Tina's Fireplace

Hi, Christine. I love your web site.

I was reading the advice you gave on March 13, 2008 regarding a fireplace mantle at the White House, and it occurred to me that it's similar to my fireplace (mine is much less grandiose, of course!). One major difference from the picture is that I plan to put sconces on either side of my mantle, but I have no idea what type of sconces I should get: single candle? double candle? big? small? The mantle is 66 inches wide and I have an eight foot ceiling. I don't have a digital picture handy, but if you answer the question based on the White House picture it will point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your advice!

Tina

Dear Tina,

I just have three words for you : scale, scale, scale. (I sound like a realtor now, huh?)

So- let's break it down, if your mantle is 5 1/2' wide, Let's put a 3 1/2' mirror above it, leaving one foot on either side, and adding sconces that have an approximately 8 " shade. This is the quick sketch that I did for you. There are MANY good ways to address your mantle, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the style of the decor is consistent with the style of the fireplace, and the decor is the right scale. Notice that my picture just "looks right." The most common error is going "too small," and not bringing it together. (notice how the little greenery that I added ties it together?) You can do this by drawing your own "to scale" mock up of your fireplace, and before purchasing items, sketch them in, this is a good way to check the scale. You do not need to draw well- I just drew this super fast, but it does the trick, and keeps it from being a guessing game. I drew the mantle to scale, then just added the circle above it. THEN I measured the circle, and FROM THERE determined what size mirror would be ideal. I added sconces, and THEN measured, seeing that I wanted to fill 7-9 inches. So- you can find whatever style you like that fills 7-9 inces in width. If however, you have a picture on the fireplace that is only 30 inches in width, draw that in, and then you might find that you want a double armed sconce that is wider. The whole idea is that you keep the overall scale. Draw it, it helps a lot. Send us before and after pictures! I'd love to see! (mirror and sconce by Uttermost).

Wallpaper Wednesday

Isn't everything Italian so glamorous? When I was pregnant with my last little boy, I was telling my Italian friend Patty how fabulous the Peg Perego strollers were. She said, "Really? everyone in Italy wants Graco."

Well- here in the US- we love all things Italian from a design perspective, and this wallpaper is no exception. From Antonia Vella- this is a fantastic look.

So many of the Italian papers are also rich in depth and texture, which is not noticable on the computer, I'm afraid- but super fabulous in person.

This paper is traditional, yet modern, bright yet understated, cheap, yet expensive. (name that movie).

Anyway- a fun color line and a neat pattern. What do you think?

Becky from Arizona's Question

Hi Christine,

I came across your blog a couple of weeks ago and have been checking it regularly ever since. I have a question about the best way to use a room in my home. I have a room, rather empty right now, 20' x 14', that my husband would like to put a grand piano in or else a large upright. I would like to use it as a formal dining room for holidays and special occasions. Would it look alright to have both a formal dining set and a piano in the same room, or should it be a piano room/sitting area? Any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Rebecca, Arizona

Dear Becky,

Whereas the traditional room with a grand piano in it is a sitting room, that is no reason to make yours one, when you would rather have a dining room. I used my magnet set to give you an idea of the size and proportions of your room with a piano and dining set.

The piano and dining set pretty much divide your room in half, which is not ideal. I think the key to making the room really flow together is having a common element that is on both "sides" of your now divided room. I don't know if you have a solid wall, but if you do, it would be good to use it to do this very thing. Notice the two long rectangles that I put on the wall? If you were to have a couple of things that were the same on that wall- it would help to tie the room together. I hope this makes sense. For example:

You could have a set of tables, like the one above. Put the same lamps on them, the same mirrors above them, and decorate them similarly. Have them both spaced nicely on the wall. This is one way to make both sides of the room, more as one. The thing NOT to do is have a hutch on the side of the table, and something different on the side of the piano. This would further divide the room. Comprende?

