Interior design and home improvement chat—3/25/02
HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Matt Fox and Shari Hiller, hosts of Room by Room, have joined us today to answer your interior design and home improvement questions. Good morning, Matt and Shari!
Matt Fox: Good morning from snowy Cleveland!
Shari Hiller: And happy spring to everyone!
Question: The back side of my living room wall is all windows, and they reach 20 feet high. Should I put curtains on them or leave them open? And because of the 20-foot walls in that room I'm having problems coming up with any wall decor ideas. Help!
Shari: What to do with your windows is personal preference. Do you require privacy or light control? If so, perhaps just the lower portion of the windows could be addressed with blinds and toppers for something that fits your decor. When walls reach the height of 20 feet if you aren't a professional painter, we recommend a nice, solid color that you can get to with an extension pole or bring in a professional. We want you to be safe!
Matt: And never leave a candle unattended! Beverage may be hot...
Q: How does lining paneling then painting over it look? Would you suggest tearing it down and putting sheetrock up instead?
Matt: No, in fact, what a timely question. We are currently working on a room that has paneling. We have used a liner paper to hide the paneling, and we are attaching wallpaper over that. We have tried paint, too, and it looks terrific. You can't even tell that the walls are paneled. It will save you a lot of work over dry walling.
Q: My wife and I both love the show. Is there a power sander that you particularly like that can be used for a number of different uses (walls, furniture, etc)?
Matt: Thank you and your wife for watching the show. I have a variety of sanders, but my two favorites are a plum sander that is square and an orbital sander that is round. Orbital is for larger projects, and the plum sander is for more detail and finish work. Black & Decker has a relatively new sander that they call the Mouse. I have used this, and it is great for getting into nooks and crannies. I am a tool nut -- I'll by 50 to do one job.
Q: Will you ever design a room for a couple who need accessibility, while desiring beauty? For example, a show from a sitting position because I'm wheelchair bound and find many of your ideas great, but can't figure how to do them from my position. And one more question... what's the best way to combine my love of country and Victorian accessories (quilts/Lamps)?
Matt: First of all, we have not done a room specifically for wheelchair bound individuals. We would like to address that, in fact, Shari is writing that down right now. The need is tremendous, and it would be a challenge for us to try something unique. Thank you so much for inspiring us.
Shari: I think both Victorian and Country have some similarities. Items are oftentimes embellished with lace or beads or, in Country, extra stitching and buttons. So if your accessories are in similar color families, they ought to blend nicely together. If you feel they are too distinctive, dedicate a room specifically for one or the other. Good luck!
Q: Is it okay to utilize curtains or window treatments with plantation shutters?
Shari: It might be possible to use side drapery panels, but it seems to me that a topper or a rod going across the top might interfere with the workings of the plantation shutters.
Q: Matt and Shari, I'm decorating our den/office with a golf border placed at chair rail height. Do I need to size the wall behind the border paper?
Matt: Not for that small of an area, but you may want to consider a border adhesive, instead of the prepasted, dip-in-water-tray adhesive.
Q: What are the rules or guidelines for painting the ceiling color with a room having a cathedral ceiling? Also what's the best way to paint a mailbox?
Matt: First off, when I painted my mailbox I used a Rust-o-leum spray that was meant for metal. But if you want to try something cool, there is a spray paint called Hammer-rite, that will give you a hammered metal finish that is really cool. Check any paint store.
Shari: For ceilings, Matt and I prefer color. Something very light in the same color family as the walls. Color works best on untextured ceilings. So if your cathedral has texture, you may want to stay with the white. But if at all possible, consider color, as it ties in better to the room.
Q: I would like to know how you select the homes you have on your show?
Matt: Dozens of cookies! ;^) Actually, the best way now is to go to hgtv.com and go to the "on tv" page, then click on the "Be on HGTV" link. All of our shows are taped in Cleveland, but we do two travel shows a year, so you never know!
Q: Please help. In my living room, I have gray leather sofas and tab top curtains in beige with black lettering with touches of gold, area rug in squares of black, beige, brown, gray. What color should the walls be and pillows for the sofas?
Shari: If you do your walls in beige, it will make the room appear a little larger because it will blend with the background in the draperies. Your furniture will stand out against this color. If you go gray with the walls, your draperies will stand out, but your leather furniture will become less prominent. So I guess it is personal preference-- either of the neutrals will work. I think it would be fun to pick up on the black and brown for some richer colors on the pillows. Sounds like a great room!
