Baby Safety

Dear Melissa:

We’re having a baby soon and I’m trying to childproof everything I can. Can you give us some suggestions about the baby’s room? O.G., California

Dear O.:

First of all, congratulations. This is an exciting time for you.

By now, I’m sure you know all about the outlet covers, cabinet and drawer latches, and car seat and crib safety requirements. You’ll be safer if you are purchasing the latter two new.

There are a few things that you may overlook in the baby’s room, however. Keep the baby’s crib, changing table, and any chairs away from window treatment cords (even the breakaway kind) and any type of bed canopy. If you must use them, be absolutely scrupulous about crib bumpers. They should attach to the crib slats with SHORT ties that Velcro or snap on. (I know this from personal experience.) And keep all bedding and drapery away from the room’s heat source.

Look for dressers that have been weighted at the bottom and can’t topple over. Even better is anchoring the dresser to the wall. (Same goes for bookcases.) Make sure, too, that the dresser drawers have stops and can’t be pulled free. I recommend that you install wall-to-wall carpeting once the baby is old enough to start crawling, to avoid nasty splinters.

Good luck to you. M.A.K.

Spring Is Coming

Dear Readers:

I am cautiously optimistic that spring is around the corner; I even heard a rumor of the appearance of crocuses. Of course this time of year inspires people to behave irrationally, often concerning their homes. Take spring cleaning, for instance. Personally, I like to avoid this at all costs. There are, in fact, some things that seem like a really good idea, but which one should never do. Here are a few of my favorites:

o     Never take off your cushion covers or slip covers and throw them in the washing machine, (unless of course your daughter wants to use them in her Barbie house);

• Never refinish an inherited piece of furniture unless you are sure it’s not valuable;
• Never wash mini blinds in the tub;
• Never wash prefinished wood floors with water,(the cracks between the boards have not been sealed);
• Never spray clean fabric flowers;
• Never deep clean good upholstery yourself -- get a professional;
• Never scrub laminate countertops will anything stronger than a nylon scrub sponge; and
• Never repaint walls and woodwork when all they need is a good cleaning.

On the other hand, now is the perfect time of year to:

• Straighten all of your cockeyed pictures;
• Rearrange the furniture;
• Roll up and store your heavy carpets;
• Purchase a cheerful new bed ensemble;
• Indulge in some potted spring flowers;
• Lighten up your window treatments;
• Wash your patio furniture and BBQ grill;
• Switch around those tired old accessories;
• Change your throw pillows;
• Consider summery slipcovers; and
• Purchase thirsty new towels, a wonderful shower curtain, and pretty new table linens.

It’s also a really good time to get outside and just forget about your house. Enjoy the warmer weather. M.A.K.

Dear Melissa:

We just finished picking out cabinets for a new kitchen. We are going to use either a neutral granite or granite-like Corian for the countertops. We would like to create an unusual backsplash and I need some suggestions. D.S., North Carolina

Dear D.:

I am assuming you are planning a full-height backsplash, rather than a 4-5” high one. You probably know by now that your choice of materials is endless, but I’ll share some of my personal favorites with you.

There is nothing simpler nor cleaner looking than continuing the same countertop material up the backsplash or using tile. These can look a little uninspired, though, so I prefer to highlight several key areas along the wall -- such as behind the range, under glass cabinets, and above a planning desk, for example – with accents.

If your kitchen is traditional, the accents can consist of ceramic tile murals or picture-frame molding surrounding contrasting tiles set on a diagonal. When using ceramic tile, decorative molding is also critical.

If your kitchen is contemporary, I suggest either a simple stainless steel backsplash; glass tiles; stone tile with accents of quilted stainless steel or patterned sheet copper, or a combination of ceramic, metal and glass tiles in a collage. Regarding the latter, if you are artistically challenged, just copy some simple modern art of your choosing.

My absolute favorite and signature look is a reverse-painted glass backsplash. The painted design under the glass can be classic, traditional or contemporary. And it’s so unique and cleanable. You will need an artist, however.

If you have difficulty picturing patterns and materials, turn to the many kitchen and bath books on the market for some great visual aides. M.A.K.

Whwn a Vessel Sink Won't Drain

Dear Melissa:

I don’t know if you’ve ever talked about this but we’re having a problem with our very expensive bathroom sink. It’s called a “vessel” sink and it sits like a bowl on top of, not in, the bathroom vanity. I don’t want to admit how much this sink cost us but no matter what we do it won’t drain. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Overflowing and Disgusted

Dear Disgusted:

Oh, honey, been there; done that. Twice. It doesn’t even have to be a vessel sink to do this. I know from experience that an equally expensive marble drop-in sink can have the very same problem. The common denominator is that these sinks are missing the hole that normally handles the water overflow.

It seems this handy little channel also adds much needed air to the pipes. Now, I barely passed Physics, but I know just enough about plumbing to know that for some mysterious physical reason, water can’t drain without the right amount of air. Go figure.

There is an air vent in your bathroom wall that is probably not enough to handle this type of problematic sink. I am assuming that you too did not opt for a pop-up drain. I have tried many suggestions, but only one remedy has worked for me. It’s called a “touch drain”, and it’s similar to a pop up, but more contemporary looking and less expensive. You simply press the disk in the center and it “pops up”, sucking in the much needed air.

Some high-end European manufacturers now build in overflows even in their vessel sinks. You might try one of these next time, if there is a next time.

I hope the touch drain works for you. Otherwise, there’s always the very retro-chic plumber’s helper --- the plunger. M.A.K.

How to Arrange Accessories Like the Retail Magicians

Dear Melissa:

When I go into furniture stores they have everything arranged on tables so nicely. When I try to do it just looks like I dumped a bunch of things on a table. How do I make groupings look good? K.P.

Dear K.:

When trying to create a vignette of accessories, family photos, and the like, it helps to have an eye for composition. Barring that, try these guidelines. Copy what you admired as closely as possible. If you are more confident, group your accessories by type, size, shape, or color – either to relate them to one another or to contrast them. Try to balance the large, dark objects within the arrangement in such a way that your eye travels around them, and is not drawn to just one place. The aim of composition is visual movement and balance. Vary the height of the objects in the grouping to create a more interesting display. Combine tall and short accessories. If you are arranging a collection of objects of roughly the same size, place them at differing heights on top of books or decorative boxes.

If you are still compositionally impaired, remember that “less is more”. Make a statement with just one really impressive accessory on the table, and leave it at that. M.A.K.

