Design questions answered #1

Today is the first Tuesday,(hopefully of many) that I will answer your decorating questions. Remember, this is free advice, and you get what you pay for.....
Sooooo, with that said, let's start the answers!!!!

The first question concerns space planning, a sore spot for many professionals as well as DIY'ers. Sometimes there is no easy solution, but I will do my best.


Misfit (I love that name!!) wrote me an email at betsyspeert@gmail.com
asking for help with the furniture arrangement in her bedroom.....

She wrote:
"I got home late yesterday and forgot to send the picture(s). I have these in four emails so it's going to drive you crazy - I'm very sorry. I won't be offended if you delete them all. In this one is the object I need to situate better in the room. Beloved solid oak armoire".

~the misfit





Betsy says" I would never delete someone's pictures before helping them!!!
(Unless I can't come up with a solution, or I don't want to answer the question, or I don't like the question, or I got up on the wrong side of the bed, or.....)

She wrote:
"Here is where I have considered putting it - between the windows. As you may note, the armoire is around 40" wide. The gap between the drapes is around 24". The gap between the window frames is probably...33"? I know I can overlap the drapes in theory. (It fits fine where it is now, it just looks really awkward. I don't know why - I didn't expect that.)"

~the misfit

She continues...
"For reference, this and the next picture show the rest of the room. The armoire is sitting just out of the frame, on the left. The two-windowed wall is opposite the wall with the headboard. (Not moving the bed because I wallpapered that one wall as an accent wall.) Also, yes, I know the room is a total disaster. I am not actually a slob; I'm just not cleaning or straightening ANYTHING until I am done with all my projects in a given room - here, repairing the door and finishing the duvet cover. Until then, energy goes to wallpapering the dining room..."

~the misfit

And she finished with...
"Last for-reference picture. The window to the left of the armoire is one of the pair that are on the same wall. The room is large-ish (by my standards) but there's a window or door (or more) on each wall. And the bed is centered and throws off everything else. I think tiny rooms are easier..."

~the misfit

Now, I actually had a similar situation in my little cottage in Watertown. My den had a pair of windows on one wall, and I wanted to put an armoire between them to house my TV. (this was in the old days of deep TV's). I would like to take credit for the solution, but I think my designer buddy, Greg, is the one who came up with the answer. AARRRGGG!!!! I need a scanner, so I can draw a picture of what I did, but I'm in Florida, and my scanner is in Massachusetts. Well, I'll explain it as best I can, and maybe I'll go out tomorrow and buy a scanner. I'm really making a lot of money, writing this blog.  (Let's seeeee.....I've bought a new camera and tripod, I want to buy a wide angle lens, I need some other photography stuff......Thank God I'm retired, or I'd go broke!!!)

This is what I did!!!!!!!
I treated the two windows as one.
I had a valance made that spanned the full width of the two windows, and I hung it at the ceiling line.
I had two pairs of draperies made that flanked the two windows.
I placed the armoire in front of the drapery panels.

The main point is that the glass was not covered by fabric or furniture, just the window casing and the wall were covered.
I  had a space of wall show between the two windows, I didn't want to do a whole wall of fabric, but the span of the valence united the treatment. ACTUALLY.....now that I think about it, and the same thing would work in the situation above.....The valence came down to the top of the armoire, so none of the wall behind it showed.

I try to NEVER cover glass!!!!! (Except with blinds, shutters and shades). I keep drapery panels, valences and cornices off the @#%& glass!!!

   Betsy's point # 1:  Glass is to see out and let the sun in (except at night, it's O.K. to close the draperies at night.)

Now, if the armoire overlaps the window glass, I would leave it where it is in the room, and set a pretty chair in front of the window, perpendicular to the armoire, angled slightly away from it.
This way you start building an arrangement of furniture into the corner, so that it doesn't look like you just stuck a piece of furniture over there, not knowing what else to do. (I know, that's what you did, but I don't want you to feel bad about it.)

