The warm chestnut finish works with the room's established earth tones.

Question:
I'd like to purchase your computer armoire. I have chocolate leather furniture with camel walls and hardwood floors. Which finish would look best: rubbed black, rubbed white or warm chestnut?

Yvette
 
Answer:

Why not keep the earth tones going? The warm chestnut finish would blend in beautifully. We suggest introducing color with decorative accents, such as pillows, artwork or an area rug. Keep it in the same palette of deep gold, brick reds and earthy greens. Three to try: Ashton Rug, Ballard Basic Pillows in Celery Twill and Brick Pomeroy and the Vibrant Botanical Prints.

Remember, the right lighting is so important for a home office. Choose table or task lamps with metal finishes and light colored shades to add warmth.

A patterned rug with complementary color breaks up the monotony.

Question:
I recently purchased two terra cotta runners for the hallway. I added the same rug in a square size in the same hall right outside the kitchen and the wide entry into the living-dining room. The runners look fine, but the large, square carpet looks blah. What can I do to give this carpet some pizzazz?

Karen

Answer:
It's easy to become too repetitive in your choices. To avoid this decorating trap, we recommend you replace either the large rug or the two runners. Perhaps you could use them in other areas of the house. Instead, choose a patterned rug with tones that are complementary to the terra cotta color. Consider our Chaman or Ashton Rug. Both are available in a variety of sizes. Of course, we recommend you order a swatch before making your final choice.

An alternative to white linen drapes.

Question:
I need help with window treatments. I have four large, tall windows in my dining room, which is painted a bright red. I tried long, white linen drapes, but it was too much white since the windows are so close together. I want a color that will complement the red room without being overpowering. Any ideas?

Answer:
You can create a clean, cohesive look by treating the windows as if they're really one large window. Hang a single, long bamboo roll-up shade to cover all four windows. Then, hang floor-length drapes on either end of the four windows. We like the Butter Cotton Twill or Khaki Cotton Twill Panels for a little color. Hang with decorative rods to complete the look.

A great decorating solution for keeping things out of sight.

Question:
We have a 15-foot wide, octagonal-shaped morning room off the kitchen. It has five arched Palladian windows, and I'm thinking of doing a Tuscan theme. Here's the problem: we use a pellet stove in this room, and it's an ugly black box. Plus, it requires having a ceiling fan, which takes away from the theme (especially since I'd like to hang an iron chandelier). How can I minimize the appearance of both? Should I place large pictures to draw attention up and away from the black box or should I try to hide it with a screen?

Carol
 
Answer:
Sometimes we're forced to choose function over form. But it can be overcome with a little style. Using a screen to hide the stove is a great idea. Check out our Talia Outdoor Screen in green. Another possibility is to draw attention away from the stove with a Tuscan-feel area rug in the center of the room, such as our Calabria or Milas.

To further your theme, paint the walls a soft beige-gold with a brown glaze for an aged look. Since the fan is another necessary evil, choose one with an antique bronze finish that complements the look. Finally, we think the Tavern Pedestal Table and Chairs with Terra Cotta Pears on top would fit right in with your décor.

Question:
I have no idea what to do with a large, empty ledge over my front door. I don’t want to fill it with tall silk plants, since so many look fake, and it’s not easy getting up there to dust them. It looks great at Christmas when I put up a lighted tree, but the rest of the year it just looks like a big empty space. I also plan to replace the crystal chandelier, since it's not my taste. I'd like something a little more traditional.  

Frank

What to do with this space?

Answer:
The key is to add character and style without making the area look like a department store display. Start with drapery. Add two long panels on either side of the window, hung straight down from a decorative rod. For a look that's decidedly unfussy, we recommend our Cotton Twill Panels in a color close to your wall color. Try to keep the drapes close to the edges of the window.

Next, hang coordinating prints on the walls facing each other, such as the Set of 6 Lodge Leaf Prints (three on each side), Tropical Palm Prints (two on each side) or Musa & Palmae Giclee Prints (one on each side).

