Baseboard Snob

Hi Christine,
         Right now my dining room is half wallpaper and paint as you can see. I want to really change it up. I Iove the wainscoting look, just don't know if it would work for me. The whole house has that same ugly trim. So if I change in one room I have to do it all. My other idea was just to paint the whole wall including chair rail the same color. What do you think of that idea?

- Amy

 

Hi Amy,

I hate telling people that the "HAVE TO" do some large project...  But, since you asked, I would say, "Yes.  You have to change the trim through the whole house." Do you have ANY room where that 2 1/2 inch oak trim looks terrific?  Of course you don't.  And that chair rail falls in the better to have nothing than that category.  Little dainty chair rails are a menace to our society and they should all be turned into kindling.  The only chair rails that improve the look of the space are beefy chair rails, like those in the pictures here.  I honestly feel like little ones should not even be manufactured. 

Don't be overwhelmed.  You don't have to do everything at once.  (unless you want to).  Make this room how you want it, (wonderful wainscotting) and then when you are up for a new house project, keep going with a much larger, nicer baseboard throughout. I previously called myself a chair rail snob, perhaps I am a baseboard snob as well.  What do you think? Is it just me, or is there any hope for short oak baseboards?  Should replacing your baseboards be on everyone's list that has similar ones?

Check out the photo below, where someone painted over the short oak baseboard and then added a half round to make it look higher.  Great idea!

Here's a post in 2008 that I did when I was going through the same process.  (btw- I went 9 1/2)

XOXO

Christine

Erin's Bedroom

We are currently renting a house. The walls in my bedroom are gold and the curtains are an olive green with cream sheers. I can't paint and I am trying to work with the curtains that are there. I've had the orange-ish comforter forever so I recently purchased a white one. I thought white would go with anything but it might be too bright. And I definitely need new sheets but I'm not sure what color. Is there a way to make the white comforter work with the room? Please help! Thank you!

- Erin

Hi Erin,

The first place to start is by reading this post on how to make the bed. 

Secondly- can you make the white work?  Absolutely.  All you need are some "unifiers".  The place I would start is above the headboard.  Remeber that this is the "focalpoint"  Get a piece of art that has your gold, your green, but also white.  Something like this floral: 

Or- for a softer look- try these birch trees:

I also like this birch piece:

Keep in mind that if you go vertical, in a place like this that so obviously is asking for a horizontal piece of art, then you can make it work by adding a couple of sconces to either side.

Now, back to what we learned in the bedmaking post.  One piece of bedding does not a bed make!  You need to add sheets, ...

a throw laid out on the lower 1/3 of the bed...

Using some updated prints and patterns you can add a fresh current look to a somewhat dated background.

By the way- you need some larger lamps, and your current picture is hung way too high, and I would also say that your night stands are too small for a queen size bed.  ;-) 

Tiffani's Entry

Hi Christine,

I found your blog the other day and I was so excited because I really need help with my entryway.  I have two large art niches that have me completely stumped as what to do with them, and the large circular area next to the stairs seems to only be good for a Christmas tree.  I have thought of putting a large fiddle leaf fig or kentia palm there because I have heard they are easy to take care of.  Also I think the sconces for the wall going up the stairs are too small or they need to be farther apart and a little higher up, but I'm not sure if they will even work.  Any help you may be able to give would be wonderful.

Thanks,

Tiffani

Hi Tiffani,

Whenever I see tall curved walls like yours my first thought is wallpaper.  Honestly- what else could be a more perfect solution? In one day a wallpaper installer could add some serious personality to your space.  I would select a pattern that gave a glimpse into your home's personality. 

I love the rhythm that you get with the movement of these branches:

In your empty curved space I would add an entry table with a potted something or other on it.

This table is 47 x 31, nice and narrow, but still long enough to not be too small from a scale standpoint, and large enough to add a large plant.

I am also a big fan of the fiddle leaf fig, as well, but I think your entry needs more than just a plant.

You could also add a smaller table with a chair or two:

Depending on the size of the space and the furniture, you could do the same thing with one larger chair:

Since Mother's Day is around the corner, I will tell you what to ask for:  A fabulous runner for your staircaise.  Talk about a huge difference.  This would look awesome!

Then for Father's Day you can add the slide ;-):

As far as those "niches" go- I hate those things.  I'd have it filled it.  I think they take a lovely space and make it look cheesy and cheap.  I see them in million dollar homes around where I live all the time and absolutely dislike evey one.  And yes, your sconces are way too small for the space, but once you put up your wallpaper- you won't need anything else.  If you want to go all out- you could add wainscoting and wallpaper.

