Home Front
With The Washington Post Home Staff
Thursday, April 17, 2003; 11 a.m. ET Every other week, the Washington Post Home staff talks about various ways to improve your home. Find out easy tips to fix up your home, what the new home trends are, upcoming antique shows and how to re-upholster your furniture. Ask the Washington Post Home staff -- about these and anything and everything related to home and garden. The transcript follows. Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Washington Post Home Staff: Good morning, all. Well, it sort of feels like spring. So let's get rolling on how to refeather our nests. Chirp
Washington, D.C.: I am thinking of redoing my 1940s gallery-style kitchen into something more functional. Any suggestions? And, how much should I be prepared to budget for such a kitchen with nice, but not fabulous, accessories (no Viking, etc.). Washington Post Home Staff: Dear DC - You don't describe the appliance placement, which may be the problem when you ask about functionality. You don't want the stove next to the fridge, for example, because of temperature extremes, and you need to allow at least two feet on either side of the stove or sink for work space, which folks in the kitchen biz call "landing area." To increase storage, think about tall cabinets (48") and pull-out shelves under counters. As for new appliances, GE makes some very spiffy ones in their Profile line. Can't give you a dollar figure since you can spend anywhere from $20,000 on up, way up.
Generally, a galley is a very efficient layout because it saves so many step. good luck
Arlington, Va.: I'm thinking about making a padded bench -- what shops in the DC area sell upholstery foam and fabrics to DIY'ers? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Arlington - You're in luck. American Home Centers at 2449 Harrison St in Arlington (703-241-7400) makes great cushions...our colleague had some very cool benches done there. They sell fabric but if you don't like the selection, try Calico Corners, G Street
Somewhere, USA: Breaking the Bank!! Is there any way to get Stickley furniture at a discounted price in the area or in NC? Thanks! Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Somewhere....We can give you a tip for the Washington area for a break on new Stickley if you're willing to travel. Mastercraft Interiors (301-595-4422)a local furniture chain, holds a warehouse sale several times a year where Stickley often shows up. The next one is set for May 3-4 at 6800 Distribution Drive in Beltsville, Md.
Anyone out there find discounted Stickley elsewhere?>
Oakton, Va.: Hi, Home Staff - Due to a recent kitchen remodel that combined the kitchen with an old (small, pretty much un-usable) dining room, we are planning to convert the old living room into a dining room. This is a huge, rectangular room with nice windows on one end that overlook our pool, so I'd like to do a combination dining/sitting room to take advantage of both the view and the space. Ideas on how best to do this? Thanks. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Oakton, this may be one of those projects that requires a professional decorator to scope out, on an hourly basis. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) can provide you with three names at any time. Call 202-488-4100 in the Washington area.
Better yet, ASID also sponsors a spring makeover program where you can hire a designer by the hour for a consultation at a reduced rate. Jura did this last year and she thought it was a worthwhile investment.
For nationwide albeit upscale resources, check out Decorpro@aol.com. This is the new web site of Karen Fisher in New York, who founded Designer Previews (a matchmaking service for clients and designers in 1985). 212-777-2966
Alexandria, Va.: I am redoing my large kitchen (15 x 20). I am thinking about putting in grey and black granite countertops with matching grey and black granite tile flooring. Too much? For splashes of color, I am thinking about lots of yellow accents. Any thoughts? Washington Post Home Staff: Once again, the home team, like the Supreme Court is divided. Jura and Patsy think it's too much speckled granite. Patsy votes for wood flooring, Jura prefers Pergo. Annie likes all the granite but only if you're doing something sleek like stainless and glass, or all white for your cabinets. Jura and Patsy vote for cherry cabinets. All of us love the splashes of yellows.
Alexandria, Va.: I love light! I've got cheap-o plastic venetian blinds on my windows and I'm not a big window treatment person, but I think people can see through, at least shapes, which probably isn't good in the bedroom. Any ideas for something easy and low maintenance that might help? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Window Dilemma. There are two ways to go here. One is to buy pre-made sheers with tab tops (sold in such places as Target, Great Indoors, Crate and Barrel) for some protection from prying eyes.
