Live Q&As

Hi there, I'm the producer of this chat and the writer of House Calls. I'm puzzled that you didn't see a House Calls in your section... you should have seen it on page 6 of your Local Living today! Here is a link to it online.

Kips Bay truly is the mother of all, not just the who's who of design but how every one of us pulled all the stops and gave it our best! The attention to detail was what I loved most from finishing a lamp shade to the using the right color threads on the embroidery details! The coolest thing I saw was the modern cerused oak paneling! Loved it in two rooms! Last time I saw that was in France in the Marais district in some of the most famous antique dealer's showrooms!

I saw some fantastic cerused oak paneling done which I loved. Lacquer and high gloss paint in bright colors were every where but it was the small details like a runner with little grommets in the ends and tied with leather strings to tiny hooks on baseboards to stay frim in place, etc., that were absolutely delightful!

Kitchen design for me has always been about function and architecturally appropriate design. So, in the next era of kitchen design you will always see manufaturers coming up with the next big gadget and the latest and greatest finishes but personally I would say just stick to the classics. So, in your case you are absolutely right in wanting a kitchen that suits the age and architectural style of your home but not necessarily old fashioned, just the right style and details will go a long way. However, from an investment point of view there is no way of getting around modern appliances, etc. So, hiding appliances with cabinetry which is already selected for it's architectural appeal to the period house will work beautifully.

I love FLOR but I'm not sure about a living room with a hearth that cuts in an odd angle. I think you would be better getting a custom cut area rug that defines the seating area of the room. A good place to look is a good carpeting company remant department. They can cut the remnant to fit  and bind it for you at a reasonable charge.

How nice of you to share this with us? So guys, add this to your list of grays to consider!

Quite frankly not a whole lot out here which is actually very nice for me since we are really here for the quiet and family living! For my work, honestly I shop mostly in DC & NY which is where most of my clients are anyway. That said, I like the small antique shops in downtown Leesburg, always find some great Americana there.

I'm just doing a story in which I spoke to a few designers about tile choices. Hands down, subway tile is mentioned as a neutral, classic background for kitchens and bathrooms. It always looks right - because the design is simple and 100 years old. As for your paint color, what about Benjamin Moore Colony Green?

Thanks. We will pass this along.

I have had good luck at Carpet Palace in Bethesda. Who else do you guys suggest?

Congratulations! A little rowhouse in DC is a fabulous first home. I like your choice in bedding too. It is sort of an ikat print. I would not suggest a royal blue for the walls. It actually looks nice against the glossy white shown in the photo. Otherwise, what about a pale bluish gray - maybe Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue or Martha Stewart for Home Depot Slipstream.

Ceramic tile up the stairs could be dangerously slippery. From a functional poitn of few hardwoods and carpets are a safer bet. If going with carpet, just try and match the color closest to the tile so they the whole space looks as seamless as possible and not all chopped up!

I would defenitely suggest the more lighter natural look over the dark cherry. The current trend in cabinets is defenitely more modern and surprisingly mixing different colors. But you will need a pro to do that properly.

Yes. Goldfinch is a strong statement and you may be ready for something a bit more soothing. Since I don't know what the color scheme of your rooms is, I would suggest a a neutral such as Benjamin Moore Powder Sand or Man on the Moon. I also like Dorset Cream by Farrow & Ball.

Most of the high gloss/lacquer I saw was in small transitional spaces or smaller rooms. Which I think makes sense as you don't spend a whole lot of time there. As far as incorporating it myself it would really depend on the whole house/apartment design. That said, it's not what I would normally do but I can certainly see it in a powder room, a hallway or vestibule or just the ceilings provided the adjacent or nearby spaces can relate to it and have some sort of continuity in style..

Oh MY!!! You do have a 1970s time capsule down there. I have never had the tile/tub refinishing done and have not written about this procedure. Can any of our chatters today offer some help? This also might be a topic for a future story... Send photos! Or submit for a House Calls makeover.

What a good idea. Maybe I'll suggest a summer entertaining article! It's fun to get ideas from pros and people who have people over a lot. You always pick up an idea.

I actually read quite a lot of my favorite blogs (see curateDE.com). So, it's hard to pick just three! A few of my top blogs are - Local - Architect Design & My Notting Hill and Habitually Chic and Little Augury!

I agree! But sometimes when you need a circular shaped piece to finish the space, the perfect one happens to be a sunburst! As long as it is still unique and well-made, I suppose you can use it. I often find, it's the circular shape that we need more and more not necessarily the sun burst mirror. Unfortunately, not every one has a fabulous round Damien Hirst spin painting!!

Thanks. We have had good comments about Spicer's in recent chats.

Yes. agreed! Just emailed my editor!

Absolutely not! Think of the budget in terms of the quality of living you want. Generally, the more you spend on the purchase or renovation of a house, the decorating budget should be proportionate but not the same. Look at it this way, you could go from point A to point B in a Toyota or a Bently, the question is what kind of a ride do you want?

Thanks.

Good for you. Thanks.

Okay. We are on it!

Agreed. And I was JUST talking about this with my editor a few minutes ago. Hiring a painter saves time and marriages. And it produces a wonderful result that you can enjoy for years.

Yes, defenitely use the same cream on the trim and the ceiling to give the rest of the room some continuity and certainly repeat the lavender again in the room either in the bedding or a painted piece of furniture (preferably on another part/side of the room) so it validates the lavender paint color on that one wall.

I like C2 Providence, which is a bit of a smoky lavender and would look dramatic and fun.

Regardless of the dining table with or without the leaves, area rug shape and sizes are based on the perimeter/shape of the room not the furniture. The egenral rule is to have at least a foot of the floor showing between the edge of the walls and the rug. For example, if your dining room floors measure 10' x 13' you would go with a 9' x 12' rug. That's ideal but sometimes we do have slightly smaller or larger ones put in because of other considerations like the perfect rug which works beutifully with the colors and the patterns in the room is not exactly a foot away from the walls..it's a bit larger or smaller and that's fine as long as it works well in the room.

I like Benjamin Moore's Calming Cream (used it in my own dining room) which is close to F&B's Tallow. Also, try BM's palm coast pale.

Yes!

Exotic? Go to a architectural salvage place. In Richmond, there's Caravati's in Baltimore try Housewerks or Second Chance.

Made Goods has a great selection of mirrors. Also try Mecox Gardens. Personally, I prefer vintage and antique ones - try eBay and your local antique shops.