Home Front: Design ideas from Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza with interior designer Sheila Bridges
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Jura Koncius: Sheila's got tons of great ideas so let's go.
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Living room furniture to go with existing curtains: Just closed on a house yesterday, the previous owner left their to the floor red curtains, walls are light camel color. I love the dramatic color. As a color challenged person, what color sofa/loveseat should I be looking for (just moved back from overseas, where we picked up dark rose wood coffee table, but have nothing to sit on!)
Sheila Bridges: It will give you a lot more flexibility down the road. You can always add brightly colored pillows (or a throw) to your new sofa as well as accessorize with things to tie in the red color that is in the draperies.
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Sheila: How long did you have the idea for the Harlem Toile de Jouy design before you were able to bring manufacturer's on board?
Sheila Bridges: I designed Harlem Toile for myself initially and even had it manufactured on my own before I was able to bring anyone else on board.
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Upholsterer?: I love the style of an old wooden chair that's been in the family for years. It is in dire need of reupholstering and restaining but I have no idea where to take it. Can you or the chatters recommend someone? I'm in southern Montgomery County. Thanks!
Jura Koncius: You might try American Hardwoods, 9160 Brookville Rd., Silver Spring. 301 588-0363. Do you all have other places to suggest?
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Question for Sheila: Sheila, I saw your Harlem Toile de Jouy wallpaper in a Domino magazine years ago, and fell in love instantly. I have always dreamed of designing a whole room around it, but due to budget issues, never got the chance. Now I am moving to a new house and absolutely cannot wait to have the opportunity to use some of your designs. I see in your bio below that you have items for Anthropology and Bed Bath and Beyond, are these available in the D.C. area?
Sheila Bridges: Working on a bunch of new things. Check on my website from time to time www.sheilabridges.com to see our new designs.
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Floors: I have satin finish hardwood floors in the living room and dining room on one side of my house. I am redoing the floors on the other side - front door entrance, hallway to kitchen and small den. I need flooring that is durable and will handle the traffic. Should I continue with the same flooring as the living room and dining room? Help!
Terri Sapienza: If it's within your budget, I think you should continue with the hardwood floors.
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Bedroom rug: Love your style Sheila! Planning to get a Dash and Albert blue and white striped rug for my bedroom. Am wondering if I should go with a 9x12 or two rugs - a 4x6 and a 6x9. Going with two rugs is less expensive and allows me to cover the areas I wanted covered but could make the room look chopped up. A 9x12 might look more pulled together but much of the rug would sit under the bed (no dust ruffle though). Your advice?
Sheila Bridges: I LOVE Dash and Albert rugs. It's ok for part of the rug to be under the bed.
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Follow you on Twitter!: Jura, with all the Facebook, Twitter updates, and these chats, it seems you're working all the time. And the articles you still write. But your editors will be pleased, i have taken note of all the invitations to find more more more on washingtonpost.com and twitter and facebook and postpoints, and have dropped my print subscription. I liked the Home Section when it was big and beautiful, I find Local Living disorganized and cluttered. It is trying to be too much to too many readers, I am insulted by reprints of chats and articles from the weekly gazette. Perhaps they do not care that this turns all of us off., while reminding us that 'more' is online not in the outdated paper we paid for. So please tell your bosses they have gotten what they wanted, a Web only reader to follow post.com content and reporters wherever they appear, except on the printed page.
Jura Koncius: Wow. I don't know who you are, but you have been very candid about your view of our new journalism here. I'm so glad you are following me on Twitter (shameless plug for all the rest of you please sign up at www.twitter.com and then follow @jurakoncius) I am sorry you are not pleased with some of the other changes. Local Living has been a very successful new product for the Post and we have lots of home furnishings ads you wont' see anywhere else. I am sorry you dropped your print subscription. And I do hope you give us another chance.
