Home Front: Organizing Playrooms, Tile vs. Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen, Where to Put a Piano and more

Home Front is an online conversation between two Washington Post Home Section writers and their readers about the best way to feather the nest. Every week, Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza help you in your quest to achieve domestic bliss. They were online Thursday, March 12.

A transcript follows.

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

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Terri Sapienza: Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us today. We've been hearing lots of chatter today about the story we ran in today's section about keeping playrooms in order. Anyone have any thoughts or tips they care to share on this hot topic?

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Washington, D.C.: Thank you for the play area story today. We are moving soon and are using the new place as a setting to re-organize my son's toys.

What would you, or chatters, recommend for big toys? He has a few play vehicles that are too large for storage bins or shelves (i.e. a 3 foot long fire truck).

Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: So Many Toys, So Little Order (Post Home Section, March 12)

Terri Sapienza: Here's the link to the story and a good question to start things off.

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Edmond, Okla.: I need advice on the color to paint the sunroom. It is currently gray (former owners) with a rust/brown-red leopard pattern Brunschwig & Fils fabric on the daybed. Later in the year I would like to have the furniture recovered in a raspberry fabric. Is there a light green that will work now and after the furniture change?

Terri Sapienza: Hi, Oklahoma. I think light green and raspberry sounds like a great color combination for a sunroom. Martha Stewart's Valspar collection has some fantastic shades (available at Lowe's). Take a look at Pale Araucana Green, Jordan Almond and Anjou Pear.

I'm not sure how they are going to look with the current upholstery though.

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Olney, Md.: We have an open concept house (kitchen, dining room, and family room are all one BIG room). Great for living/entertaining, not so great for a 2-year-old boy and ALL his toys. Any ideas for hiding stuff in an open room where there really is no room to hide stuff?

Terri Sapienza: How about storage ottomans? Ballard Designs has a nice tufted style that you can have upholstered in one of their fabrics or one of your own. Lots of stores also carry storage cubes with soft tops, which can act as extra seating or table tops when needed.

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Pennsylvania: No question, just kudos. Loved the article on decorating in the French style. It creates such a warm look.

Also, I really enjoyed looking through all the photos of people using their fine china. My favorite pattern is the Kutani Crane by Wedgwood; glad to see someone enjoying it. The best photo was the two dogs dining out of crystal bowls -- that was priceless. Thanks for the giggle.

washingtonpost.com: French Connection (Post Home Section, March 12)

Gallery: Your Fancy China Photos

Terri Sapienza: Thanks! We love kudos...

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Bristow, Va.: I just painted our Master Bedroom BM Wilmington Tan. Love it, but I'm perplexed about what to paint the bathroom. It has tons of plain white tile that I can't change right now. The big vanity is white. I have an red/orange chair in the MBR, but I'm leaning toward blue/brown for the window treatment and bedding. Right now, I like Karaj Paisley in Mineral for the window treatment and the color antique used in Sand Castle Washed from Calico Corners. I love the color antique, but would like some kind of pattern with it that would coordinate with the Wilmington Tan. Any ideas for bedding? I have already looked in Target, Home Goods, and Kohl's, plus some places online. Any suggestions?

Terri Sapienza: Whoa... there's a lot going on in this question with mentions of fabrics I don't have in front of me, so it's difficult to offer a good, specific suggestion. However, I would say this: be happy about your white tile -- it goes with everything. And you have a red/orange chair in the room, but are leaning towards blue and brown for the bedding and window treatments? Will you be keeping the chair, too? Sounds like you need to narrow your color palette down a bit before you do anything else.

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toy rooms: We clean out the toy room before the Christmas holiday every year. Out with the old, in with the new. We tell our kids they need to give to children that are not lucky enough to get new toys. They help clean the toys and get all the parts back on, then we bag them neatly to take to Goodwill. It helps keep the clutter down.

Terri Sapienza: Yes, this is a great idea. I know a lot of people who do this exact same thing.

