Interior design chat—3/19/02
HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Today's host is Kitty Bartholomew, interior designer and host of Kitty Bartholomew: You're Home. Just a reminder... please try to include as much information about your design dilemma as possible, such as all the colors in a room, how much natural light is available, style of home/decorating preference, use of the room (kids/animals/formal), etc. The more details you can include; the better picture Kitty will have of your room. Thanks! Welcome, Kitty! Thank you for joining us today!
Kitty Bartholomew: It's fun to be here as always. I enjoy taking the time to hear from viewers...
Question: What are some ways to cover the half moon windows for privacy yet let light in. The coverings in the stores cost a lot.
KB: Are you a sewer? Gathered sheers / lace can actually be stapled (I know you're freaking at the idea of stapling into your woodwork), and then the staples are covered with a flat welt. Actually, you could do this without sewing at all by gathering them by hand and stapling, starting at the bottom of the half moon. Be sure and buy at least 2-1/5 to 3 times the amount of fabric. Staple the fabric, gathering at the bottom as you go, pull over the window, gather and staple in the center at the top and then proceed a few inches to the right and left of the center until you've used all your fabric. After you've stapled, you can cut the extra fabric and then as I mentioned, cover the staples with ribbon or flat welting. Good luck!
Q: When we moved into our brand new house four years ago, the bathrooms had white Formica-type counters, which I hate. Is there a way to paint them, then maybe put wallpaper cut outs on and then seal with clear or a whitewash, and it still be waterproof.
KB: It's probably not a great idea, in the long run it's just not going to hold up. Particularly if it gets the standard amount of use. Replacing Formica shouldn't be terribly expensive. Check out the hundreds of patterns and colors available. Your installer can probably go right over the top of the old. That will be the least expensive way. Of course, you can always opt for tile, stone, marble, etc. But then you're really getting up there price-wise.
Q: I have just re decorated my bedroom. It is done in a faux finish using a magic roller, where two different color paints are applied at the same time. The finish is very Mediterranean. I have put a quite large picture above the bed. My problem is that the picture is not very wide, but it is very tall. Next to the bed are two nightstands. What can I put next to the picture to complete it?
KB: I am a huge fan of plates on walls. They are easy to find and come in endless sizes, patterns, etc. I would consider putting three, at the minimum, on either side of your picture. You could do five on either side, three going vertically and two on either side of the center, depending on how much space you want to fill visually. Another thought would be sconces. Iron could be cool and Mediterranean in feel. This could be romantic with candles (you don't need to have them wired for electricity) or a combination of sconces and plates. Hope this helps!
Q: How do you paint ceiling fan blades?
KB: Most ceiling fan blades can be removed. Then paint with high gloss paint or strip and stain. Whatever look you desire! If for some reason they don't come off, then you have to get a tall ladder, mask carefully and paint.
Q: I would like to see the window treatment in the living room from the gorgeous gothic episode. How can I view the treatment?
KB: Michael Berman was the designer and he's based in LA His phone number 323-655-9813. His website is www.michaelbermanlimited.com.
Q: I would like some advice on what kind of window coverings to put in my new home. We live on a ranch in Colorado where we get intense sun. Our walls are painted a light beige/yellow and we have wood casement windows that are stained.
KB: I like the idea of wooden shutters, myself. The initial cost can be high but the look is great. They don't need to be dry-cleaned, repainted and they can be opened to reveal as much or as little sun as possible. Or blinds stained to match the woodwork...blinds are really making a comeback.
Q: In 1993, we built a new house that looks old. Some think the house is 150 years plus, which is a compliment. It's a New England farmhouse, with 2-story barn and stone pool house. Do you have ideas of how I can add instant add and character inside and out?
KB: Yes, I can think of lots of ideas...salvage yards, houses, churches, etc. off a great resource on beams, windows that can be used as room dividers, etc. Reusing authentic interiors in clever ways will add personality... be creative. Old floors can make great tables, old shutters can be great on the inside as well... If you don't have a demolition company nearby, put an ad in the local paper looking for materials and items. Good luck!
Q: Again! Kitty is my hero! Just wondering where your favorite place is to shop for decorative items it?
KB: Favorite isn't a word I use! What city are you talking about? What state? I have literally of hundreds of favorite places depending on what I'm looking for. I really love second-hand stores a lot!!
Q: I have a bay window. What is the best window dressing for this?
KB: That's very difficult question to answer... Do you need privacy? Does it get excess sun? What room is it in? There's no such thing as best, but there are many options....please provide more info...thanks!
Q: I'm going to redo my home. I want to paint woodwork white but leave my cabinets in kitchen stained. Will this work together?
KB: No problem!
Q: Hello, Kitty. I am interested in painting my porch balusters. How many different colors would you recommend using? My home is brick with two colors. One is taupe eves and overhang the other is sage green door and shutters. And the other ?
KB: What color is the trim around the window frames? My first choice would be off-white or white... I like the idea of using three colors anyway... Or at least match the window frames...
Q: Kitty, once before on a live chat, you talked about a concrete-like material that could be used on hard surfaces to coat with (possibly a countertop). I am wondering if you have any idea when the show might air that you said you taped using this product. The company that produced the concrete-type finish for hard surfaces that I referred to in my question earlier is Ardex. Their website does not mention countertops, only floors.