Here's a picture of my den, unfortunately, the image is cutting off the armoire, but it shows the left side of the drapery treatment I'm talking about.

I know, I know.....
The table is covering the glass a little. I always seem to be breaking my own rules.

They're my rules, I feel they are important, and then I ignore them.

Do what I say, and not what I do.


 




Question 2!!! (I am so excited that I got me some questions!)
(Working for free!!!! My Dad will be sooooo proud!!!)

Katie from Wildwood Creek asked:

Dear Betsy,

We live in a rustic cottage and the kitchen is a dark cave. I'd like to paint the walls and cabinets white. Do you have a favorite paint and color for painting kitchens?

Wellllllllll, the first thing I'd do, is raise the valences up a little bit to get the fabric off the glass.
I know, I know, that's not what you asked me, but you'd be amazed at the difference it will make in how much light comes into the room. I mean, you're covering a quarter of the window!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's a cheap and easy fix.
The cabinets will look AMAZING painted white. Good idea!!!!
The white I use the most is.......
Get ready.....
Benjamin Moore, color:  White.
Not Linen White, or Navajo White, or this white or that white, just plain @#%& White!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's crisp, it's pretty, and it goes with everything.
HOWEVER..............................
I wouldn't paint the walls white.

I can see that they are nice board paneling, so painting them white is a classic way to go, butttttt......I would paint them a buttery, creamy yellow, very light, that would complement your blue accents. I would paint the woodwork around the windows the same white as the cabinets. Yayyyyy. Benjamin Moore "White"!!!!! To find you a nice yellow, I went to my large Benjamin Moore paint chip samples, that only us super duper decorators get, and found this as a possibility: 
Name: Natural Beech, #253

I can't believe I tried to take a picture of a paint chip!!!!!!
Of course the color is WAYYYYYY off.

But, I do think it would be nice to have some contrast between the cabinets and the walls, just sayin'.
It would also pick up some of the warmth of the counter tops color.

Question 3!!!!!
Sissie from Sissie's Shabby Cottage  gave out a cry for help.

She wrote: "Amy sent me over to have you look at my living room pictures. I must say that it's a little intimidating to ask a famous designer questions about my simple decor. But here I am and any suggestions you might have will be most appreciated."

So, I clicked on over to her blog and saw her very pretty living room that just needs a few tweaks.

I would start building up the stuff on the bookshelves. Maybe do collections of white pottery and mercury glass. To keep it from looking too stark, layer in some wooden objects and some paintings leaning against the wall.
If you want to bring some color into the room, go to Homegoods to look for cheap pillows with the color you want, and paint the back of the bookshelves a matching hue. Then do draperies to match the white of the upholstered furniture.

Here's an example of what I mean.....
This is in my living room in Massachusetts

Don't go for this heavy a look, because your room is so light and airy.
But fill more stuff into the shelves.
I think a lot of mercury glass with accents of white pottery would be really beautiful.

Thennnnn.....
To add some life to the mantle, how about a pair of matching mercury glass vases with some fake bouquets of roses in them?
I just love me some fake flowers!!!!!

Thennnnnn.......
On the console table behind the sofa, what about a lovey potted orchid set in a mossy container, it will bring some life to that part of the room along with some more color and texture. I lucked out and found some fake ones at Home Goods, but a real one would do. (I know, real flowers!!!!! I must be loosing my mind!!)

Here's a fake one I found at Home Goods along with the pot. The clay pot that came with the orchid was reeeaaallly small, so I stuck it in this white pot and filled up the extra space inside the pot with sphagnum moss.

Sissie then asked.....
"My next project is what to do with these huge windows. See the rods up there.....I'm trying to decide what kind of panels to make.

Any suggestions?????"