Your entry has a ton of potential.  It was clealy built to be a great first impression.  Remember that your entry is the window into your home.  It should tell a little something about the people who live there.  It should welcome not only guests, but also your own family.  Ideally it is the space where your children enter and feel safe and happy.  Give it some real thought and consideration.  What feeling do you want to envoke?

Joanne's Townhome Colors

Hi Christine,

I love reading your blog, and noticed you asked for questions so here goes:

We have just moved into a townhouse - attached are two photos of my living/dining area . All the walls are SW wool skein with trim in the next lighter shade called panda.  I dislike the red paper in the dining alcove, but wonder if I paint the alcove the same wool skein if it would be too boring?  I also dislike the valances, and would like drapes (but ceiling to floor or just below the transom window to floor??).  I like greens, browns, soft blues, but am stuck on how to proceed!!

PLEASE suggest a color palette to work with the wool skein. 

Very gratefully,

Joanne

Hi Joanne,

So...  you are asking me to help you come up with a color palette that goes with wool skien and panda?  Those are Sherwin Williams names for off white and white.  So...  you are asking me what colors go well with off white and white?  To which I will answer- all of them. 

 

Will painting the dining room wool skien be boring?  No.  The color off white is not what makes a room boring.  A lack of focal point, a lack of texture, uninteresting furnishings and uninteresting wall decor will make it boring, but off white walls don't make it boring.  That is like asking if an off white mat on a painting is boring.  It's just the mat.  The wall color is just the background.  You should really watch my recording of the color webinar. 

You say you like greens, browns and blues?  Great- start with finding a terrific unifier-  perhaps a painting.. or your drapes. 

or- maybe you'll find a rug that you love...

Add some accessories

some pillows-

It will all come together beautifully. 

Julie's Exterior

Dear Christine,

I have been pondering over the past year whether I should contact you. After reading,  “Kathy’s Red Brick” and “Paint Colors for David”  I knew that I should!

We have been tirelessly working on the interior of our home and landscaping since moving in 7 years ago. My eight year old can usually be found mumbling "wouldn't it have been easier to buy a new house" every time we begin another project!

Now we are ready to have our contractor tackle the exterior of the house! We are turning the front porch into a proper foyer with a window matching the current front window on the front and our new Craftsman style door being placed on the right creating a side entrance; adding a "pergola" where the siding meets the brick over the stars similar to the photo below, and replacing the siding (we are OPEN to painting the brick.

We need a new roof but that will wait until next year. However, we were going with an espresso color to match all of the stained wood we have on the fencing and retaining walls.

Here are my dilemmas which I would love your opinion on. We can always change things inside if we guess wrong but I feel like this is my one shot to get the outside right.

1. We are planning on going with a vinyl shake in the color palette chosen by David from your previous post. Would you recommend painting the brick? Should we paint it the same color or a shade lighter/darker?

2. I am partial to the board and batten style shutters. Would you recommend those (if so what color) or just surrounding the windows with a wider trim and lose the shutters? If we go with shutters I was still thinking of adding a trim to the top of the windows.

3. I would like the back of the house to look as good as the rest hopefully will. Do we treat the lower windows on the back of the house the same as the side windows or as the ones right above and just trim them out?

4. Lastly, my husband and I love our new door but are torn between staining it an espresso color to match our other exterior wood tones or paint it.

I included a couple photos of our interior so you can get an idea of our preferences. What do you think? And did I mention my contractor arrives next week?

Thanks so much for your consideration and constant inspiration,

Julie

Hi Julie,

Let's see...

#1- I would limewash the brick instead of painting it.  Why?  It looks better,and ages much better.  

#2- Board and batton shutters?  I like them too.  I found the photo below with the approximate color palette you are considering, and also painted brick.  It is sporting board and baton style shutters, as well as a nicely trimmed out window.  I like the combination of both.  I think the shutters in the photo below are way too small though- be careful of that. 

#3- Yes- treat the lower windows on the back of the house the same as the others. 

#4- I would stain the door. 

Now for the unsolicited advice.  When I look at the exterior of your home, my eye is immediately drawn to the stars.  My first question is, why is there no window there?  Maybe there is some terrific reason- but if there is not- add a good sized window there.  That will make a huge difference in your curb appeal.  Even if it's your kitchen, or master bathroom- I would add windows.

The other change I would make, I would make when you re-roof.  To really have a more Craftsman look- you need a deeper overhang on the triangular portions of your exterior.  A larger overhang with Craftsman style corbles will do a lot to udate the home.

It's going to look great- send us some "after" photos!

Thanks,

Christine

BTW- my last two webinars- Color and Wall Decor, did not record.  "Any Meeting" says they have fixed the problem, so I am going to re- broadcast both webinars this Wednesday, at 1 and 2 pm.