My Home Redux

Create custom lamps, wallpaper, fabric

A representative from a website wrote in about a blog interview. So I checked out their site. Turns out it's a very cool, interactive site that lets you design your own lamps, wallpaper, fabric, and lamp shades. Since it's all custom, it's not inexpensive, a bit pricey, actually. But you pick it all out. The options trend more modern and contemporary, but they do have some traditional and floral options.

The site is Alluminare.com. Check it out.

What Color for a Rattan Chair

This question came from Mollie:

I purchased a new soft red sofa and purchased black/beige check curtains.  I have a rattan chain that I would like to paint, it's dark green now.  Should I leave it green or paint it black or do you recommend another color.  I live in an apartment so painting the walls is a no way.  The carpet is beige.  I would like to get another side chair but am unsure what type. I have looked at the armless chairs but unsure if they would be comfortable enough for people to sit in.  And what color should they be or could they be a print.  As you can see I have a lot of questions?  I hope you can help me.

Thank you,
Mollie

Here's my response:

Mollie,
 
I'd paint the chair black. Then create a cushion with fabric that is predominantly red but has beige and black in it too.
 
For the second chair, I'd get whatever is comfortable in black too.  Add a throw pillow in the fabric of the cushion or pillow you used on the rattan chair that uses all of the colors:  red, black, beige.
 
Thanks.
 
Julie

How to Paint and Decorate an Open Floor Plan

This is my #1 question of all time.  Read below for the email thread between Kelli and myself.:

Kelli writes:

My problem is this: I have a very open floor plan. I 'm talking shared wall in the living room and dining room, shared wall with dining room and kitchen, shared wall with kitchen, foyer, and hallway. Basically, when you walk in my front door, you are looking at one big room in the shape of a square. On the right is a half wall that separates the kitchen from the foyer (which is not even a real foyer but an area to put shoes, etc. that we made with tile; it works because a little bit of the wall on the left when you first walk in juts out about 3 feet, creating a little nook). From the "foyer" you walk right into the living room. If you go left, then you will begin to walk down the hall. If looking directly in front of you as you walk in, there is a large wall that has a sliding glass door going from the area designated as the living room to the back porch. In this huge space, I only have four walls, plus the half wall with a column that goes up to the ceiling, which are cathedral style and come to a point in the very middle. Standing just inside the front door, the highest points are to your left and right, one being in the kitchen (right) and the other in the living room (left). The front wall, the one that the front door is on, goes all the way down a hall to the left.

I know that this description is probably confusing, so if you are willing to help, I will be happy to take and send pictures. It sounds complicated, but if you keep in mind that the "foyer"/nook, living room, dining room, and kitchen are all enclosed by basically four walls (save for the nook created by the wall jutting out to your left just inside the front door) , that might make it a bit easier to understand.  I just don't know how I'm going to get away with anything but painting every wall the same color, although i would like to do an accent wall (preferably the dining room/kitchen shared wall, which comes to a point due to the cathedral ceiling and also houses most of my kitchen cabinets, which are a honey-colored oak). I want to do a warm golden-wheat yellow, and maybe a brick red or terra cotta/orange. Another idea I have is taupe and red, taupe being the main color, and red being the accent. The nook created when you first walk in is a little bit of a challenge as well. Although the room is basically one big square, it does get tricky by the front door. The foyer/nook is created by the wall jutting out to the left, and a half wall to the right, which only turns into a half wall after about 3 feet (matching the jutting wall to the left, thus creating the nook). However, the tall part of the half wall does not go all the way to the ceiling, but stops about 3 feet from the ceiling, creating a ledge at the top, finished with molding. Since there is this space at the top, the wall that my front door is on shares a wall with the kitchen, thus making it impossible to paint even the foyer a totally separate color. In short, every area in the room shares a wall. Basically, there is not one wall that does not go into another area!

Again, if you have any ideas, I would greatly appreciate them. I thank you for your time, and for your sharing of ideas and story on your website!