KB: The website may say floors but as you know creative people will offer take a material and use it elsewhere. The product was in fact created for floors, which of course makes it durable. The clever designer, as I mentioned earlier, used it very successfully in many other applications. Believe me, it's a great look. The tape will air April 10 at 9 p.m. ET. The episode number is 1102.
Q: Is it hard to relaminate yourself?
KB: Not really! Personally, I've never done it. But I wouldn't hesitate to go hang out at a shop where they make kitchen cabinets, etc. Make friends with the installer and get the scoop, heck, maybe even follow him out on an installation! Could be a fun research project! You can always contact the local newspaper afterwards and share your expertise and accomplishment!
Q: You mentioned at the end of last month's chat a cruise on the QE2... Is it too late to sign up?
KB: I don't think so...contact your travel agent. I'm going to be the guest speaker on a five-day cruise leaving New York on May 12 on the way to Southampton. When I arrive, the Chelsea Flower Show is going on. So if you've got the time and the cash in your jeans, come join me!
Q: I have a water damaged concrete fireplace wall. I was thinking of covering it with textured wallpaper. Any other ideas?
KB: Water stains on concrete can easily be cleaned with a detergent or TSP (trisodiumphosphate) for real tough jobs. Then repaint... Unless of course, you want a different look.. Is it the water damage that bothers you, or is it a new look you're after?
Q: What can I do to make my house look country on the outside. I live in Nevada and every house has stucco. I have a country house inside and would like to same outside. Thanks
KB: Without seeing a picture of the exterior, my first project would be to put up shutters. But not louvered shutters, that look is quite traditional. Have a carpenter make you some simple plank shutters (check issues of Country Home, Country Living magazine, etc.) Add details like window boxes, wooden fences, gates, etc. How's that for starters?
Q: How do you paint to create a look of faux finish?
KB: First of all, faux is a French word that translates "fake." So faux finish is essentially using paint to transform one thing into something else that it's not. For instance, flat walls into stone, brick, color-washed, marbled, etc., etc. There are hundreds of books on this subject. My favorite is Paint Magic by Jocasta Innes.
Q: Hi, Kitty. I collect red transferware of all different patterns. I would like to find a book on information about the old patterns out there any suggestions? Love your show.
KB: First of all, I love red transferware...really red anything! I have not seen, personally, a book, however, I've had tremendous success on amazon.com. That would be the first place I would check. Also, you might want to contact the Kovel's, www.kovels.com.
Q: I recently bought a 1920 bungalow. The kitchen has old white metal cabinets, which I plan to replace with wooden cabinets, possibly white beadboard or a light colored wood. I need ideas for the backsplash and floor. I love bright jewel-tone colors like turquoise, red, purple. I want a vinyl or vinyl-tile floor, probably tile backsplash and light Formica counter. Needs to be low-cost.
KB: If you're doing Formica counters, why not do the backsplash as well? I'm into classic old kitchens (I'm redoing a 1939 kitchen myself in my own house), and I'm actually looking for old kitchen cabinets to replace my cheesy 1970s cabinets. You can still buy linoleum by the roll, or by 12x12 squares. Black and white checkerboard would be cool... Hope this helps!
Q: I just put beige tile and a flat black marble counter top. what color would work for oak cabinets and accent color?
KB: Are the cabinets old? Are you installing new cabinets and want to know what color to stain them?
Q: New oak cabinets.. What color stain -- it looks drab.
KB: Are they presently unfinished?
Q: Yes.
KB: Go for a medium stain that has a lot of gray in it, not too much red. More of an ash tone. It's important that it blend with the beige color of the tile. An accent color is very hard for me to suggest not knowing the spirit of your house, what you already own, collect, etc... From the info you've given me, it sounds like the kitchen will be sophisticated/ traditional... I would say keep in the beige / brown tones, but vary textures. What I mean is patterns, fabrics and materials that are in the same color family. Stay away from reds, oranges... Dark green is always safe...hope this helps!
Q: Hi Kitty, I enjoy your show very much. I need advice on creating a tablescape on my living room coffee table. My house is Victorian in style. Living room walls are papered in Navy & Mauve. Rug is Mauve.
KB: You can always stack some books and place some kind of Victorian glass or ceramic bowl... I like the idea of something live, perhaps three 4-inch pots of African violets... in a glass container or ceramic dish.. You could also put a silver, glass or wood tray with assorted heights of candles. Do you collect anything? Maybe place three medium to large collectibles on top of the books. Don't overdo it with little items...and stick to uneven numbers. See if you can find some old issues of Victoria magazine for additional inspiration. Good luck!
Q: What colors would your suggest I incorporate in my bedroom that has been widely striped with light lavender and white. I went for a romantic feel, and my husband says it reminds him of Victoria's Secret, but I'm unsure of what color fabric to use.
KB: He actually dislikes a Victoria's Secret look? Anyway, I love the combination of purple, lilac, white and green.
Q: I just loved the home featured in the "Your Home Is Your Castle" episode. Was the owner a designer because she had such a great design style. Will that episode air again?
KB: It's not scheduled to air again right now... To answer your question though, the home was owned by a bridal consultant Beverly Clark. Her website is www.beverlyclark.com if that helps...
HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. Thank you for such great questions. And thank you, Kitty, for spending an hour with us!
Kitty Bartholomew: I had a ball! Loved the questions...until next time, keep your eyes open!