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Area Rugs: I am moving into a new house where the entire first floor has an open floor plan with hardwood floors. I was wondering what to most people do with their area rugs in situations like these? My furniture is all white/cream or wood, so I normally like to bring in colors and patterns through the rugs and accessories, but do I need to have matching rugs in the living and dining rooms? What about the kitchen? I would like for them to be different but coordinate somehow, but I am having a hard time finding three rugs that are different, but similar. Any ideas?
Terri Sapienza: One solution would be to get sisal rugs with different trim colors for each space. Another suggestion: take a look at Dash & Albert (www.dashandalbert.com). Their rugs are colorful and affordable and they would provide a nice consistency in your home without having to match.
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An adult shade of pink: Hi, I have a nanny moving in, and when I suggested that I would repaint her suite, she said she would like pink. She is in her late 20s. Can you suggest a pink shade that is not too young. Furniture is white and floors are dark hardwood. There are two windows, but not a lot of light. Thanks!
Jura Koncius: Pink is a fun, uplifting color especially for a nanny suite! I love Benjamin Moore's Romantic Pink or Farrow & Ball's Pink Ground. Also Behr's Vienna Lace.
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Durable Floors in a High Traffic Area: Hardwood isn't the answer. Neither is laminate. Both will scratch, nick and mar in high traffic area. Linoluem or terrazo.
Jura Koncius: Good ideas.
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a use for IKEA shoe cabinets: A month or so ago, someone wrote in saying they liked IKEA shoe cabinets but thought they were too shallow for many shoes. Here's another use for them: We installed one against the end wall of our coat closet. The shallow drawers are the perfect size for holding winter gear -- one drawer for hats, one for gloves and one for scarves. We use the shelf on top to hold umbrellas. It organized a lot of closet clutter without taking up much space.
Jura Koncius: You rock. Love that idea.
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Kitchen Color: I need a gray color for my kitchen to work with my countertops. Can you suggest gray colors that I can sample? Thanks.
Sheila Bridges: Stonington Gray are nice but I also like Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray and Pavilion Gray.
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Parquet floors: What do you ladies think about old parquet floors? I live in a D.C. rowhouse and there are parquet floors underneath the carpet on the second floor. I'm thinking about having the floors refinished, but I'm not sure if parquet floors would appeal to potential buyers.
Sheila Bridges: Absolutely keep the parquet floors! They would definitely appeal to potential buyers who are looking for original details.
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Help a guy, please!: My daughter used a favorite beach towel to wipe melted green crayon off of herself, the leather car seats and other surfaces (long story). How can I get this out of the towel and restore familial harmony? The car seats are OK, but this towel has sentimental value for the wife.
Terri Sapienza: Try this: Stack four or five damp paper towels and place them over the towel area where the crayon is. With a warm iron, gently press down on the paper towels and move it around a bit. The crayon should melt and come off on the wet paper towels. Good luck!
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Silk flowers: I am looking for a source of good silk flowers and plants. Where did the peonies in today's House Call come from? And where else might I look? Thank you.
Jura Koncius: Also www.dianejameshome.com has been a source for Mario Buatta and her things have been sold at Bergdorf's and Neiman Marcus.
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Porch Ceiling: Im sure this is a question that you get a lot, but what is a good "haint blue" paint color for a porch ceiling? My house is painted a very pale yellow and the floor is a greyish cement color. I love the look, but want to make sure I can strike that balance of the perfect sky color without being too dark or too light.
Sheila Bridges: I have two porch ceilings that are painted light blue. Maybe try Ben Moore's " icing on the cake", "blue bonnet", or "morning sky blue". Try a few swatches on teh ceiling before committing to one.
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Temporary bedroom help: I've put off decorating my bedroom because it needs major structural updates in every aspect -- floor, walls, ceiling. As a result, I feel depressed whenever I'm inthe room. Any suggestions for design solutions while I save money for reconstruction?
Terri Sapienza: - and animals! -you love on your walls, which should also should make you smile.
