Home Front
With The Washington Post Home Staff
Thursday, May 29, 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: Hello everyone...Glug, glug...will it ever stop raining. We do hope so. But that means we're spending a lot of time indoors really scrutinizing our interiors. That's risky.
So, let's go.
Washington, D.C.: Great forum. Trying to decide on a color for an area carpet. The room is 17' x 26' - combination living - dining. Colors are red turquoise, beige, white bokhara rug; red ming chest, aqua silk quilt on "couch", beige recliner; pale taupe walls, oak floors. I'm considering deep turquoise, something between turquoise and midnight blue, maybe with a beige border (if I can find such a thing). The alternative would be beige or ivory. The decor is Asian and I really love color. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear DC - We love color, too, and suggest you try a red rug with a chocolate brown border or even an edge of that deep teal you so love. A good rug place can customize this for you not too expensively.
Chantilly, Va.: I have two long narrow windows next to my front door. I would like to put sheer panels over them but have been unable to find any the right size. Suggestions on where to go? Thanks. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Chantilly - Sheer panels are a great solution but since you can't find something readymade, why not go to a fabric store for the perfect color. If you don't have a sewing machine, see if a seamstress will whip up a narrow channel at the top and bottom so you can run a tension rod through them to keep them neatly in place. Buying fabric yourself means you can have a little fun with color. Or keep it light to admit the sun, if it ever returns.
Oakton, Va.: I'm decorating my living room which has neutral wall-to-wall carpeting. Should I use an area rug over the carpet? Thanks. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Oakton, In a word, yes. It allows you add color, pattern and texture. And then you can pick up rug colors in your accessories.
Johnson City, Tenn.: I live in an old barn. Recently had the windows replaced. Brown windows frame the brown building (recently stained) looks great may I add. But on the side of the building where the evening sun sets......the building consumes the heat. I have entertained the idea of putting awnings on. The awnings might help the looks and perhaps keep those rooms cooler. What is the view of awnings among the staff. Thank you very much for your ideas. Peace Joseph Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Johnson City, Barn life sounds very cool and to keep it that way we all vote for awnings. You can go several ways on this: A permanent frame with canvas stretched over it would give nice shade year round (though you may want winter sun). Or you can get a retractable one with the housing installed over your windows. The awnings extend on a crank. As for color, we prefer solids, like a classic hunter green, or stripes, like a crisp brown and white to match your windows and exterior.
Reston, Va.: I am interested in buying a pressure washer. My question is is 1300psi pressure washer strong enough to wash a fence, shed and siding. I would like to know before I purchase one. Thanks. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Reston - This is a very good and timely questions with all the wet weather crud depositing itself on all our surfaces. We called Jeff Lemon, manager of Strosnider's Lawn Mower Repair and Rental Dept. in Bethesda (301-654-5688. Jeff suggested that your 1300psi would be plenty for basic heavy duty cleaning of things like shed and fences. However, if the problem is persistent mold or mildew, he thinks a 1600 or 1900psi model would get rid of it more quickly and efficiently. The model you suggest would take a long time because you would have to spray the water for a much longer time (and do we really want to put more water in the ground???? We think not)
While we had him onthe phone, we asked about renting them...they have 3000psi units for rent for $65 for 24 hours that will most jobs very quickly...call early to reserve for weekend work (and perhaps consider splitting the cost with a neighbor).
Cheers
Alexandria, Va.: Hi, I have a new condo in Alexandria, and I'm trying to paint the boring white walls in the living room/dining room to give the place some color. My furniture is modern, with a black leather sofa, and black and light wood tables. I'd like to use a deep red called "velvet merlot" as an accent color and for window treatments. The room has neutral carpet. Do you have any suggestions for the paint for the walls? I was thinking maybe a cream color... do you think this will work even with the cream-ish carpet? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria...Congrats on your new condo. The great news about a beige carpet is that virtually anything goes, and that means anything from a similar beige for the walls (duron's 'Loggia' 8730W) to something more khaki, such as duron's desert castle 8722w.
you can also go for an altogether different neutral to play off the red and the black. we like the Behr Premium Plus sagey green called "marina isle" 4803E-3 or for something a bit darker, "rejuvenate"410E-3
Maryland: I am thinking of buying an antique bed. How do I determine if the bed will accommodate a standard sized mattress? Thanks. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Maryland - We have just spoken to the Better Sleep Council (yes there is such an organization here to help you_ www.bettersleep.org. Here are standard sizes of American mattresses.
twin, 38 by 75 inches.
full 53x75
queen 60x80
king 76x80
california king 72x84
Methinks antique beds tend to vary so measure the frame very, very carefully. And we don't think there were people the size of Michael Jordan back then either. Good luck.
Washington, D.C.: So, I read the thing on Trading Spaces. What can a home owner do to their home for an inexpensive price that would change their rooms? Do designers cost a lot of money to come in and change everything in a room? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear DC - Good question. And one of the reasons that Tradings Spaces is such a hit is that people really do want to perk up their homes on a budget. The biggest bang for the buck comes from painting - either one wall, an entire room or two or three rooms such as living, dining and hallway. Another trick that won't bust the budget is to gussy up the windows, either with curtains, shades or even a colorful drape at the top. Inexpensive rugs and pillows are a help.
There are designers who charge by the hour and come to your home and rearrange what you've already got and make suggestions about what else you might need and where to place it.
Every now and again, the local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (202-488-4100) runs a special where a member will come to your home for a reduced fee and give you a very helpful hour-long consultation. Jura did it last year and said she got some great ideas out of it.
