Interior design chat—4/26/02
HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Today, Kitty Bartholomew is here is answer your interior design questions. Hi, Kitty, thanks for being here.
Kitty Bartholomew: Thanks for asking me!
Question: I want to put recessed lighting (high hats) in the living room. How do I plan the room out so I put the correct # of lights in, and where do I install them?
KB: There isn't a strict rule of thumb for recessed lights. It depends on the room...they are very beneficial and efficient way to update / light a space. Note that there are different trim pieces that can be installed with a "can" such as eyeballs, wall washers Place them in the ceiling approximately 3-4 feet apart (and can be farther) Start with the most important spaces to be illuminated, such as a fireplace... That would be a great place for a wall wash... An entertainment center area would be a great space for a down light... An important painting or wall hanging, like a quilt, should have a wall wash. If you have beams in your ceiling, obviously, you'll have to place them closer together. I think it's more interesting not to have strictly parallel lines of cans. Determine the most important lights first, as I mentioned earlier... the wall washers. Place those so they're angled at 3-4 feet in the center of and above the main area to be lit. Then, the ambient light (just used for illumination) should be a couple of feet beyond the wall washers or eyeballs. I realize it's difficult to explain all of this on the Internet...this is just a beginning bit of info. An electrician should help guide you.
Q: How do you mask an in the wall heater and air conditioner that are on the same wall when you decorate? To make matters worse, there is an exterior door and a window as well. Can I put anything in front of them without interfering with function?
KB: The only material I would feel comfortable with to use as a camouflage would be iron. How about an antique iron gate(s) to create a room divider..
Q: I have an older door to a closet that has a mirror inset. The mirror has pretty much seen better days and I want to take the easy way out and cover it rather than remove and re-do the door. I have seen what look like mirror tiles with a marble-look etched into them used mostly in bathrooms. Can anyone tell me where to buy these mirrors. I want to cover my old mirror with something more decorative, but still have the mirror look achieved in this door. I've looked at Lowe's but couldn't them. Thanks for your help.
KB: Through the years you do run across mirrored tiles here and there. The best place to start looking or asking would be at a local glass/mirror store. You didn't mention the size of the mirror presently in the door. My feeling is that it must be larger than a 12x12 standard mirror tile. You can have a local glass man simply install a new piece of glass over the old. Or take some measurements, have him cut you the glass. Use a mirror mastic, and then to be really on the safe side. Secure with thin molding or trim around the perimeter. Trust me--it's not a big deal to do yourself and shouldn't cost much. Good luck!
Q: Can you paint a laminate kitchen countertop? Is there a food safe sealer to put on it?
KB: There are products that claim they cover laminates like Formica quite well. The key is really in the primer. I like to recommend Bullseye 123 by Zinsser. It sticks to just about anything. The only problem is that kitchen counters are the most used and reused and abused surfaces in the home. My advice is that in the long run you're better off replacing the laminate. While painting it is easily done by yourself, over time it just won't really hold up all that well. Good luck!
Q: I live in a Ranch Style house with the front porch the full length of the front of the house. I have 2 twig chairs and a twig table on the porch and I usually hang 2 ferns under the eves of the porch but other than that, I am at a loss on other ideas for decorating this space. If you have any ideas, I would be very grateful.
KB: Oh my! You just painted a picture of one of the favorite houses that I owned some years ago. I tell you what I did... I used a long bench, it was an old church pew. I put shutters on the windows that were dark green country plank. The front door was in the center, and I antiqued it a soft pink and gray and installed an etched / stained glass bird / tree scene in the door. On either side of the door, I planted two pink Cecile Brunner climbing roses, which I trained to grow up and on the roof framing the door and softening the rectangular shape of the porch. I had three groups of two wicker chairs with either a side table between or a planter stand dripping with ivy and geraniums. I loved my porch. I miss my porch! Just talking about it makes me homesick for that house! You're lucky to have this wonderful overhang. Why not consider putting a pair of lamps on side tables and enjoying it at night. The endless possibilities....good luck!
Q: I want to paint my kitchen linoleum floor. Good idea? What do I need do I need to do to prepare it to accept the paint? It has grooves in it to replicate square tiles.
KB: It would be the same procedure for the countertops...but really would only be a temporary solution.
Q: We have just purchased our first home and we are nervous about the color selection. We know we want black appliances but what color tiles, countertop and cupboards do we match with those? Also, what is a good color for carpeting throughout the entire house that matches everything. Thanks !!!
KB: My dear, did you really think that I was going to tell you the perfect color scheme for you and your family? :-) One that would be classic and would love for years to come by you and your family, when I've never met you or seen the inside of your house :-) Please submit more details about your house, your furnishings, collections--it's too broad a question for me to answer in this format. My best advice is to spend some time researching using magazines for inspiration, ripping out pages of looks that you love. Also study pictures of rooms that you don't feel you could be comfortable in...find common denominators of rooms that you love (you'll be surprised at how easy and apparent this will become). It may also encourage you to take risks with color.
Q: The color palette of my small California ranch home is "Easter egg" colors, and I am very happy with it. I need to replace flooring and would like suggestions for something that would provide continuity/flow from room to room, including the hallway. Sheila
KB: You didn't mention a budget, so I'll make a few suggestions... Hardwood would be my first choice in a natural to medium stain, Pergo or a wood-look plank Or, 12x12 Spanish tile in a light bleached tone. My first choice would be the hardwood, though....or hardwood look.. Good luck!