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Old Town Alexandria, Va.:

I am planning to replace the hardwood flooring in my kitchen with ceramic tile. My question is about color. My cabinets are cream and I have dark brownish granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Do I choose a tile color to match the cabinets or the counter tops or a combination of both? Thanks!

Terri Sapienza: Hi, Old Town. I'm curious: why are you replacing hardwood flooring? Unless you have a very compelling reason, I would recommend rethinking this decision.

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Fairfax: Posting early with a question about cleaning area rugs. I have some nice wools, 3x5 and 4x6 that I've picked up at Home Goods. I paid $50-$80 for each. Any idea what it would cost to get them cleaned and any recommendations for good cleaners?

Jura Koncius: I think the cleaning could cost you half of the cost of the rugs. You might try one of those small family run dry cleaners or a discount dry cleaning company. Are you sure they can't be laundered?

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Rockville: Hi. In my upstairs bathroom, the vanity is very outdated. On the drawers and doors, there is a rattan-like (wicker?) material. Rather than replace the entire vanity, is redoing this something I could handle? Thanks!

Terri Sapienza: can you paint it for now? Or how about having the wicker cut out of the middle of the doors (I'm assuming that's where it is) and having it replaced with glass? Not sure what the cost would be for something like that so you'd have to weigh that against just buying a new one.

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Thanks for the FLOR advice!!: I've been listening to the recommendations for ages about carpet tiles... finally did it for my basement. I love it! I got blue, grey and cream tiles and did a random checkerboard pattern, painted the walls in Behr's Opal Cream (pale butter yellow) and the 70's paneling and gold vinyl floor are a distant memory. Since this week's House Calls was for a playroom, I thought I would chime in to say the Flor tiles I have just rinsed off in the sink and dried perfectly well. No affiliation with them -- just a happy, happy parent.

Thanks for the advice!

Terri Sapienza: thanks for sharing your love of FLOR tiles. We hear this all the time from folks who use it in their basements. Some parents also use them in their dining rooms while their children are small. Glad it worked out for you. Sounds like a great color combo.

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Bowie, Maryland: I need some good "visual examples" for a Moroccan-look theme for my sunroom. Any suggestions where I can obtain these. Note: I need to be able to see the look and not just have written descriptions of how to create the look.

Thank you

Jura Koncius: "Living in Morocco: Design from Casablanca to Marrakesh" by Landt Dennis is a good source. A favorite source for Moroccan baskets is www.moroccanbaskets.com.

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Outdated vanity: If the "box" is in good condition, s/he could consider a cabinet refacing company. They re-do the outside of the cabinet and add new doors. Shouldn't be too expensive if it's just a bathroom vanity.

Jura Koncius: Thanks.

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Cleaning Area Rugs: The best rug in our house is also the dog's favorite (funny how they know). We use a little Bissell handheld steam cleaner (well under $100) about once a month... eight or nine years' worth of cleaning, and the rug still looks great.

Jura Koncius: Oh, wonderful idea. An investment in a steam cleaner is a good one if you have pets and also a lot of area rugs.

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RE: DATED VANITY: I suggest just replacing it! We have an outdated BLUE one! I've seen a nice dark color one with a granite top @ Lowe's for only $288! I plan on getting that... it comes in 31" or 24".

Jura Koncius: Good info.

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Capitol Hill, DC: love your chats, and the playroom advice has lots of other apps!

I've heard of a store in Adams-Morgan that sells old doors, etc. I'm hoping to find something classy, of solid wood, to keep with a home in the historic district. thanks!

washingtonpost.com: The Past, Polished: At the Brass Knob, The Old Is New Again (Post Home Section, Aug. 14, 2008)

Jura Koncius: Read the story that Elizabeth has kindly posted and get yourself to the The Brass Knob Back Doors Warehouse at 57 N St. NW. www.thebrassknob.com. Stacks and stacks of doors from all periods to choose from. And a great place to browse.