Q: I am going to be crackle painting my mobile home kitchen cabinets. Should I paint just the doors with the crackle or the whole unit?
Matt: If your cabinet doors have an inset, we suggest just painting that in the crackle finish. A little bit of both crackle and solid will make it look interesting. If the whole cabinet is crackle, you will lose the effect. Isn't it amazing that we buy new things to make them look old and old things to make them look new? But Shari and I do that all the time. It should be a great project.
Q: Hi, Matt and Shari! I love your show. My question is how to decorate my 8-year-old son's room. The room is 20 by 14 with slanted ceiling starting at 4 ft. on the14 ft. side. I have one light with ceiling fan. Can tract lighting be added with a ceiling fan? And would you consider coming an hour away -- Ashland, Ohio. My kids love to watch your show and want you to decorate their rooms, too.
Shari: Of course we would consider that! Just go to hgtv.com and submit your house.
Matt: You can't combine the track lighting with the ceiling fan. You will have to use one or the other. To get inspiration for your boys' rooms, there are so many catalogs that will show you rooms designed specifically for kids. Two are the Land of Nod (1-800-933-9904), or Pottery Barn for Kids. Both have great ideas and of course, products available. Good luck and have fun!
Q: What wall color will go with rose/mauve carpet and not be too feminine? It is for a master bedroom. Thanks, and I love your show
Shari: Soft grays would be nice -- remember good old mauve and gray. Possibly a light blue. But your best bet: find an inspiration piece. Like a bedspread or drapery fabric that has a variety of colors used in combination and pull a wall color from your inspiration piece.
Q: I would like to create a romantic cottage feel in my bedroom. Any suggestions on where to begin?
Shari: We recently did a small attic room in an interesting, sort-of shabby chic look that could translate to cottage. We painted an old maple bed, then distressed it a bit. We added lattice near the ceiling. Then wove in ivy and little twinkle lights, and we even made a desk out of some old windows. Watch for the show -- it is Room by Room #1202, and there is a great deal of info on the hgtv.com website under this episode number. The cottage feel is pretty popular right now. I've seen it in many design stores in our area. Arhaus is a good store, so is Pottery Barn.
Q: Hello, I have a long entrance porch in middle house with a ceiling that is 4 by 8 wood sheets. What can I do with it? (BTW, the walls are sheetrocked.)
Matt: Depending on the style of your house, we have used beadboard paneling on ceilings, and you could then use any type of painting technique or just a solid color of paint to give the porch some zip.
Q: Good Morning Shari and Matt. This summer, Sunset Magazine has their annual 'Idea House' in Palo Alto, California. Any chance RXR can film an episode there?
Matt: Being that I am from that area (I lived in San Francisco), I would love to do that, but I don't know if they would like us just showing up!
Q: How do I determine the right lamp shade size?
Shari: This is tough to describe without seeing the lamp, but make sure your shade covers the socket and hardware of your lamp, even when you are sitting next to it. Depending on the shape of your base, you may want more of a triangular shaped shade vs. a barrel shaped shade or even an unusual square or hexagon. This is tough because there is really no hard and fast rule. Style works its way in there too. Some shades are dressier like a silk shade with pearls attached. There are others like rough burlap or linen that would work better with more casual lamp bases. You could take your lamp to a shade store and try several. Use the advice from the expert at the shade store as well.
Q: Hi, Shari and Matt!! Love you two!!! I wondered if the source for the "z-brick" used on today's show could be listed... I've been looking for this brick for over five years, and I can't find it anywhere here in Pittsburgh!
Matt: I purchased it at a home center. But you can visit www.z-brick.com, and they should have a list or retailers.
Q: Shari, I live in Mentor OH and would love to have some help from you. Just asking for you to critique what I've done and add color. Will pay your fee just to have your expertise. Love your show.
Matt: Since you just asked for Shari, I will charge a hefty fee!
Shari: We are flattered by your offer, but we just don't have time for individual consultations outside of the show. Hopefully, if you keep watching, you will get the color inspiration you are looking for. And I am sure that what you have done so far is just gorgeous. And if you like it, this is what counts most.
Q: Really enjoy the show -- my favorite on HGTV. Will you be doing another video in the near future?
Shari: We've just started talking about a 'great ideas' video. HGTV seems quite interested... We are also talking about a book, as soon as things start happening, you will be the first to know.
Q: We are redoing our basement into a sports room. The floors will be done in artificial turf and a pool table covered in red felt. Any suggestions on wall color choices, kitchen cabinet and counter choices, etc.?