Q: What are the components for a Mediterranean theme? I am helping my friend decorate her new home and she wants a Mediterranean theme. I told her I thought it would hinge on being colorful with accents of iron and stone that have architectural appeal. What should we be looking for?
KB: You're on the right track...but the Mediterranean look includes a lot of different looks. Generally speaking, iron, stone, as you mentioned, olive trees, large-scale pieces... tile, fountains. Use colors in muted tones of ochre, blues, rust, or sometimes, soft pink. Because I can't show pictures, may I suggest going to the library and studying some of the wonderful books to inspire your decisions. Hope that helps!
Q: My son is mildly mentally challenged. one of his quirks is the need to view all of his magazines and video games at all times. He spreads them out covering the floor and his bed. He does not like to have them stacked where he cannot, at a glimpse, see the front covers. His room is not very large. He has a large waterbed, cabinet TV, computer on small desk, chest of drawers, toy chest, and even a money operated candy machine crammed in there. The only side of his room that doesn't have something against the wall, is sliding closet doors. Any ideas on how or where I can place magazines and video games where they can be seen easily?
KB: My first thought was to make the entire room a cork board or bulletin board. You can purchase cork by the roll. You can even cover the sliding doors of his closet. I personally have done this in my son's room years ago when he was young. As far as video games, shelving units are the only way to go in a smaller room. Underbed is a place where you could create a pullout table of sorts. Try building a large platform on wheels, perhaps with a lip on the perimeter, where he could organize his magazines and videos as well as spread them out. But then could roll it under the bed to tidy up. You can purchase peel-n-stick or screw-on wheels to make it glide. And then secure either a handle or rope pulls to move it. PS: Avoid the color yellow--studies have shown that bright yellow creates anxiety... Also, medium sky blues stimulate 11 tranquilizing chemicals in the brain... PSS: Also avoid bright red, which can be over-stimulating.
Q: I am considering adding some skylights to my home to add more light, as it is just too gloomy for my taste. Do you feel the modern skylights found at home improvement stores will work with a more traditional decor?
KB: Absolutely. Skylights can make a huge difference emotionally when a home has more natural light brought in. I also like the look of Solatubes, they have a website. These aren't as large as skylights but have a great look for the money. They aren't difficult to install. I actually just put three in my office last week. Good luck!
Q: Due to an addition on the back of our house, I will be losing my kitchen window over the sink (the only window in the kitchen). Do you have ideas of how I can still have light, and avoid just putting a mirror there (don't want to watch myself do dishes LOL). Thanks so much
KB: Would you consider a skylight, or as I just mentioned, a Solatube? Do you have a one-story or two-story house? I agree, I wouldn't like to watch myself doing the dishes either! We've got to figure out a way to bring in some natural light. Worst case scenario, if there's no possible way to bring in natural light, have a mural painted, even a poster if that's all you can afford, of an outdoor sunlit scene that makes you happy. If you don't know of a muralist, I've had great luck in finding talented artists by calling the local high school and speaking with the art teacher. They are often happy to recommend talented students who'd love to earn a few extra bucks and have their project in their portfolio. Good luck!
Q: Help! Can you give me some guidance on furniture arrangement or recommend a resource, online or otherwise, where I can get information? I have a long room (with a fireplace at the west end, and a television cabinet on the north wall) I want there to be distinct areas for viewing and relaxing--and I'd like to figure it out BEFORE I run out and buy new furniture! BTW this rancher house was built in 1941, has a lot of windows across the front (and this room) and has hardwood floors.
KB: Offhand, I don't personally know of a website although I'm sure one does exist. May I suggest you buy some graph paper, and to scale, draw out the permanent items in the room. Such as the fireplace, windows, entertainment center, etc. Then take another piece of graph paper and make shapes to scale of sofas, sectionals, upholstered chairs, ottomans, etc. Play with the arrangements, taking careful note of the traffic flow, i.e. the doors. Don't be afraid to experiment with furniture on angles, etc. Don't let the windows intimidate you, most TV viewing is at night, and there are endless window treatments that can be flexible, if you need to darken the room for nighttime viewing. Good luck!
Q: I have a very tall, and relatively narrow niche above a fireplace. It "starts" at eye-level and extends above 14 feet up a double-story wall. The niche is only about 3 inches deep. My initial idea was to hang a tapestry, but we can't find one long enough. We have tried putting up two large paintings, and two smaller tapestries but they look silly. Mirror won't work with our decorating style either. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
KB: Wow, that's a real challenge.... I'm trying to picture a niche that tall and what style of architecture your house is... What about a rug of some sort, i.e. a runner, can be an antique to modern depending on your architecture. I like the idea of one long thing versus a collection. I think you're on the right track with tapestry, maybe an antique piece of fabric that is that long. Or perhaps you can buy a piece of woven tapestry by the yard and hang it from a beautiful rod (brass or wood). Fringing the bottom would look good. My feeling is that your house is Old World, but if it's contemporary, you could do something playful, like a flag of some sort. I know that flags can be custom ordered. I love the challenge of this question and wish I could see a picture of the room. I'll be back May 30...if you haven't come up with a solution by then check back in and I promise to have at least 8 more ideas! But be prepared to describe your house and room in more detail.
HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. Thanks so much for joining us today. And thank you, Kitty, for taking the time to answer our questions.
Kitty Bartholomew: You're welcome!