Navigating Stairs with Vision Problems

Dear Melissa:

I’m getting on in years and while I can still climb the stairs in my home I have some vision problems and sometimes the stairs look like one solid color to me. My children are worried that I’ll fall. I’m beginning to think they’re right. Is there anything I can do short of moving into a ranch? W. H., Illinois

Dear W.:

Yours is not an uncommon situation, since we baby boomers are all aging (gracefully and otherwise). I’ve actually given a lot of thought to this problem. Good lighting is of course crucial, and rarely provided on staircases I might add. You need to highlight the edge of each tread so that the steps don’t blur together. This can be done in several ways depending on your budget.

Let’s get the two most costly solutions out of the way first. One is to have a carpet installer inset a narrow strip of carpet, in a second color, along the edge of each step; another choice would be to have an electrician light each tread – anything to create definition.

The least costly remedies are to remove the carpeting and stain or paint the edge of each tread. If someone is artistic, this accent strip could be a lovely stenciled design. No matter which solution you choose, get in the habit of keeping your hands free and ALWAYS using the handrail. M.A.K.

For the Weekend Warrior

Designate a room to be this weekend’s challenge. Try one or more of these projects:

For $100 and under …

…Remove all clutter and clean the room until it sparkles. Pare down the number of accessories. Do not forget to wash the windows and all the bric-a-brac. This is already a huge improvement.

…Rearrange the furniture around a focal point. It’s free and I guarantee you that at least one of your rooms can use it. “Shop” your other rooms to gather the most interesting pieces of furniture, rugs, and accessories. Group them for emphasis in this room. Go for IMPACT.

…Create tabletop vignettes with accessories or collections. Start the collection you’ve always wanted.

…Paint anything and everything in sight that needs refreshing, including pieces of tired furniture. Go on, go a little crazy and add some color.

…Lower the artwork on your walls. Proportion also matters, so add artwork to your large walls and remove some art from your small walls. Reframe any picture that needs it.

…Set out fresh flowers.

…Go flea market shopping.

…Increase the wattage in all of your lamps.

…Replace your shower curtain and ratty old towels.

For $500 and under, do all of the above, plus…

…Wallpaper the room.

…Buy a new lamp.

…Add a large plant or tree, with an uplight behind it.

…Splurge on fresh flowers for every room.

…Slipcover a piece of furniture.

…Refinish the hardwood floor or install a new carpet.

…Replace the bed linens with a new ensemble.

…Have a decorator create a plan and timetable for you.

…Paint your front door, replace the porch light, set out some colorful planters, and sweep the path.

…Now that the entry to your house is inviting, throw a party and fill the room with people and foods you enjoy. You won’t even notice the room anymore.

For $2000 and under…

…Replace your kitchen set.

…Reupholster some furniture.

…Buy a piece of investment furniture.

…Copy the ideas in a magazine picture.

…Install new window treatments. Install a fabulous new window.

…Hide your electronics in a new armoire.

…Purchase a great piece of art.

…Go away to a spa for the weekend. When you return nothing will have changed, but you won’t feel so bad about it anymore.

When Should You Call in a Designer?

Dear Melissa:

At what point during a project do you recommend working with a designer? Does it have to be from the very beginning, and for the entire project? Couldn’t we just use a retail salesperson, who is free? C.M., Montana

Dear C.:

Naturally if you are undertaking a large, complicated, or costly project, it is a good idea to work with some type of design professional right from the start, as you begin to formulate your ideas. By evaluating your specific taste, budget, and lifestyle, a designer can direct you to the best resources available to meet your specific needs. This will help you avoid costly mistakes. You may or may not need continued assistance, but you can always limit the scope of the project to what your budget can handle.

Unless you are dealing with a very large retailer, I would recommend an independent decorator or designer, rather than in-store help. This has nothing to do with ability; it has to do with options. An independent designer is not limited to the products offered by that one store. Suppose you like a particular chair, but cannot find a fabric in the store that you like. A designer has thousands of fabrics available through showroom accounts. And what if you need carpeting, wallcovering or window treatments to coordinate with the furniture? Again, your choices are unlimited with an independent designer. M.A.K.

Is Being a Decorator Stressful?

Dear Melissa:

Is your job stressful? If so, in what ways?  Do you have any recommendations for someone who wants to get into this career? P.V., Ohio

Dear P.:

Is my job stressful? Too bad you couldn’t hear my uncontrollable laughter when I read your question. Is there any job that isn’t occasionally stressful?

There are a lot of advantages to this field: creativity, variety, not being deskbound, exposure to beautiful things, discounts, etc. On the other hand, there is always the downside of problems re: building codes, deadlines, paperwork, inventory, backorders, discontinued items, dye lots, accounts receivable, subcontractors, and shipping delays, to name but a few. And don’t get me started on the challenges of running a business in this economy!

My recommendation to someone considering this career would be to run away screaming, but I’m obviously a fine one to talk. (I’ll be much more positive after our holiday installations.)

Seriously, this is an enormous field with lots of specialties: residential design, commercial design, interior architecture, furniture design, retail sales, kitchen/bath design, hospitality design, and institutional design, as well as several sub-specialties. I suggest you start by taking a few classes at one of the local colleges. Visit some decorating firms. Read some trade publications.

Once the perceived glamour of this field has been stripped away, and you can see the job underneath, you’ll know if the business of interior design really appeals to you. If it still does, experiment with the different aspects of the field to see what suits you most. Then go for it; we can always use good people in this industry. M.A.K.

Fitting a Square Peg in a Round Hole

Dear Melissa:

We have a corner fireplace in our new family room creating a problem angle. The shape of the room is no longer square, but now has five sides. We don’t want wall-to-wall carpeting covering our beautiful wide-plank floor, but how do we place a rectangular area rug in this weird shape? N.M., Texas 

Dear N.:

You don’t. You could try a round area rug, but unless you are using a round table or a circular seating arrangement, that might be difficult to work with. I would recommend either a bordered area rug from your local carpet store, or a canvas floor cloth painted by a local artist, custom made to fit the contour of your room. This fun shape will accent the architectural interest of the room. Your palette and patterns are limitless. M.A.K.

How to "Senior-Proof" Your Home

Dear Melissa:
My elderly parents are unwell and are coming to live with us. I know how to child proof a house, but how do I “senior proof” it? T.S., New York

Dear T.:

Aging in place and Elderdesign are two of the fastest-growing segments of interior design, and a favorite subject of mine. Assuming your parents are not wheelchair-bound you won’t have to worry about major structural changes, but there are some basic precautions to take.

