Design With Christine

Lacey's Porch

2013-05-22T20:48:01Z

Hey Christine!

I love your website and I have a question that will hopefully change the look of my home. I have a 1930’s home and I would like to update the porch. I personally would like to take the screen down and maybe add outdoor curtains either with color to match shutters or maybe sheer. I wouldn’t close the curtains. basically more for decoration purposes, and add porch lamp and accessories. I would also like to add stairs on the side with a door. My main question is would this decrease the value of my home if I take screen down or would it increase the curb appeal? My other main reason for doing this is because I have a 3 year old I would like to be able to play in yard while I sit on porch and watch her play and being able to have accessibility from the porch to get her if I need to instead of having to run back thru the house to get outside. Other important question: would you take down the metal awning over the porch? We have them over all our windows in back of the house. Did I mention we aren’t going to be living here forever? We are hoping to move so I need to do best for resale value.

FYI we are in the middle of painting outside of house.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Lacey

Hi Lacey,

Let me start by saying what a totally charming home you have! I love it!

1. Yes, replace the screened porch with a cleaner more updated curtained look. No, this will not decrease, but rather increase the value. (And yes, I was a home appraiser in college). Add a porch swing while you are at it, and consider painting the floor or ceiling a fun color. Look at the blue on the ceilings of the two photos above.

2. Yes, absolutely take down all of the metal awnings. Plant some trees if you need some shade. That kind of removal will be a huge update for you. There are some cute awnings out there- but that style's not one of them.

3. Don't forget to finish off the windows on the porch with shutters like the front of the home.

I wish I had a porch... These darn California homes! Envy, envy, I'm grateful for what I have, I'm grateful for what I have, I'm grateful for what I have...

Chocolate and Vanilla Birthday Party Decorations

2013-05-20T21:19:20Z

My good friend's husband asked me to help with the decorations for my friend's 40th birthday. So- this is what I'm thinking... I'd like to make some pedestal dessert plates... Something like this:

I think with my husband's tools (and help)- I could figure that out... What do you think? Is anyone really handy out there? How would you go about it? Do you think that with the right "bit" you could drill a whole in a plate? What would the plate have to be made of? Wouldn't it be great to have them white- but then have chocoate on them? How about some chocolate french macroons? Trendy, I know, but it's not an appliance or a counter top, so I'm OK with trendy- especially yummy trendy...

There are other wonderful chocolate items that could be added...

We could really make this chocolate and white work with a terrific table runner...

And lighting, of course, is super important...

Sure the chocolate on awesome pedestals will be the center piece, but we can add some other white flowers.

And a few other details:

A couple of "high twiggy, not to interrupt your view too much of the person in front of you, but enough variation in height to have great rhythm" center pieces would also be great... I could also spray the branch white and have brown pom poms...

But hey- back to those pedestal plattters, can someone tell me how to make those? So- here we go- what do you think of the brown and white? Do you prefer color? I started off thinking I would do forest green, since it's the hot new color- should I go back to that? I was having a hard time finding an affordable runner fabric. It is maybe a little too cutting edge to find for less than $8 yard. ;-)

Baseboard Snob

2013-05-14T17:23:18Z

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

2013-05-09T17:23:56Z

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

2013-05-06T21:56:36Z

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

2013-05-02T04:12:30Z

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

2013-04-22T21:42:55Z

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.

Kathy's Red Brick

2013-04-11T19:57:49Z

Yesterday my friend Michelle and I ran the MORE magazine NYC half marathon. A lot of friends knew I was doing a race this weekend and wondering if it was Boston. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people at the Boston Marathon today. We like to travel to different races and it is certainly a tragedy that is close to my heart. I tear up every time I think about it.

On a lighter note- on to Kathy's brick.

Hi Christine,

Here is a picture of the house. It is about 15 years old and is one of the older homes in the neighborhood. Most are done with cedar shakes and stone and much more in the Craftsman style. I feel that the house is fairly plain and the brick front portion really sticks out. The brick is a more rusty red and is really very pretty looking out from the front door and is pretty brick - just needs something, architecturally. What I was thinking is that I would paint the house SW 7507 - Stone Lion, possibly, and the trim SW 7506 Loggia. I would like to do wider shutters (so they look like they would cover the windows when closed) in board and batten and use hinges and shutter dogs. I was thinking about painting the shutters SW 7515 Homestead Brown. I am somewhat confident about the above choices but after that am really stuck.