As I mentioned above, I think white panels would be really pretty, if you bring other color into the room. You could sew a contrast fabric onto the lead and bottom edges, but I think in this light and airy space, just white would be lovely.
For a more elegant look, I would do a rich lined brocade, like the sofa. If you want something a little more casual, why not floaty sheers? Make sure they are full enough, and I always like them a little too long, so that they break on the floor. Try to have as little fabric as possible cover the glass (am I beating a dead horse with this point????). Just a simple straight panel in this type of a classic room is what I feel is the best.

Question 4!!!!!
This question is from my buddy Amy at Maison Decor. I have a sneaking suspicion that she just wanted me to have some questions, so I wouldn't feel like a complete dork. Butttt.... I will answer it any way.
She asks...."Are my bookcases too busy?"
"my question is, if I have a floral background in the bookcase, should I tone it down with the contents or what?"

My answer is:  Or what!!!!!
 

It's funny, until she asked me this, I hadn't given it any thought.
HOWEVER!!!!
Now that I look at it, I like the whole megillah!!!!!
I happen to love a whole jumble of stuff on a bookcase.
I think it looks very cozy and charming. I particularly like that little green tray leaning against the wall.
I even like her mirror and vases on her mantle. But if you haven't been to her house, you don't know that SHE HAS A MIRROR ON EVERY @#%& WALL!!!!!
AMY go buy some freakin' art work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Erika wrote.....

"Am SO happy to have recently found your blog. It is quickly becoming a favorite!
I am struggling with a design issue that doesn't require sending you a pic. A few years back we bought a 15 year old house that we love-sort of "French chateau" in feeling with Brazilian Cherry floors, large windows, cherry cabinets and white painted woodwork, leaded glass with my fave Fleur de lis inserts. You get the idea.

But all bath fixtures, door hardware, hinges, etc. throughout are brass. I keep hearing brass is still "out" and have changed a couple of pieces we felt we could when doing some upgrading, but am wondering what the "rules " are about everything matching? For consistency must they be the same in all (7) baths? To change them all-hinges, door handles, knobs etc is out of the question due to cost.Any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated!
Best wishes to you in your blogging adventures! Thanks, a new fan!"

My answer:
 NO!!!!!! All the bathrooms don't need to match. As for whether brass is passe or not. WHO CARES????
The most important point is: Do YOU like it????? This is your home, if you like it, and it works, then how can it be wrong? I think what's more important than finish, is the style of the fixtures themselves. If they are appropriate for the house, then that's GREAT!!!!
What I do try for though, is that inside each bathroom, to try to get all the metals to work together. If the bath has chrome, then I try to have the door knob that is on the bath side be chrome also. Same goes for towel bars, etc.Hinges on the doors are up for grabs, as they show on both sides (see, I am brilliant, I know that!!) (Not that I am brilliant, but that hinges show on both sides.) (Oy Vey!!! I just looked at my doors, they don't show on both sides!!!! Who knew???) So the hinges should match on whichever side they show. Oy.

That's it for today, please don't be shy and next week ask some questions. See, I was sort of nice, not too mean, and I hope this was helpful.

The reason the font has gotten so big, is because the blogger program is giving me fits, it won't let me set the last 2 questions in the size font I want.
Has anyone else had this problem?
See.....
Now I'm asking you guys questions.

Betsy

My Cottage Den

Today's blog will be short because I have been working on writing the answers for this coming Tuesday. In the future I may break it down into more than one day of answers, becaauussee I feel like I am writing a book.

Soooo.....
Today I will just share some photos of my Watertown cottage's den. I have shown you some of these before, but being slightly compulsive, I wanted to reveal the whole house in a continuing series of blogs.

Sooooooooooooooooo..........................
Here I am really younger. This was taken in 1912!!

At least I've lost weight since then.........

 I had a collection of 21 oil paintings of cows on the walls.
The sofa was covered in a leopard print from Boussac of France fabrics. It was great because I had a black cat and a brown dog, and nobody realized that the animals shed until my guests got up off the sofa and realized that they were covered in fur.