A decline in your parents’ visual acuity will be the biggest problem. Obviously, you should increase your lighting and make sure there is a color contrast among flooring, walls, and furniture. Excuse my getting personal, but this includes changing a toilet that blends in with similarly colored tiles.

You should also add grab bars in the bathroom. Make sure all stairs have handrails and that the edges of the treads are clearly defined. Remove all throw rugs.

I’m sure your parents would also appreciate it if you replaced two soft, deep chairs with armchairs that have firm seats. What is considered comfortable and inviting changes with age.

Stay tuned for more information on this subject, since eventually we will all need it. In the meantime here are some Internet sites to get you started:

www.aarp.org, www.asid.org, www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/10242.html  M.A.K.

What's Wrong with White Walls?

Dear Melissa:
Why do decorators resent us for having white walls? Maybe we like white walls. R.G., Indiana 

Dear R.:

We have nothing against white walls per se. They can be very effective when chosen deliberately. Sadly, many people ignore this wonderfully colorful world of ours, thinking they are making the “safe” choice. In most of these cases, white walls actually work against them.

Try this experiment: Look closely at a wooden piece of furniture against a white wall. Now slide a piece of colored paper or fabric between the wall and this piece of furniture. Compare the look of the wood. Can you see how the color makes the wood look richer, while the white wall actually strips color from the wood?

I’ll also let you in on a pet peeve of mine. Look at the pictures in your family photo album taken against a white wall. Don’t they look like the background is missing? Wouldn’t your family look better against a richly textured, colorful backdrop?

If you are really timid, just paint your walls a tint of color. Think of your poor furniture and family! M.A.K.

Shake Up those Musty Traditions and Decorations

Dear Readers:

Ever get tired of the same old Christmas décor? Feel like you are stuck in ironclad traditions? Been dying to try a more avant garde or kitschy, whimsical look? Sometimes I get really tired of “an old-fashioned Christmas”.

Be creative and take a shot at some new ideas. Instead of the usual evergreen garland, why not use a white branch with a single red ball hanging from the tip on a red ribbon? Cut organza from the fabric store into squares for gift wrap. Have a different theme or single color palette in each room.

Start a new tradition. My friend, Carol Watts, has Margaritas at Midnight every year with her family to celebrate the departure of guests. Hide your kids’ presents and have them hunt for them. (Tell them Santa picked up the Easter Bunny while hitchhiking, and they got sloshed on eggnog and thought this would be a riot.)

Experiment with a new wreath. Make a braided bread-dough wreath. Hang a square one. How about a theme wreath made entirely of polka dot bows or stars-and-stripes ribbon, angels, little packages, pinecones, cardinals and bird houses, or vintage toys?

Here are some ideas for a more personalized, theme tree. For the gardener -- use vintage tools, animal figurines, miniature fences, and raffia; for the sailor -- mini ships and oars, sand toys, lighthouses, shells, and netting; for the office worker -- pens, scissors, binder clips, computer disks, and paperclip chains; for the diva -- sparkly Victorian jewelry; and for the December baby -- a tree covered in balloons with a candle on top. You get the idea. Be imaginative.

Christmas when over decorated tends to look a tad … hmm, shall we say “tacky”, anyway, so why not play up a sense of fun with some deliberate kitsch and go all out for a “tacky little Christmas”? Unearth the old aluminum tree with the bubble lights and the plastic peppermint candy garlands. String lights on a plastic palm tree, and play Jimmy Buffet’s ”Ho, Ho, Ho, and a Bottle of Rhum”. Dress up your daughter’s dolls in antlers and group them as carolers. I always place the Hallmark character, Maxine --you know, the sourpuss old lady in their cards -- in a sleigh in my living room; the doll is dressed up as a grumpy Christmas shopper, and she is my alter ego on bad days.

Try something unexpected. Those of you who read my column last Christmas will probably remember that instead of a wreath on my front door, I have a rubber chicken wearing a silver lame jumpsuit and ankle boots. Let’s face it, a sense of humor is definitely lacking during the holidays. But not at my house. M.A.K.

Every year instead of a wreath, I hang a rubber chicken wearing in a silver lame jumpsuit with ankle boots on my front door

Dear Readers:

My best friend jokingly asked me to create holiday decorations for her, knowing full well the limitations of my craft abilities. I’m not Martha, nor one of those decorators who can whip up a masterpiece from odds and ends lying around the house and yard. Luckily I excel at assessing the quality of work by true craftsmen. (And purchasing same.) In fact, I typically break out in a cold sweat when faced with a hot glue gun. In one horrible year alone I had to create both holiday decorations (shudder) for a large bookstore and stainless steel window treatments for a showhouse. I glued my fingers together for the former – which doesn’t hurt as much as you might think – and gave myself a third degree burn with the latter. FYI, stainless steel is a tremendous heat conductor.

Needless to say, I prefer to approach decorating for the holidays differently than crafters, or even traditionalists for that matter. The most beautiful Christmas tree we ever had was a perfectly shaped white pine with nothing on it but tiny white lights. At night the wispy branches cast sort of a halo of light around the tree. We called it our Zen tree, and it was truly magical. A grouping of small trees can also be sensational and different. I can guarantee you that your guests will be fascinated.

I trust that like the inevitable fruitcake, at least one poinsettia will show up. If so, go out and get some more of the same color, so that you can at least mass them together into something special. I actually like the coral double blooms when grouped in large quantities.

What a great time of year to display a collection and intersperse it with greens and tiny lights. I know it sounds Christmas-y, but tiny lights make everything look better. Try them on a bookcase. Among your houseplants. Around your headboard. Jumbled in a clear bowl. (Especially if you can’t untangle them from last year.) There is something enchanting about light. That’s one of the reasons I’m addicted to menorahs; if I had the space, I’d have an enormous menorah collection. I love the story; and like most religious artifacts, menorahs are magnificent pieces of art.

Why not set a monochromatic table this year? This can have a tremendous impact in candlelight. Table settings can be stunning when done in all red, all green, all blue, silver/white, or gold/white. Tie an ornament or small gift around each napkin.

I also love irreverent ornaments. An amusing flying pig ornament hung all year from my last dining room chandelier. And every winter I hang the same oversized ornament on my front door instead of a wreath. It’s a rubber chicken, wearing a silver lame jumpsuit with ankle boots. It could use a white feathered headdress, but you know how I feel about hot glue guns. Have a great holiday! M.A.K.

Treat Yourself Well During the Holidays

Dear Readers:

It’s holiday season again. It keeps coming around like clockwork, doesn’t it? Time to turn your home into a refuge from the stress. It’s like preparing for battle, this having to counteract the crowds, shopping, money issues, cooking, relatives, obligations, and year-end deadlines at work. Well, I managed to exhaust myself just thinking about them. Make your home into a sanctuary before it’s too late.

