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From the Design File of Heather B – Accent Color Paint Choice

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Design Question

I need advice on interior paints. Currently I have Fresh cut Grass (~ cream from Benjamin Moore) colour in my living room. I also have lot of Cherry wood furniture on dotted gum (Brown) wood floor. I like to paint one wall with a different colour. Could you please advise me which colour goes with this setup?

Design Answer

You’re definitely starting off on the right foot. When choosing an accent color for a living room, you want to take several elements into consideration: the main paint color choice (fresh cut grass); the predominant color of the furniture whether it’s construction material of the furniture or the fabric of the sofa/chairs; and the mood you would like to create with your paint choice. Another thing to remember about choosing an accent color is that many people think that it must be bolder or darker than the main color that has been chosen, but it all depends on your personal taste and the effect you would like to achieve.

Warm Colors

Warm colors are red, orange and yellow. They, of course, include any shades, tints and hues in the red, orange and yellow color families. Warm colors have specific characteristics that contribute to the overall mood of the living room and how it interacts with the rest of the living room furniture. A warm color has the appearance of “moving toward you” which is why bright reds, yellows and oranges have a tendency to make a room look smaller in the cozy sense (not the cramped sense). Because warm colors are closely associated with fire, they energize a room. 

Cool Colors

Cool colors don’t mean “cold,” but they do have the opposite effect of warm colors. Cool colors include blue, green and violet. A cool color looks like it is “moving away from you.” This will make the room seem larger; contributing a sense of distance or space in the living room’s décor. Cool colors have a comfortable soothing and tranquil vibe to them.

Even if we are conscious of the affect that color has on us, the color choices in a room does contribute to the overall mood. So, it really is a personal preference, depending on whether you would like your living room to energize (warm accent colors) you or to soothe (cool accent colors) you. However, from the description that you gave me of your living room, but without seeing any photographs, I would be drawn to warm color choices.

I hope this has been helpful. I answer your design questions every Monday, so keep sending them in! I love to hear from all of you.

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Posted in Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, How To & DIY Furniture, Living Room Furniture & Design | 2 Comments »

From the Design Files of Heather B – Small Teen Bedroom

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Design Question

My daughter wants to redecorate her room. My dilemma is that the bedroom is small. The dimensions are 11′ high ceilings, in a 13′ x 11′ room. One wall has sliding glass doors that lead out to the pool (we live in FL) which she rarely uses. Another wall has the room entrance and a large four panel louvered door closet, which basically leaves two walls with a corner in between to place her bed, dressers, desk etc. We have used in the past probably every possible configuration we can think of, so I was looking for some help or new ideas.

The furniture pieces involved currently are a dresser with a mirror, a lingerie dresser, an oversized night table, a corner desk, and a wrought iron full size bed. All the furniture is white. The walls currently are chocolate brown. Can we place the bed in front of the sliders? Or is that a just not done? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Design Answer

Arranging furniture in a small bedroom can be tricky, but not impossible if you follow a few general guidelines.

  • When redecorating a bedroom, the first thing to do is to decide what the focal point of the room will be. Typically in a bedroom, it is the bed. For a cohesive bedroom interior design, the other furnishings should be arranged around the focal point. Once you have chosen the room’s focal point, you can then decide how to arrange the furniture.
  • Start with the largest bedroom furniture piece in the room, which in this case from the great detailed description you gave will be your daughter’s bed. Choose the wall that will best accommodate the bed.
  • Make sure that your daughter will be able to move around each piece of furniture easily without bumping into something else. Ensure that doors and drawers can be opened and closed without impeding the room’s traffic flow.

There are no rules about using the sliders as a “wall” for the bed. As long as it is not one of the house’s escape exits in the event of an emergency, there’s no reason that the bed cannot be placed in from of the sliding doors.

If your daughter doesn’t use the sliding doors, another option is to put the corner desk in the corner formed by the glass doors and the wall, and then place the bed on an angle in the corner that was occupied by the desk. Sometimes placing the bed on an angle in a small space opens up the room by altering the focal point. See if this little trick will work in your daughter’s bedroom.