Good luck.
Alexandria, Va.: I have a brand new house, and no clue how to decorate it. I'd like to call in a decorator to help with suggestions on window treatments, furniture placement and other ideas to make it homey. I'd like to have someone come in on an hourly fee basis. Any suggestions? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria...See above answer.
Alexandria, Va.: Hi folks. I have a white tile floor in my entryway, which of course reveals every little speck of dust. I have tried in vain to find a nice floor mat or entry mat. Can you point me to somewhere in metro DC, preferably NVA, where I could find one? Thanks! Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria, We know this problem and it is especially bad during the current deluge. Are you as sick of talking about it as we are?
Anyway, we have a great website for you. www.capelrugs.com They feature fabulous, fun mats with fun themes such as Chinese toile, giant polka dots, retro stripe, and, just in time for July 4, a Colonial Williamsburg Stars & Stripes. These will look okay inside our outside a doorway so if you have to wipe off the dirt, the mat will make a fashion statement. And isn't that what we're all about?
Somewhere, USA: Dreaming of Sunny Days: To escape the recent doldrums, I've been thinking home decor. Thanks for the chat. My question: What are the general "rules" about painting a hallway? Does the hallway have to be white (or some shade thereof)? Is there a way to know when another color is appropriate? I've heard that the color from one room should link up to the color in the next, and that the hallway cannot introduce a new color. Any ideas? Thanks! Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Somewhere - Certainly it nice to have a plan so that there is some kind of coherence but there are no "rules" decreeing a white hallway. Sometimes, using a bright color can be create an exciting passage between rooms. Other times you want it just to blend in and be a neutral link between rooms. The good thing is that a hallway is small enough for a failed experiment or two. But we do suggest keeping the ceiling white. And if you're overwhelmed by teh color, hang a lot of art there and call it your "gallery."
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: I live in the basement apartment of a townhouse. The entrance, like many other such apartments, is enclosed under the concrete steps that lead to the front door of the house. It can be quite damp and humid in the area which has resulted in swarms of mosquitos right outside my door. What can I do to get rid of them? The insect sprays I've tried are only a temporary answer. Washington Post Home Staff: Dear DC - We consulted our mosquito maven, garden editor Adrian Higgins, who was a bit puzzled about why you would have them unless there is standing water in your entrance. If that is the case, dump it out. If for some reason, there is bad drainage, get the landlord to fix it. In the meantime, he suggests a product - available at garden and hardware stores _ called a BT Dunk...it's like a doughnut that you put in a vessel and the bacteria it release will kill mosquito larvae.
Good luck...West Nile season is upon us.
New York, N.Y.: My bedroom is a very bright room in the morning with northeast exposure. My duvet is burgandy and my sheets are khaki. I want a masculine, urbane look and am thinking of painting the walls khaki...is this a good idea? What Benjamin Moore colors would work here? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear NY - We love khaki bedrooms (Jura has one so it must be a swell concept). For Benjamin Moore, we suggest "butte rock" AC8, "nugget" AC9, or "pearl harbor" 2165-50.
Germantown, Md.: I want to paint my master bedroom in a soft shade either sage green or a soft olive green. Can you make any recommendations Thanks! Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Germantown - We are very fond of Martin Senour paints in the Williamsburg palette.
We are suggesting Russell House Green WO540 or Thomas Everard Olive W1232. Go for it.
Virginia: My house needs new gutters. Do you suggest getting the "screened" type or traditional open gutters? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Virginia - This question has advocates on both sides. Some roofers don't like them because the screeens can also become clogged. Others, and homeowners, too, think they are terrific. My roofer is in the former category. Anyone out there want to weigh in.
Thanks...that's all we have time for today. It was swell. Back in two weeks.
Columbia, Md.: Comment RE: Antique bed. I have one. With these frames, if you use a normal box spring, your mattress top will be so high off the ground that you literally have to climb into bed or use a stool. This is what I have to do! I now know that you can use plywood cut to fit and then a mattress on top. For the person who wants a rug over carpet. Find a place that sells NoMuv (sp?) padding/underlayment. Otherwise, your rug will rumple up with every step and "move" to one side following the pile. Washington Post Home Staff: Hail Columbia...Thanks for two great tips.
Washington, D.C.: Hello! Boyfriend and I are moving into a rental apartment where we're allowed to paint "as long as it can be covered by one coat of white" when we leave. For reds or dark colors, we have to prime and paint one white coat before leaving. This is pretty disappointing to me, as I have dreams of a red kitchen and asparagus green office... Any suggestions on how to paint rich colors (no pastels!) within these guidelines? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear DC - We are firm believers in living in the kind of space you want...NOW. Bite the bullet, give yourselves the colors you crave. When the time comes to move, invite friends over to help you prime and paint. You two will, of course, provide the pizza (and beer only when the job is done). Any other course of action and you will suffer death by beige.
Stinky Floors: I don't know if anyone would have a solution for this, but here goes. I pulled up the shag carpet in my new apartment to reveal promising hardwood floors. The previous tenant had a cat that apparently urinated on the carpet enough to stick the matting to the floor and produce a little mold. I scraped it off the best I can and washed the floor with Murphy's Oil Soap, but now there is a distinct hamster smell. Is there any good product out there for something like that or do I have to strip and refinish (please say I don't)? Washington Post Home Staff: Dear Stinky floors....Sounds like a problem for the landlord. See if he/she will do this for you. After all, animal smells do diminish property values.
Washington Post Home Staff: Whoops...Gotta go. Time has run out.
washingtonpost.com: That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
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