Home Front
With The Washington Post Home Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2002; 11 a.m. EST
Every week, the 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.
Home & Garden: This week on Home Front, the Home section staff takes your questions on fixing up your home and decorating. On The Garden Plot on April 11 with Post Garden Editor Adrian Higgins will talk about making the most of your 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.
Post Home Staff: Dear All: Good morning and thanks for joining us (and resisting the temptation to run out and see the cherry blossoms). We've got tons of questions so let's rock.
Washington, D.C.:
I live in a brick rowhouse.
I want to redo my kitchen. It suffers from rowhouse syndrome -- that is, the kitchen is deep and narrow.
I'd like some help in designing it. I've found that the design help at Home Depot, Lowes, and such places is geared toward the suburban tract house people, and they simply cannot understand my kitchen -- inappropriate suggestions, and incomprehension have been the hallmarks of my experience with them.
I've been reluctant to go to a kitchen studio, as I am trying to keep this cheap, and will be doing much of the work myself. It seems to me that kitchen studios are about getting the whole job done.
Am I wrong in that assessment? Should I go to such a place, or can you suggest an affordable way to get design help that is cognizant of the unique challenge of a city home?
Thanks!
Post Home Staff: DEar DC - Sorry about the delay. We're having technical problems. Now, about that rowhouse kitchen. The big box stores like Home Depot do have qualified kitchen designers on staff and those folks have computers that can actually help you plan placement of things. You need to be armed with exact dimensions, maybe a digital or Polaroid picture. As for row houses, go to the stores in Northeast DC rather than in deepest suburbia.
Bray and Scarff have similiar designers and Union Hardware in Bethesda has one. Also, you should go into the speciality kitchen stores if only to get ideas. They may be out of your budgetary league but looking is free.
The Design Center, which is mostly closed to the public, does have an entire lower floor that anyone can get into and it is heavy of kitchen and bath products. Again, many are pricey but you can get some great ideas.
Annapolis, Md.:
I just wanted to let you all know that, thanks to the encouragement from you all, and the chatters, we pulled up the horrible ugly orange plush carpet on our stairs. It turns out the wood underneath was in good condition, and just needed a cleaning. The most amazing part, and most disgusting, was that we collected over 3 lbs of dirt after pulling the carpet up. I never really thought about what could collect, and I vacuumed weekly. Yikes!
Now my question. We would like to put a runner down the center of the stairs, as we have an older dog, and his paws slip on the stairs. Where can we go to find a fairly inexpensive one, perhaps in an oriental-type pattern?
Thanks for all your great work!
Post Home Staff: Dear Annapolis - Thanks for the kind words. Try Georgetown Carpets (which has a Bethesda branch), Carpet One of Alexandria, Va, which has a huge selection; Nash Floor Co. in Rockville is also one of the larger. That's a good start. If you come up with good sources in Annapolis, let us know.
Thanks.
Alexandria, Va.:
I recently bought a condo, only to discover that the walls between my units and other units are not even remotely soundproofed. Any suggestions on what could help besides structural changes? I am mainly concerned about one room in particular. I dont have anything on the walls yet, and I'm thinking of hanging a big quilt on the common wall. If that doesnt help, are there certain materials that I should try, like foam backing or something? Thanks
Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria - Hmmmm. That's a problem. The quilt idea is great, but you can also "upholster" the walls by putting up strips of lath across the top, bottom and sides; then adding pillow batting or padding and then, with our favorite tool, the staple gun, covering it all with fabric. You can get bolt ends at places like Calico Corners, G Street Fabric, and have a smashing looking room. As a last resort, try mood music or a white noise machine.
Alexandria, Va.:
Just bought a new house and really want to find a great old farm table for my kitchen. Something generous in size with character - and maybe a bench and some chairs to go with it. Any ideas of the best places to shop for something like this -- at an affordable price?
THANKS!
Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria - One of the best sources is in your very neighborhood - Random Harvest in Old Town. But I'd think twice about benches. People really like chair backs if they are going to spend long periods of time yakking and eating. French Country Living has rustic-looking new tables in Great Falls (check their website for their clearance center location and hours because sometimes you can get a good deal there.
