Interior design and home improvement chat—03/24/03
HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Tonight, Matt Fox and Shari Hiller, hosts of Room by Room, have joined us to answer your interior design and home improvement questions. Welcome back, Matt and Shari!
Shari Hiller: Good evening everyone, we've missed you!
Matt Fox: Hot darn, summer in the city, I could go on.
Question: Hi Shari & Matt. Love your show; even the reruns! My daughter is moving into an old but recently remodeled farmhouse. Nice new windows were custom made to fit the old openings. Bedroom has 2 windows, living room 2, spare room 1, and kitchen 1. Here's the problem. They are 52" wide by only 38" tall from top to bottom of sill. Daughter is non-frilly or lacy. Just basic. What would be the best length for curtains and should they be fairly full in width. Stock size curtains are 36", 45" & 81". Should I shorten them to a specific length for the best look? Existing living room curtains are 71" long & to me it looks odd having more curtain hanging below the window than is actually covering the window height. HELP please! I know you will have the answer!
Shari: Windows in those dimensions can be difficult to address. Do all of the window coverings have to be drapery? Have you considered wooden blinds or pleated shades. You might even be able to hang a cornice board higher on the wall to add some perceived height. In an informal setting, a drape that hangs maybe 4 inches below the window for length could be appropriate. I know you don't like the way a full-length drapery looks, but if the room wants to look more formal, then it is appropriate. Hope that helps!
Q: Matt and Shari, I live in Parma, OH and want to get on your show. Help please!!!
Matt: Well, you have one thing going for you, you live in the same area we do. The best way to get on our show is to visit HGTV.com and look for a posting called "Be on HGTV" and then just follow the steps. Good luck!
Q: Hi Shari, Hi Matt! Three questions: Shari you have suggested that we have a basic decorating book. Do you have a favorite that explains all the different styles? Is your daughter going to follow your footsteps in interior design? Matt, I have been given an old, maple, cobbler's bench. I would like to use it as a coffee table. The finish is quite worn off. Do I need to completely strip it , before refinishing it? I was thinking about possibly painting it, and then staining in to give it an aged look. I have seen you do that before. Have you ever used liquid sandpaper? Thank you for your answers. Room by Room is Number 1 on my list. I will TREASURE the memories of meeting you two FOREVER!! Have a GREAT and SAFE summer! Thank you, Bonnie PS: Sure could use your help with my sewing room! That would be a DREAM COME TRUE!!
Matt: Same here, we enjoyed meeting you! To answer the 3rd question first, I tend to leave things old (if it is still a sound piece) if it is sturdy. I do like the idea of painting and staining, but you are now taking an antique and turning it into just another piece of furniture. Try Restore-A-Finish in a test spot, that should do it.
Shari: Since we are at Matt's house tonight, I am not in front of my library of books, but one of my favorites is Better Homes and Gardens New Decorating Book. That's the title. And as far as my daughter goes, you know how teens are, every day she changes her mind! I guess only time will tell...
Q: I share a bedroom with my son. It is a pretty big bedroom, so I was thinking about dividing it. I was thinking about using our dressers as a border between the rooms. What do you think about this, and do you have any other ideas?
Shari: The dressers sound like a pretty good idea. Could the headboards be placed back to back to divide the room in half. You may even try that on an angle for an interesting effect. And how about a 3, 4 or 5 fold screen, or even...
Matt: louvered doors.
Shari: How about a closet pole with draperies on it hung with filament and screw eyes into the ceiling. That's a tough situation, hope your son doesn't snore!
Matt: Thanks for watching! Here's an update:
Shari: Matt and I are currently on hiatus from taping until September. So we are out and about, gathering new ideas — and shopping! Much to Matt's chagrin.
Matt: But this is the first time in eight years to see what's out there without the pressure. So look forward to a bunch of new fresh shows.
Shari: Also, the second week in August (we think — yes, the 15th) watch for our dorm room makeover. RXR — Back to School. We had so much fun going back to our alma mater: Kent St. University There are lots of great ideas for dorms or any other room in your home.
Q: I have just painted my cabinets a moss green and realized that my counter tops and appliances are either white or off white. Did I make a mistake?
Shari: The moss green sounds fabulous.
Matt: Great color of nature.
Shari: Now find something that pulls all three colors together, like a border, wall covering, drapes, place mats, you name it.
Matt: Sounds perfect.
Shari: Don't be so afraid of your choices; it sounds beautiful.
Q: How do you select people to be on your show?
