Decorating & Home Improvements
With Vern Yip
Trading Spaces Designer
Friday, Feb. 21, 2003; 11 a.m. ET What is the best way to use your home decorating budget? How can you spice up your den without taking out a second mortgage? What are the most common decorating pitfalls? TLC "Trading Spaces" designer Vern Yip was online Friday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. ET to share tips and tricks in advance of his Capital Home & Garden Show appearance. Yip grew up in McLean, Va. before earning both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Virginia. He was named the Southeast Designer of the Year in 2000 and currently resides in Atlanta, where he has had his own design business for three years. 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.
Soon to be Leesburg, Va.: Vern - I am a self-proclaimed "Trading Spaces" addict, and I've dragged my fiance down with me! We both agree that out of everyone on the show, you'd be our top pick for decorating our house! As Tech grads, I just hope we can get past you being a UVA alum! We're building a townhouse in Leesburg and starting with a clean slate -- and almost no furniture. Any suggestions about decorating for the first-time homebuyer? BTW -- Maybe someday we'll be on the show, two of our good friends are building the townhouse next to us and I've been trying to decide which room will need the most help! Vern Yip: Hey There Soon to be Leesburg --
Congratulations to you and your fiance on your new home. Starting from scratch can be a real blessing since you won't have to weed through any passed down furniture you may not want. As a general rule of thumb, I always tell people, no matter what your budget is, you should make a plan. The steps would be the following:
1. Establish your priority list, targeting most important items first.
2. Determine what exactly it is that you need- often times people will purchase items that are too big or too small for their intended use. This is costly if you are working on a budget.
3. Purchase quality items- even if it means it will take you longer. Additionally, only purchase those items which you truly love and will cherish- a bargain is not a bargain if you get sick of it five years down the road.
Hope to see you on the show someday- we'll just have to settle who went to the superior school in person!
Wa Hoo Wa!
Thanks for your question- All The Best- Vern
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: So, Vern. What ARE the most common decorating pitfalls? How should one allocate a budget when decorating? Thanks for keeping us educated and entertained! Vern Yip: Hi There Georgetown --
What an awesome part of the country to live in! One of the most common decorating pitfalls is the belief that your home should look like a page out of a catalog or a furniture show room. One of the most unattractive things a person can do, in my opinion, is remove their personality from a space by purchasing everything from one showroom or store. Your individual personality should shine through in a space, even if its only in the artwork and accessories.
As far as allocating your decorating budget, I generally recommend sticking to purchasing critical items first, ensuring that quality and desire are met each step of the way. If you follow this approach, you should be building a collection that will be wonderful and long lasting, in addition to being more environmentally friendly since there will be less disposable furniture down the road!
All the Best- Vern
Centreville, Va.: What would be the best way to hang my two horizontal oil paintings (approximately 24" long and 16" high) if I want them hung on the wall next to each other? How will I know if a painting/picture is too big or too small for a wall? Vern Yip: Hi There Centreville --
I wish I knew what your walls looked like so that I could better address your specific situation. Without that information, I would ask questions like:
1. Are the pieces related (e.g by the same artist)
2. How bold/ contemporary or conservative/ traditional is your decorating scheme?
3. Are there any windows or other events occurring on those walls?
4. How much of a contrast is there between the paintings and the wall color?
5. How tall are your ceilings?
Generally speaking, artwork looks better when it has room to breathe, allowing people to appreciate its beauty unfettered. You should allow a minimum of about 18" on each side- unless you are working in a more contemporary/ bolder scheme where distance can be less.
Good Luck! All the Best- Vern
Shirlington, Va.: Paige seems way too perky. I'm convinced she's really evil and you all hate her in real life. How can anyone possibly be that cheerful all the time? Vern Yip: Hey There Shirlington --
Paige is naturally perky- but she is also a real person- and like all real people she has quieter moments too. Your questions cracks me up though- everyone always wants the dirt! She is a good person with a kind heart- and she really does help with the work! Speaking for myself, I can say that I think of her as a friend.
Thanks for the question- All the Best- Vern
Lansing, Mich.: Hi Vern,
Just wanted to say you are my favorite designer on Trading Spaces. You can makeover a room in my house anytime! Just wanted to ask you what you think of some of the other designers on the show -- in particular, Hilde. Her stuff is getting more bizarre every time she's on. What was your personal opinion of the silk flower bathroom she did? Vern Yip: Hey There Lansing --
There are crazy amounts of snow here in Washington, D.C.! I hope you are fairing better up there! I maintain a policy of never speaking negatively about my colleagues- its against how my mother raised me! (I hope she'll get to read this!) In any case, I'Il pass on commenting on Hilda and her work except to say that there is something for everyone and every kind of taste on the show!
Thanks for the support- You Rock! Vern
Upper Marlboro, Md.: Do you have any special tips/tricks for quickly and easily removing wallpaper? I've been using warm water, a scoring tool, Dif gel spray, and a small plastic scraper and it seems I'll never finish! Vern Yip: Upper Marlboro-
I feel your pain -- in fact -- I've felt it many times before as you have seen on the show! The only time I actually painted over wall-paper was during the Philadelphia: Jeanes Street episode when my executive producer stepped in to say the room was too big and I would have to just paint over it. That really was unpleasant- but so is removing wall-paper! We always use a steamer with a scorer to take it down- it seems to work the fastest- but its awfully messy! Good Luck- you are doing the right thing!
