Dream Home 2003 Interior Design chat—01/27/2003
HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Tonight, Linda Woodrum, HGTV's Dream Home interior designer, is here to answer your questions. Good evening, Linda!
Linda Woodrum: Good evening!
Question: What is the ease of changing light bulbs and filters or doing other maintenance with the high ceilings? Is there special equipment to do this without having to use a very tall ladder? Where are the filters for the central air/heat located?
Linda: Well, as far as the lighting in the great room—there is a tool that is made—a long extension pole, that will make changing the bulbs quite easy. As far as the filters go, I'm not to sure—so I don't have an answer for that one.
Q: Is there a fence near the greenhouse, and if so, what is it for?
Linda: The fence is there because we are in a wilderness area, and it serves as protection from various small wildlife that might eat berries and other plants you may have growing there.
Q: Does the kid's room bath have a bathtub/shower combination or just a shower?
Linda: It's just a shower.
Q: Are you going to be the one to decorate the 2004 home? Do you know where it's going to be? Can you tell us?
Linda: Luckily, I do get to work on the next Dream Home, but I don't know where the next one will be. I don't think they have decided yet.
Q: The home's lovely! We need help with our problem with both full baths in our home. They have small windows over the tub/shower combination. It's hard to find curtains that handle the soap and water, and those aren't very attractive. Sewing something isn't a problem. Any suggestions for something that would look nice and still work with soap and water?
Linda: Well, I'm thinking that I have seen in the warehouse fabric stores, there are vinylized fabrics to be used outside. And there are wonderful shower curtains that have beautiful designs that you could modify to your uses. There are many fabrics to make your selection from as well.
Q: Why so much blue? Did you consider other colors for some rooms?
Linda: When I am approaching a project, I try to keep continuity in the house, and I think that ultimately, while the house has a lot of blue, the rooms are different. So there are varying shades of blue. I tried to have a little fun within the blue color scheme, and the water and sky are both such an important part of the house, that the blue was very important to the house itself.
Q: What is in the little room next to the toilet in the master bedroom?
Linda: It's all the pipe works for the spa just outside the exterior doors to the master bathroom.
Q: Will HGTV provide a complete source list for the house, not just the Ethan Allen list, since many on the boards have asked about specific pieces?
Linda: Generally, because we are definitely working on these projects with our sponsors, they are such an important part of the process, we attempt to honor those sponsors with their prevalence. Also, there are many things, items, and accessories that are bought far in advance, and are impossible to give a listing for.
Q: Can you describe the half bath off the office? I understand it has a really neat sink.
Linda: It's an amazing sink—a freestanding bowl made of glass, resting on a stainless steel column. The company is called Vitramax (www.vitramax.com), and they have some incredible things on their website.
Q: I was wondering why the kids room is always geared for boys? Could you at least think about doing a girl's room next year?
Linda: We would love to do that next year, so maybe then we could push over to the girls' side of things.
Q: The house is really beautiful! How large are the closets in the bedrooms?
Linda: You know, every bedroom has a nice-sized closet. The guest and master both have walk-in closets. I personally think there is a tremendous amount of storage throughout the house. The potting area in the mudroom has plenty of storage, so it's just tucked all over the place.
Q: How can the office be turned into a guestroom?
Linda: I think because we put a half-bath up there it would be a very easy transition. And remember—there is an outdoor shower downstairs you could use. :^)
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the details in the bathrooms we have not seen, i.e. sinks etc.?
Linda: The master bath just has basic undermount sinks. The guest bedroom has two glass sinks from Vitramax which are beautiful and unusual. The powder room in the hallway has a lovely pedestal sink, and the children's room has a traditional sink with cabinetry, so really the house has examples of almost every type of sink you could want.
Q: What kind of shower head(s) are in the master bath? Can't see them in the tour.
Linda: They have these wonderful oversized shower heads mounted in the ceiling. You have room to where you can stand to the side, but when you are under the shower head it's like standing under a rain cloud. It's wonderful—and very good looking.
Q: What kind of bed and mattress is it? I have a really bad back.
Linda: We were lucky that Ethan Allen provided all mattresses and bedding. We didn't spend a great deal of time with them, but I can attest that they are very comfortable.