It’s time to set the mood to de-stress when you enter that front door. Clear the decks. Nothing is more peaceful than clutter-free space. Store all extraneous stuff. You’ll be needing space for boots, hats, gloves, packages, and holiday decorations soon enough. Start now and pace yourself.

Add the special touches that help you unwind to my list. Set out fresh autumnal flowers in your kitchen and on your nightstand. Forget “beach” reading; now is the time to stock up on books to read curled up before the fire. Bring in that firewood for final drying. Why not put on a soothing CD, or some holiday music to get you in the mood?

Each weekend fill your home with soothing smells: heat up a pumpkin or apple pie; bake some gingerbread; simmer some soup or stew. Now, that’s my kind of aroma therapy! The nights are getting chilly. Take the time after work to relax in a hot tub with some funky candles and bath salts. Change into fleecy sweats and comfy socks. Get those down comforters and chenille throws out of mothballs. Plump up those bed pillows. How about some new flannel sheets?

If you must leave your sanctuary to shop, carry a book or Walkman with you to survive the long lines at the register. If you have to travel, treat yourself to a travel pillow and comfy throw for the car or plane; and pack a picnic basket with gourmet snacks. Go in comfort for once, and make the best of a bad situation.

You should have everything in place to help yourself relax before those moments of holiday madness strike. Home is your refuge. It’s all about treating yourself well, when you need it the most. Ah, the holidays. M.A.K.

The Holidays Are Coming!

Dear Readers:

Hey, Happy Holidays!

Is it just me or does it feel like we are fast approaching “Halloweenthanksgivingchristmas”? Weren’t they actually three separate occasions once upon a time? And didn’t the season start this week, instead of in JUNE?

Religious considerations aside, as a decorator, I truly appreciate the commercialism of holidays. Retailers -- and yes, decorators -- depend on it for their livelihoods. And as a shopper I am fully onboard, too, but pretty soon we will be “Newyearseveeastermotheresdayfathersdayfourthofjulyhalloweenthanksgivingchristmas” shopping all year long. And don’t get me started on Valentine’s Day.

Some people love to give gifts. Some people love to decorate. Some people love to give gifts and decorate. I am one of these people. I love decking my halls. Ah, ‘tis the season made in catalog heaven. And department-store heaven. And Internet heaven. My heavens.

These “divine” sources constantly bombard us with ideas for decorating; but when it comes to the holidays, some of these suggestions should frankly be ignored. That wonderful design principle, “Less is more” has been replaced with “Too much is not enough.”

Maybe it’s an age thing, but I am noticing a lot of changes, and not all of them for the better. Let’s focus on Christmas decorations. Trends change and just as with clothing, decorations go in and out of style. What I have been noticing lately, however, is that while there are some interesting new twists in the market, consumers still have access to all available styles from the most retro to the extremely avant garde, in order for retailers to survive. Unfortunately, some people are decorating with a mish mash of all the things available to them, and this is a shame.

As a decorator, I have to have an appreciation for all styles. It comes with the job description. I admit that at times I personally have trouble choosing among them, but eventually professional discipline exerts itself and I settle on my look for the year. This is not easy since I have a garage and storage unit full of past decorations – no exaggeration. So, I freely admit it is difficult to choose when faced with everything under the sun, but filling one’s home with a little of everything goes well beyond eclectic into insane-looking. (And those of you who do this know who you are.)

I would like to offer some suggestions to those of you who are overwhelmed each year by too many choices. Keep collecting the holiday decorations you really love. Sigh over them nostalgically as you sort through them each holiday season. Then pick one theme or style for the current year -- and put everything else back! At least group different looks in separate rooms. You will be surprised at how much better --- and dare I say, more professional --- a room looks with a restrained hand.

There are almost too many choices for holiday decorations, but there are some tried-and-true winners. Consider some of my all-time favorites, but first remove all of your non-seasonal accessories to start with a clean canvas:

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

• A monochromatic room or table – all white, all gold, all silver – you get the picture.
• A retro theme with an aluminum tree, bubble lights, kewpie dolls and kitschy garland.
• Over-the-top trees crammed with things like lamps, dolls, books, toys, utensils, flowers, lace, tinsel, icicles, etc.
• A totally organic winter wonderland – pomegranates, clove-studded oranges, branches of berries.
•  Victorian theme with lots of beaded fruit, dark velvet, pearls, ostrich feathers and lace.
• A country theme with popcorn/cranberry garlands, pinecone or wood ornaments, and gingham ribbons.
• An elegant theme with an all-white tree.
• Tiny white lights on anything.
• Fresh flowers or feathers on a tree.
• A fresh garland up the staircase.
• A fire in the fireplace.
• A personalized wreath or tree, with vintage gardening tools and raffia for the gardener; shells and mini sailboats for the beach-lover; teddy bears for the collector; etc.
• A Lionel train set under the tree.
• A collection of mercury glass.
• Luminaria lighting a pathway.
• A sense of humor, whether it be a Department 56 ornament, or antlers on the dog.

Now, look back over the above list and picture how awful a room would look with a hodge-podge of these styles. Their impact would totally disappear. (Write that down.)

Here are some other really bad ideas that are available nowadays:

SOME OF MY NOT-SO-FAVORITE THINGS (I apologize if you own these, but…)

•  The new upside-down trees. I mean really, is there any value to this gimmick to get you to buy something new?
• It doesn’t even look good stylistically.
• Large, inflatable anything.
• Really cheap, plastic decorations that light up, move, and/or make sounds.PirateS of the Caribbean Santas. Yes, these are really available on the Internet.
• Snow-making machines. I guess these are for people who think they live in Universal Studios.

 Just because it’s available and different, it doesn’t mean you have to buy it. (Write that down, too.)

M.A.K.  

Avoid a Thanksgiving from Hell

Dear Melissa:

I don’t know if you can help with this, but I dread hosting Thanksgiving again this year. How do I avoid another Thanksgiving from hell? K.R., Guilford, CT

Dear K:

Based on the movies and countless books dealing with the subject, I’d say Thanksgiving is a universal problem. I personally think it’s because this is the only mandatory family celebration with no gift-giving to focus on, so it’s pure family dynamics. Or should I say “dramatics”?