Shari: We recently did a sports room basement, and there are wonderful wallpaper books out there with great sports-theme papers. You will find all sorts of options using bold colors like your green and red. I would suggest you stick to a border and do something more neutral on the rest of the walls. The border paper will be a great inspiration piece for selecting other colors throughout the room.
Q: Hi, Shari and Matt. I need your help!! I'm redecorating a spare bedroom and need help in deciding the wall color. It already has a dark rose carpet and burgundy curtains. What color wall paint do you suggest? Thanks!
Shari: There are quite a variety, from pinks, to rose tones, neutrals, even soft blues or greens will go with what you have. But you need something to tie everything together -- and that is an inspiration piece. That seems to be the theme of today's chat! If you find something with your colors combined with a variety of other colors that gives you a palette to choose from.
Q: Why is it that Matt is being teased for his stash of food? Why is he hoarding it in the first place?
Matt: The cable budget is very limited, and in order for me to sustain myself I must gather as many provisions as I can.
Shari: Remember, we live up north, so we have to squirrel away snacks for the long winter.
Matt: For care package donations: send to... :^)
Q: Could you please do a segment on storing and working with everyday paperwork, and how to attractively keep this items out of sight, but not out of mind?!
Matt: If a file cabinet doesn't work for you, there are many options for storing paperwork. Vertical filing systems work great. Wicker boxes. Office Depot and other office supply stores have great storage ideas. I would give you some numbers, but I can't find the piece of paper in all the mess on my desk!
Q: Hi, Matt and Shari. First, I want to say I love your show. You guys are great. My question is: I have a fireplace with a white mantle and medium to light gray bricks. Do I have to match the sofa and chairs with the color of the bricks of the fireplace?
Shari: I think the bricks are a natural element in your home.
Matt: Just looking outside, at nature, supplies you with many color combinations that work together.
Q: Hello, Matt and Shari. I love your show. My question is: What is the best way to start decorating a kitchen?
Shari: Aside from having an inspiration piece (chuckle) start with the most expensive item you have to change. That is the piece you want to be happiest with. Then select the rest of the kitchen around it.
Q: Matt, what's the easiest way to paint behind a toilet without removing it?
Matt: There are actually roller handles and covers made for just that job. They are long and slender and fit nicely behind the tank. Check your local paint store, and they will set you up!
Q: I have to ask you, are you two married to each other???
Matt: Shari is married... but not to me.
Q: Shari, I just want to tell you that I think you are one of the best decorators I've ever seen on TV. I wish I could get you to come to Penn. to do my house. My problem is accesorizing for every room. My bedroom has the seashell motif. Help!
Matt: Flattery will get you everywhere, unfortunately not to Pittsburgh, though.
Shari: Thank you for the compliment I actually am in Pennsylvania every day (on HGTV). The seashell motif sounds great. I've seen wonderful glass lamp bases that you could fill with seashells. Do you have a seashell bedspread or border? There are also wonderful tables you could use as nightstands that have glass tops and would allow you to display any special shells you have collected. What you really need is a trip to Florida about now to add to your collection!
Q: Loved the spring show! Is it going to air again?
Matt: Thank you for asking -- we taped it last spring, it was a lot of fun, and it will air again April 9th. And the timing is appropriate -- we are getting hit with a snowstorm right now!
Q: Many of my home's rooms are open to one another by sight lines. How "connected" should the wall colors and flooring be?
Shari: Well, you need to set a precedent -- either you are going to see a variety of colors that blend well and are exciting, or you are going to stick to one or two tones that blend and expect to see them every direction you turn. For flooring, I think you can get away with breaking it up a bit more because of function requirements. If you have a high traffic area, your probably don't want your white living room carpet there. That is just a basic guideline, and I hope it helps!
Q: We are living in a mobile home while our house is being built. I have managed to use two colors in the kitchen area and living room, and it works even though there is no dividing wall. I'm wondering though about the ceiling, should I just paint it white?
Shari: White is fine, but if there is a softer tone of one of the colors you have already used, or an off-white that could blend well, go ahead and try something a little different.
HGTV: Well, everyone, our hour has run out. Thank you for joining us this morning. And thank you, Matt and Shari, for spending your morning answering our questions. And good luck digging out!
Matt Fox: Thank goodness I've been able to store some food -- this storm looks like it will last another 40 days and nights....
Shari Hiller: And he's stuck at my house! Happy spring everyone! We look forward to talking with you during our next chat!