Arlington, Va.:
On a couple of TV craft/decorating shows, I've seen the hosts decorate walls with sort of a "fabric decoupage" technique. They cut a design from patterned fabric and "glue" it to the walls with either starch or a mod podge product. The great thing is that the fabric comes off with warm water, even after it dries, so it's perfect for renters. Have any of you or any chatters tried this? I'd love to try it in my rented condo, but thought I'd seek out some first-hand reports first.
Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria - We don't personally know about this process. Is there anyone out there who has seen it/done it. We're all ears.
Bethesda, Md.:
Just wanted to get your opinions on IKEA cabinets since they seem to be so much more inexpensive than others out there (and consequently good for budget). Thanks.
Post Home Staff: Dear Bethesda - The folks we've talked to like them immensely. One reason they are so affordable is that they are produced in huge quantities with the Swedish attention to detail.
Del Ray, Va.:
We have an old house with a metal roof that needs to be painted. I started off asking roofers, but they directed me to painters. So far one company has declined to bid on the job. Does anyone have any recommendations for finding painting companies to do this? Any help is appreciated!
Post Home Staff: Is there someone who has experience with this particular problem. We welcome your input.
For Annapolis, Md.:
Home Depot has runner carpet on big rolls, so you can get just the amount you need. I haven't looked that closely at it, so I can't couch for the quality, but it's an option.
Post Home Staff: Thanks
Rosslyn, Va.:
I hope you can help me! My husband and I have just purchased a home that has an open floor plan -- from the front door to the back, it's wide open (through a small living area, dining area, kitchen). It's a small house but we'd like to give it the illusion of being larger. Do we go with a darker color or lighter color? Any tips on hot colors?
Thanks a bunch!
Post Home Staff: Dear Rosslyn, Congrats on your new place. If you are painting the entire house and want to keep it looking large and bright, go with a single color throughout. Lots of designers these days are even painting the ceiling the same color as the walls. Others, however, favor white while a few seem to have fallen in love with pale blue or pale green for the ceiling.
Hot colors? At the moment, paint companies seem enamored of pale lilac (which we adore), seafoam blue and vivid reds and orange-reds.
It would be great in a powder room or foyer for a nice suprising jolt.
About IKEA cabinets:
My house has IKEA cabinets. The laminate on the below-sink cabinet doors are starting to separate from the doors, probably because of water that spills when I'm doing the dishes (I'm enthusiastic, not sloppy!).
Post Home Staff: Point well taken. And you do get what you pay for. It may be that you've got to wipe off that dishwater as soon as it splashes to minimize the damage.
Painters mistake:
I just finished painting my room a dark salmon. I really don't like it. Can I paint over it again with a lighter color or will the paint bleed through or blend with the lighter color to make it a different color altogether?
Post Home Staff: Dear PM - You will save money in the long run if you first prime the walls with a product like Duron's Terminator or the mistake-minimizer called Kilz (we can't recall the manufacturer). Then you may be able to get by with just one coat. You may also want to consider a shade like peach to stay in the same family.
Arlington, Va.:
Re: IKEA cabinets - we bought several over a year ago and love them. They are fogged glass with metal edging, look like they cost hundreds more than we paid, and people always ask where we got them.
Post Home Staff: Terrific, this may be a better choice than laminate, which can peel off.
Washington, D.C.: Hi,
My husband recently got the home improvement bug and laid new tile in our kitchen. It is a slate blue/gray color, and makes the white walls look a bit shabby. We have light cabinets and countertops. Are there any colors that will look good on the wall? I think gray would but I worry about picking a shade that makes the room gloomy/smaller.
Post Home Staff: We vote for pale yellow, like Benjamin Moore's Pale Straw (2021-70)or even a very pale blue like Duron's Bridgewater (7070W). If you like white, maybe what you want is a very pure, glossy white like Moore's Super White or Decorator's White. Patsy used this last color in her kitchen (she has wood parquet floors and white cabinets) and is very happy with it.
Arlington, Va.:
Kitchen remodel question. Is it better to have eat-in space or sufficient counter/cabinet space? We can't have both and now have the former, but are looking to remodel our small kitchen. Design constraints suggest we'll have to eliminate the table. Thank you.
