Matt Fox and Shari Hiller 12/16/2002

HGTV:Welcome to HGTV's Hosted Chat Room. Matt Fox and Shari Hiller, hosts of Room by Room, are here to answer your questions. Hello, Matt and Shari!

Shari Hiller: Hi everyone, are you keeping warm this holiday season?
Matt Fox: And "ho, ho, ho" from one of Santa's (self-proclaimed) favorite elves!

Question: Shari - we missed you! - loved the idea for the patio cushion covers. Matt - have you been back home for a Wilson's hamburger lately? "E" me after the chat - I have a theory that everybody in Findlay is related - kind of like "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" but more bizarre...
Matt: Yes I have been back to Findlay, and of course I had a Wilson's Special. But it wasn't like the old days. But maybe because I have changed and not Wilson's.

Q: My son's room is 11 x 14 with one dormer window. There is a center-ceiling fan that we need to circulate air in the summer. The carpet is a medium blue (denim). He likes racecars, baseball and quads. What color do you suggest I paint his room? Should I put a border? The two end walls are 4 ft. then the ceiling starts. The walls now are beige. I need your help!
Shari: It's always nice to add texture to a room. Try a painting technique called "denim" or even "linen." A neutral tone would be great with the blue carpet. If you have tall end walls, we think Imperial Wall Coverings has nearly life-sized sports figures that go up just like a regular wall covering. If not, the border idea is great! But here is a tricky detail: borders generally won't adhere to some of the technique glazes and paints. So either leave the border area bare, or just use regular latex paint to create texture on the wall. Sounds like a fun room!

Q: Hi Matt and Shari, any NEW episodes coming up. There have been a lot of repeats lately!
Matt: We are constantly taping new shows - we tape around 26 a year. So keep your eyes open - they are out there, and they usually are on the Tuesday or Saturday night episodes.

Q: Hi Matt and Shari, I love your show!! I sent you a letter to Beachwood studios. Did you get it? I would love to meet you two in person. Any chance of that? I live in Poland, Ohio, just south of Youngstown. We're practically neighbors. Haha. Sure could use your help in designing my new sewing room. Want it to be maximumly (is that a word?) functional. Also wondering if you have any suggestions to keep mold out of a windowless bathroom. We have a fan, but sometimes isn't enough. Is there a cleaning product that will reduce mold growth? Last time you were on line it took me the entire time to figure out how to get on .When I did it was over. I was question 200. Thank you.
Matt: Thanks for staying with us last time! If you'd like to meet us, we are doing a home show in Cleveland on January 31st and February 1st--it's the Nari Home Improvement Show. Come out and meet us. And as far as the mold and mildew, I have the same situation in my home, and I know it doesn't sound very private, but I leave my bathroom door ajar while showering to allow for more air circulation. And the best mildew and mold killer is a 50/50 bleach and water solution. The bleach will kill the spores. Wear gloves and ventilate well.

Q: My walls are painted a cloudy amber color and I would like to tea stain my entryway and perhaps my hallway. What do you think is the best way to go about doing this? Thanks for your help! Have a great holiday!
Matt: Ralph Lauren has a product called "tea stain", and it goes over an existing base coat. And the method of applying the tea stain glaze is by doing a washing technique, where you use a rag to wash on the product. Or a cross-hatching technique where you use a brush. Good luck!

Q: I have an extremely large house, two rooms are not being used and I want to turn one into a home office. How can I do that, it is a small room?
Matt: Go to HGTV.com and type in "home office." Show #806 was an office show for us, I think. You just need some inspiration and HGTV.com can supply it for you. #1002 and #1101 are both office episodes, and #1206 was another one.
Shari: Start with two things, a list of what you want to accomplish in the room, in other words, how it will function. And second, an inspiration piece. You'll have everything you need for a successful project.

Q: Hi Shari & Matt - love your show! Question: Is it possible to do any of the special wall painting techniques on walls painted with oil based paints. Is it possible to use oil-based paints to rag roll, sponge paint, etc. I have a bedroom that has recently been painted in a semi-gloss alkyd and would like to add some texture to the walls. My husband has dust allergies, so therefore the semi-gloss which seems to attract less dust and is easy to wipe off. Any suggestions? Thank you and Happy Holidays to you and your families.
Shari: Happy holidays, too! Thank you.
Matt: You can use a semi-gloss latex over the oil-based paint as long as it is a painting technique. It will be difficult because of the sheen, the applicators will slide. The best technique would be sponging. You could use oil-based, but it will be a disaster to clean your tools, and could destroy them. And the dry time is usually overnight. If you really have to stick to oil-based, do a sample board over an oil-based base coat and see how it works.

