Matt Fox and Shari Hiller 4/30/2002

HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Tonight, Matt Fox and Shari Hiller, hosts of Room by Room, are here to answer your home improvement and interior design questions. Hello, Matt and Shari!

Matt Fox: Hello everyone out there in Chatland!
Shari Hiller: Happy Spring! Now lets answer some decorating questions.

Question: What can I use in my pressure washer to clean the bricks on my house? And how do I remove paint from carpet?
Matt: How to remove paint from carpet, depends on the type of paint. If it is latex, use a product called Goof Off. And if it is oil based, you can use a little bit of paint thinner. Just make sure, when you are done, to use soap and water to clean the carpet area. For the first part, be careful using a pressure washer on brick. It could damage the mortar. But if you are careful you can use a regular household soap and water. And if you have mildew, use bleach and water. Just be careful.

Q: Matt and Shari, Do you know of a paint that will give me that "blue jean" look?
Shari: Certainly. Ralph Lauren has a system for creating the denim look. It utilizes a base coat paint, a top coat glaze, and even a stencil for the stitching. Look for instructions in Home Depot, but Sherwin Williams also has a similar product, or denim line, but we can't remember the name of it. We're trying to remember. But we know you can find this denim system in both places.
Matt: Look up RXR-411 for Patriotic Bedroom Decor, and it will elaborate on the denim look.

Q: Here's a question that proves I watch your show too much!!! Are Jim and Mary Shari's parents?
Shari: First of all, you can never watch our show too much... and second of all... you watch our show too much! Yes, those are my parents! LOL!
Matt: But I have adopted them -- now they're my kids! LOL.

Q: How would I find out paint colors you used in a particular episode -- RXR 1106 A young girls room with a corner desk unit?
Matt: Unfortunately, that information isn't online. If you'd like, send your address and query to HGTV. They will forward it to us and we will try to get back to you with those colors. Be sure to mention the episode number when you write. Thanks!

Q: I'm decorating, and I would like a mantel to present the look of a real fireplace as a decorative piece. Is the mantel the only part I need to purchase?
Matt: You have options. You could purchase the mantle and have it mounted. It really depends on the style you are after. The mantle could look more contemporary, but if you want a more traditional look, you may want to purchase the entire frame and mantle.

Q: Matt and Shari, I have a living/dining room and would like to offset the dining area with a slightly different color paint. How many tint colors/numbers would give me this effect?
Shari: We usually skip at least one color to see a difference. That is subtle. Go one step further if you really want to see a color of change. Just a tip: You may want to purchase quarts of the colors you are considering and do sample patches.
Matt: Or even just a sample board on a piece of cardboard or something.
Shari: Hope that helps.

Q: Hi, please tell me what colors are on the house and trim on RXR-301 Movin' On Up?
Shari: You know, we are moving our offices... and we are having trouble finding our color cards.
Matt: Please forward your query to HGTV. That season was shot back in '96, so we may not have that info available. Many times, if the information isn't up on the website then we may have it any longer.

Q: Is it possible to paint bathroom tile and reglaze a bathtub?
Matt: I actually looked into reglazing a bathtub, and it is an expensive process, but much cheaper than purchasing a new tub. There is a wide range of colors to choose from. But I settled for a tub surround insert. It's like a plastic tub that goes directly over the old tub, and is cheaper. Also, you can paint tile. But, of course, it is not as durable as the original tile.

Q: How do I get a copy of your Decorating Worksheet?
Shari: From the Room by Room show page on hgtv.com.

Q: Our house is quite large with red brick, black shutters and grayish brown shingles. It has no porch, but has a large Palladian window over the front door. Door and trim is white. Looks dull. What other color can I paint the front door and sidelight trim?
Shari: A cream tone would be pretty with the brick. And actually accented better than the stark white would. Start by considering color for your front door. Search through paint chips and hold them up to the door. Green would be pretty. Warm, bittersweet tones...something that has a yellow base to it will tie all the brick, roof and trim colors together.