Post Home Staff: Dear Arlington, Better for what? Your lifestyle should take precedence over "resale" so decide what's most important to you. If you cook a lot, counter space is a must. If you like to hang out at a table there, that's your answer.
However, we've been seing kitchens with one wall only devoted to floor to ceiling cabinets; or with two or three closets with tons of shelving. Nothing fancy but they hold a lot, like an old fashioned pantry).
Washington, D.C.:
Ok, thanks for the kitchen ideas. I did go to the big-box stores with exact dimensions. They still weren't very good.
However, since the demise of Hechinger's, I was not aware of any stores in NE. I'd LOVE to check some of these places out, but have no idea what they are! Any specific info I can start with? Thanks again!
Post Home Staff: Dear DC - Try Home Depot's Design Expo (granted, it's in Rockville) which is more upscale but their people may also be more knowledgeable. Once they've given you ideas, you can buy the stuff at the regular stores. (Home Depot is planning a store in Northeast but it's not yet done)
You may also want to check out the new Great Indoors store in Gaithersburg that is Sears' attempt to grab a piece of this burgeoning home improvement market. We haven't been there yet so can't give you a first hand report. It's on our April to-do list.
Washington, D.C.:
Help settle a dispute! My rowhouse has its original wood floors, window frames & pocket doors, but recently installed (aka cheap) dentil molding stained to match. Husband wants to paint all the molding & chair rail white. I say that might look strange with the rest of the woodwork au naturel. Walls are painted pale green & pale yellow. Tiebreaker please!
Post Home Staff: Dear DC - We both side with hubby (sorry about that). We are all for keeping original woodwork au naturel but the new stuff can be painted over to give the room a more seamless look and you won't notice that it is cheap new stuff.
Silver Spring, Md.:
I would like to put a really unique trim on my lampshade. Can you recommend a store that has unique trim or any suggestions on trying to make my own? thanks
Post Home Staff: DEar SS - Go straight to a bead store like Beadazzled (DC), Michael's Stores (in Md. and Va. ), Moore Crafts (in Rockville where Filene's used to be, next to G Street Fabrics) and treat yourself to some very cool makings for fringe, including tiny crystal drops and seed pearls.
Also look for guidebooks there to give you some ideas since beaded shades are very happening now.
Re: painter's mistake:
Use the Kilz primer, but get it tinted the same color as your final coat. If there's a big color difference, having the tinted primer will assure better color reproduction. If you decide to wallpaper instead of painting, prime the walls first and--again--tint the primer with a shade similar to the wallpaper. That way, when the seams pull apart (who's don't!), you won't see them against a white primer.
Post Home Staff: The Duron people told Patsy that unadulterated primer would be fine. But your tip does make sense, so we're passing it along. Thanks so much.
Alexandria, Va.:
Would the IKEA cabinets stand up for a basement/exercise room use, to store weights and towels and that kind of thing?
Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria - Towels yes, weights probably not. Maybe a good looking chest on the floor for the dumbbells.
Alexandria, Va.:
Looking for an armoire to hold my TV/VCR in my family room. Where can I find something simple and classic in design - yet at an affordable price?
Post Home Staff: Try Storehouse. They have a standard, Shaker style cabinet that might just do the trick for about $800; Ikea also has a selection of affordable styles.
Manassas, Va.:
About to move into a new home in Manassas and have visions of using some fun paint colors. Any recommendations for a nice cranberry color for the formal living room? I plan to do cranberry walls with taupe accents.
Also would like to do a very soft butter yellow in the family room and kitchen. Again - any particular color/brand you recommend? All rooms have plenty of natural light.
THANKS!
Post Home Staff: Dear Manassas - Rather than our giving you specifics, we suggest a trip to the paint store, as much for inspiration and new possibilities. A designer favorite is Pratt and Lambert's cranberry color called Chelsea Prize, No. 1014. But go to the store anyway.
Alexandria, Va.:
Is it weird to paint different rooms in your house different colors? If a room flows into a hall, should both be the same color?
Post Home Staff: Dear Alexandria, It's absolutely fine. The hall and other room don't have to be matchy-matchy but they shouldn't clash. Go for it.