Another solution:

Do the same thing with a couple of Etegere's or curios, or even two buffets. Notice this display cabinet above? In the photo at the top it is shown in a set of two. This is great, but with the length of your room, I would separate them, and really use the length of the room as a unifier. It will be fabulous! Send us photos!

Area Rug Shopping

Kathy is shopping for an area rug. She has a traditional home, with light neutral furniture. To help her get started, I wanted to show her some different styles, and see what she liked.

Printed Jute

Printed Jute rugs are not going to be soft to sit on, but they are a terrific look. The texture is unique, and the colors are subdued and easy to live with. A rug like this, in an 8 x 10 (doesn't come 9 x 13)- runs around $600.

Hand Tufted Cut Pile

This rug is hand tufted, (still nicer than most machine made rugs) It is less expensive than many hand tufted rugs- under $1000 for an 8 x 11. The rug will be less dense than a $2500 hand tufted piece of the same size. An excellent value for a great look. 100% Indian wool.

Rugs of this style come in many different patterns. If you like this, do you prefer the size of pattern like the one above, or a more detailed pattern, like this one below (about $1500 for a larger 9'6" x 13'6"

The more detailed pieces generally come off more formal than the larger patterns. For Kathy's furniture, she could really go either way- a personal preference.

Wool Loop Tufted

For a more informal feel, a tufted wool loop is a different look. These traditionally are more "country"- but really very transitional, and are a common look in you typical "Pottery Barn" magazine- about $800 for an 8 x 11.

Tone on Tone

Perhaps the rugs all seem too busy or colorful for you. There are also some great looks in tone on tone patterns, like the one below, which is a silk and wool loop pile.

Two Tone

There are also some great looks in a two- tone, bringing in a couple of colors, like the one below in red and gold. ( about $1200 for a 7'9" x 9'9")

Chenille Rug

For a less expensive option, consider a yarn other than wool. (not polyester please-- ). The rug below is a cotton chenille. Is it as durable? No- but it is a fantastic look for a low $599 price for a 9 x 13. I really like the cherry blossom print. Geometric

The rug below is a Two tone Moorish Tile look, very causal and sophisticated at the same time. hand tufted wool, 9 x 12 for $799.

After you narrow down the basic style, then you can look at different rugs from there.

Rug Sources: Classic Home, The Rug Market, Pottery Barn

Wallpaper Wednesday

This is a beautiful paper that is not done justice with pictures and the internet. You need to come over to my place and see the book in person.

The pattern is one of tree branches.

The branches are raised, giving the paper a depth and richness, that is really fabulous!

I like papers that are subtle enough that they don't compete with art work. This is one of those papers. What do you think? I could really see this paper going traditional, or in a more contemporary setting.

Source: Ronald Redding- Special Effects

Think Outside the Box

Think outside the box when decorating your home. Just because no one has done it before, doesn' t mean that it is not a fabulous idea.

Check out these pictures of Waldspirale. It is a a residential building complex in Darmstadt, Germany built in the 1990s. It was designed by Viennese artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the building was completed in 2000.

The incredible building has 105 apartments, a parking garage, a kiosk as well as a café and a bar (the last two being located at the top of the spiral). The inner courtyard contains a playground for the children of the residents and a small artificial lake.

There are over 1000 windows, no two are the same. Same goes with the door handles. I bet the builder was hating it!

OK- so maybe you have no desire to be as outrageous as the Waldspirale, just be creative. That is what I am saying.

Make Your Home a Vacation of its Own

Kelly was on vacation and saw a Padma's Plantation chair that she liked. She sent me a couple of photos for me to figure out exactly what chair it is.






Hi Christine-




Thank you for checking on this. I am going to send you two photos. The photo with two of the same chairs are for sure Padma's (#BHM11) This number was on the bottom of the chairs. The second photo-is of a single chair. It's in the background with the blue/white pillow on it. I don't know if this is Padma's or not. But, I like this one also.




Thanks, Kelly

This is the chair you saw. It is called the Bahama Breeze Arm Dining chair. It runs $599. I could not find the second chair, but found some that were similar from Padma's Plantation. I thought I'd just show you all of the similar chairs that you could choose from:
I love to use Padma's Plantations pieces here and there in a lot of my jobs- it always adds just the right amount of texture and interest.