But Patsy, who just went to the International Window Coverings Expo in Baltimore (who knew?) saw scads of beautiful wooden Venetian Blinds with plain as well as highly decorative tapes (including toile). The white shades were being promoted specifically for bedrooms and came in narrow as well as three inch slats.
These days even garden variety plain old pull down window shades come with lovely trim, colored fringe and beautiful patterns.
Don't laugh. Even vertical blinds, one of our nemeses, were looking great with white on white patterns that look like lace or Matisse roses. They also came in colors.
But for pricey simplicity, nothing beats white linen Roman shades.
Arlington, Va.: Like everyone else, I am doing a kitchen remodel. For countertops, I want a warm, matte look and do not care for the cold hard look of granite. I prefer natural stone and have been looking at soapstone -- are there other surfgranitehould consider for a matte or honed look? What's the opinion on honed granite? Washington Post Home Staff: Have you thought about concrete, which can be tinted so it doesn't look quite so industrial. As for soapstone, you have to make sure it is sealed properly so it does not absorb stains like berry juice or red wine.
Clifton, Va.: To Alexandria instead of granite flooring your kitchen go for real linoleum flooring.
Go with white and pick up your grantite colors with speckles in the floor. Remember linoleum is also somewhat antiseptic Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Clifton - Thanks for the good advice.
Clifton, Va.: Where can I find an electric can opener that goes with black granite countertops and stainless steel appliances? Washington Post Home Staff: What's up in Clifton...lots of chat traffic. We love it. We have a great can opener for you: sleek, modern and will go very well with that black/stainless look.
www.celebrityappliance.com has a very groovy flat front Krups model. GVE1, which fits cans up to seven inches high. Right now the site says it's on sale for $29.99, black with chrome accents. Sure you don't also need a juicer?
Alexandria, Va.: I'm desperate! I've got a great cat (he's wonderful, and big!). He's white and he sheds cat hair like crazy! My house has hardwoods and area rugs. How can I keep this stuff from being so dusty all the time, without hiring a maid? I haven't had much success with Swiffer (can you use it wrong?) and I'm not sure about vacuuming wood floors. Besides, they seem to get dusty again before I've even finished cleaning! Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria...This is your lucky day. Jura, proud owner of Gus, a manly brown tabby, has returned from the Housewares Show in Chicago with news of a Large Surface Lint (or pet hair) Pickup by Evercare. This is the 10 inch version of the original lint and pet hair roller and it's good for furniture, cars, clothing and floors and pet beds. It's $13 at Target or check out www.evercare.com Meow.,..
Alexandria, Va.: I would avoid white linoleum at all costs. My mother had such a floor put down, and it looked great for about 15 minutes. Nothing shows dirt like white linoleum. My mother's a clean freak, and it still never looked clean. Washington Post Home Staff: Ditto for black and white linoleum squares. They look so chic in magazines and so grotty at home.
Washington, D.C.: Hi guys, I am in the market for a new kitchen table. Our kitchen has light-colored maple cabinets and a hardwood floor of a similar shade of light wood. I don't want a wood table of the same shade (too much light wood, I think). What would be good? We were thinking either (1) a darker shade of wood or (2) white. Any thoughts? Washington Post Home Staff: We like white, but we also love color. How about red? Or dark green? Or turquoise?
Washington Post Home Staff: Patsy just had a few other thoughts on non-granite kitchen counters. A tried and true local concrete source is Concrete Jungle in Silver Spring. 301-495-9010 www.concretejungleonline.com Remember it can be as soft to the touch as soapstone and colored to match any decor.
Two other quartz-based materials we've been hearing about are Silestone (www.silestoneusa.com) and Avanza, available through the Great Indoors in Gaithersburg or www.avanzausa.com
good luck
Alexandria, Va.: Roman shades: I'm interested in using roman shades on 4 very large window in my living room. However, I can't seem to find any place that has a large variety of fabric choices. Any suggestions on window treatment stores in the area, or perhaps they can be custom made? Thanks! I love this chat. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria - We are also Roman shade fans. Have you seen Smith + Noble's catalogue. They have a large fabric selection and will send you samples. Check out www.smithandnoble.com
Alexandria, Va.: Is there anything I can do with this weirdly shaped room: 4'9" by 11'2". Doesn't sound big enough for a guest room. Stadium seating, perhaps? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria - You didn't tell us where in the house this peculiar shaped space is so we're taking a few liberties here.