I’d approach this the way any good events planner would. Think about the last time you had a wonderful dinner at someone’s house. Unless it was the home of a great chef, it wasn’t the food you’re remembering fondly; it was the atmosphere. Since Thanksgiving is an emotional minefield for most people, my favorite solution is to invite a guest who is unrelated. This completely changes the group dynamics, giving everyone a neutral person to talk to. Plus they have to be on their best behavior in front of a stranger. You can return the favor to this person next year. (And amazingly, this person usually has a great time with your relatives.)

If it’s too late to drag someone in off the street, distract your guests in other ways.

Shake up your tired routines. If you always serve a sit-down meal, have a buffet. If everyone is always crowded into your dining room, set up some tables in the living room in front of the fire. If you opt for a buffet, create a tablescape. To do this you group together any sturdy household objects of varying heights: paint cans, books, solid cartons, upturned pots, etc. Toss one or two cloths over these and tuck them in. This should look like a fabric mountain range. Arrange platters of food on the different levels and intersperse cut flowers, votive candles, etc., among them. This is a very dramatic presentation.

Do something interesting with the dining table. Go to the craft store and pick up pheasant feathers and ostrich eggs. Send your kids out to collect autumn leaves. Pick up some miniature pumpkins and assorted gourds. Arrange all these in a basket for an atypical centerpiece. If you’ve already ordered flowers, scatter some of these among the blooms. By next week, it’ll be dim enough even at midday for candlelight to make an impact. Forget those two anemic tapers from the grocery store and spread 20 unscented votive and pillar candles around the table and room. Just place them strategically so that toddlers don’t keep blowing them out. And if Tabby didn’t head for the hills with the first ringing of the doorbell, don’t worry, I have it on good authority that cats’ tails are self-extinguishing.

Don’t forget soft music. It does “calm the savage breast”. Let the football game play in the other room and provide trays for the fans who can’t wait for the meal to end. (Don’t assume this means males only.) Look at the bright side of this: you’ll be facing fewer people at one time, with another group to join if the current conversation gets unpleasant.

Try to set up everything you can the night before. Then after you stagger downstairs in the predawn gloom to put the turkey in the oven, you can go back to bed for some fortifying rest. When your guests arrive, fix a smile on your face, be unfailingly polite, and accept all your compliments graciously. This is a good year to count your blessings. Happy Thanksgiving. M.A.K.

Famous Last Words

To paraphrase the dying words of the great Oscar Wilde, "Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."

Why is Interior Design So Important?

"Your home should rise up to meet you."
 Nate Berkus, Decorator and TV Host of The Nate Berkus Show

Should Lamps Be the Same Height?

Dear Melissa:

Should all of the lamps in my living room be the same height, and do you think that the lamps on either side of my couch should match? L. P., KY 

Dear L.:

The two most important things about lamps are (1) that you have enough light where you need it, and (2) that you aren’t looking up at the bulb when seated next to a lamp.

Lamps used as pairs should be the same height and scale, but these still don’t necessarily have to match. When you use lamps of various heights, survey the room to make sure your eye isn’t distracted by a large, showy lamp instead of being drawn to the focal point you intended.

If a lamp is too low, place it on a stack of leather-bound books for more height. Place a lamp that’s too high on a lower table, or try changing its harp or shade. Most rooms could use some height, so don’t exclude floor lamps. Why not consider a grouping of three funky accent lamps of differing heights, just for fun? M.A.K.

Carpet Care

Dear Melissa:

How should I care for a cotton area rug? It’s handmade and fairly expensive. Should I risk washing it? S.M., IL 

Dear S.:

Only if you want a misshapen pile of strings when you’re done. Fragile carpets should be treated professionally with stain repellants, kept out of direct sunlight, rotated regularly, and dry cleaned by a carpet expert. Treat carpets like the investments they are. Good care will prolong their life expectancy. M.A.K.

Quick Consultation?

Dear Melissa:

I’m not sure I want to invest in a decorator, although I need help with colors and mixing some patterns I have. Do decorators just do quick consultations? W.E., VA

Dear W.:

It is rarely cost effective for a decorator to come out to your home or office for just an hour consultation, although some do. You might get lucky if the decorator you want is having a slow spell during this economy, so call and ask. Perhaps the decorator will fit you in between local appointments, if you’re willing to wait. You may be charged a higher fee for a consultation, however; at the very least, offer the obliging decorator a cup of coffee. M.A.K.

Antique or New House?

Dear Melissa:

I’m house-hunting and the unthinkable has happened. I’ve fallen in love with an antique house with crooked walls and slanting floors. My friends are advising me to buy “new”, but my heart says this is the one. What should I do? N.K.., ME 

Dear N.,

Go with your heart, as long as your head agrees.

Of course the antique house has crooked walls and slanting floors. Goodness knows humans settle, too! However, that’s part of the charm. Talk to some owners of antique homes to get a feel for the lifestyle. Wonderful old homes often require concessions to modern living. They can be drafty and noisy (those creaks in the night and clanging pipes.) They require diligent ongoing maintenance, which can be expensive. Of course, if you truly desire an antique home, this is a labor of love.

Make sure you hire a qualified home inspector who specializes in old houses. He/she will understand the peculiarities of such a home’s wiring, plumbing, heating and structural systems. If there are significant problems, consider whether you have the financial and emotional wherewithal to correct them. I recommend waiting at least six months before considering any structural changes that may impact the home’s historical value. Get a feel for how you live in the house first, and always remember why you bought it in the first place. Good luck! M.A.K.

Rotate Your Collections

Dear Melissa:

Help! I keep buying tchotchkes and I can’t stop myself. I pick up mirrors, pottery, ceramics, everything. How do I make sense of this? Should I throw it all away and start from scratch with an idea or color scheme at least? S.B., MD 

Dear S.:

A woman after my own heart! Your collection of “stuff” already has a theme: your personal style. What’s needed is not necessarily an intervention, but a plan.

Collect all of your misfit items from around the house. When you have them all together, group them by their most common element. This may be by material, color, function, etc. Displaying your collections in groups will give them a cohesive look and greater visual impact than scattering them around your house. If your grouping of collectables is all the same height, use stacked books to raise the height of some objects to create a more interesting tableau.

Once you’re happy with the look, STOP. Pack up the rest of your items, and perform the exercise again in 6 months. By rotating your accessories periodically, you’ll be able to refresh your home with the items you’ve packed away, and gain a new appreciation for them. Happy shopping! M.A.K.

Buy New or Recover

Dear Melissa:

We just moved into a new house and our living room furniture looks really tired. It was fairly expensive when we bought it. We don’t know whether we should reupholster it, have slipcovers made, or just start over. We need a professional opinion. P.T., OH 

Dear P.:

This is really a question of budget and the condition of the chair frames. I don’t know how old your furniture is, but if the pieces are wobbly, the webbing beneath the seats is sagging, and the fabric is shredded, you should consider replacing them. Often, you can get a good buy during a local retail store’s seasonal sale.

