplace brick into some sort of harmony with my living room, so I diluted the wall paint, and sponged it on. I could make it as transparent or opaque as I wished, and it did the trick.

And thank you for today's House Calls... wish there was more information on that great storage solution in the back of the drawing!

Jura Koncius: Great. Thanks for your comments.

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Is blue bad for a dining room?: when I saw the article with the favorite paints, I thought the blue for the living room would be great for my dining room. My coworker told me blue isn't used in dining rooms because it isn't appetizing. Have either of you heard this? I rarely eat in my dining room and I could stand to lose a few pounds before summer so maybe this isn't a bad idea but I thought I would check with the experts!

Jura Koncius: I think that might be something someone came up with as another weight loss tip...

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To paint kitchen cabinets or not...: So why do you argue against painting cabinets? I wonder because on HGTV they are always painting cabinets when doing low cost renovations. I am thinking of painting my kitchen cabinets because they are the cheapo oak finish ones from Home Depot and I can't afford to renovate the kitchen. Right now I have oak cabinets, beige counters, and black and white appliances. Add in the baby blue walls and it's a mess. I was thinking white cabinets and a sagey or olivey green on the walls would make it a lot better...

Jura Koncius: I'm not against painting cabinets, just fiberboard.

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For red...: Don't forget a good primer! Could be why your daughter needed 4 coats of paint...

Jura Koncius: True. We have an article on primers in today's PAINT issue...

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Re: Good reds: We painted our daughter's nursery a Pratt and Lambert red. Not sure of the exact color, but it's a deep, rich, vibrant, very red, red (it's been a few years). Everyone told us it would make our kid angry - she's not (at least yet). We primed with a dark red and then I think used 3 coats. We've since used BM Aura paint to paint our dining room in Salsa Dancing and our powder room in Geranium (both sort of orangy red colors) and used 2 coats, no primer, minimal touchups.

Jura Koncius: Wow!

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Millersville, Md.: Any suggestions on how to refinish wrought iron? We have a rail in the backyard that has clearly seen better days. Thanks!

Annie Groer:

This conversation came from www.finishing.com, a Website of the finishing industry. Hope it helps...

This is fairly simple if labor intensive.

1. Wash clean

2. Remove heavy rust with a wire brush

3. Lightly sand painted areas and sand rusty areas until clean metal is visible. Try to "feather" into the rusty areas so they will not show as a low spot in the paint. 5. Clean off any sanding residues.

4. Using a metal primer, spot prime the rusty areas. It may be necessary to build up thickness if some areas are noticeably lower than the surrounding paint.

5. Prime full area.

6. Paint with a suitable paint. Materials such as Rustoleum will help retard formation of new rust.

Gene Packman

- Syosset, NY

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I was told to use an oil based primer before painting my outside wrought Iron railing, so I went to the store and picked up primer however when I completed priming the railings it was only then that I realized that I had been using an interior oil based primer. My question is, being that I live in the northeast , is that primer going to be ok once I paint over that?, or should I paint over with another coat of exterior primer over it before painting.

John McGinty

- Harrison, N.J., U. S.A

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September 13, 2006

If you don't want to be doing this again in another year, have someone remove the rail to have it sand blasted and powder coated.

Scott Davis

- Spanish Fork, Utah, USA

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Boston, Mass.: What do you think of wall murals? I have a moderate size guest bedroom with two windows that look directly at the neighbor's wall less than 10 ft away. So the curtains will always remain closed. I'm thinking of putting a large wall mural of a flower or water drop (looking at Graham and Brown's) on the bare opposite wall. Would it be too much? I want to paint the walls blue or blue/grey and have navy silk drapes.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: It would be a bold statement but why not?

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Hagerstown, Md.: I'm a slow painter and I'd like to be able to pick up a brush, paint on a wall for a while, and then put things away for the next day. But when you do that, you can always see the join. Is there any paint that minimizes the joins where you apply fresh paint next to dry? This would be a wall paint, flat or matte, white. Thanks for your advice. Great topic today!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Wow. I've never heard of anything like that. Do we have any painters online today???

