Kitty Bartholomew 6/26/2002

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: Thank you for having me. As always, it's great fun for me to participate!

Question: Hi, I am 15, and I like to decorate, but I have some questions. My question is: I am decorating my mom's bath room, and it had a tropical look to it. She wants me to wrap her candles with wire because I like to do wire art. Can you give me some hints on how to do it?
KB: Sure...what is the look that you are trying to achieve ultimately? I have wrapped candles with wire and threaded small beads on the wire for a contemporary look. You might want to find small shells and thread through the wire... Is there a particular look that you're after?

Q: We have budgeted $100,000 for remodeling our house. However, we are not sure if we want to spend most of the money on expanding it; or just remodeling the existing footprint. Our priority is the master bedroom, then the bedroom section; and updating the rest. Can I paint a small dining room in red? And what color can I use in the hallway and the open family room adjacent to it?
KB: Ok, first things first...you mention you're priority is the master bedroom... I don't know what your others issues are, but my advice is that before you spend anything, really think through what it is you want to achieve. Usually, keeping within the original and redefining the space within is a lot less expensive. $100,000 can seem like a lot of money but I've seen people that have spent $100,000 just on a family room... Preplanning is essential to keep within your budget. You didn't mention what you wanted to do in the master bedroom...so it's a bit hard to advise what percentage of the budget should be allotted for that space. Generally speaking, kitchen and bathroom remodels tend to be the most expensive b/c of the plumbing issues, appliances / fixtures, etc... As far as your red dining room goes, of course you can paint it red! Deep values of reds, peach / salmon, etc., are wonderfully romantic, as well as flattering by candlelight. As far as your entryway, you'd want to introduce some red whether it's in a Chinese lacquered mirror of that color... a color in the wallpaper, even accessories like a cachepot in an antique red. Don't feel like you have to have strong statements to tie in with the dining room.

Q: We live in a ranch style home built in the 50s. I would like to update the look inside. And I agree. That's why I would like to spread the money into the different areas: Bedroom (Master + 3); living/dining/family room and then kitchen. Kitchen was already remodeled once. Master bedroom needs to be reconfigured. It's small and tiny. We plan to put in a new bathroom and closet and re-arrange the window placement. And as for the dining room: My husband is afraid that the room is too small. It's 12 by 10.
KB: Regarding the dining room, in a way he's right...a deep value will make a room seem smaller, but so what. When you're entertaining and using the room at night, which is probably 85 percent of the time you'll be in there.. the feeling of cozy (small), romantic and flattering is a plus! I wouldn't let the size hold me back. Often I've seen very exciting rooms painted in dark values that tend to be small, like libraries, dens, etc. As far as the master goes, in working with a designer / architect to redefine the interior space you'll be getting bids and estimates as to the cost. If that's your priority, get started on that first. But keep in mind, you want to have a sense of what you want the ultimate look to be when you're finished. I hope this helps!

Q: If I paint the dining room in red; can the family room be painted in taupe?
KB: Absolutely! Find a great plaid or fabric that has at least those two colors in it.

Q: Hello, Kitty. My house is a 1913 Victorian home...would Queen Ann style furniture be the best furniture for this kind of home?
KB: Only if you really love it! After all, it's you and your family to be pleased, not the home! And remember, even in classic houses, unless it's a museum, mixing different styles within the period makes it more interesting. But if you like Queen Anne or already own pieces, it should complement the era of the house. PS--Do you subscribe to Victoria magazine?

Q: I saw a small 800 sq. ft cottage In one of your episode. Can you please give me a cost estimate of building something like that in Northern Calif.?
KB: I don't recall the specific episode...please check our website for the specific episode.

Q: I have a wall in my living room/dining room area that is between two tall windows. I have begun to stencil a hydrangea plant of center. In front of the window farthest from the plant is a tea table. What would you suggest to go on the wall over the plant?
KB: What is the dimension of the wall? How large is the stencil plant when it's complete? Please provide more info...

Q: The measurement of 24" x 24" for the plant and 8' x 6' for the wall between the windows.
KB: What about a mirror? It looks like a window... It would continue to give the feeling of depth that you've created from the stencil... Perhaps a shelf of some kind that would house plants, books, etc..

Q: A shelf, yes, yes, that is what I thought I would like, should it be just one or three?
KB: I like the idea of three! Not so large as to diminish the look of the stencil...I would say 3 ft. wide at the most. And if it's three tiered, dress it perhaps with a small mirror, books, plants, etc.

Q: I inherited a small dining room with 2 large windows (almost ceiling to the floor), one large radiator and wood paneling on all of the walls. How do I spruce it up? I love the ethnic looks available. I don't have much in the way of a budget,.
KB: It depends on your definition of "sprucing up" I guess...what does the rest of the house look like? Do you have a collection or own anything ethnic that would look good in the room? What kind of dining table / chairs do you own? What is the finish on the paneling? Do you like it? Please provide more info...

Q: Hi, Kitty. My dilemma is that I love the nautical theme, but have taken it in to different directions (eras) on my main floor, and I am having trouble trying to pick a color for the main floor that marries both "eras".
KB: Usually color can be the glue that unites... It's hard to imagine the themes that you mentioned really "fighting" each other. What's essentially bothering you about what you've done already?

Q: I want to help my parents redecorate their house, and I feel the main lack of style is coming from the all-white walls. They say it opens up the house (even though it's a large house that doesn't need it), but I disagree. How can I change their minds?
KB: The best way to change their mind is to show them pages in magazines of rooms that are painted colors that you feel would look right in their home. Also, have them visit homes of friends, etc., so that they can be convinced (if possible) that they can feel comfortable with color on their walls. Often, that feeling of openness and cleanliness is more important to people than the cozy feeling achieved with color. If they've lived with white walls their whole life it's possible that they may feel uncomfortable with anything other than a light neutral on the walls. Good luck!

