5 Questions for Design Stars
Do You Have the Answer to These Home Design Dilemmas?
Do you know how to brighten a dark living room? Has your kitchen remodel revived a dated kitchen on the brink of disaster? Can you rearrange living room furniture to fit any space, any time? These common curses plague many homeowners every day. Five fellow Houzz community members are currently facing these design dilemmas, and more. I know there are tricks up your sleeves that even experienced designers haven't used. Just click the links under each photo below to share your suggestions.
Question 2: How do I arrange my living room furniture?
We have two french doors that are on either side of a fireplace. We have an 18' long living room with TV at one end. I don't want to put the couch and chairs facing each other on either side of the fireplace as that blocks view through doors to pool, pond and fields. Also, I plan to replace drapes/curtains in LR. Need ideas that are traditional and can stack back away from wood burning fireplace, yet block sun as we face east. Suggestions are welcome. Share your thoughts here.
We have two french doors that are on either side of a fireplace. We have an 18' long living room with TV at one end. I don't want to put the couch and chairs facing each other on either side of the fireplace as that blocks view through doors to pool, pond and fields. Also, I plan to replace drapes/curtains in LR. Need ideas that are traditional and can stack back away from wood burning fireplace, yet block sun as we face east. Suggestions are welcome. Share your thoughts here.
Question 3: Do I paint my wood wall paneling?
"Don't worry, none of furniture, cabinet fronts or window treatments will stay. Should I paint, stain or leave the wood natural? I do want to paint the trim white." What do you think? Click here to answer.
"Don't worry, none of furniture, cabinet fronts or window treatments will stay. Should I paint, stain or leave the wood natural? I do want to paint the trim white." What do you think? Click here to answer.
Question 4: How can my new fireplace flow with my house?
"I am installing a peninsula fireplace in the master bedroom where the wall between two smaller bedrooms was removed...This is an '80s home being renovated with craftsman/bungalow influence. The fireplace doesn't fit the style, but will be very functional and beautiful, I think. How can I design it so it flows with the rest of the house? I have selected 6"x6" tiles in a greenish gray and have set the fireplace flat on the floor without a hearth. Since the room is still small by modern standards, the wall only rises about 52", with a 4'x2' footprint. There will be a small can light above. I'm stumped on how much tile, where, and what kind of mantel or top material to use...Any suggestions?" Answer here.
"I am installing a peninsula fireplace in the master bedroom where the wall between two smaller bedrooms was removed...This is an '80s home being renovated with craftsman/bungalow influence. The fireplace doesn't fit the style, but will be very functional and beautiful, I think. How can I design it so it flows with the rest of the house? I have selected 6"x6" tiles in a greenish gray and have set the fireplace flat on the floor without a hearth. Since the room is still small by modern standards, the wall only rises about 52", with a 4'x2' footprint. There will be a small can light above. I'm stumped on how much tile, where, and what kind of mantel or top material to use...Any suggestions?" Answer here.
Question 5: How do I make my den more inviting?
"My husband and I recently purchased a home built in the '80s. We can't seem to reach an agreement as to what to do with the paneling in the den. The paneling is quite beautiful, but it covers the entire room and makes the room dark and dated. Since we spend a lot of time in this room, I want it warm and inviting. We have discussed..." Click here to see the rest of the question and to answer it if you can!
Try your hand at more design dilemmas.
"My husband and I recently purchased a home built in the '80s. We can't seem to reach an agreement as to what to do with the paneling in the den. The paneling is quite beautiful, but it covers the entire room and makes the room dark and dated. Since we spend a lot of time in this room, I want it warm and inviting. We have discussed..." Click here to see the rest of the question and to answer it if you can!
Try your hand at more design dilemmas.
"We bought a mid-century modern house with a St. Charles Kitchen that the previous owner put in in the '70s. It cost over $30K over 30 years ago. It's still a good kitchen, but it looks very dated. I am going to replace the countertops, backsplash and floor, and hope that that will update the kitchen enough so that I can keep the cabinets. (and save $) Any ideas on how to improve the '70s wood veneer without replacing the cabinets?" Click here to answer.