Matt: First of all we select what rooms would be interesting for all of our viewers. We try to have a large variety through the season, and most homes we try to do at least two rooms in the house to make the stay worthwhile. For both the homeowner and us. There is really no real formula, it's what will make a good show.
Shari: Matt usually says it's who writes the biggest check...
Matt: ...or serves the best cookies!
Q: We were wondering if you are married or just work well together.
Matt: We're not married, and we don't work well together — it's all a television facade! LOL!
Q: Hi Matt & Shari! You two are awesome — can I persuade you to come to Iowa sometime? My question is about a master bathroom — I have about 3 different shades of brown, a multi-tone brown tile tub, a light brown wood floor, maple-stained trim and a white cabinet? Any suggestions to tie them all together? Your show is the best on TV and you always make me smile — thank you!
Shari: Well thank you! Your comments make us smile. :^) It sounds like the only thing that is really out of place in the bathroom is the white cabinet.
Q: Hi Matt & Shari! You two are awesome — can I persuade you to come to Iowa sometime? My question is about a master bathroom — I have about 3 different shades of brown, a multi-tone brown tile tub, a light brown wood floor, maple-stained trim and a white cabinet? Any suggestions to tie them all together? Your show is the best on TV and you always make me smile — thank you!
Shari: It's easy to tone down white by taking a light brown glaze and either brushing it on, pouncing it on, you could use a rag and rub it on. This will tone down the white cabinet and let your cabinet blend with the other neutral tones in the room. Practice your technique on an inside shelf or a white piece of poster board. You will see the effect before you start.
Matt: By the way, I've been to Iowa, and I think it's a lovely state.
Q:: What color plum is on your set walls?
Shari: Matt is looking for the color swatch, but I should tell you we've repainted our set... in an auburn brown and the color will show up in our new season of shows. Matt's still looking, so we'll do another question...
Q: Do you tape shows over the summer?
Shari: This is the first summer in 10 years that we've had a break in taping seasons. We've just finished seasons 19 and 20 in May. For those of you without a calculator — that's 260 shows! Those seasons should begin next spring...we think. And season 18 should start in the fall, so we are thinking 19 will start in the spring. Stay tuned to HGTV and visit HGTV.com for the show schedule (program guide).
Q: How did you get involved in decorating?
Shari: We each have our answers: I think I was born to decorate! When my friends were playing with Barbie's, I was doing the furniture for their homes.
Matt: I was terrible as a brain surgeon, so with field, I knew no lives were in jeopardy so I jumped into it!
Q: My bedroom walls were done in a stucco-type paint by the previous owners. Is there any way to make them smooth for repainting other than sanding?
Matt: I'm afraid so, unless you want to re-drywall. I know they both sound like a pain. Try living with the stucco and try some painting techniques: ragging or washing will help soften, and a glaze will be a pretty technique — which we've done with stucco walls before.
Q: Are you ever at a loss as to how you should decorate a room — like you think it is hopeless?
Shari: I've had a couple of mind blocks, but remember, I'm surrounded by a lot of creative people. And someone is bound to have a good idea. In fact, many good ideas come right from our homeowners.
Matt: Or Kitty, if she's on.
Q: How is the best way to decorate a square living room?
Matt: With ovals.
Shari: There are many ways to change the shape of a room. Accent walls can bring walls into the room, giving it a more rectangular appearance. Placing furniture on angles really disguises a very square room. I should say that Matt's oval comment isn't such a bad idea. An oval area rug, a rounded sofa, soft curves on the chairs. Maybe a round or oval mirror will help cut down the square shape. It will soften the square shape.
Matt: I changed my mind: triangles!
Q: Hi Shari and Matt. I love your show! My question: Do you think it is easier when redoing a room to have the fabric, wallpaper, "inspiration piece" before choosing a paint color or choose a paint color first? Or does this make it harder to match and find fabrics or other items to the paint?
Shari: I try to find the most difficult piece first, whether it is a fabric pattern and color that you like or a wall pattern. Paint comes in nearly every color, so it should be last.
Q: I have a question about painting over wallpaper...what should I do to prepare it before I paint?
Matt: First of all, make sure that's what you want to do. Once you paint it, it will be that much harder to remove. Then you would want to prime it with a primer that is more of a sealer, a shellac-based primer. BIN is a shellac-based primer. Put the primer down, then paint over it with a latex satin.
Q: Matt, I would like to paint my porch. It has never been painted before, so should I use a sealer first?
Matt: Not necessarily. A primer is the best product to use. Make sure you sand it smooth. Sorry: first wash it, then sand. Then apply an oil-based primer if it is a wood porch, then a durable porch and floor enamel. Do not seal a porch and floor enamel with polyurethane. That defeats the purpose.