Bahama Breeze Chair

Miami Breeze Chair
Urban Chair

Baltimore Occasional Chair

Emperor Dining Chair

Santa Lucia Chair

Outdoor Bay Harbor Lounge Chair

So- everybody, which chair is your personal favorite? I am going to vote for the Emperor Dining chair. I am loving that one!

Thanks Kelly. Let me know if you have any questions about price or availability on any of them.

-Christine

The Post College / Pre-Wealthy Pad

Christine,I've always wanted to write to your blog even though i have no money and nothing really to write about :) SO I thought of something. I have been buying stuff to redo my humble "fresh-grad" room. My furniture is limited but I've been saving my money to get it to feel a little like home and cute. So, I've been looking through some magazines and wanted to know how you feel about wall decals. I think there are some really cute ones, but just wanted your opinion and wanted to see if you have seen any great ones.Attached is the one I really like and I found it on Etsy.comhttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_2&listing_id=16172871http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_12&listing_id=16138647Anyways, Those are my thoughts...keep poor new career woman in mind.....and young :)Love ya!!Jenn
Dear Jen,

I LOVE your idea of decals. What a great way to make your place your own, without even putting a nail in the walls, or your wallet! The ones you selected are also very nice. Some thing to keep in mind:

• Scale. Look at the picture with the Dandelion. Terrific scale. Now look at the monogram. This one works ONLY because of the architectural niche. Without the niche, the "J" alone would be too small to put above a sofa. Make sure that the decal you select is a good scale for the wall that you plan on putting it on.
  

Make a long term plan. Even though you might not have the funds to furnish your whole place- make a plan before you start purchasing. What if you buy the red decals, and then find a rug that you love that has no red in it. Then you wish you would have purchased the black... See what I am saying? Think about your place. Hang a cool paper light, the one above is from IKEA- only $8- hang three of them, at different lengths, over where you would read. (cover your cords with cord covers, and paint them the same color as the wall.) Find a cool rug. If you don't have your own place, I can only guess that you have lousy carpet :) Cover it up with an inexpensive rug. This also goes a long way toward "atmosphere." The rug in this post is also from IKEA- $249. (7'7" square- hand tufted wool)Go as far as selecting furniture. You're a college graduate! You will be getting a raise any day now! :) How about the fun chair below (only $49!!!!) ? IKEA again, I am stuck on their web site! It is very fun!
Hey- make a plan! Then go get your decals! I love it!

The Sofa Face Lift

Hi Christine,

I just love your blog. I'm so glad I came across it. You do such a beautiful job and I have been learning a ton. My question is about redoing couches. I have a loveseat and a big sofa. I do not like the color or the fabric (although my husband does, which is why we got them). My style is more modern and classic with bright colors and neutral backgrounds. I redid the pillows because it was the cheapest thing I could do so that I could live with them for a little longer. I can always redo pillows. We are going to move in a few months and I would love to just sell these couches and get new ones, but in reality, we won't be able to afford that. So I'm wondering what you would recommend for covering them. Unfortunately, my couches are pretty big, so buying a cover for them won't fit, at least not on the big couch (It's about 10 inches too long). Unless you know of some couch covers that come in bigger sizes. My husband kind of likes the two-tone sofas, and I thought about redoing just the cushions, but the sofa color is kind of weird to match. I would love to just redo the whole thing in a different color and make it look more up to date. They are so heavy and rounded looking. Is there any way to make them less heavy looking? What you would recommend for a limited budget?

Thanks so much.

Wendy

Dear Wendy,

What can we do with your sofa?

• Purchased pre-made slip covers rarely look good. They never fit just right. They almost always have to be a little too big, which looks sloppy. Too small, of course, will not fit on, and a perfect fit just doesn't happen. The exception is if the slip cover is made by the same company as the chair, specifically for the chair, like you might find from Pottery Barn.