Q: Do you know anything about scoring, painting, and then polishing a cement floor? We have carpet in our living and dining rooms, which I would like to redo in that way. It seems it would be a less expensive way of getting a marble-looking floor.
KB: Well, scoring is really putting impressions in a surface--why do feel the necessity to this on a cement floor? Unless of course you want to create the feeling of stone with mortar / grout lines... If the ultimate result is marble slab... an artist (ideally) who can not only apply the stains in a manner that imitates natural marble, but can also paint the veins and flaws that one would find in a slab. The stain needs to be protected...you mention the word "polish" which can only mean layers of a polyurethane. Hope this helps!

Q: I am trying to achieve a French Country look in my family room. I have painted the paneling off-white with a touch of yellow. We have French doors and many of my decorative items are blue and white transferware. Any ideas on accent items and pictures
KB: Accent items need to be personally chosen, however, painted woods and French blue/ gray would look great in furniture or large accessory pieces, like bookshelves, armoires, etc. Also, make sure you have some elements in iron somewhere in the room whether it's in sconces, a chandelier, baker's rack, planters, etc. One of my favorite reference books on this look is Pierre Deux's French Country: A Style and Sourcebook, published by Potter. PS--Some large stone urns or natural stone would be an asset as well.

Q: Kitty, my kids all live in Sacramento, and I heard that's where you also live. Do you ever do live presentations anywhere in the area?
KB: I don't live near Sacramento, although I was there earlier this year for a Macy's store opening.

Q: I am doing a room in hunting / rustic. I want to use 3 or 4 inch branches on the wall for window trim. How do I get those branches split?
KB: Why do you want them to split?

Q: Hi Kitty, Could you explain the difference between English country and English cottage or that both the same? Also, what kind of wood goes best with the look--cherry colored or lighter colored woods?
KB: English country homes can be very grand and very formal. They can be filled with ancestral portraits and antiques, etc. They can be every bit as formal as a fine home in London. The difference is that oftentimes in the English country manor, subject matter can be more country in theme, i.e. hunting, farming, agricultural, etc. As seen in tapestry or artwork. An English country cottage is definitely much more humble... Think of thatched cottages... This look was achieved by assembling smaller scale and much humbler materials. The country homes were generally owned by the locals and domestic staff of the manor house owners. I feel that lighter color woods mix better as a general rule... The red value often seen in the rich cherry finishes can be hard to complement.

Q: Is that your dog we see on your show? Wwhat's his/her name? Also, what is your favorite room in your home? Can you briefly describe it to us?
KB: Goodness! Yes, my dog Spot is much beloved in our household. She is a Jack Russell mix, with lots of energy and personality. She loves to ride in the car and almost always comes with me on location when I'm shooting for my show. (She'd rather sit in the car and wait than be home alone.) I just moved one week ago into a new / old house... that I am thrilled with! I have so many fun projects that I've been working on for about three months and have been documenting the progress. At the moment, I'd have to say my office is my favorite because as we speak I am sitting in it at my big pine table painting a project for my daughter's bathroom surrounded by hundreds of my favorite books, magazines, reference material, etc. It's a beautiful sunny day and I have a huge picture window with a crooked tree branch that is most interesting to look at. I've painted all my wicker collection black this time (every time I move I paint it a different color) and redone the cushions in vintage ticking. I don't want to take up other people's time with this...hopefully you'll be able to see the finished product in a magazine next year! Thanks for asking!

Q: I have a bathroom that has paneling...can you put wallpaper on paneling? The paneling is very dark, and I do not like it at all.
KB: Interesting you would ask that...did you know that in the 15 years of doing segments on TV that's THE #1 most frequently asked question I get! Yes, you can wallpaper over paneling. The first thing you need to do is to purchase underlining paper. It has a thin, felt-like texture. You can purchase it at most wallpaper / home centers. Study the directions and note that it is applied like wallpaper using wallpaper paste, etc. However--it is applied horizontally NOT vertically. This will cover the grooves of the paneling. Next, you need to purchase wallpaper of your choice, which is then applied in the traditional manner, vertically, over the underlining paper. Also note that wallpapers can be purchased with only a subtle tone-on-tone pattern that are meant to be painted. I mention this b/c sometimes people don't necessarily want an overall pattern on the wall. Good luck! PS--You mention that this is a bathroom, so you probably want to choose wallpaper that will hold up to the moisture created in a bathroom.

Q: I purchased a mirror for my backyard fence. It has a mirror that is covered with cardboard on the back and vinyl picture frame molding around it. What can I do to it so that I can use it outdoors and the cardboard will not rot off?
KB: I'd remove the cardboard...b/c it's only really holding the mirror in it's frame, I suspect. So rather than protecting the cardboard, replace it with a weather-resistant material, such as aluminum, heavy visquine (heavy plastic-like material). Seal the seams with many coats of polyurethane. Hope it works...let me know how it holds up!

Q: Hi Kitty! I have cottage style furnishings, and am buying a house with a mirrored dining room wall, which is very formal. What ca I do with this wall ???
KB: Oh, what about placing an open bookcase of metal or painted wood in front of it... to soften the bigness and drama? You're still going to get the benefit of the mirror reflected softly in however you dress the shelves / bookcase. You can also hang a framed mirror over the mirror. It can be drilled (by a professional) in the mirror or in the ceiling above and hung on a ribbon (or rich cording) to help soften. Hope this helps!

HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. Thanks for your interest. And thank you, Kitty, for answering our questions.

Kitty Bartholomew: Good questions today! Look forward to doing this again in July! Enjoy your summer and don't forget to keep your eyes open for interesting ideas to bring the outside in!