Sincerely,
Kelli

Here's my initial response:

Here's my favorite way to tackle this:
 
Paint all the walls the same. Then use complementary accent colors in the rooms so that each room shares at least one color of your palette and your drapes/curtains, furniture, rugs, accents reinforce that. For example, use taupe paint (my favorite, by the way, of all neutrals). Then use the red you mentioned in a rich pattern/floral in your dining room drapes. Have one color from those drapes - perhaps it's a moss green from the floral or gold or rich brown - for your furniture in the living room then make throw pillows from the same fabric in the dining room drapes. Have a flower arrangement on a small table in your foyer nook using these colors and also in throw rug on the floor. Continue the idea in the kitchen - perhaps the red but solid. You could also paint a wall that's only in the kitchen - or perhaps shared between the kitchen and family room - in the red that matches from the dining room. Then use the red in your accents - towels, curtains, etc.

Kelli replies back:

You're suggestions make PERFECT sense, and your descriptive instructions are crystal clear. Tying the space together has been a huge problem for me. I'm the kind of decorator who buys things she likes then hopes they go together in some way. Fortunately, I have been pretty lucky so far, but to prevent my style from looking too crazy-eclectic, I've stuck with safe colors/patterns/design choices. However, I'm ready for the space to have a more cohesive feel that also makes a statements and I have a great feeling that your ideas are going to do just that. I especially like the idea of connecting boldly patterned/colored drapes to the throw pillows on my couch. GENIUS!

May I ask what brand and color of taupe paint you use? Do you have any brand/color suggestions for a red as well? I have been bringing home swatches for the past few weeks and just cannot seem to find the right colors or combination of colors. I normally use Behr brand paints but am open to anything at this point.

I plan to take before and after pics, so I will be sure to send you some so that you can see your ideas come to life. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to respond to my question and for giving me such great advice. I'm feeling SO MUCH better about this; I was almost to the point of giving up. Thanks again!

~Kelli

And here's what I offer as paint ideas:

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad it made sense.
 
My favorite brand of paint is Benjamin Moore. And all of the painters I've worked with will use nothing else.   But note, that if you find a color you like in a different brand, a paint store can match it. Just be sure to keep the formula.
 
My color was actually a Pratt and Lambert called Toasted Wheat that I had formulated in Benjamin Moore. Other Benjamin Moore colors to look at are:
 
Sherwood tan
gingersnaps
Brunswick Beige
Fairway oaks
Beach House Beige
 
Go to Benjamin Moore's paint color fandeck
 
For reds, I used a Ralph Lauren in my dining room (surprisingly the painter was ok with that).  It was   . Reds are tricky - it depends if you want a deep wine red (with blue undertones) or a barn red (a more true red, and very popular in kitchens and dining rooms - notice the food element, the warmth encourages eating) or an orangy red. Some copper/bronze colors are popular now too.  So for reds, I'll need the direction you're leaning.
 
Let me know how it goes. Thanks again.
 
Julie

Mount Shower Curtain at Ceiling

Phyllis wrote in the following and sent this photo about her claw foot tub (also note the lovely onyx tile she uses behind the bath which is matched on the countertop on the vanity):

I need to find one of those shower curtain holders that attach to the ceiling and the hooks sort of roll along. I think they are similar to ones used in hospitals.  I put a beautiful tub in my bathroom and wanted to forego a shower but I really need a shower.  So I am trying to install something that goes back out of the way so it does not block my view. In other words I don't want it visible. If you can help I would appreciate it.

After clarifying that it wasn't a suspended rod, I found this that I think she was looking for. Note, there is a suspended short pull for hanging a drape.  The hardware also comes in an L-shape so she can make a corner.

See all of the hardware and more options at www.ceilingshowerrod.com

[Editor Note:  Photo is courtesy of CeilingShowerRod.com]

Quilt Wall Hangings

This topic may conjure up images of country decorating, but that's not necessarily so. A friend of mine has a lovely wall quilt in her family room. With simple squares of various metallic fabrics, it's contemporary and traditional all at once. And it gives a very warm, rich look to her room as the colors coordinate beautifully with her other artwork and furnishings.