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HouseCalls - new "results": As a past House Calls designer I LOVE your new results section! Will that just happen when the homeowner implements the plan quickly? (Obviously you can't show results that haven't happened!). I would love to see other results from past House Calls! You keep adding great new features -- thanks.
Jura Koncius: Thanks. Stay tuned. We're going to have more innovations on the House Calls page.
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Glass Cabinets: I just purchased a new home that has glass cabinets in the kitchen. Luckily all my dishes are white, but I can not begin to imagine a way to arrange them to look like they are meant to be on display, and not just stacked on the shelves. Do you have any recommendations for places I can see examples of filled glass cabinets online, or maybe books that have ideas?
Sheila Bridges: Maybe try lonnymag.com . They usually have a good range of images to look at for reference.
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Parquet floors: Parquet floors are not done anymore because of the labor costs. Keep them please and treat them as a work of art. For grins ask what it would cost to duplicate you will be amazed.
Jura Koncius: Who knew! And parquet gets such a bad rap.
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wacky for wingbacks: I have what I think is a modern sensibility (tend towards Bo Concept and other straight-line type of furniture) but I have a weakness for wingback chairs. I have my eye on one on Craigslist -- one with the straight legs (not Queen Anne legs). So, two questions. Am I just plain off about this? Or if I cover it in a modern fabric, could it fit with the modern aesthetic? (and what kind of fabric . . . zebra, suede . . . what might work?)
Terri Sapienza: I love wingbacks, too. So comfy and cozy. And I think you're fine to introduce this more traditional piece into your modern space. In fact, I think it would be a charming touch.
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choosing a color scheme: I have an amateur tip. If you need to choose new colors for something and you are not locked into matching something else, look at an item on which some *professional* designer somewhere already put colors together. When I did not know what color to paint my house, I realized my eye was continually drawn to a stocking cap my teenaged son would leave lying around. And not just because he needed to pick up his things! But because I loved the color combo. I painted my house choosing the colors in the cap and continually receive compliments. Like I said, a professional put those colors together. All I had to do was copy them.
Jura Koncius: How interesting. You can be inspired by anything. Often paint companies put color cards together with shades they think go well together.
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fresh flowers: Sheila, what type of flowers do you often use in your decorating scheme? I am putting in a cutting garden, and I would like to go beyond the usual zinnias!
Sheila Bridges: What was great about it was that I always had an assortment of fresh flowers(poppies, daisies, etc( to choose from!
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Blue Porch Ceiling: Easy do some research on the Internet. Paint formuals for blue porch ceilings from Victorians should be around. You can then go to you favorite dealer and have it made up. Ben Moore may have a stock one! Also check the TOH Web site
Jura Koncius: Of course. Thanks.
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House Calls: If you click on the link it says the peonies are from Target. Who knew!
Jura Koncius: Wow.
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Washington, D.C.: Good morning. You've always provided great ideas for my own space. We're looking to brighten up our newly painted condo lobby, and I was hoping for some ideas regarding three wall niches that are currently empty. They're about 1-1/2 feet wide and 6 feet tall but only 8 inches deep (the bottom is about 4 feet above the floor). Could you recommend some interesting, low-maintenance plants with height but little volume, or anything else that might be universally appealing. Please, no sticks in vases. Thanks so much!
Terri Sapienza: so, you could still use beautiful, big vases on the floor, and pretty plants in containers above. You could change the plants with the seasons for a little variety.
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Color and Sunlight: Sheila, I LOVE your work. (I am not the Belgian-distress furniture-white walls person.) Can you provide some guidelines to choosing wall color, given that the amount of sunlight varies throughout the day, and I have noticed that the same color in different rooms looks incredibly different, depending upon what direction the window(s) face. Thanks!
Sheila Bridges: Look at Ben Moore's historical colors and definitely get ahold of a Farrow & Ball color chart for some beautiful and interesting shades to choose from.
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Welcome Sheila!: I'm so happy Sheila Bridges is the guest designer today! I love her fresh take on honoring the past.