Hope this is helpful in giving you a workable solution. Thanks for writing in. Come back next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. Keep sending me those emails and don’t forget to include pictures if you can.

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Vaulted Ceiling Paint Dilemma

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Design Question

Hi, I have a master bedroom that I just don’t know what to do with. The main problem is choosing color for the walls. My husband and I have a great master bath which is relaxing and soothing in color (light blue) but I am stumped on color for the bedroom. I feel if I could just get some ideas on color than the rest will fall into place. I want a relaxing/romantic feel for our bedroom. I have attached two pics. I tried to show that we have a vaulted ceiling as well.

Any suggestions are most appreciated. Thanks!

Design Answer

.Especially a bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, the instinct is to paint the entire room white or some other neutral color like beige, light tan, cream or gray because these colors on ceiling give the illusion of more space. You don’t have to stick to neutrals, but it would be wise to pick a softer shade since a richer color on both the ceiling and the walls has a tendency to make the space feel claustrophobic or too dark.

You like the color in the master bath; I would start there. See if you can find a varying shade of the blue in your bathroom that would suit your bedroom. You also said that you would like to give your bedroom a romantic feel, which typically means softer tints of purple, such as lavender or lilac or deeper shades of pink like rose.

Another trick for helping you to decide what paint color to choose, is to start “backwards.” Go shopping for new bedding or select a favorite bedding set. Pick out some colors that you like and search for comparable paint chips at your local hardware store. It doesn’t have to be a bedding set; you can take your color inspiration from a colorful print or painting; a treasured memento or an upholstered accent chair. I love the curtains; blue is actually a complementary color (the color directly opposite on the color wheel) of gold.

Once you have a specific color in mind, don’t forget to take the room’s natural and artificial light into consideration. You will want to invest in a little paint sample you can actually apply to the wall and see if you like the color you have chosen in all types of light from the sun coming into the room (if the room faces east) in the morning to how it looks in early evening and then again how the color appears in the room when a lamp is lit or the overhead light is on.

I hope this has been helpful. Thanks for writing in. Stay tuned next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. And don’t forget to keep sending me those emails!

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Artwork on a TV Wall?

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Design Question

Dear Heather B,

We have a large flat screen in our lounge with a long cabinet below. I would like to put up a painting of some sorts above or some artwork on either side. I have attached a recent photo (taken during the world cup) which was the only one I could find at such short notice.

My husband says it will be distracting and the wall colour, which is different to the rest of the wall colours is enough. But to me the wall just looks too bare and needs some life…

Let me know what you think… take me out of my misery :)

Design Answer

That’s a great accent wall colour. Well-chosen and thoughtfully placed artwork shouldn’t be distracting: the only time it is would be is when pictures are hung incorrectly; too many pictures are grouped together; or the picture frames selected are too “busy.” It’s such a great space; there are several things you could do with this wall to make it more appealing (hopefully to the both of you).

Option #1: Put two wall sconces, one on either side of the television. It will give you the option of using not having to use the overhead ceiling light all of the time. The mirrored accents of the AF Lighting Candice Olson Hollace 6 Inch Wall Bracket Light create visual interest without taking up a lot of space.

Option #2: Place a set of wall sculptures like the Infinity Instruments Wall Art Reflection Tree Decor Piece and the Infinity Instruments Wall Art Autumn Memories Decor Piece on either side of the plasma TV. It will provide a decorative element while creating a sense of movement in the room. This might sound like it will create the distraction your husband would like to avoid, but walls are “boring” when they are “stagnant.”

Option #3: Hang a larger sized picture on only one side of the television. Another variation is to hang a set of three or four small sized pictures above the TV.

Thanks for writing in. Stay tuned next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. And don’t forget to keep sending me those emails!