Silver Spring, Md.:
In response to the fabric decoupage. Pretend you are putting on wallpaper. It is similiar in technique. Just make sure the fabric is soaked well in the starch - any type will do. A fabric that in not to thick is best.
Post Home Staff: Dear SS - Thanks for sharing. I guess that eliminates corduroy and flannel.
Washington, D.C.:
Home Depot in NE: Actually the Home Depot in Northeast hasn't opened yet. According to the Post's article For Urban Home Depots, Less Store May Be More (Post, March 28), it's scheduled to open June 6, and I'm really looking forward to that and the new Giant.
I wasn't too sorry to hear that Kmart won't be opening there--I would have prefered a Target any day. Have any of you heard what else is opening there?
Post Home Staff: We corrected ourselves. And we agree, there can't be enough Targets in the world.
Gaithersburg, Md.:
Am planning on painting some rooms in our recently purchased house this summer.
Q1:- What color would you suggest for the kitchen? Like the rest of the house, the kitchen is currently glossy white. Can I leave the ceiling as is or paint that too?
Kitchen is rectangular, bright, West facing with a dining area that is like a sun room (windows on 3 sides) leading to the deck. Floor is ceramic in a light greyish-greenish color.
Q2: - What kind of window treatments can I do? Colors? It currently has blinds & a valence in bright red floral which is kinda outdated & old looking.
Thanx
Post Home Staff: Dear Gaithersburg - We love glossy white kitchens (and ceilings) but you're right about the outdated window treatments. We vote for stripes that pick up the grey of your floor, with perhaps sage, white and another color that tickles your fancy (Patsy votes for cranberry or turqoise, Annie wants deep purple.)
Arlington, Va.:
Can you decoupage if you live in an apartment, or do you need to have a garage or other outdoor space? Thank you.
Post Home Staff: Dear Arlington, You can decoupage anywhere. Just keep the windows open and wear a mask so you're not inhaling glue and varnish fumes.
On the Couch, Washington, D.C.:
Need a couch. But most I've seen run over $1000 and IKEA couches a little flimsy. Is there any place that offers couches (3 seaters, say) that are somewhere in between in terms of price and quality?
Post Home Staff: What you want is a pricey, good quality sofa on sale. So try the department stores like Hecht's, or any of the places that carry Mitchell Gold furniture, like Calico Corners, Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn. Random Harvest in Alexandria and Georgetown also carries reconditioned sofas, upholstered always in white and you can sometimes get good buys there. Check local estate sales as well, but you'll need a way to get the furniture home.
Cleveland Park, D.C.:
For the person looking for a stair runner, check out Peerlessrugs.com. They have some nice things and many are on clearance.
Post Home Staff: Thanks. Good tip.
Washington, D.C.:
I have a 6 year old and a 9 month old and my walls can attest to this. For the kitchen and hallways, where they always seem to be putting their hands, what type of paint should I use? Not looking for color, but for something that will stand up to many years of abuse!
Post Home Staff: The glossier the better.
re: IKEA:
IKEA does have a line of modular shelving & cabinets that is REALLY heavy duty. It is also REALLY unattractive, but that probably wouldn't matter in a weight/exersize area. It is made with workrooms in mind. I think the name of the line is STEN.
Post Home Staff: Thanks for the tip. It made us laugh (the ugly part, that is) You can always hide the shelving with festive curtains.
Del Ray, Va.:
Upscale Resale in Fairfax usually has good armoires too!
Post Home Staff: Also sofas.
Washington, D.C.:
I'm a few weeks late on this comment, but what did you think of Greta Van Susteren's home? She and her husband proudly declared that they used no designers, and frankly it showed--the place looked like a jumble of mismatched furnishings. I know that the matchy-matchy thing is out, but you need at least some sort of continuity, and I thought that their place lacked flow. Thoughts?
Post Home Staff: Dear DC - Annie wrote the piece and spent a lot of time in that house. It is so huge it is tough to decorate. But Greta and husband John really don't seem to care about filling the place with stuff. They really wanted the privacy, the swimming pool and the spectacular views.
Several decorators have contacted me asking how they can get the couple to hire them but I frankly don't think they're interested in doing much more to the place.
Alas, we're out of time. Thanks for all the great questions. See you in two weeks. Now go out and see those cherry blossoms.
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