Q: Hi guys! love the show.....I live in a modular home and they do not have real wood cabinets — what is the best way to paint over them to freshen it up, or should I even try??
Matt: No, by all means, those are very easy to paint. Following the last three questions: it is always best to start with a good primer. For cabinets, I like to use a bonding primer. And then you can apply your topcoat over that. Just when painting cabinets, give them plenty of time to dry so that the paint will cure.
Q: Hi, Shari & Matt — Love the show. What do you suggest for an extremely small guest bath?
Matt: Don't have guests! ;^)
Shari: You're just full of it tonight, Matt! I find no matter what you do, an extremely small guest bath will be just that. So we have painted them navy blue so the white fixtures will stand out.
Matt: It's actually the one bathroom you can have fun decorating.
Shari: Right, give it some style and pizzazz.
Q: Please help. Today while my husband was painting our bathroom ceiling, the old paint started to peel and the new would not adhere in some small sections. As he kept rolling the paint continued to peel. I suspect some dampness issues. How do we correct the problem and have the new paint adhere.
Matt: You need to address the dampness issue first. Is the bathroom getting enough ventilation. Allow the ceiling to dry next. Then, with a putty knife, try to scrape away any loose paint. Sand lightly to feather the edges of the paint. Then apply a good quality oil-based primer. It will be stinky, but well worth it. That should then solve the problem. Let the primer dry at least 24 hours before applying a topcoat.
Q:: I am moving into a new home. The previous owner put up beautiful wood blinds, but the finish is a little too dark for my taste. They are real wood. Can they be painted?
Matt: The problem with painting that is all the cords. If you have every tried to paint slatted blinds, you know it's a nightmare. Unless you take it apart or spray it, you'll never get it coated properly.
Shari: How about a natural linen drapery over them?
Matt: ...but you can still use the blinds for privacy.
Q:: I would love to add fabric to my dining room ceiling. I've made my dining room look like and outdoor patio with flowers and birdhouses and greenery. the windows have shutters on the inside. thought that an awning would look great for the ceiling. what is your idea about it and what would be a great light treatment for the room? I have a ceiling fan now.
Shari: I think the awning fabric on the ceiling would give a great tent effect.
Matt: Great idea.
Shari: Scallop the edges and it'll be wonderful.
Matt: You may want to replace the fans with a pendant fixture that can be dropped down through the fabric.
Shari: I bet it's beautiful!
Q: Shari, you've used a projector to shine a picture on the wall for a baseball room. where do you suggest I buy a projector?
Matt: Any craft and hobby store has them. Joanne, Etc. Michael's. They all stock them, and they are inexpensive. Around 20 bucks.
Q: Hi Shari! Love the show. I am redoing my living room. Is it best to pick a rug and then furniture or the furniture and then the rug?
Shari: I would begin by shopping around for both. When you fall in love with a sofa or rug, start with that. Let your heart decide.
Q: My mom painted my room pink stripes but I'm a tomboy. What is a better color? I like blue and red but mom says that is for boys. I also want to say hi to Matt. He is my favorite TV star. My sister too.
Matt: You are my favorite person in the world right now! Thank you. And blue is great! There is no gender for blue.
Shari: Save the pink for accents, mom.
Matt: And say hi to your sister for me!
Shari: Use the colors that make you feel good. Mom can decorate the rest of the house. :^)
Q: Hi, Matt. Have you ever fixed a ceiling that is texture and not a popcorn ceiling?
Matt: There are a lot of kits you can buy to help you with that. Yes, I have fixed them, but to be honest, they are never the same — you can hide it — but you'll always know where that spot is at (but I doubt your friends will...).
Q: Hi, Matt and Shari. Do you ever come to New York for a show?
Shari: We have done shows in NY state, but as far as New York City, we haven't. But would love to.
Q: What did Matt use to fill in the cracks in drywall before painting?
Matt: If it is a large crack, I use drywall compound (drywall mud). If it is a small crack, I use a flush spackling compound. Make sure you prime after you apply it.
HGTV: Well, everyone, thanks for sticking with us through this rocky chat. I guess the chat software is a little rusty from lack of use in the past few months. And thank you, Matt and Shari, for joining us this evening.
Shari Hiller: We had a great time, the questions were wonderful! Sounds like a lot of decorating going on out there!
Matt Fox: And I wish we could all go out for ice cream on this balmy summer night. You guys are the best! Hope you have a great summer! And the next time we'll see each other...
Matt: We'll decorate together...
Matt and Shari: Room by Room!