Q: Matt and Shari - love the show! I recently bought a new house and am anxious to try some of the many wall techniques I see on your show. However a few of the rooms have a rough stucco-like texture. Is there any way to remove this or ideas for working with it?
Matt: Don't try to remove it. It could be a nightmare.
Shari: There are techniques you could use over textured walls. Washing, ragging and sponging are three great techniques over textured walls. They create a mottled appearance - almost Old World looking. I would think any technique that doesn't require a straight line would work well for you. And enjoy those textured walls. Everyone else spends so much time texturing their walls, and you already have it - enjoy them!

Q: My husband and I are living in a pre-Civil War era home turned into apartments. Not only is the layout strange, but also there is no allowance for changing the paint, opening the windows etc. Can you give me any suggestions?
Matt: This is an oldie but goodie, but add fabric to the walls using starch. You can find the instructions on HGTV.com. Anytime that you can't paint walls, you can add texture and color by using pillows and fabric in the room. Go with the starch technique.

Q: Shari, I really love all the curtains and shades that you make are you ever going to do a show about sewing?
Shari: Never.
Matt: But I've thought about it!
Shari: But we are working on an hour-long videotape on all window coverings. So watch for that in the spring And thank you for the compliment.

Q: Hello Matt and Shari. I've noticed that sometimes when hanging wallpaper, you advise a sizing and activator. Are these two items needed when the paper is pre-pasted?
Matt: Sizing is needed anytime you paper. It helps you move the paper around on a wall, and it helps for removal. And the activator is specifically for pre-pasted. It creates a consistent bond between the wall and the paper. Sounds like extra work - but you'll be so happy you did both.

Q: When you turned the birdhouse to a barn what did you use for the snow? And if going for log cabin look, will Priscilla curtains look right in there?
Matt: We used quilt batting for the snow, and just pulled it like cotton candy to create the effect. I prefer Elvis curtains over Priscilla curtains - thankyaverymuch!
Shari: The Priscilla curtains may be a bit frilly for that log cabin look. Maybe go with something less ruffled.

Q: Oh, I for got to ask, can you explain how to make a room plan to scale? I'm sure that would help us with designing the sewing room. Merry Christmas!
Shari: Merry Christmas right back at 'cha. To draw a room to scale, measure the room in feet, and draw it on your paper with 1/4-inch equaling 1 foot from the room. Be sure to mark where windows begin and end. Leave open spaces in the walls for doorways, and it might be a good idea to mark outlets and switches to help you plan for lighting. Next, I lightly mark in the traffic pattern and possible focal points, like a fireplace or view from a window. Direct your furniture toward the focal points and try to keep it out of the traffic patterns. It is tough to teach in words only, but I hope these comments help you.
Matt: There are books out there that can help you with floor plans, as well.

Q: I have two large sidewalls in my foyer. How do I decorate them?
Matt: There are new products from a company called Decora, which has many stick-on appliques that are made specifically for side lights. I know they have a website...
Shari: While Matt is searching for info, you could also try sheers gathered at the top and bottom. Sometimes it's fun to pull them in at the center and add a tassel or some greenery. You could also use pleated shades or blinds of any type to give you some privacy or some ability to check out who's at your front door.
Matt: The website is: www.decora-home.com.

Q: My living room has a large bay window, a fireplace and a piano against the only wall without windows as well as a television in one corner between the fireplace and bay window. I have always had trouble deciding what the focal point of the room should be. It measures about 21 x 22.
Shari: I would think you've placed several focal points together, which includes the bay window, TV and fireplace. So your focal point sort of rounds the corner. Unless you have a budding pianist in your home and want to make that the focal point, otherwise I would direct all the furniture towards that corner and take in all the focal points you have to offer.

Q: Hi Matt and Shari - love your show!!! The only wall in my bedroom where I can put our king-sized bed has two windows about the window's width apart. What can I do for a window treatment ?
Shari: If it is necessary for your bed to be placed in front of the windows, then how about a large drapery that covers the windows and the area in between to create a large colorful background for the bed? If your bed isn't over the windows, it is okay to treat them separately but alike. They don't have to be tied together, but decorated the same. I hope that helps. Sometimes it is hard to picture exactly what you mean in this chat forum.

Q: I have a question, please! Since there are millions of people who live in apartments, why don't you do weekly episodes on apartment decorating?
Shari: Yes - we could call it apartment by apartment... Thank you for your comment - we'll try to address more apartment concerns in upcoming episodes.
Matt: Aside from painting, most ideas we give can be translated to apartments.

Q: I want to paint kitchen/dining different color than living but one open space and a common wall how do I do this?
Shari: Usually the common wall is best painted the same color, or you could try a technique that combines several colors. Then the walls that are just in the dining area, take one of the techniques, and then the other wall a different technique.
Matt: You could use a decorative trim at the separation point. We have found a fluted material creates an imaginary column quite nicely.