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Tight Space Studio Apartment

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Design Question

Hi Heather, I have just moved to a studio apartment in the city and I’m tight on space. As you walk in the door, to the right is the kitchenette and to the left is the bathroom. Straight ahead is the bedroom area and it’s all in one space. The furniture I have is a double bed, wooden chest, a bedside table and lamp, a computer desk and chair, a small table for 2 along with a bamboo mat.

I want a Japanese style because of the lack of space in the unit as its size is of two normal sized bedrooms. Can you help me with any ideas?

Design Answer

The first trick to decorating a small space is to think cozy instead of small. You don’t want too much furniture in the space, because that will make it cramped. But you can err on the side of caution, too, but having not enough of the “right” kind of furniture; by that I mean the right number and right type of furniture pieces that will make you comfortable and your home welcoming.

The second trick to decorating a studio apartment is to choose furniture that is in scale. Many people make the mistake of thinking “small” instead of compact. When buying bedroom furniture or living room furniture for small spaces think dual purpose like a futon, which can double as a sofa and a bed; platform bed with storage drawers or a TV stand with multipurpose shelving and/or drawers.

The third trick to keep in mind when decorating a bachelor apartment or a studio apartment is to pay attention to how you arrange the furniture. Because everything is out in the open, so to speak, you will want to choose one or two specific furniture pieces, preferably larger ones such as an entertainment center, dresser or armoire, as focal points in the room. Make sure that you have enough room to move around each piece of furniture; that you will have enough room to pull out your desk chair when sitting at the computer; opening drawers; or accessing cabinets, etc.

More Tips for Decorating Small Spaces

Japanese style is a great choice for studio apartments, because lines are simple, walls are typically unadorned and colors are earth tones or soothing neutrals.

Add a large framed mirror directly opposite either the window or the door; this will help to make the space appear larger.

Select furniture that includes some type of open design like chairs with ladder backs; headboards with a lattice or openwork pattern; open style bookcases or storage shelving units; or tables with glass tops. By selecting furniture that isn’t “solid” (as in dense) looking will also help to make your living space look larger.

Thanks for writing in. Stay tuned next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. And don’t forget to keep sending me those emails!

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Wrong Headboard Color

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Design Question

This headboard was an oak color. I repainted it white and put a beige color overtop. I am not pleased with the results. It looks like it’s been painted white with beige rubbed on. I would like a more unique finish. Was thinking it may look better just white with the color on the edges sanded off. Can you suggest a color or technique for this style? I have a whole suite I would like to do, so I would like to appreciate it for a few years.     Thank you 

Design Answer

It actually didn’t turn out too badly but I can see why you would be reluctant to paint an entire bedroom set in this way. There are several things you can consider trying.

Option #1 – Repainting it White

Painting it all white with the shade of white you used originally and then lightly sanding the edges, the crown molding and maybe random areas of the posts will give the headboard a distressed or antiqued look. Actually you could use the sanding technique on any color you chose to give the headboard and the other pieces in your bedroom suite a distressed finish.

Option #2 – Glazed Finish

Because the headboard has a charming old world look that could be adapted to several décor styles including country, French country and even traditional, you could use a glazing technique that would give it the appearance on an heirloom found in a rural cottage. To get the desired effect you will need to use three paint colors: base color, glaze color and an accent color. Since you already have purchased paint, I suggest that you use those two; then you only have to purchase an accent color and a clear glaze. The accent color should be a color that matches or complements one that is already in the room. For example, you may have a shade of blue you like that appears in the pattern of your curtains or your comforter. Here’s how to get the look I have in mind:

  1. Apply two coats of the white paint (or whatever color you choose for the base coat) to the headboard.
  2. Let dry thoroughly between each coat.
  3. Lightly sand the headboard. When finished sanding, wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust.
  4. To create the glaze mix two parts of your beige paint (or whatever other color you decide to use) with one part glaze. Using a rag, apply the glaze to the headboard in small, circular motions. Try not to go over the same place twice. Make sure it’s dry before going on to the next step.
  5. Paint the edges of the furniture piece with your accent color. You can also highlight the crown molding of the headboard or the edges of the drawer fronts of a dresser or night stand.
  6. Using your accent color, for an added country charm, stencil a floral motif on the footboard (if the bed has one; you only mentioned the headboard) and on the drawer fronts and/or sides of the case goods of your bedroom suite.
  7. To protect you handiwork, apply one to two coats of a clear finish. 