• Having custom made slip covers is expensive. You might as well purchase a new sofa for the price you would pay for these. I would only have this done if you have furniture that is made to be slip covered, and want a custom look. A sofa that is not a "slip cover" style frame will not look good enough to warrant the expense.



• I would suggest you sew your own. If you don't know how to sew- you can ask Tamlynn to help you. I hear she is very good. ;) Patterns and instructions to help you are available from every major brand of patterns, Simplicity, Butterick, etc. This is the only way to get the slip cover to fit really nicely. I personally have Restoration Hardware upholstered chairs in my kitchen (photo below). They do not sell slip covers for the chair that I have, and so custom made was the only option. I found that having them made would cost as much as replacing the chairs. I cannot sew, but my mother helped me. (By helped me- I mean- she did it all by herself :) They look great. I have super high standards and was very pleasantly surprised by how professional they look. If they didn't turn out well- I know I couldn't live with them, but I LOVE them.

So- in a nutshell- sew yourself some slipcovers! (or get your mom to.)

Faux Greens

Hi Christine!

I follow your blog religiously and wanted to get your input on what you think about having faux flowers in your house. For instance, fake plants above armoires, cabinetry or an in urn? If fake flowers are ok, what kind are ok? Thanks in advance for your help!

- Rose

There are two types of people in the world. People who can keep plants alive, and people who cannot. And yet- every home, almost every room, needs some greenery. So, in answer to your question, sure- faux plants are great. If you are looking through a good home design magazine, you will not find a room without greenery. Here are some guidelines with faux:

1. The more you spend the better. Sorry- but- it's true- put two pots of grass next to one another, one at $24, one at $199. There is no comparison. Buy the best you can afford. This is most important when the plant will be seen close up, and less important (but still important) when the greens are seen only at a distance.


2. Green ivy is a little 1993.


3. It is really hard to dust these guys. Find some that can be cleaned, or replace them periodically. Don't keep them collecting dust on top of the armoire for four years.

OK- so now that I told you to spend lots of money- and then throw them away- I am sure I am making lots of new fans. But hey- I am here to tell the truth. If you see any greens in someone's place that don't look fantastic- they are either too cheap, too dirty, or both. With that said, yes- you still need them. Green is super important in every room. The sign of life (even if it is fake :) is good fung shui, and just plain good design.

Check out the cool leaves in this room. They add a LOT to the room.

With fake plants- keep in mind that simple is GREAT. Check out the plants in this photo. Very simple- very nice.

Some great examples here (although they might be alive). I have found that fake succulents are so realistic, because succulents are naturally pretty plastic looking.

This post has some lovely centerpieces- one simple, one more involved.

Another thing I like to do in my house is go cut branches off of my trees and put them in a large vase on my kitchen table. They don't last too terribly long- but they look cool, and cost nothing. I like doing this at all times of the year- I think I will go do it right now. :)

(The boxwoods at the top of the post are from one of my favorite wholesale sources. I would tell you who- but then I would have to kill you and make it look like an accident. )

My Solution to the Global Economic Crisis

My Solution to the Global Economic Crisis

Yesterday (Thursday, October 9th) Tom Sullivan said on his show that no matter how many trillions of dollars are put into turning the economy around, it is not going to change until people start buying and selling houses- and lenders start loaning. This struck a cord with me.

He also said that part of the 800 billion dollar bail out plan allowed for the purchase of real estate.

So – I say- gov’t starts a company- like a “car max” for houses.

At Car Max, they will buy any car- for a fair, but low blue book value.

In this company- the gov’t would buy any house- for a fair, but low appraised value. This will empty the real estate market of all of the foreclosures and short sales on the market. A certain percentage of the home sellers would choose to just sell their house to the gov’t because it is easier and faster than conventional methods. (For the same reason that some people sell their cars to Car Max- even though theoretically they could get a higher price on the private market.)

The result is the people who sold their houses would be able to buy new ones. Builders would start building again- money would start flowing.