A pantry, if it's close to the kitchen.
A dressing room
A home office (well lit so you don't feel claustrophobic at a 30" desk)
A bar -
A shoe museum
A library (no coffee table books, here. Paperbacks only.
Reston, Va.: Pergo Problem! The 2-year-old laminate floor in my kitchen has developed a noticeable gap between two of the planks (about 1/16" wide). Is this the result of cold weather contraction that will correct itself when the humidity comes back? If it isn't, is there any kind of "filler" I can use to hide the gap Washington Post Home Staff: We'd call the installer pronto since Pergo carries a 15 year warranty. Or we'd go to the web site, www.pergo.com, and see if you can get relief there.
Washington, D.C.: I saw a dining room table at a flea market that I absolutely loved - but I am concerned that it might be difficult to find chairs that go with it. It was solid oak top and green oak legs. How hard do you think it is to match table and chairs if not purchased together?
Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Flea Fan - Return to the scene of the crime, buy mismatched chairs, paint them all the same shade of green and if the seats are hard, have cushions made in some festive fabric or order green and white check "Shorty Hampton" chair covers from SureFit. Only $18 each. See today's story on "Spring Things" for a picture on P. 5
Arlington, Va.: Do any of you have any experience with these Dyson vacuum cleaners? I am considering buying one, but the price tag is hefty and the online reviews I see are a bit mixed with regard to whether they really don't lose suction or not. Washington Post Home Staff: Alas, the Post doesn't pay us enough to afford one of these Rolls Royce vacs but we'd love to hear from Dyson users out there.
Washington, D.C.: Hi, can you please tell me why you recommend Benjamin Moore paint so often? Until this past weekend, we'd always used Behr, from Home Depot and been very happy with the results (esp. the "one-coat" kind, which actually takes 2 coats). but after reading in this column so often about Benjamin Moore, we decided to use it to paint the interior of our house. well, it cost about twice what Behr costs, and we had to use about twice as much to get any sort of coverage (we even used tinted primer!). what are we missing? why does benjamin moore get such good reviews here? i'm stumped.... Washington Post Home Staff: We often use Benjamin Moore because we love the colors and it seems to be the preferred brand of many decorators and architects whom we consult. As for Behr, we've been trying for a year to get one of their professional fans of color chips so we can recommend them as well. However, just last week, on page H3, Kathleen Stanley reported on Behr's newest line of Disney paint. Some of the colors are suitable for grownups, even if they are called Bibbity-bobbity-Blue (or somesuch).
Washington, D.C.: I love the look of plantation shutters and was mulling over putting some in my townhouse. Do you have any idea what sort of cost is involved with shutters? No need for specifics but just a general idea for about 4 standard windows. Thanks. Washington Post Home Staff: Pricey, pricey, pricey is the three word answer. But the look is fab and you can skip the fabric. They can run from $400 to more than $1,000 depending on the wood and size of the window depending on the size of the slat.
Patsy reports that at the Kips Bay Show House, which opens next week in NY, one of the sleekest rooms had black walls and black plantation shutters and yellow upholstered furniture. Richard Ridge created this sensational look. Alas, it was too dark to photograph, but you get the idea.
We are out of time, so we'll be back in two weeks. The questions were great. Sorry we couldn't get to them all.
Ballston, Va.: Stickley is made in Manlius, NY - www.stickley.com. Still the original company, although the current owners bought Stickley out in the 1970's and returned the company to the original Arts and Crafts designs. There was a factory showroom in Albany, NY (we used to live there), but no outlet, per se. Washington Post Home Staff: Thanks for the info
Annandale Va.: ..but black and white square ceramic tile would look tres chic..... Washington Post Home Staff: good point. Though keeping the grout clean is an issue.
washingtonpost.com: That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
© Copyright 2003 The Washington Post Company | 