You don’t have to buy new furniture, however; I have made some great purchases at auctions and consignment stores. Don’t be a snob about used furniture. You already own some. And let’s face it, what are pricey antiques anyway, but really used furniture? This may be the only way you can afford a fabulous piece of furniture, like a china cabinet.

I rarely suggest reupholstery to a client unless the piece of furniture has either a sentimental or an appraised value. Reupholstery, done properly, can be as costly as buying a brand new piece of furniture. This is because the workroom IS creating a new piece of furniture on the original frame. And trust me, craftsmanship counts here. So use the best, not the cheapest.

If the chair frames and seats are still good and provided that you select a reasonably-priced fabric, the least expensive thing to do is to use slipcovers. You can even change these seasonally.

Regarding secondhand furniture, one of my favorite things to do is to buy a $75 chair with fabulous lines, and slipcover it with $600 worth of fabric and trim. It looks like a million bucks while costing far less than a new custom chair. You can afford to be more extravagant with an inexpensive used chair. After all, no one has to know what’s under the skirt.

Once you know how far your budget will stretch, you might use a combination of strategies. M.A.K.

Boring Boyfriend

Dear Melissa:

My boyfriend’s apartment is blue, blue, blue. You’d think there weren’t any other colors out there. I’d like to make it look better. A.S., TN

Dear A.:

Are you sure you want to do this? More importantly, are you sure HE wants you to do this? If he’s amenable to suggestions, tell him that peach/terracotta/pumpkin accents will warm up his color scheme; bright yellow will give it a French Country look; and greens/violets will continue the restful theme. A monochromatic color scheme doesn’t have to be boring, however; just suggest that he vary the shades of blue and add lots of texture.

I wish you both luck with this. M.A.K.

How Much Do Interior Decorators and Designers Charge?

Dear Melissa:

I need help with my new house but I’ve never used a decorator before. I’m afraid it’ll be too expensive. Can you give me an idea of how much it costs? L.M., NY

A Magic Carpet for a Dog

Dear Melissa:
Help, I need some advice on rugs.  I have to have many rugs around the rooms on my first floor, due to one of my dogs who won't walk on the wood floors, so there are more rugs than normal.  My colors tend towards blue and burgundy and are either oriental-type or braided mixed around the areas.  I need to purchase a runner for one area.  Should I be "matchy, matchy" and get the exact same rug as the others in that room nearby, get that same rug in a different, but complementary color or should I get a different type entirely (such as another oriental-type?

Thanks for any help you may be able to give me. J.D., LA

Dear J:

Interesting dog. Have you tried socks?

There are no right or wrong answers in decorating, only effects. Here are some questions you can ask yourself in order to make the right decision. What effect do you see when you look over all these area rugs? Do you see pleasing, delineated groupings of furniture, or is the look rather choppy and busy? Is a hodgepodge of rugs the first thing that catches your eye when entering your home?

Here are my suggestions. If the look is too busy, you might do better with an attractive wall-to-wall carpet for a quieter, more continuous look. If you are happy with the area rugs, consider the effect that a matching rug would have versus the effect of an additional pattern. Where do you want the viewer’s eye to go? Where in all honesty will it go? Here’s a little tip: if you have too many rugs and too many patterns, all you’ll see are rugs, not the furniture, or the view, or the fireplace, etc. If everything looks good as it is, will an additional pattern be distracting?

In either case, any combination of the same colors will help tie the look together. M.A.K.

The Fifth Wall

Dear Melissa:

I understand that ceilings are called the “fifth wall” and are supposed to be given some sort of treatment, but aside from painting them a surprising color or mirroring them, I’m at a loss. C.A., FLA 

Dear C.:

Well, let’s skip the mirrors unless you are creative enough to avoid both the “Las Vegas” and bordello looks. Let’s also avoid the popcorn finish found in almost every new house.

Try coffering or gilding your ceiling, or adding a dome, cove lighting, or a skylight. How about covering it with wallpaper, or bamboo matting? You could also install or stencil a center medallion on it or hire a decorative artist to fresco it or create a custom finish for you.

You will hear me saying again and again: you are limited only by your imagination and budget. Just try to keep the ceiling treatment in harmony with the rest of the room. Also, bear in mind that a dark, busy ceiling will appear lower, and a light, quiet ceiling will seem to recede. Determine the appropriate effect you are trying to achieve. M.A.K.

What Is the Difference Between a Decorator and an Interior Designer

Dear Melissa:
What is the difference between an interior decorator and an interior designer? B.P., NJ

Dear B.:
Think of it as the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist: both can help you but one has had more extensive training. While anyone with talent and a resale certificate can become a decorator, many states have passed licensing or title acts that require anyone using the title “interior designer” to have first passed something called the NCIDQ certification exam. Only qualified interior designers are granted this title in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

Typically, decorators create room layouts and shop for clients. Interior designers on the other hand may choose to sell merchandise, but also act as consultants to clients by reorganizing space, complying with building codes, specifying furniture, finishes, and equipment, and administering contracts. Clients are often directed to dealers for purchases. Work is usually done at a much higher level than that of a decorator.

That said, a lot depends on the ability of the individual practitioner. There are decorators just as capable as interior designers who choose not to sit for the grueling NCIDQ exam. To confuse things a little more, there is a sort of pre-professional level, my level, i.e., the allied member of ASID. This means that I am a card-carrying member of the American Society of Interiors Designers who has the appropriate education and experience to register for the NCIDQ exam, but who has not sat for it. M.A.K.

Disagreeement on Color

Dear Melissa:

My wife and I just bought a new contemporary house that we love. However, I love an antique white color on the walls but my wife wants more color. My question is, designer to the rescue, with really tall walls, how would you use color in a really big room??? How do you pick the colors?? How do you separate the rooms?? My wife and I are in conflict. F.G., NH

Dear F. and Mrs. F.:

I don’t do counseling, but what I think I hear you saying (do I sound like Oprah?) is that you’re worried that while a neutral color can be boring, a strong color will overpower a large room. Fear not. As long as the wall color has something to do with the colors of the furnishings, you should be all right. May I suggest a compromise? Try a neutral nonwhite: a gray-green or yellow (which go with everything), or one of the many unidentifiable grays that are so fresh now.

Don’t worry too much about rooms that have doors that close. Those colors are self-contained. Concentrate instead on the rooms open to one another.