So you can go for a traditional quilt pattern in a smaller size for a wall, or go beyond your imagination.

Take for example the photo above. That's a quilt! Or see these quilts that look like watercolor paintings (seriously, check them out).  For traditional styles to modern art, look at these artist-designed, Amish-quilted wall hangings.

Here are instructions on how to make your own wall quilts. Note, this is not the traditional quilting method, but it's faster and easier for non-quilters. A good sewing machine, though, is handy.

Stop thinking of quilts as old-fashioned blankets and start viewing them as textile art!

[Editor's Note:  The picture is from www.topofthehillscrafts.com where Nancy Gray Krogmeier designs and crafts these beautiful pieces.]

Great Deals on Area Rugs

Reader Ellen Palardy emailed me to ask me what I thought about some area rugs on sale at Overstock.com. I loved them. The wool rugs were available at good prices, and the rugs with man-made fibers were really inexpensive.

See here:  http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=oriental+area+rugs&SearchType=Header

She also asked me how size an area rug. The general rule is that you want it the same width, or slightly less, as your sofa.  If you have two pieces of furniture (two sofas or couch and love seat) or a sofa and two chairs, you want the area rug to fit within the rectangle created by the furniture at about the same widths.

[Editor Note:  The photo is courtesy of Overstock.com. I have received no compensation of any kind for mentioning their website.]

16 Fall Decorating Ideas

October is only days away. The leaves are beginning to change and drop here in Chicagoland.  The days are getting shorter. Autumn is here. So it's time to decorate your home in the beauty of fall. The vivid fall colors and symbols of the season always provide great inspiration for decorating.

Here are 16 simple, do it yourself ideas. See the slideshow from Better Homes & Gardens here.

[Editor Note:  Photo from www.BHG.com]

How to Create a Focal Point

Focal points are important in a room to give it focus and a center around which to decorate. Some furnishings, features, and details are obvious focal points. Here's how  you can make the most of them, create others, and bring your entire room to life.

From the bedroom to the bathroom, see how you can create a focal point with these how-to steps. Read the article here.

[Editor note:  photo from www.Leyla'sRoom.com]

How to Avoid the Most Common Decorating Mistakes

What are the most common decorating mistakes?  And are you guilty of making them?  How can you avoid and fix them?

Read the articles provided by the links below. Most are so easy to do over time or without thinking that we've all been guilty at one time or another. But, fortunately, these mistakes are easy to fix and undo.

In this article, top designers give the most common decorating mistake that they see as well as their decorating pet peeves.   Continue reading to get their advice on how to first start decorating a room.
Designer Tips and Decorating Advice:  Common Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.

See pictures here of top decorating no-nos with pictures on how to do it right. Easy to understand. Don't be surprised if you recognize a mistake (from your friends' or family's homes, of course <wink>). These really are common errors. But you'll find simple ways to fix them in the next picture of how to do it right.
Most Common Decorating Mistakes!

Here  you'll learn common Don'ts and Do's for home decorating.  These mistakes occur frequently, but the fixes are pure common sense.  How do they happen then?  Easy. Being rushed, falling in love with an object and then deciding to decorate an entire room around it, and often simply a mistake in judgment. Fortunately, the solutions are easy and most don't even require money to fix. Love that!
Top 10 common decorating mistakes

Read these articles. Don't be chagrined. We've all done some of these before. Thank goodness, nearly all are simple, easy, and costless to resolve.

[Editor Note:  Photo from Victoria Magazine's book, Designers in Residence Victoria Magazine.]

Storage Ideas from Flea Market Finds

Recycling is hot in decorating. Architectural salvage, garage sales, and flea markets. One man's trash can be your treasure. Just a bit on ingenuity, insight, and creativity can transform an old, worn item into a new, lovely accent piece - one that can also double for storage. 

Find 25 ideas to take flea market finds to creative and attractive storage ideas for your home. I especially like the dresser that was turned into a bar in the picture above.  You'll also see many aged wood items. Leave it as it is for some shabby chic or repaint and refinish.

See all 25 ideas here.

[Editor Note:  Picture is from www.bhg.com]