Q: Hi Matt and Shari. Just had to share than my three boys (5,7,9) loved holiday theme show. The 5-year-old grabbed some toilet paper tubes to make the poppers. Wants to make them for his class. Compromise: they'll replace treat bags for his birthday party.
Matt: How great! I think the most special parts of doing our show are the comments we receive from kids.
Shari: And most of the time their parents aren't forcing them to watch - LOL!
Matt: We are currently working on our holiday special for December 2003. So please keep watching. And tell the boys, "Ho, ho, ho!" from me.

Q: Hello, I have a question that I hope that you can answer. I would like some ideas of how to paint, particleboard and Formica...
Matt: Okay. Assuming that you aren't using it for an eating area, where no food comes in contact with it, you can use latex paint. The steps are like any other painting: it needs to be clean, you need to prime it with a multi-purpose primer, and you need to apply your topcoat, which could be latex, semi-gloss or satin. And for extra protection, once it is dry, add several coats of water-based polyurethane. The water-based doesn't yellow.

Q: Will you ever be in the Northeast?
Matt: Well, we are in Northeast Ohio today - does that count? How far northeast? And actually, ever is a long time. I'm sure we will be at some point, but we have no immediate plans.

Q: Matt & Shari...Have watched u for a long while...love the ideas, but have trouble finding the products to reproduce some of your great ideas...any suggestions?
Shari: All the shopping we do is normally in major chains. We use Home Depot and Lowe's, Joanne, Etc. Pier One, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Sherwin Williams, Michael's.
Matt: Very rarely do we visit specialty shops, unless its internet.
Shari: But now that you are armed with our favorite shops, you should have no problem.
Matt: Visit HGTV.com. On each episode, we have a materials list that you can consult.

Q: We need to get our house prepared to go on the market to be sold. This is our first house, and I am not sure what needs to be done to get it ready and make it "not boring" but still have a wide appeal.
Matt: Paint creates the cleanest palette possible. The first thing people look for when they walk in: Is it clean? Freshening your paint will do just that.
Shari: As far as color goes, I've never had trouble selling my homes, and they have been full of color.
Matt: Removing any clutter also helps. It gives folks a good chance to see the house as it is.

Q: I have a 2 story family room that is totally undecorated and I would love to have some of your personal insight. How would I attempt to get you to come to my house?!
Matt: As you probably know, we shoot most of our episodes in Cleveland, Ohio. We don't travel as much as we used to, except to do our specials. But you never know...watch HGTV.com for the "Be on HGTV" page, which will announce when shows are looking for participants.

Q: What is the color of your workroom where you open your show?
Matt: It has been several colors, actually. We don't have a listing of the colors, but I'll try to look them up and share that information for the next chat. (Note added to transcript: The color is Sherwin Williams Baroque Plum #1552. It's discontinued, officially, but if you ask the "mixer" in the store, he'll be able to get the combination.)

Q: Hi, Matt and Shari! I love your show. I want to decorate my 11'9" by 10'9" room. It's basically a computer room with a TV in it. is there any way by which I can decorate this small room along with a computer table and a TV stand? thank u!
Shari: We recently did a great small office, where we eliminated the closet doors and put a work space in the closet and added upper cabinet storage. If you have this situation, it will work out great. Otherwise, if the TV is small enough, there are methods to hang them on the wall to give you more floor space in the room. If it is sort of high-tech, it will fit right in. Hope that helps.

Q: I'm looking for new curtains to go with an oriental rug in my living room. The curtains will be on a bay window. Any advice on color, texture, etc.?
Shari: Whatever color you use on your window treatment will suddenly be that much more noticeable in the area rug. So select a color you want to highlight. As far as texture, the more formal the room, the shinier and sleeker the fabric, and the more casual the room, the heavier the draperies can be textured.

Q: Hi Matt and Shari, love to watch your show. I have a 16 ft. x 14 ft. dining room and live in a 100-year-old farmhouse, which I am decorating in a Victorian theme. My color scheme is a blue floral with pink,. I want it to look inviting instead of "just another room' Thanks.
Shari: I think making a dining room look inviting comes in the details. Perhaps you want to add flowers and greenery to your chandelier. How about setting the table as if guests were about to arrive? Even soft fabrics, bows, tassels and flowers can be added to the backs of your dining chairs for more interest. This layering effect will add warmth that welcomes everyone into the room.

HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. Thanks for joining us today and for sending such great questions. And thank you, Matt and Shari, for spending the hour with us.

Shari Hiller: Thank you to everyone for your kind comments. We are so pleased you are enjoying the show, and we will do our best to address some of the issues that have come up in future shows. Please have a happy holiday season.
Matt Fox: And we'll see you again next year, when we can decorate together...
Matt and Shari: Room by Room!