All the Best- Vern
Alexandria, Va.: Vern,
Thanks for visiting us in spite of the remaining snow! This area is full of small townhouses in which people use every possible bit of space - particularly basements. Do you have any tips to share for keeping basements from looking like bunkers (besides leaving out the duct tape and plastic sheeting)? Do you have any tips for using other odd spaces - like under stairs? Thanks and keep up the great work on the show! Vern Yip: Hi There Alexandria --
I know where you are coming from! I have plenty of friends in this area who are in a similar situation. One thing that can be done with ductwork is to paint it (using a spray painter) the same color as the walls- this will help it to disappear. If you have significant ceiling heights- some sort of ceiling is an option as well. Sticking to a monochromatic scheme will ensure that you maximize the visual space- so pick a flooring that works well with the walls and ceiling color. Additionally, its important that you don't forget to add appropriate lighting. If you can't install recessed MR-16 or MR-11 halogen lighting (which simulates the look of natural lighting in its crispness) then investigate mounted track with small head fixtures. Halogen is always the best if you can pull it off.
As for other rooms, try making them multi-functional. Many people still have formal living and dining spaces that are rarely used- even if they live in tight quarters. Additionally, storage opportunities are critical when living in tight spaces- so using spaces under stairs is not a bad idea. If they are significant- they can even be habitable. I've placed home offices under stairs before when there was enough room.
Good Luck! All the Best- Vern
Washington, D.C.: I'm writing to simply express my sadness. My husband and I were selected to be on your show. But our neighbors chickened out at the very last minute. My husband still carries a grudge, but I'm trying to get past it. Any chance you'll shoot more episodes in D.C. We may be able to roundup a new set of neighbors into participating with us. AND, since our friends backed out because they were fearful their antiques would be ruined, I need to ask: don't all the designers (including Doug and Hildi) respect the wishes of the homeowners when it comes to things like not messing with antiques in a room? Cheers. Vern Yip: Hi There D.C.-
What a bummer about the show! We frequently visit the same cities every season -- so the chances of us being in the D.C. area next year are not bad. Every designer should respect the wishes of the homeowners on protected items -- if they are included in the contract. If they are not included in the contract, and it is just verbally expressed, your chances of those wished being respected diminish greatly depending on who is working on your home.
Hope to see you next year!
All the Best- Vern
New York, N.Y.: Vern, how much of the final Trading Spaces show is manipulated by the producers, so as to create drama? For example, a homeowner saying they hate wallpaper, and then a cut to a you hanging wallpaper in their room? (Of course, that wasn't your everyday wallpaper, it was fabulous!) Do you feel there is more of this going on this season than in the past? Vern Yip: Hi There New York-
I hope you've dug out by now! Its bad here in D.C. -- but there is fortitude in this part of the country as I know there is in yours! It is definitely the goal to make the most interesting television viewing as possible- but nothing is scripted. In that particular instance with the wall-paper, the homeowner didn't express in her interview, video walk-through, or contract that she didn't want wall-paper so I didn't know about it until after the fact. The producer, of course, looked at this as a wonderful example of good "Trading Spaces" television.
I have seen things this season that are not only outside the box, but not necessarily within the realm of "interior design" but the variety of design tastes among the designers is what keeps it interesting. There is someone for everybody!
All the Best- Vern
Arlington, Va.: Vern,
You are far and away the best designer on Trading Spaces. Do you still design outside of the show? Vern Yip: Hi Arlington-
You Rock! Many Thanks for the compliment. I still have my own architectural/ interior design practice based out of Atlanta and have several private clients scattered all over the country.
All the Best- Vern
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: Vern, Help me understand something. People apply to go on the show, presumably having seen "Trading Spaces" before. They get accepted knowing full well what's in store for them. But then they dig in their heels and fight over what the designers can and cannot do to their neighbors' houses. What is up with that? Why can't "Trading Spaces" do a better job of getting cooperative home owners? It really bugs! (I promise if I get chosen, I will be a good sport!). Vern Yip: Hi Capitol Hill --
People get defensive about what happens to the homes of their neighbors and friends -- as they would hope is occurring in their own homes. If two couples have no restrictions or opinions, then there won't be any conflict.
Maybe that answers your question? The idea for the producers of the show is to make the most interesting television show for the viewers.
All the Best- Vern
Lawrenceville, N.J.: Vern, first of all, you rock! Secondly, I wanted you to know that you inspired me to apply to architecture school. I'm a biomedical engineer by education, but I'm now waiting to hear back from a couple of programs right now, in large part due to seeing how you followed your dream. My question is -- where do you get your design inspirations? Thanks for your time this morning! Vern Yip: Hi Lawrenceville --
Best of luck with school choices! It is so important to follow your dreams- you are to be commended! Design is the only thing in life that I am good at- I pretty much suck at everything else! My inspirations come from everywhere- including travel, everyday objects and random encounters with people. Much of my work has an architectural edge which is inspired by my educational background.
Much Success to you! You Rock! Vern
Vienna, Va.: So what is out? What is in? Vern Yip: Hi Vienna --
Big Question. What is definitely "in" and I use that term loosely since I don't believe it will ever be out, is the incorporation of many styles and cultures into a space. No longer do the rules of sticking to all contemporary or all traditional apply in a space. These days, as people travel more and more, their homes are being filled with objects from all over the world- creating great multi-cultural spaces.
All the Best- Vern
Washington, D.C.: I just saw Trading Spaces on The Today Show. I know you're a big Katie Couric fan. Why didn't they let you redecorate her dressing room? Vern Yip: Hi Washington --
I am a indeed a fan of Katie Couric. I admire her ability to be such a warm person while also having such a strong news edge. She is also so cute!
I wasn't able to join in this opportunity with the TODAY show due to the fact that I had previously done the show. Otherwise, I would have been right there!
All the Best- Vern
washingtonpost.com: That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
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