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re: big girl's room: What about a wall color that will grow with her (green or blue or yellow) and those wall decals that keep getting mentioned? They seem not too expensive and easy to replace when they get outgrown. But don't give her total say over paint color - at 8 I passionately wanted two walls pink and two walls teal. Glad my parents vetoed! Also, art is easily changed - princess framed posters switch more easily than princess wallpaper.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Excellent suggestion about the framed art... And pale green or pale yellow is a great backdrop for growing up, that's for sure. Pink can get on your nerves after a while.

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Arlington, Va.: Looking to paint sun-filled galley kitchen with white cabinets, white-ish linoleum floor, and stainless steel appliances. Countertops are currently white but will likely be re-done with something darker (probably with black-ish tones). The challenge is that the dining room, adjacent to the kitchen and separated by a swinging door, is painted with a darker lilac color on the top half of walls and light lavender on the bottom half. I'd like something in the kitchen to complement these lovely colors - any ideas? Have picked up numerous paint swatches from Lowe's and HD but have not found any possibilities. With so much white in the kitchen, seems I need some strong color to balance, but don't want to clash with the shades of purple. Thanks - you gals are fabulous!

Annie Groer: More of the same, I say, but even lighter than the light lavender. You can have green accents and feel as if you're in Provence.

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RE: Is blue bad for a dining room?: I've seen this mentioned on lots of design shows. The theory is that blue is calming and soothing, so it encourages relaxation rather than eating and lively conversation.

But if you like blue, I say use blue!

Annie Groer: I, too. I have seen d/rooms painted everything from gloss black to red to rich brown. If it works for you, do it. And bon appetit!

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Washington, D.C.: Our bedframe is getting increasingly creaky. It's not old... purchased new about three years ago. Do you have any suggestions for quieting down a noisy wooden bed? Is this a job for WD40?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Do you mean the metal part that holds the boxspring or the wooden part of your bed frame?? WD40 could be good. If the mattress is only three years old, it shouldn't be sagging yet.

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Nursery painter: Will the right paint colors help me get my infant into Harvard? Never too soon to get a leg up on the competition!

No seriously, I just wanted a soothing color for the baby...but if they can't perceive color, then I'll make it soothing for the adults. So leaf green it is!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Harvard Crimson might be a good choice!

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Pottery Barn person again: I hate West Elm so much! Shoddy and ugly furniture. I can't believe how difficult it is to find decent looking furniture for a moderate price - I don't want cheapo Ikea stuff but there's very little middle ground. Crate and Barrel's lower-end stuff is ok (CB2) but a bit too modern for me. I guess since I'm in NY I should just pound the pavement and I hope I get lucky!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: I see what you mean. Ballard Designs has nice stuff and they are starting to open stores, other than that it is online only. Don't discount JC Penney. They have the Chris Madden collection of furniture and are adding American Living, which is designed by a division of Ralph Lauren.

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Blue Dining room: I grew up in a colonial house with a blue dining room and we still ate too much! However, I have some cobalt blue bowls and I don't find it appetizing to eat out of them. So I think it's ok for walls, but not for china!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Hmmm.

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Richmond, Va.: Blue "unappetizing"? No way! First of all, I have no intention of licking my walls, so I don't care if they're appetizing or not.

Seriously, who saw the movie "Chocolat"? It was sensual, appetizing, invigorating, soothing. The walls in her chocolate shop were turquoise blue. So there! Blue IS appetizing. (plus, we should paint our walls whatever color grabs us, not what our coworker thinks is appetizing or not.)

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Yeah!

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Tenleytown: Hi Ladies -- chatters frequently ask about reglazing, which I would like to do in my bathrooms, but I'm wondering: can floor tiles be reglazed? Even if I have the wall tiles reglazed, the floors in my bathrooms are really hideous. Thanks!

Annie Groer: Blane at Tub Solutions says no, it requires too many coats and simply will not work when sprayed on.

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Blue for dining rooms: It's true, when franchise restaurants pick decorating colors they almost never go with blue, because it doesn't stimulate the appetite. This is because there aren't many blue foods. A lot of franchise restaurants pick paint colors and combinations that include red, yellow (McDonalds anyone), orange, brown, etc.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Brown foods. French fries. Chicken nuggets. Fried chicken. Yum.