I have considered wrapping the columns on the front porch in a brown stained cedar to make them beefier to try to keep the porch from being dwarfed by the brick area and make it look more like one area. Also considered adding a second column on each side to give more bulk but not sure what color to paint them to make them work. I have also considered painting the brick but that would involve painting the brick on the lower part all the way around the house and painted brick will not look as good looking out the front door. That is really my last choice if I can't figure out how to make it work, otherwise. I want to change out the front door and sidelights in a wood door and also the garage door to a carriage house style but am not sure if it should be painted or stained. We are also adding stone to our back patio with Oklahoma Fieldstone which matches a fireplace and is used quite often in our community. I could replace the front steps with the same stone and make them go all the way across instead of just right in the step area. The landscaping will all be changed pretty soon in the future. The roof color is Weathered Wood.

As you can see, I have lots of ideas - maybe too many. I would appreciate any help you could give me.

Thanks so much for considering my project.

Hi Kathy,

I like to maintain consistency in my neutrals when determining a color palette. My concern with your ideas is that I am hearing about a lot of brown, and you have a charcoal roof. I would not go in the brown direction with your roof, unless I am totally seeing it wrong, and it is dominantly brown.

I don't see much room for enhancement in your columns. I think you will run into the house if you try to make them larger, but if you do have room, larger would be nicer. I also think that you might not have room to nicely add two more columns. I think maybe you would need a wider space to pull that off.

I like the idea of larger shutters and new garage doors and a front door; it will add a lot. Remember consistency in your neutrals. If you start with cool tones, stay with it, even in your wood stains.

I know you said that painting the brick is a last priority- but it is actually what will make the most difference.

In last month's Southern Living magazine, there is the perfect article for you. There is a before and after of a lovely Georgian home, where the homeowner clearly was not loving the red brick.They did a lime wash on it, which, (get better instructions than these, please)- you take white paint, water it down and add sand and paint your brick. (most likely sprayed) You can keep your black shutters to tie in your roof and door, OR- go all lighter like the after photo below. Either would really look nice in my opinion.

This kind of subtlety and a talented landscape architect would make your home a showplace. In your case, I would say that some significant landscaping would make an enourmouse difference in your curb appeal. Watch out for the jealous neighbors.

Thanks,

Christine

Don't forget the next webinar is tomorrow, Tuesday, 1pm Pacific time. It is on wall decor- everything wall decor from A to Z.

What Direction to Lay the Floor

2013-04-08T21:40:14Z

Wrong Way

How Many Pillows????

2013-04-05T16:30:45Z

How many throw pillows are recommended on a couch. Is 3 too few? Thanks!

- Nicole

Nicole,

I can't really answer that for you. Pillows are work. That's like asking how many children you should have. To which I will answer- It depends on what you can handle. After getting report cards on Wednesday, I decided that I must have had too many.

A few questions- how deep is your sofa? Is it more or less than 22 inches deep? A very deep sofa is better off with a lot of pillows because they are actually used for back support. A more shallow sofa will result in excess pillows simply getting in the way and being annoying.

There is really no right and wrong answer. Do you mind straightening them?

Do you want a symmetrical look or a more casual assymentrical look?

Do you have smaller pillows or larger pillows that you are working with? I won't even say to use an odd amount, because sometimes four is the perfect number.

Sometimes just one pillow makes such a great statement, you don't need more than that.

If you need to increase the pattern and color in your room, and have available depth in the sofa, use more pillows.

Or do you want to go with the understated impact of just a few?

One printed pillow combined with some solid pillows can be a great look.

If you like the more ragtime- "anthropologie" mixed pattern look, go with more patterns, perhaps five pillows... Or combine it, with three patterns and two solids...

There are just far too many ways to answer that question, I simply can't answer it for you.

Hey readers, how would you answer that question? Tell Nicole how many pillows to use on her sofa.

How many pillows are on your sofa? Leave a comment. It will be interesting to see how many pillows people use.

The Webinar this week is on Wall Decor: The do's the don'ts, and the how to's Click here for registration.

Thanks,
Christine