Q: How do you brighten a room that doesn't get much sunlight?
Matt: Remove the roof -- LOL.
Shari: Certainly light colors in the room will help brighten it. If you add lighting around the perimeter of the room, torchieres, track lighting, even lamps. This perimeter lighting will also brighten a room. Remove any heavy draperies and keep furniture and accessories light and airy.
Matt: Have you considered a tanning booth? LOL.

Q: Hi, Matt and Shari. When will we see some new shows? :-)
Shari: Hey, we're cranking out new shows left and right, but we still see a lot of repeats. So we understand how you feel.
Matt: We produce 39 shows a year, but it is up to HGTV programming to decide when they will air. Hopefully we will have some new episodes beginning this summer. We've heard to expect new shows in June or July.

Q: I am getting ready to do the "Wonderful Kitchen" with the terra cotta walls and white cabinets. It's an Italian type kitchen, but I have an attached dining room done in lighthouses. What is a good way to separate the two when there are no walls?
Shari: Just off the top of our heads, perhaps a louvered door system, whether it is closet doors rigged to divide the space or turned into a room divider screen, the louvers could be in a wood stain. No, wait, you have white cabinets, so go with white louvers that would work for both rooms.
Matt: We aren't opposed to different themes in a home, but the lighthouses and Tuscany are a bit of a stretch. You may want to reconsider the lighthouse room.

Q: Can I paint a satin over a flat finish (same color)?
Matt: Of course. It seems like a lot of you are painting -- isn't spring great! It makes you want to freshen everything up. We love it.

Q: What can I add to a plaid sofa to make it French-country style?
Matt: A slipcover.
Shari: Matt, that's actually a good idea. Try something solid or in a toile.

Q: We are planning to finish our basement in the summer and are looking for ideas to make it something we will really enjoy. Where can we find ideas and photos? We're planning to make it a large rec. room, exercise area and play area. Any suggestions
Matt: We've done quite a few shows with basements. If you search our show page area just under the term "basement" you should find a lot. Just because it is a basement doesn't mean that any idea you might have won't work. Keep looking through decorating magazines and watching the show!

Q: I'm seeking advice about exterior paint colors for a Cape Cod-style home built in the 1950's in Southern California.
Matt: One of the things you could do is contact a local paint store, like a Fuller O'Brien store, or a Benjamin Moore. They will help you with your color selection. They may even have color cards with different combinations. Different color combos and historical colors. Both those dealers are great on the West Coast.

Q: I loved the unexpected idea of mounting the racetrack on the wall of a boy's room, unfortunately I have been unable to find any information on exactly how to attach it to the wall. Can you help?
Matt: That track was made by Tyco. It was specially designed so the cars would stay on the track. We don't know if the track is still available. That show was shot maybe five or six years ago. But try Toys R' Us -- that is where we purchased it. If you find one -- let us know, because I want to buy one!

Q: Can you paint the Formica counter top?
Matt: Yes you can, but I do NOT advise it, where food is going to be prepared. Even sealing it could be a hazard around food. If you are just using it for a work surface, that would be okay.

Q: My 12-yr.-old son wants to paint his room bright orange. Any theme or other color ideas?
Shari: It sounds like orange isn't your favorite color. What about if it was just used as a chair rail color or just a stripe around the room. Oranges work well with yellows, browns, greens and blues. Start with an inspiration piece that has a little bit of that orange and build from there.
Matt: Orange you glad we helped you out? LOL.

Q: Trying to put up a half canopy. The problem is I am a renter. Help!
Shari: Here's a couple of ideas. Use of a backed Velcro might help. Or those sticky-backed hooks. Or if you use regular hooks, just patch the ceiling when you leave, with flush spackle.
Matt: And then blame your roommate for the patch.