Jura Koncius: We are too!
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Bathroom Fixtures: On Monday we just started our bathroom reno, the 1960's blue tub is gone, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Here is my question: What color fixtures should I go with? I like the bronze fixtures BUT my concern is will they be dated in 5 yrs. Is bronze today like gold was in the 1980's, a fad today gone tomorrow.
Sheila Bridges: I promise that they will never looked dated.
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How to Display Antique Napkins and Tableclothes: My grandmother left me some gorgeous hand-embroidered tablecloths and matching napkins she got in eastern Europe in the middle of the 20th century. I love them and don't want to risk spoiling them by using them for their original purpose. Is there a way that I can display them and still keep their beauty. The fabrics are a robin's egg blue or off-white and the stitching is all off-white. I thought about putting the napkins in fabric hoops, but I'm not sure!
Jura Koncius: The important thing is to enjoy them, especially since they remind you of your grandmother. You might use the tablecloth occasionally as a bedcover so you can enjoy all it's handwork. You could use the napkins on your dresser or in a bread basket. You could also frame one or six napkins and do an arrangement on the wall - using UV proof glass.
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House calls: It's great to see how the room looked! My question is about the painting over the bed. I don't find it restful to have anything large hanging over the bed (okay, maybe a quilt), but not a heavy painting or mirror. There is a large, empty wall in this room opposite the window - why not hang the painting there? What do you design experts say?House Calls
Terri Sapienza: In the House Calls room, I haven't talked to the designer about this, but my guess is the painting in also there because its one of the first things you see when you walk into the room. If they hang it on the other wall you mention, you won't even notice the painting unless you walk all the way into the room.
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Glass-door display suggestion: The new issue (August) of Southern Living features this year's design houses and shows off a lot of ways to display dishes & glassware behind glass.
Jura Koncius: Good to know. Will check it out. Thanks.
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Maturing from dorm decorating to home decorating: Ladies,I've recently realized that my (rented) condo that my husband and I (both late 20s) have lived in for going on five years now (2br/2b) is basically decorated like a glorified college dorm. Since we rent, we can't paint. I'm getting tired of feeling like my decorating skills are limited to candles and flowers. What are some easy or simple ways to make our condo look like a (nicely decorated) home? Or, can you recommend somewhere for me to get these ideas?
Sheila Bridges: If you promise to repaint the place white when you move, he/she would probably be amenable to you painting the place with colors of your own choosing- especially if you are good tenants!
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Porch Ceiling Blue: We painted the ceiling of the porch on the historic house where I work a colour called Blue Bell by Duron. You can see some pictures of it HERE. (It's even a post about Terri's article on blue porch ceilings!) The colour works beautifully with the pale yellow trim and the fieldstone on the house.
Jura Koncius: Thanks!
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upholsterer: Calico Corners did a very nice job on a chair of ours (we bought the fabric there).
Jura Koncius: Yes, they are very professional.
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Upholstery: I'm not sure if this qualifies as southern MoCo, but I had a great experience with Urban Castle in Rockville. They did a very good job with a complicated pattern and were lovely to work with.
Jura Koncius: Great tip, thanks. They have a terrific website. Check it out: www.urbancastlesolutions.com.
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Heirloom Napkins on dresser under glass--Good idea.: Love the idea of tablecloth on the bed occasionally.
Jura Koncius: Thank you.
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Hardwood floor scratches: My 65 lb dog has scratched my hardwood floors and they are only about 3 years old. It doesn't bother me but should I have them refinished before they are damaged more? It is mostly in front of the windows and doors where he stands to bark at all the "intruders" like mail carriers, trash and recyclers, etc.
Terri Sapienza: I also have a dogs, about the same weight, who was scratched our floors and done not so nice things to the carpet in our bedroom, but as long as he's around I'm keeping them both as is.