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piano room: We are contemplating buying an upright piano but can't figure out where we'd put it! Just curious where chatters put this item that is both big and fairly delicate (so our basement wouldn't be idea), when you have a house full of doors/windows/furnace vents on every wall.

Terri Sapienza: This is an interesting question. Can anyone chime in here?

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hardwood floors in the kitchen: I just have to put in my 2 cents here. I have Brazilian cherry hardwood in my kitchen, and, while beautiful, it is a pain to keep looking nice! Kitchens tend to produce a lot more debris than other rooms. Tile might be a welcome change in terms of maintenance.

Terri Sapienza: What's so difficult about it? I have hardwood in my kitchen and, yes, I sweep and Swiffer wet-jet often, but that's about it. I imagine it would be the same with tile, no?

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Tile vs hardwood floors: We had tile in our house in Brussels. It was cold and it was so hard my feet hurt from standing on it. While it was easy to clean, and it looked good, I was used to hardwood floors which are more forgiving. If you drop anything on tile, it breaks or dents (even heavy bottom stainless steel saucepans). Alternatively, if the tile breaks, it's far more difficult to replace.

Terri Sapienza: I totally agree. Plus, the more wood wears, the better it looks.

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Arlington: I'm looking to paint my living room/kitchen a sunny "Tuscan"-inspired color. What do you think of Perennial Gold or Ginger Palm made by The Freshaire Choice? Has anyone used that paint brand before and has feedback? Thank you!

Jura Koncius: We have never used Freshaire Choice. In Aura, Benjamin Moore's low-voc brand, Soleil is a warm stucco color.

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Ceramic tile: The poster who wanted to replace hardwood flooring in the kitchen with ceramic tile might be someone like me: lots of water spills on the floor (from the dog's water dish). I have one warning: avoid textured ceramic tiles! Get tile with a smooth surface. The textured surface always looks dirty. Scrubbing the floor on my hands and knees gets old really fast.

Terri Sapienza: I have a dog who splashes, drips and spills water on my wood floors several times a day, too. The floors still look great.

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to person replacing hardwood in kitchen: Please rethink this decision. I have a tile floor in the kitchen and really don't like it. It's very cold to the feet and unforgiving if you're standing for a long time (your back will start aching). The worst part is, if you drop something, it will almost certainly shatter whereas hardwood/linoleum absorbs some of the shock and doesn't cause stuff to break as much. My $0.02

Terri Sapienza: yes, yes, yes...

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kitchen hardwoods: I have tigerwood floors in my kitchen and absolutely love them. If anything, they are easier to keep clean than tile because all I do is sweep and Swiffer and ocassionally damp mop them and they look great. With tile there was always the problem of things getting into the grout and they never seemed clean. And the wood is so much warmer on my feet in the morning in winter!

Terri Sapienza: Okay, one more. but I think my point has been made.

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re: Piano: I'm sure lots of people will tell you this, but a piano should never be against an outside wall. It's damaging to the insides. I have mine in our living room, on a wall that was just begging for a piano and directly under a recessed light which really makes it look beautiful.

Terri Sapienza: I've never heard this - good point.

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for Moroccan design ideas: A former colleague living outside of Marrakech has a wonderful blog/website on Moroccan design. She is an artist with a fabulous interior design sense. Her husband is an architect, who has also designed furniture for their home/guesthouse. The person asking for design advice would get lots of wonderful ideas from her website. http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/

Jura Koncius: Wonderful.

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Piano: It doesn't have to sit against the wall... if you don't like the "back," put some groovy fabric on it.

Jura Koncius: Groovy.

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Loudoun County: to the rug cleaning questioner and the person recommending the steam cleaner: We have pets and definitely recommend the "spot bot" (I think it's Bissell). It's a small cleaner that can be used automatically or by hand to treat spots on carpets or even clean whole rugs. It's also great for when kids have spills.

Jura Koncius: It sounds like it is very useful.