Q: Will you please tell us more about the available storage? Do any of the closets have organizing systems? Are there special units in the kitchen (such as pot lid drawers, etc)? What is the small room (accessible from the outside) between the Mudroom and the Garage? Is there a pantry in the kitchen and does it have special storage units? Where are the plates and glasses stored in the kitchen?
Linda: In the kitchen, there is a pantry that can holds plates and glasses. In the dining room, there were two matching chests, on either side of the table in the dining room were chosen specifically for glasses, plates, etc. But no specific designs as far as pot lids, etc. As you come in from the garage, there is a storage space, and of course the mudroom has plenty, with plenty of cabinetry abounding there.
Q: Hi Linda! The house is fabulous. We have one question for you. When you have a double hung window with a transom directly above it, where do you place the window treatment?
Linda: Usually, in any room, regardless of window configuration, you look for a line, then the height of the room. The transom is a great line: there is no problem with privacy, and they are high enough for light. You want to find that line that works best with the eye, and then consider what functions the best in that room.
Q: Hi, I would like to know if the bunks in the children's room are standard twin size, in the pictures and on TV they look smaller...Thank you.
Linda: They are twin size—but the walls on three sides make them appear a bit smaller.
Q: You noted that the couch in the great room is slip covered. What is the fabric of the actual piece?
Linda: Underneath is a cotton-white duck. When you would order these sofas from Ethan Allen, you could use anything—any of their fabrics—for the furniture pieces.
Q: I love the flow of indoor to outdoor. It seems seamless. Screened in areas might have spoiled that. Did you (the crew) consider screening in any areas?
Linda: Initially we talked about it. But the wonderful thing about the house and the summer kitchen, is that there is such a great breeze, which reduces the impact of insects when you are there. It's just a great spot for the house.
Q: What shade of blue did you use in the Great Room? It looks almost the color of painter's tape...unless my TV needs an adjustment.
Linda: In the great room, the blue on the sofas is an Ethan Allen fabric—and I'm sure you could find it on their website (www.ethanallen.com).
Q: Any ideas for attractive screening for windows, doors and the Summer Kitchen?
Linda: We used Sunbrella fabrics for drapes. A fixed screen would be a very easy job there. You would just need to add a door.
Q: Will the winner get to exchange any pieces to personalize the home?
Linda: No.
Q: First, let me say you have done a beautiful job decorating the Dream Home, my questions is.. Where is there storage for stuff like Christmas trees and such? Is there a coat closet?
Linda: That's an interesting question because the architect who designed the house is from Denver, and they had a large coat closet in the foyer, but since the climate is so warm, it would be unnecessary. Believe me, there is ample closet space available to you, and there is a coat rack area just beyond the entrance from the garage.
Q: Are there 2 types of pantries in the kitchen—a cabinet one beside the ref. and a regular one behind the door perpendicular to the ref.?
Linda: There is a narrow one next to the refrigerator, and there is a full-sized one...so the answer is yes.
Q: If I won the home, I would want to have the office changed into another bedroom. Would Ethan Allen allow that and would you help choose the furnishings?
Linda: I would love to help you choose the furniture, but as of now, the Dream Home is exactly as it will be when it is awarded.
Q: What brand are the linens in the master bedroom?
Linda: A lot of the linens are Ethan Allen as well, and we use fabrics for some of other things in that room.
Q: Did the Outdoor Kitchen Chandelier come from the Chandelier Shop in San Francisco?
Linda: It certainly did! What a smart viewer. :^)
Q: You have used a lot of chairs throughout the house. Do you find chairs to be more versatile for both aesthetic and functional purposes?
Linda: Yes, I think that there always seems to be a need for a chair somewhere. The dining chairs you can move around easily, and it can expand to add more chairs. We knew that the Dream Home would be special, and therefore the chairs can be moved around for entertaining and then returned. And more chairs added, but yes both aspects of chair placement are important and were considered.
Q: Do you ever take pieces of furniture from other manufactures that would just like to be a part of a home giveaway for some advertising?
Linda: We really don't do that. This year, we were so committed to Ethan Allen, plus they were so able to provide what we needed, it was a very comfortable relationship that was an absolute joy.