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best lighting for a bathroom: We are remodeling a bathroom and it seems I get a different answer every time I ask this question . . . is it best to put the lights above the mirror or to the sides? Also, is fluorescent a big no-no?
Sheila Bridges: The selection really has a lot to do with how much wall space you have around your cabinet.
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Just like any other client? : This is a question for Sheila Bridges, whose work I have admired since seeing her beautiful guest house in an old issue of Domino. Can you say a few words about what the process was like in designing the offices for Bill Clinton? Did he actually play a part in the process? What were the challenges and suprises in that process?
Sheila Bridges: I sort of expected that we would do something sort of "presidential" for lack of a better word.. but instead he wanted muted tones in his office like light greys, beiges and greens. We also used furniture that had very clean lines.
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painting wood furniture: Does anyone know the best way to paint a mahogany wood table:? Should I take it somewhere? I'd like high gloss finish.
Terri Sapienza: Paying someone to do it for you would certainly be easier, but not necessary. All you need to do is sand down the surfaces then wipe them clean of any dust or debris. Then, start painting. Spray paint would be the best choice for a clean look, without brush marks. You could also use one of those mini paint rollers found at paint stores.
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Must ask...: Sheila: Do you know anything about Chelsea's wedding!!!!! Are you invited?
Sheila Bridges: Everyone is planning to stay out of town this weekend for fear of traffic jams!
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Sleeper sofa: I'm looking for a new sofa for my living room, and need a sleeper sofa. Any suggestions on where I can fine a high quality but ideally not too expensive one?
Jura Koncius: They key here is to try out the sofas yourself. Take a trip down to 14th St. and check out stores such as Room & Board, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Vastu. I'm not sure what your price range is, but also try Belfort Furniture in Sterling or Ethan Allen.
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Painting Stair Risers: I remember a few months ago, a guest-host said she always paints stair risers, and am wondering if I should go ahead and paint mine white. My house is a federal-style row house (end unit) so it is more deep than wide. It was built in 1929 and has all the original woodwork (flooring, trim, stairs, railings). The wood is in great condition and so I am reluctant to paint the risers. But my entryway/hallway is narrow and feels a bit dark. There is just quite a bit of dark wood on my lower level. Any suggestions on brightening this space up?
Terri Sapienza: Would you ever consider painting that white, too?
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Help with seafoam and black bathroom: re not sure whether tile refinishing would be high enough quality or is a wise choice, especially for resale.
Sheila Bridges: So Fabulous you may not want to move afterall!!!
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Re: Floors: Durable Floors in a High Traffic AreaHardwood isn't the answer. Neither is laminate. Both will scratch, nick and mar in high traffic area. Linoluem or terrazo. Bamboo floors are very durable. They are also environmentally sustainable.
Jura Koncius: Good point.
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Love your wallpaper: About a year ago a got samples of your wallpaper. I love it!! I decided to take the wallpaper sample and frame it and hang it in my bathroom. Thanks.
Sheila Bridges: They are also a lot less expensive than the wallpaper..
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tempest in a teapot: I collect teapots and want to display them in my kitchen; it is open plan to the rest of my house. Kitchen is modern (gray granite, stainless, light cherry) but the rest of the house has more antiques (mostly dark brown). my husband thinks open shelves are "too modern" any suggestions of a way to blend the styles and still show off my collection?
Jura Koncius: were modern. I guess if your husband objected, you could go to glass fronted shelves of some sort.
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paint help: My bedroom is decorated with blues, browns, and greens. Right now, the walls are light brown, but I'd like to paint them a blue or green. I am trying to decide which color might feel fresher, calmer, and stay in style longer: a crisp, apple-y green, or a pale, but fresh blue?
Terri Sapienza: yourself gravitating to one color.
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Re: How to Display: I'm the original poster, and I'm smacking my forehead lightly that I didn't think of an on-bed display - my bedroom colors are light blue and white! Thanks.
Jura Koncius: You're welcome!