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kitchens: Christopher Peacock was on Oprah yesterday. They had his kitchen of the year built in Oprah's studio. Just introduced him and showed a few of his kitchens.

washingtonpost.com: That's last week's guest chatter Christopher Peacock, of course!

Jura Koncius: More on Christopher Peacock who seems to be everywhere these days. We are all hunkering down more in our kitchens.

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Piano Placement: I was always told never to put the piano on an outside wall - temperature changes will harm the piano's innards. Also, I would suggest putting it in a popular room if you want it played since out of sight is often out of mind. Otherwise, if playing the piano will clash with other people trying to watch TV, etc. then you need to keep that in mind.

Jura Koncius: All good things to keep in mind.

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Outdated Vanity: I think the glass doors in a bathroom would be a nightmare since you would have to keep all the junk under there somewhat tidy. Vanities are not too expensive to replace, and I know they have TONS of them at the EXPO design center that is going out of business (I just purchased one myself).

Jura Koncius: Thank you very much.

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Old Town Alexandria Again: I wish I didn't have to replace the flooring, but the MBR and LR suffered severe water damage. My entire condo except the two baths have hardwood flooring. So, I have to replace all of the wood in all except the kitchen. The wood I have is no longer manufactured or available so it would not match what will remain in the kitchen. Also, I have found that hardwood floors, while pretty, are not practical in the kitchen. We are always getting liquid on the floor from the laundry, cooking, parties, and cleaning wood requires special cleaners. I think it would be easier to clean up ceramic than wood.

Terri Sapienza: Oh, that's terrible. Not many things worse in a house than water damage. However, if you're replacing the rest of the flooring with hardwood, why not just keep the existing wood in the kitchen and having it refinished and stained the same color as the new flooring? It wouldn't be an exact match, but it would blend in more. And, I have to completely disagree with your notion of hardwood not being practical in the kitchen. Not only is it warmer looking and easier on your feet and back than tile, but you don't have to worry about grout stains or everything breaking when dropped on it.

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Painted kitchen cabinets?: Hi -- I inherited a brand new kitchen when I bought my TH last year. Problem: I don't like the light maple raised panel cabinets--combined with the brown-y granite and new gunstock oak floors, the kitchen is REALLY brown. I am putting in a tin backsplash as I write this and appliances are SS... my question: should I paint the cabinets or the walls to reduce the brown overload? I love historic dusky green colors and more of a mission palette.

Thanks!

Jura Koncius: I would try painting the walls first. Painting newly installed light maple cabinets is a serious commitment and they were expensive. See if the wall paint change will help you get used to the look.

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Piano Placement: It could be worse. We inherited my grandfather's baby grand, and had to build an additional room on the house to put it.

In addition to keeping it away from exterior walls, take care not to place it near a window or heating/cooling unit. The swings in temperature will cause the wood to crack and the interior to, well, become hopeless out of tune and/or destroyed. And sunlight will bleach the wood.

Jura Koncius: More piano tips...

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Keeping hardwood looking good: I just had hardwood put throughout the house (except 2 upstairs bathrooms), and grew up with really cool floors in a 110 year old SF Victorian. I now use a small steam mop to clean up the floors, once every 2-4 weeks (swiffing in between). There are lots of brands, but I got a $70 Shark at Target (no affil with either) and it does a great job of getting in between the floorboards, dries almost instantly, and keeps the shine up. The mop heads are washable so I waste nothing during the cleaning, which is a nice feeling too!

Terri Sapienza: oh, great tip, thanks. I think I might need to head to Target this weekend.

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Arlington, VA: "Plus, the more wood wears, the better it looks."

Ha, you have not seen our wood floors obviously.

I'd go with linoleum or cork tiles in a kitchen, myself. Both forgiving and easy-care. We have vinyl in the kitchen and I wish we could replace it with something more eco-friendly, but on the plus side it is easy-care and very forgiving when something falls on it (including small children).