Q: What date will they pick the winner?
Linda: On or about March 17th, according to the official rules on HGTV.com. You can find answers to most questions about the parameters of the contest in the official rules, including entry and tax questions.
Q: What is in the little room between the mudroom and garage, only accessible from outside?
Linda: That's another mechanical space, where pipes, the water heater, etc. are located.
Q: Is there any part of your job that isn't fun?
Linda: No, I have the best job in the world. I always have a wonderful time working on the Dream Home.
Q: Will HGTV provide any additional pictures of the Dream Home, such as of areas not shown before?
Linda: Aside from the online tour—there is also a video you can view online that has a type of inside look at the building of the Dream Home. But other than that, I don't think there will be more pictures posted. Making of the Dream Home Video: Dream Home Video.
Q: Can you tell us about the bathroom off the great room?
Linda: What makes it unique is that it has a shower. It has a pedestal sink, a toilet. And the shower works well with the spa area, so if guests are using the guest and master baths, other guests can use the powder room to have a shower if they like.
Q: Would there be enough room in the office to add a shower?
Linda: Difficult. You would want to run down the steps, and use the one outside. But a shower would be tough to add to that space.
Q: Does the master bedroom have dressers?
Linda: Actually, no. The master closet was so large, that the space best serves storage in that area.
Q: Is there any china in the house?
Linda: Yes, there is—china, glassware, flatware. I don't know if any made it to the special on television or online. But there are table settings for eight, and linens also.
Q: What kind of care and maintenance is required for the fabrics on the outdoor furnishings? Low maintenance would be a nice feature in a home meant to be a place for relaxation.
Linda: The winners are going to be very lucky. The fabrics are all designed to be used outdoors and are very easy to maintain. They are perfect for a beach/waterfront setting.
Q: I love the way you've done all the dream homes. Every year is my favorite until the next year. Is this one your favorite?
Linda: I'm on the same page as you—I am so in love with this house, and I can't wait to see who wins it. I feel the same way as you, it's my favorite until the next one.
Q: I love the slipcovers on the great room sofas. However, I was wondering whether it would be possible to order something in appropriate fall/winter patterns from the manufacturer. Do you have any suggestions?
Linda: I think that's a good observation, and is great about those Ethan pieces. There is a huge range of fabrics to choose from, of course they would fit perfectly, and there are enough choices to suit most anyone at any time of year.
Q: Linda do you find decorating this home more exciting than your normal experience?
Linda: I think there could not be a better job than working on the Dream Home. The whole team—the architects, builders, etc. just creates a wonderful experience to work with. I can't imagine a better work experience to be a part of.
Q: Are the sinks in the guest bath from Vitramax as well. I love these sinks also. And has the question been addressed regarding size and type of TV and stereo?
Linda: Yes, they are indeed Vitramax. In the great room, there is a built-in cabinet next to the fireplace. It holds a large screen television, stereo and DVD player, but I'm unsure of the brand or size of the TV set.
Q: What about drawer space—most people don't hang up their underwear and socks and there is no chest of drawers in the master bedroom?
Linda: There is actually, in the closet, there is space to put a chest of drawers—and both sides of the sink have drawer space, so that bathroom area would be the perfect space for intimate apparel.
Q: It is hard to figure out if there is anywhere in the yard to set up children and adult yard games...is there?
Linda: There is a fire pit area to the left of the summer kitchen that is a large sandy area that children would love. But the space is so natural, you could easily find or create an area for volleyball or something like that.
Q: Do the kitchen cabinet systems (or the pantry) make up for lack of overhead cabinets?
Linda: The pantries work well there, and the low chests in the dining area all provide plenty of storage—and there are overhead cabinets above the oven—and I think the fridge also.
Q: Pop-up vent in the kitchen on the stove—does it work?
Linda: It works great. It's a downdraft, and it's a great way to discreetly hide a very functional part of the kitchen.
HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. Hopefully, we covered a lot of the major questions all of you have, even if it wasn't specifically asked by you. Thank you, Linda, for joining us tonight.
Linda Woodrum: Thank you so much! I can't wait to see who the new owners are! Good luck to everyone...