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Napkin display: I have quite a few colorful napkins. I have rolled them into silver napkin rings and pulled one side out (kind of looks like a flower) and layered them on the table in an old family compote.
Jura Koncius: Nice idea.
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Tasks for Hubby: Good morning! My husband will be out of work temporarily, and I am creating a honey-do list of things for him to do during this break. I was thinking about asking him to install crown molding. In your opinion, is this a task that is better left to the professionals?
Jura Koncius: I don't know what skills your husband has, but many people successfully install their own crown molding. I, however, am not one of them!
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Looking for Art: Anyone have any idea about finding art (any type) from local artists that don't cost a fortune. I am willing to spend hundreds but not thousands. Thanks
Terri Sapienza: It's a warehouse of art from local artists. And, as I mentioned in last week's chat, you could always contact local art schools, like the Corcoran, and ask about any upcoming student art shows.
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Paint color for adjoining rooms: I would like to paint my living room a neutral beige color but my dining room and kitchen are visible from that room. Should I paint all three rooms the same color and what colors would you suggest?
Sheila Bridges: Pale blues or soft greens look great near neutral beiges.
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Open shelves can look old-fashioned: With the ornate support brackets available today, open shelves can look quite traditional.
Jura Koncius: True.
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pale green blue: I did my bedroom in a very pale green blue: Called Leaf (from Lowes... whatever their main brand is). I love it and it is very flexible as to what matches it--just not a sage green with too much yellow.
Jura Koncius: Thanks.
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blog: Whatever happened to the blog spot? I loved all your favorite blogs that you would list for the week
Terri Sapienza: I write the column for two years before going on maternity leave, so we decided to give it a little rest while I was away . We've discussed the possibilty of starting something similar again, so stay tuned.
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Crown molding is very hard to install well...: I am a real estate agent and I see a lot of poorly installed crown molding. Unless he is very patient and talented, get a professional.
Terri Sapienza: Good point. Thanks.
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Flooring: Hi Home Crew,My front foyer floor is a dark slate. It flows straight back into the kitchen which I am about to re-tile. The rooms on either side of the foyer have hardwood floors. We have no mudroom so the foyer takes a fair amount of wear and tear as it is ourmain entryway. Should we go with hardwood to match the adjoining rooms? Or tile because it flows into the kitchen and may hold up better? thx
Sheila Bridges: Slate and tile together seems a bit cold...You could also put down an area rug in the entry since there are a lot of stylish indoor/outdoor carpets available now for heavy traffic areas.
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Sleep Sofas: Behind Marlo Furniture off Edsall Rd and 395. Warehouse showroom best prices and service. Aslo have great hardwood furniture
Terri Sapienza: Good tip. thanks.
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Jura Koncius: Would the person who asked that please email us at localliving@washpost.com and we will carefully wrap up your plates and mail them to you. Thanks to all of you for being part of our chat and we hope you join me and Terri again next week.
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Bathtub liners: I hope you can answer this last-minute question. I've been thinking about getting a bathtub liner for a tub that is starting to chip and show it's age. Is this a good idea? Would it be better to have the tub reglazed? Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
Terri Sapienza: Too late to really get into now. Try re-posting this questing early for next week and we'll try to get it in and ask other chatters their opinions, too.
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Accessories - when is enough enough?: For Sheila - How do you know when to stop accessorizing? I don't want clutter or more to dust (as if I dusted much anyway), so what's the secret to a good layered look?
Sheila Bridges: I usually stick with 3-5 things (no more and no less)!
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light fixtures: Bought a pendant light from Ikea. Brought it home to get the husband to hang, it found out the hard way it was a plug-in. The box was not marked at all. Just a tip: check those lights from Ikea before you leave the store. Even asked a sales person about one she didn't know either she has to look it up as well.. Two trips to College Park from Frederick for a 20 dollar light.
Terri Sapienza: ugh...that's terrible. How frustrating and disappointing. Thanks for sharing your experience and preventing others from suffering through the same ordeal.