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Sandblasting and powder coating: Check w/your friendly neighborhood auto body shop. They may be able to do that for you. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: True.

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Rockville, Md.: Ladies, you've never steered me wrong before so I'm counting on you: We're painting the baby's nursery light yellow (something like Benjamin Moore's Lemon Sorbet) and it's coming down to the wire for us to buy a crib and other furniture. The question is: Do we go with natural wood (something in the warm hazelnut family) or painted white wood? My first inclination was natural wood crib and furniture, but now I'm worried it will sort of clash with the lemon yellow. Do you think white crib/furniture would go better with the paint color? Thanks so much!!!

Annie Groer: Go with your feeling. It will be fine.

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Richmond: Do you know anything or have any experience with Sally Fretwell paints? I am intrigued by the idea of someone who is willing to come to my house to help with the color selection, and also like the fact that the paints are low VOC. Thanks.

Annie Groer:

Anyone?

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Bethesda, Md.: We are trying to keep our cat in the lowest level of our split-level house (family room). We want to preserve the open feel. At the bottom of the stairs, we are considering a glass wall and door, similar to what is used in commercial spaces. We would love any opinions or advice. Who could we contact for this? Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: It sounds very dramatic. But how will you keep people - or your cat - from crashing into it by mistake!

Is there any way you can keep your cat in another space and put in a cat door or something?

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Other than Next Day Blinds: I used Window Van Go when I lived in the Baltimore area... not sure if they're down here or not. But I was very happy with them. In my current house, I used Next Day Blinds which are fine. But overall, I was happier with Window Van Go.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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Blinds!!: Hope I can get this in in time. I've been very happy with the blinds I ordered from SelectBlinds.com. They came quickly, just like I ordered, and were much cheaper than custom elsewhere. They will send you free samples and a coupon (but they also seem to always be advertising "25%" off anyway).

Oh, and 2 weeks after I had them up, my 70 pound dog broke the strings. I called to beg for some new string, and they sent me a new blind!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Great suggestion. Thanks.

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Bedframe: Tighten the screws.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Duh. Why didn't I think of that!

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Annapolis, Md.: Thanks for the very interesting paint issue today. It was disappointing, however, to see absolutely no coverage made of the low-VOC/no-VOC issue. This is something on a lot of our minds as we choose paints these days and there is a lot of information out there, much of it contradictory. I've read everything from "voc doesn't matter" to "commercial low/no voc paints aren't any better than traditional and you need to use basically organic paints" to everywhere in between. It would have been great to have seen some discussion of it in today's section, at least in the comparison of the different brands and in the primer article. Any chance a follow-up can be done on this?

Annie Groer: That's a very good idea, and we did consider including it, but the fact is, as you can tell from this paint-driven chat, there are enough topics out there for a book.

We will definitely visit this topic; we've written bits and pieces but a larger story is certainly in order. Thanks for bringing it up.

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One More on Painting MDF: Would-be MDF painters should also keep in mind that the result they get will depend a lot on the material that the MDF is covered with. This can greatly affect whether the paint will "stick" as well as how it will look when you're done.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Good thought.

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Empty bathroom corner: We have a really small bathroom. Currently in the area between the commode and the pedestal sink, we have a chrome shelf unit. I'd like something a little more substantial. Due to space issues, it can't be too deep. I saw a small shabby chic table a few weeks ago that was no more than 24 inches deep and less than 30 inches wide. Should I have grabbed it?

Annie Groer: In a word, yes. But keep your eyes peeled for shelves in those dimensions so you can have some storage.

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Painting cabinets: I had a mishmash of kitchen cabinets... wood, MDF, etc. I smoothed the MDF with finishing compound and sanding before priming. I did replace the doors... Ikea sells just doors, and theirs are painted ... and had the final paint mixed to match.

Lots of work, but very very less expensive than new cabinets!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We're out of time. And to celebrate our paint issue, it seems we did spend a lot of time talking about paint today. We want to wish everyone a happy Spring and we thank you for any spring cleaning tips you can send in to us at home@washpost.com. See you next week!

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