Q: I have a few mirrors in my home, and sometimes, while beautiful, the space they hang in can look kind of bare. Any suggestions to liven up the area around the mirrors?
Shari: Yes, in fact today we saw something unique. In the same shape as the mirror and about 5 to 6 inches past the edges we saw a painted background, like a sponge or washing technique. It was in a bright contrasting color. This framed oval mirror we saw worked beautifully. Then a floral and ribbon stencil had been added to the painted area. It was so intriguing and unexpected, you should watch for it in an upcoming episode.

Q: Need help with wall color/decorating ideas for home office for golf pro. Small lavette off office has yellowy gold mosaic tile floor. HELP!
Matt: Since it is just a lavette, how about hiding the tile completely by cutting a piece of carpet remnant to size.
Shari: If there is tile on the walls as well, you may need to find a wall covering that has just a touch of that gold tone in it, yet the more dominant colors are more pleasing to the eye. Believe it or not, it will make the tile look better. Those are probably two of the least expensive solutions.

Q: Love your show, how do you select what towns/rooms you will decorate?
Matt: Cleveland is always a front-runner because it is our home.

Q: I have a very small family room/living room which has NO unbroken walls (corner fireplace, bay window two doorways, etc. I need advice on furniture placement. Right now I have a settee and two chairs along with a few tables, can't seem to get it right.
Shari: If the room is large enough to create a seating arrangement that floats in the center of the room then perhaps spacing the fireplace or bay window is your best bet. If the room is too small for that, try some angles because the furniture doesn't have to rest against a wall, and it does make for a very interesting looking room. There is a good furniture-arranging tool on www.lhj.com (Ladies Home Journal). Search the site for furniture arranging.

Q: Matt, are you and Sherri related?
Matt: Thank goodness, no! LOL.
Shari: LOL!
Matt: Her family wouldn't have me. But our minds work as one.

Q: Hi, there! Great to be able to chat with you. Recently, I hand-painted finished ceramic toilet brush cleaners. I painted leaf and flower designs on them. What can I use to "finish" it off so that if you want to wash it, water will not take the design off.
Matt: I would use a spray polyurethane. Apply several light coats to build up a protective finish.

Q: How do you pick the houses/rooms to decorate?
Shari: The production company selects them to keep a season interesting, i.e. some living rooms, some bedrooms, etc. We try to find challenges to work with.

Q: When you start with an inspiration piece, how do you go about finding the accessories without running around?
Matt: We don't -- we always end up running around.
Shari: That's true. Accessory shopping is an important part of designing a room. They can make or break a room. So there are many miles on our tennis shoes trying to find the right accessories. It always takes a little work.

Q: Hi, Shari and Matt! I have a question about a toddler's room. I wanted to decorate it in airplanes. The carpet is a pine green. How should I paint the walls?
Shari: I have the perfect fabric for you rolled up in my closet! Have you considered a mural, perhaps of an airport, or even a child's storybook. Another neat idea would be to create a background in the colors or design you like, then try to find kites in the shapes of planes or model airplanes that you could hang from the ceilings. Then you could have a nice background with the planes as three-dimensional objects.

Q: Hi, Shari and Matt. My son's room is painted blue from the floor to midway up the wall, then bordered with a metallic border with gold globes. He now wants stars and planets on the unpainted portion. How can I do this without the room looking too busy?
Matt: Instead of painting the walls, what about purchasing artwork or maps of the constellations and framing them.

Q: I watch all your shows and like every idea you have! My problem is decorating the rooms in my Dutch colonial. I've been here 2 years now and don't know where to begin. Would you like to come decorate? I could use your help! Thank you.
Shari: Find that inspiration piece that has the colors, the theme and designs that you just love. And start building your decor around it. This is a great way to tie together your main living areas, like living room, dining room and kitchen. It will give you plenty of ideas for colors, fabrics and accessories. And we DO come to your house to decorate...at least once a week on television, anyway. Hope this helps!

HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has run out. Thanks for joining us this evening. And thank you, Matt and Shari, for answering our design questions.

Shari Hiller: We've had a great time tonight! Thanks for all your questions. And we will talk to together on May 29th, when we'll decorate together...
Matt Fox: Room by Room!
Shari: Room by Room!