The first thing this will do, before it is even in motion, the mere talk, and idea that the foreclosures might be "gone" will get all of the investors that have been "thinking" about buying them, or waiting for lower prices, waiting for whatever reason- they are going to go out there and start buying. This is fantastic. This will clean out the "junk" in the real estate market. Also- for all those people who are possibly going to foreclose because they cannot sell their house- here they go- a buyer- they will not foreclose. This will help the market, as well as individuals. Banks that have these foreclosure properties will have an influx of cash, more money to lend- infusing liquidity into the market.

The gov’t would buy low and sell high, just like Car Max. In some cases, they would hold on to the properties for a period of time. Some would be fixed up and put out back on the market, still others would be rentals for a few years, and not sold until the market had completely turned around.

The government does not force anyone to do anything, it does not favor anyone- in the same way that Car Max works. The government does not sell the houses it buys below market value- it sells for a fair market value- it makes money on this deal. First come, first serve, until the money is gone.

Each home the gov’t buys would require three separate home appraisals, to ensure a fair price. This will increase business for home appraisers.

Homes that are put back on the market will be sold by local real estate companies, increasing their business - as well as local mortgage brokers, title companies, and home stagers.

Homes that are rented out will be taken care of by local property management companies, increasing their business.

Homes that are not sold for a period of time will be cared for by local security companies, increasing their business.

Homes that require repair will be repaired by local contractors, increasing their business.

These are some of the businesses that have suffered the most with the economy, and will be helped directly. Of course, all of these people would have more money to spend on Christmas gifts.... the trickle effect will help everyone.

With my idea, there will be a finite amount amount of money set aside for investment in the project. Every county will hire a team to take care of the business in their county. Those hired should be good business people, with a proven track record that they know how to turn a profit. This program should be treated like a business. (Those hired will realize that their jobs are not going to exist forever- as this program will not exist forever- there is no government retirement program with this kind of government job.) The amount of money for each countywill be determined by the amount of foreclosures, the reduction of house values, and the amount of unemployment. These three factors will determine the percentages. Greater amounts of money will be sent to those areas hit hardest- but some money will be sent to all counties. Some of the houses purchased, as I mentioned, will be "fixed up" and sold again. The money made on the sale of these homes will then be more money that can be used for the purchase of more homes.

The taxpayers, like Car Max, will make money. We are buying low, and selling high. In some cases, we will sell higher because a little money was put into the house. In some cases, it will be simply because the house wasn’t sold until the market starts to turn around.

The sellers on the market who are having to compete with foreclosures will be far better off to not have them on the market.

Is this plan incredibly expensive? Clearly. This would not be a small part of the 800 billion, it would have to be a significant portion of it, for it to be effective.

A plan like this is very visible to the average citizen. They see the lack of bank owned properties in their own neighborhoods, they see houses selling, their friend that worked for a title company is no longer layed-off. Some other plans mentioned by politicians are not ones where we (the average person) don't see anything happening. My plan will help to increase consumer confidence faster because of this.


In no way does this program encourage people to NOT pay their mortgages. It is fair, and available to all, (first come first serve) whether their house is worth $70,000 or $700,000. The taxpayer makes out, because in the long run, real estate is a good investment, which is what we, as taxpayers, would be doing. We would be investing in real estate.

I really think money will start flowing right away. This plan does not unfairly “bail out” anyone, any company or any institution. If a company fails, others will take their place, and hopefully learn from their mistakes. (I realize that large companies like AIG perhaps “needed” to be “bailed- out”- for all of our sakes, but I would stop further bailouts.)
I think the gov’t could also start buying up some of the good deals on the stock market, and keeping those as good investments, slowly selling them after the market has stabilized. Again- the taxpayer will make a profit, and we will have a wealthier nation as a result. There will be money for the baby boomers' social security, money for tax decreases.

On Friday I e-mailed the White House and McCain- this Morning, (Sunday)- I just called the McCain campaign and left a message. Do you think they will call me back??? :)