Jura Koncius: More floor opinions. This is as controversial as pot racks!

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Re: Piano: My parents have a piano that I begged them to hand down to me because I had a wall the begged for it. Now that I have it, its a PAIN to upkeep (and it gets costly). We have to have it serviced every 6 months to keep the insides in good working order (and we don't even use it that much). My advice: skip the piano unless you are a real piano player and will use it.

Jura Koncius: I agree. The piano can become an accessory display area and nothing more if you don't use it.

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Suburban Md.: Perhaps those with hardwood floors in kitchens might need to reseal them...

Jura Koncius: Perhaps.

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Basement Design Help: Any ideas for decorating a basement? We just finished ours and we are now arguing about design...my husband wants it to be a sports theme with NFL logos painted all over. I'm not for the 'football palace.' Any ideas for a happy compromise??

Terri Sapienza: Oh, you're nice. I don't think I could compromise on this. However, if you're willing to have a sports theme, I would recommend hanging sports-themed art rather than painting logos directly on the wall. You could enlarge a few favorite team logos and frame them inexpensively.

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Piano room: The chatter said there are windows, doors, or furnace vents on every wall. If the ductwork is accessible from the basement below, furnace vents can be easily relocated from the wall to the floor. I did this in my kitchen so I could put a cupboard where the wall register was.

Terri Sapienza: thanks!

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for Old Town Alexandria: While I agree with Terri that you might want to rethink replacing the hardwood in your kitchen I'd like to address your tile question. It depends on how much light the room gets, and whether you want your cabinets to get more attention or the counter to get more attention. Will matching the counters make your room too dark? If you wnat your counters to stand out vs. the cabinets, match the color of the tile to the cabs, if you want the cabinets to stand out, match the tile color to the counters. Since you're doing tile, you should also consider using both colors--perhaps one as a border or accent. As for the wood flooring, if you're worried about mositure issues, just be sure that the top finish coat or two are a durable polyurethane and it should be no problem.

Terri Sapienza: another comment about wood vs. tile in the kitchen.

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re Big Toys: How about using wall-mounted cases or shelves, with the lowest one high enough to accommodate un-binnables beneath it?

Jura Koncius: I was ecstatic when I could get rid of my son's Big Toys - those hunks of plastic that took up so much space all over the house, the basement and the garage.

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Outdated Vanity: I think the cost of replacing the rattan with glass will be way more that just getting a new vanity. If the poster wants to keep her costs down, what about painting the entire thing and covering the rattan with a pretty fabric or wallpaper?

Jura Koncius: Another vanity idea...

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Sports themed art: LeRoy Neiman prints - colorful, lots of motion, blurry enough that you're not overwhelmed by the sports theme.

Jura Koncius: Yes. They are amazingly bright and cheerful and the movement in them is very exhilarating.

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Alexandria, Va.: Hi, I'm struggling with what color to re-paint my son's bedroom. It is a lovely shade of pale yellow which looks great with the navy bedding in his room, but I would like to change it. The room does not get a lot of direct sunlight and only has one window. I would rather not use any shade of white because I like color. Any thoughts? Thanks for your thoughts.

Terri Sapienza: Well, orange is always a nice complement with navy. Not sure if I could handle this color on the walls, but you say you like color and it is for your son... I hate to suggest this, because I really don't like them, but in this case it might be a fun option that could easily be painted over in the future. How about an accent wall?

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Tile in Kitchen: I have to voice my vote for tile in the kitchen. From my experience a wood floor takes a terrible beating when chairs are pushed in and out and dragged around on a daily basis. I suspect that if there are only one or two people in the household the wood floors might fare better, but a family with kids and dogs almost demands a good tile floor.

Terri Sapienza: Okay, okay, I'll post this pro-tile in the kitchen response, but I'm still not convinced.

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Terri Sapienza: Okay, we're out of time. Thanks for joining us. Chat with you next week.

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