The easiest way to find a color scheme you can both agree on is to pull one from a patterned fabric or wallpaper you already have in the room. The textile designer already came up with colors that go well together. Assign a different color from the mix to each room as the predominant color, and then use the other colors for accents. M.A.K.

How to Make Florida Work in Boston

Dear Melissa: 

I just relocated from Florida where my chrome and beige contemporary leather furniture looked good with white walls and big windows overlooking the bay. But it all seems sterile up here. I don’t want to change my furniture because I may move again in 18 months and anyway I like it. What economical things can I do? J.E.R., Boston

Dear J:

I have three words for you: color, texture and plants. As you’ve noticed, white walls don’t work well in our northern light. Use either warm colors like chocolate or a “funky” color like purple or turquoise. Counterbalance the sleekness of the chrome and leather furniture with lots of nubby fabrics, Flokati rugs, woven blinds, and textured wallcoverings. Living things also warm up a room. Throw lots of parties, invest in some plants, or hire your unemployed brother-in-law to hang out on your couch. M.A.K.

Dear Melissa:

I recently inherited a beautiful 1823 American Empire loveseat. Unfortunately, it clashes with our carpeting. The piece is a gold-camel color, but the carpet is a lovely kind of mauve…What do we do? Reupholster or re-carpet? What would you do in an established room? C.D., UT

Dear C.:

First of all, is the fabric on the loveseat original upholstery? If so, I’d get it appraised before you inadvertently destroy the value. If not, consider which is in worse condition. If they are equal, work the numbers to see which cost is the lesser of two evils. You’re in the same ballpark with an inexpensive carpet and an excellent upholsterer.

Must you reupholster? Does the loveseat clash with all of the furniture in the room? Get out your crayon box. Could you incorporate the loveseat into a color scheme like mauve/burgundy/gold,  or mauve/slate blue/yellow, or mauve/periwinkle/turquoise/yellow? If you can’t work it in, I should caution you that while gold is still popular and  historic, mauve --while outdated --  refuses to die. A similar shade of pink is comning in. M.A.K.

Buying Quality Furniture

Dear Readers:

With so many furniture stores coming and going lately, a lot of people have been asking me about buying quality furniture. Okay, here are some basic guidelines to consider:

1) What do you need furniture for? How many people must you seat? For what activities?

2) What size will you need? Can you fit it through the doorway? Up the stairs? (I can’t tell you how many people forget these last two.)

3) Do you need built-in or movable furniture? Built ins are neat and efficient, look more contemporary, and can be very versatile. On the other hand, where you place them is where they stay.

4) Can you reuse any of your current furniture? Consider slipcovers and reupholstery first.

5) Must your furniture be custom designed? Obviously, built ins must be. Get references.

6) Address safety concerns - Are there sharp corners where children can be scratched? Will the chair tip over? (A possibility with 3 legs, or casters.) Will the fabric be too close to a heat source? (Especially bedding.) Can you see the glass top on the cocktail table?

7) Does the piece come with a warranty? For how long? Will the store repair problems?

8) What is the cost vs your available budget? What is the lifetime cost (initial cost + maintenance cost + cost of disposal + cost of replacement)? Often, the more expensive piece that will last for 20 years is a better buy, even if the initial cost is high.

9) Does the style fit in with the rest of the décor? Here I must interject a word of caution about “eclectic interiors”. Everyone thinks they have one, which apparently makes whatever they’ve done to their rooms okay. The definition is to juxtapose at least 2 styles in a pleasing way, while mixing old with new. Is it just me, or does that imply something deliberate? I don’t think it means: Fill a room with a hodgepodge of every style under the sun, kind of like the “Old Curiosity Shoppe”. One should use both restraint and some sort of a plan. Two good solutions are to have one style predominate, and use a second one for accents; and make the really disparate pieces more compatible by using similar colors and upholstery.

10) Are you purchasing the furniture from an established store with a good reputation or from a discount supplier with little history and no customer service (and therefore, questionable customer satisfaction)? As always, Buyer Beware.

Nuff said. M.A.K.

Tile in the Living Room?

Dear Melissa:

I am considering having ceramic tile installed in my living room. The carpeting I had installed a couple of years ago already has to be replaced due to heavy traffic, a long-haired cat, a 6-month old puppy, and a Newfoundland. The present carpet is forest green with the same carpeting going up the stairway and upstairs hall. My problem is: What do I do with the stairway and hall? Have you ever heard of using ceramic tile in the living room? I am afraid of losing the “comfortable feeling” it now affords if I install ceramic tile. Do you have any alternative suggestions? R.D., IN 

Dear R.:

Don’t I always? I sympathize with the conflict between pets and carpeting. Tile in living rooms is very popular in warm climates, like Florida and the Southwest. You are absolutely correct in thinking it will seem cold (and in fact, be cold to the touch). Some better options might be synthetic stain-resistant carpeting, hardwood (which can actually be priced fairly reasonably); laminated wood, which has improved dramatically; green patterned carpet; or replaceable carpet tiles.

Regarding the latter, I’m not referring to the cheap do-it-yourself carpet tiles of the past. These look exactly like broadloom when installed properly, but the individual stained tiles can be replaced. Commercial carpeting has always come like this. For a more residential feel, take a look at http://www.flor.com/ .

If the forest green carpet on the stairs looks tired or seems to clash with the new flooring, you might also consider a stair runner to make the transition from the flooring downstairs to the carpeting upstairs. It's a nicer look. M.A.K.

Renovate or Sell

Dear Melissa:

Is it less expensive to renovate your house or buy a new one and move? I realize that since houses are cheaper to buy, mine is going to sell for less too. That part would be a wash. L.C., GA

Dear L.:

With the real estate market the way it is, I’ve grappled with this one myself recently. Unless your house is falling down or in need of a serious overhaul, it can be much less costly to renovate. (What did you expect a decorator to tell you?)

Seriously though, unless you discover your dream house on the market, you’ll still have to make any new house your own by freshening up tired rooms and eliminating the current colors. Add to this the cost of the closing, realtor, legal, and moving fees. So, do the math. And let’s face it, at least you already know the pluses and minuses of your current house and neighborhood.

If you are really unhappy in your present house, perhaps a better question might be: Is it better to buy an existing house or build exactly what you want? I personally couldn’t deal with any more upheaval in my life. Can you? M.A.K.

What about Wallpaper?

Dear Melissa:

Do you have any tips on selecting wallpaper? S.D., OH 

Dear S.:

Of course. I have advice on every subject; I just try to limit myself to decorating.