Or, another possibility is to use the 24" Terrific Table with coordinating tablecloth as the main focal point. Set an urn with dried reeds or a lamp (with timer) in the middle of the table. Stack a few books on the side.

As far as replacing the chandelier, take a look at our Manchester 4-light Chandelier.

Question:

Define a seating area and add delightful color.

After a long winter, how do I perk up my front porch with color?

Karen
 
Answer:
Karen,

Usher in the new season by infusing your front porch with bright, bold color. Define your seating area with our St. Tropez Indoor/Outdoor Rug with a punchy stripe border for a kick of color. Add our super comfy Throw Pillows in a coordinating floral, and on chilly nights, use our grommet Indoor/Outdoor Curtains to keep the warmth in. Finish the look with a few potted plants in pretty containers.

What to do with this space?

Question:
My living room is large but oddly organized, and I want to maximize my space. I have two main areas. In the area with more wall space, I'd like to place the Clifton Media Trio in Rubbed Cream (photo 1). I don't know what to do with the other area where there is a sliding glass door and minimal wall space (photo 2). I'd like to put a bookcase with a pedestal table and perhaps the Salon Chair here. Can I put something in front of the doors or would that be too cluttered? I don't have an eye for decorating and this is almost painful!

Kristine

The perfect spot for watching TV.

Kristine,

The size of the room allows you to create two areas designated for different uses—one is a sun-filled spot for relaxing and reading and the other is for watching TV and other family activities. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Unify the room
To add definition and connect the two spaces, place the same rug in each seating area. The warm hues of the Carmela Rug work well with the gold wall color and beautiful wood floors.

Soften the look
Frame the windows and glass doors with drapery. Choose a soft color that complements the rug and wall color, like our Celery Twill Panels. Hang with black wrought iron rods.

Arrange the furniture
Anchor the TV area with the Clifton Media Trio (your smart idea!). The shelves add height and plenty of space for display. We think the Trio in Rubbed Black would be very striking. The darker finish adds rich color and dramatic contrast.

In the opposite space, place the Branly Corner Étagère on either side of the glass door to balance the height and dark finish of the Clifton Media. The Salon Chair and a side table, such as the Terrific Storage Table, fit perfectly. We suggest covering the chair and the table with the Brick Pomeroy Check Fabric By the Yard to pick up the color in the rug.

Finally, order a couple of yards of Sage Check Fabric by the Yard to make throw pillows for the Salon Chair and your sofa to further tie the two spaces together.

Question:
Can you tell me what paint colors are most popular for a bedroom, living room-dining room space and small kitchen?

Anne

Answer:
Anne,

Our best advice is to pick a color you love rather than what's most popular. Look through your favorite home decorating magazines and catalogs. Tear out the room scenes you like. What colors do you respond to? What colors make you feel good?

Or, pick a favorite object that fits your personal style and use it for inspiration. It could be an old vase, a throw pillow or even a plate.

A favorite object can serve as color inspiration.

Start off slowly or dive right in?
You don't have to change all at once. If color makes you nervous, start off slowly with neutrals and accent a wall with a dramatic splash of color. Add decorative pieces with the same color or a complementary color (color wheel opposites).

Tone up
For a family room with adjacent dining room, you'll want to pick a color and define the spaces by altering the tones. Just stay in the same color strip family.

If your bedroom is off the living room, keep the same color and go two or more tones darker to create flow. (If your bedroom is upstairs, you may want to choose a different color entirely.) Soothing spa colors—soft blues and greens—are a popular choice. Rain by Sherwin-Williams is a great calming color.

As for the kitchen, the hard surfaces of stainless steel appliances and granite countertops take darker colors really well, even if your kitchen is small.

Are you sure you love that color?
Before you paint an entire room, test your choice. Pick up a sample and paint a large patch on the wall. Live with it and view it in various light conditions. Just remember: it's only paint! You can always change it so don't fret too much.