Option #3 – Glazed and Distressed

To give your headboard a distressed appearance, follow the above steps 1 through 5.

You will need extra-fine steel wool and finishing wax.

Before steps 6 and 7, take the extra-fine steel wool and dip it into the finishing wax. Rub gently in a circular motion to give the surface a distressed look that is smooth.

Thanks for writing in. Hope this has been helpful. Let me know how it turns out. Keep sending me your design questions and pictures.

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Posted in Bedroom Furniture & Design Ideas, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, How To & DIY Furniture | 1 Comment »

From the Design Files of Heather B – He Said/She Said Paint Color

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Design Question

My girlfriend and I are decorating our new apartment. We are currently shopping for new living room furniture. We both like this gray couch, which means the rest of the furniture will be mostly gray. So I want “shocking” walls. My choice is red; I thought it would make a good background for the gray living room furniture. My girlfriend wants to paint the room blue; actually more of a pastel teal. I don’t want blue of any shade and she thinks that the red would be too dark. Which is the right color we should be picking? How do we settle this so that we can both live the color choice?

Design Answer

You’re right – since you are both living in the space, you will need to agree on a color that will be pleasing to you both. In your situation, however, it’s not really an issue of which shade is right or wrong, because both the red and the blue/teal would be good candidates for matching with the furniture you have chosen.

In my opinion, what is a more important consideration is the overall effect you both would like to achieve. Since colors fall into two basic categories – warm colors (reds, lavenders, pinks) and cool colors (blues, greens) – you will want to decide which vibe would best work in the space. Because the sofa and other living room furniture is a neutral shade (gray) you won’t have to worry about matching the furniture color to the walls. The good thing about cool colors is that, unlike warm shades such as red or orange, you don’t have to worry about them overpowering the other décor elements in the room.

Since it isn’t really a matter of whether or not the wall color will or will not go with the furniture, discuss with your girlfriend the kind of mood you would like to create in your living space. If it ends up that you are still on two separate pages in terms of the exact vibe you both would like for the living room, you’ll have to do some negotiating.

Thanks for writing in. Let me know how it turns out! Send pictures! Good luck.

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Furniture Color Question

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Design Question

I am currently in the process of redoing the family room, since it’s just a mishmash of mismatched furniture with a large plasma TV on the end wall. Because it was previously painted not even two years ago, we’re not planning on doing it again. So the color of the walls are light blue. Same thing concerning the carpet; it’s still new enough that we won’t be replacing it. It’s a soft cream color. I want a contemporary look for the family room, something casual but still smart looking. With light blue walls and cream colored carpet, which would look better, white or dark brown furniture?

Design Answer

The short answer is either white or a darker brown like espresso or chocolate will work perfectly well in a room with light blue walls and a cream colored carpet.

The longer answer is that both choices have their pros and cons. Some people would shy away from choosing white furniture for a family room because it can be easily stained; especially white furniture that has white or lighter colored upholstered seating or accompanying accent cushions. However, white furniture can look smart, especially contemporary style living room furniture. It has the added advantage of being able to go with virtually any other color. White furniture can be a great backdrop for accent pillows of different colors. Or you can implement a standard contemporary color scheme by starting with white basics and accessorizing with black fabrics and other decorative items.

White in a room, whether it’s on the walls or it is the color you have chosen for your family room or living room furniture also has the advantage of opening up the space and making it seem roomier. This is a plus if the room you are redecorating is small to begin with.

On the other hand, choosing furniture with finishes that include chocolate, java or cappuccino will give your family room a much more sophisticated look and feel. Particularly in a room that has an area rug or carpet in a light shade, darker colored furniture will create a pleasing contrast, while adding warmth.