Patterned wallpaper has been out of style for some time now, unless you live in an antique home. Personally, I adore all types of wallpapers, so I have been waiting patiently for its return. Textured and novelty wall coverings are much more popular right now. So if you’d like an updated look, check out the new 3D trends, metallics and lasercuts. How about leather tiles or rice paper?

When choosing wallpaper, scale is critical. Just as you wouldn’t want an enormous pattern overpowering a wall and possibly forcing you to trim off the tops of flowers or birds’ heads, you wouldn’t want a tiny pattern that has no impact either.

Typically, wallpaper fills up a room by adding pattern or texture to its largest expanse (namely, the walls); so it’s a great way to make a large room appear cozy. Surprisingly, small prints can actually make small rooms seem larger, if the same tiny print is repeated everywhere, even in the upholstery fabric.

Always bring a sample of the wallpaper home to view in your light. The color will change under different lighting conditions – make sure you like the paper both during the day and at night. Try to get a really large sample or at least two smaller ones to pin up side by side, since you want to see all the colors and parts of the pattern, with no surprises later on. M.A.K.

Dear Melissa: 

You have been so helpful in the past and I thank you for that.  Here I am again with 2 other questions/problems.  (1) Want to install a rope hand railing (instead of normal wooden one) in a small, narrow & steep stairwell.  I know I've seen these in historic homes in the past, but can't remember where.  Where can I find information? (2) Want to put a door at top of stairs to master bedroom.  (Not same staircase as previous question.)  It's a unique situation in that this 2nd floor only has this one room; it's kind of like a loft, although no overhanging balcony.  I probably need an interior architect.  Is there such a designation?  And how do I find one? Thanks in advance.
"Decorating Novice"Lyme, CT

Dear Decorating Novice:

It’s always nice to have a repeat customer. (1) In my opinion, safety comes first. Are you sure you want to install a flexible handrail in such a challenging stairwell? If you decide to proceed, you will need a large diameter rope from a marine supply or building supply store. Then you will have to find railing brackets that will fit that diameter rope. Some potential sources are: Baldwin Brass, Renovators Supply, R. Christensen, juliusblum.com, and atrtechnologies.com.

(2) Any builder, interior designer, or architect can help you. (And yes there are people who call themselves interior architects, as a subspecialty.) Try the yellow pages or local professional organizations. It may be difficult, however, to find someone for such a small project. M.A.K.

How Does A Decorator Show House Work?

Dear Readers:

Did you know that there is something called a Designer or Decorator Show House scheduled this time of year in most states? Do you know what a designer showhouse is? It’s a type of fundraiser sponsored by a charity or nonprofit group. You may have heard of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Decorator Show House, which occurs every year in New York City, or the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, in California.

For those of you unfamiliar with a show house, this is how it works. Interior designers, decorators, and decorative painters bid on rooms and spaces in a large unoccupied house. If someone has the winning presentation for a room, that person’s firm has a limited amount of time to decorate that space at its own expense, as a form of marketing. Landscape designers are afforded the same opportunity for different areas of the home’s grounds. The idea is to create something unusual and inspirational. The public purchases tickets to view all of the unique spaces in the house and gardens, with proceeds going to the sponsoring charity or nonprofit group. At the end of the allotted month, each firm must return its space to the original condition (or a reasonable facsimile thereof). It’s sort of like Brigadoon – it’s only there for a short time and then it vanishes.

It’s a lot of fun for the viewing public to compare the “before” pictures with the transformation of each space. (Although since different firms do each space to showcase their own talents, don’t expect anything resembling continuity among the rooms.) There is no better way to pick up clever ideas to try yourself; or if you’re in the market for a decorator or landscaper, you can determine just how creative the different local firms are. I should make a point about the latter, however.

As a veteran of seven showhouses, I have noticed that some visitors come into the house looking for a particular room; and only if they see exactly what they’re looking for, do they hire that designer. You have to understand something. These are talented people. Someone who does a fabulous bedroom in a show house may be the perfect person to do your family room. Or the talented designer of a dining room might be the one to help you with your living room. We are multidimensional. Every one of us can do contemporary as well as traditional rooms, dining rooms as well as nurseries. So, here’s a tip: find the person, not the room. Ask to see the portfolios of the designers’ other rooms. Talk to the designers and artists to see if you are well suited. Compatibility is paramount.

The rooms and gardens in a designer show house are spectacular. The lunches are wonderful. Often there are lectures and wine tasting scheduled on the grounds. All in all, a showhouse makes for a lovely summer’s day out. M.A.K.

Lacking Drama

Dear Melissa:

My house is decorated, and people seem to like it, but I don’t know, it seems to be lacking drama. My walls are painted soft colors, but something is missing. N.I., OK

Dear N.:

Maybe all of your colors are so soft, there is no punch to the rooms. You do not want your colors to match exactly. Vary the shades of your colors for visual interest. Say for example, your room is basically a medium blue. You don’t want all of the pieces to be the same medium blue. Some items could be navy blue, others powder blue. You could even throw in a totally different accent color. Variety helps.

Perhaps the problem lies with your accessories. They may be small and unobtrusive or scattered, instead of grouped for impact. Unless you are a collector, one large object can be better than five tiny ones, which may just look untidy. If you are a collector (or just have lots of stuff) group the pieces for more impact in a display cabinet, on shelves, or on one tabletop. In the case of the latter, arrange them in an interesting manner – in small groups of like kind, shape, or color; or with some on top of books or decorative boxes for varying heights. M.A.K.

Little Wall Space

Dear Melissa:

My kids are moving into their teen years so I decided this was the time to redo the playroom. I put in a wood floor, painted the walls a bright color, and replaced toys with computer equipment. My problem is that the room has a low, slanted ceiling on opposite sides of the room; the one wall at the end of the room has a nearly floor-length palladium window in it. So, there is very little wall space. I’d like to put up a few pictures/posters that are framed but I think they would look strange attached (somehow) to the ceiling, and strange on the waist-high walls. I am putting one next to the window, but am I limited to one picture in the room? J. M., AK

Dear J.:

The room sounds great so far. Alas, we all have only so much wall space, which is a problem for art lovers. You don’t have to be limited, however. You can stack smaller pictures one above the other on the wall, placing the ones with more visual weight on the bottom. Another option is to store and rotate your pictures seasonally for a fresh new look. (Just hide the previous holes.) It’s perfectly all right to place pictures on the floor and lean them against the wall, even overlapping them slightly, for a casual look. And don’t forget tabletop and freestanding easels. Now your picture count is around seven. M.A.K.