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Making Room For Stepchildren

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Design Question

My husband has two children (12 and 15) from his previous marriage. When my stepchildren come to stay for the weekend, one sleeps on the sofa downstairs in the family room and the younger one sleeps in the guest room on the main floor. It’s not a good arrangement. I would like to do something about it but don’t really know what would be best. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can create a space that will work better for both the kids and us?

Design Answer

Even though it might be “just for the weekend,” it is difficult for children to belong essentially to two separate households. It can be disorienting, uncomfortable or a little strange. You do, however, have two things working in your favor – you have a second bedroom and you have a family room. With these two components, there are several things you can do, any one of which will help you create a permanent place in your home for your stepchildren that will be accommodating, welcoming and most of all theirs.

The first thing for you to consider is eliminating the guest bedroom and renaming it “the boys” room. When your stepchildren come to stay with you for the weekend, they should plan on sharing. Putting them in the same room rather than having them sleep in two separate places will perhaps make dealing with a second household a bit easier.

Take the opportunity to do this redecorating project as a “team.” When converting your guest room into your stepsons’ room, don’t do it without them. Let them choose the color for the walls. When it comes time to accessorize the room, take them shopping; let them help you select the bedding, curtains, area rug, etc. 

Measure the room to see how much actual space you will have to work with. What teenager or young boy doesn’t like a bunk bed? If they will be the only ones using it on a regular basis, bunks beds would be a good option, especially if it is a smaller sized room. Should you do have need of a guest room and there is space for twin beds they would a better choice in terms of functioning as the boys’ room when they are there and as a guest room when they are not. Twin beds would also allow you to establish definitive areas for each child – you could dress the bed in complementary bedding rather than matching bedding, further distinguishing each boy’s “place” in the room.

In the family room, if there are already bookshelves or some type of storage unit, rearrange the shelves so that your stepsons can store some of their belongings such as movies, games, etc. If there is room in the bedroom, consider adding a bookcase or cubby storage to encourage them to leave some of their possessions so that they don’t have to tote these types of things back and forth between houses. It will also help make it homier and more welcoming.

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From the Design Files of Heather B – Wrong Paint Color

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Design Question

Please, I need your professional advice. I have been living in my house for over 8 years and never had the opportunity to paint it. My husband and I went to the store to choose a paint color. We bought “Sand Motif” (Behr) for our living room but when we painted the walls, it was very dark.  We chose white for the “trim”.

We did not expect the color to be that dark but we could not change it. We went back to the store and bought the “Russian White” for our family room and chose the “Antique White RM” (CIL) for our kitchen. We have not chosen our stairwell color yet.

I do not like the “Sand Motif” due to the color. Could you please help me to choose a good color for our furniture; a color that will brighten the family room? Thanks

Design Answer

I’m sorry to hear that the color ended up to be not to your liking. I’m assuming that the white that you have chosen as the color for the trim isn’t brightening up the room enough for you. Other than repainting the entire area, there are some things you can try.

Since you have not yet chosen the paint for the stairwell, why not select a lighter shade that will complement the sand motif color? Then paint two of the living room walls the color that you will be using for the stairwell. The other two sand motif walls will be your accent color.

Do you have enough of the Russian White or the white paint you used for the trim in the living room leftover? If yes, and either one of the whites matches the sand motif, then you might consider repainting two of the walls in the lighter shade and leaving the darker one as an accent color.

As for living room furniture, especially the sofa or the coffee table, again choose a color that is complementary to the sand motif. A complementary color is the color that is directly opposite on the color wheel. For example the complementary color for red is green. Since the living room wall color has green tones, you will want to look for living room furniture that has a light cherry or oak finish. Pine furniture with hints of rose would also be a good choice. The same applies to any window treatments, an area rug or accent pillows you add to the room; select fabric and accessories that complement the sand motif. You can also make the furniture “lighter” by choosing less solid pieces such tables with glass tops or bookcases with open shelves.

Hope this is helpful in giving you a workable solution. Thanks for writing in. Come back next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. Keep sending me those emails and don’t forget to include pictures if you can.

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