It really helped with the housekeeping: if it can't be seen; it's not there!!!!

 





































Photo by Eric Roth Studios.

This is a view looking in from the hall. I spent a long time figuring out this weird mix of fabrics. I didn't want anything to "match". I was deep into my English Country look.
I never grew tired of these fabrics, I just have no place to put them now.
I've moved on, and so has this stuff.

Butttttttttttt, before we totally forget about my stuff......
Here's another picture!!!!!

I have a whole collection of these paisley shawls. I just love them. They have gotten really expensive, (actually, I don't know that! What the hell am I talking about??? I haven't bought one in years!!)
Anyway, I figure that they must have gotten really expensive, 'cuz I bought them all, so now they must be really rare!

Remember when Pier One sold these split bamboo blinds for just a few dollars? I still think they're a classic.

I bought them when I was just out of college, and cut them down with garden shears to fit the windows. Then we simply hung them on the little cuppy hook L-brackets that came packaged with them. Why aren't things this easy anymore? No power drill needed.

I stuffed my bulldog collection on this table top. Every time it was dusted, I had to get them back into the proper arrangement.

(That's a picture of

my Dad)

(He's still kickin' it

 at 96!!!!)

OY OY OY!!!!

I know I tell you this every weekend, but really guys.....

go outside and get some fresh air, that's what I'm about to do.

See you on Tuesday with some bangin' answers to your wonderful questions!

Betsy

My Cottage Bedroom

O.K. I have done what my friend Kris suggested, and blogged about a project in my last few posts, so today I will continue showing off the cottage I lived in before I moved into my present condo.
I will start with the bedroom and then go back to the living room because.....I FOUND MORE PICTURES!!!!!!
I really need to get more organized, but I have soooooo many ('cuz I am the bomb), that it's hard to keep them all straight.

Here's my bedroom!!!!!

This is the view peeking in from the hall doorway.
The wallpaper is what was on the walls when I bought the house in 1977, I really lucked out.
The fabric is a Rose Cummings. I chose it before 1986, when NO ONE was selling cabbage rose fabric. I looked through the whole Boston Design Center before I found one that would work with my wallpaper.
I LOVE CABBAGE ROSES, I LOVE CABBAGE ROSES, I LOVE CABBAGE ROSES, I LOVE CABBAGE ROSES.
So there!!!!!!!!!!!





All these photos were shot by Eric Roth

I really like the look of seersucker blanket covers. (I grew up with them.) They are a pretty way to cover the blanket to keep it clean, and I had this one monogrammed (althought the picture doesn't show it, but it is beeoutiful)
I had the bed skirt made when I had an old brass bed in this room, and then I found this wonderful iron one instead, so I changed it out (selling the brass one to a client), and put the bed skirt on the new bed. Weeelllll,,,, it was toooooo short. And you guys know what????? I LOVE THE LOOK OF A SHORT BED SKIRT!!!! Who knew???

God, there's a story behind every piece in this room......
I remember buying the night table when I was 23 years old, and living in Atlanta. I dragged it home all excited, feeling I had scored this absolutely wonderful antique. My roommate at the time (who didn't, and still doesn't like a lot of stuff) (what's the matter with her???) told me she was sick of me bringing more crap into the house. We don't live together any more, so I can stuff whatever I want in my homes!!! Bwa ha ha ha!!!

That's a picture of my Mom, when she was little, isn't she a cutey??!!
I bought the chest of drawers when I was just twenty-one years old!!
I got it at a jumble sale in Woodstock NY for $15.00. I dragged it back to college along with a cat. I don't know which excited me more.
(alright, the cat, but it was really close.)  
It was my first "real" piece of furniture. Now I was a "real" WOMAN! I owned furniture! It was made out of wood! I was a rockin' babe!!!!!

In case you are just tuning in.....
I have been sharing pictures of my cottage living room that had been shown in House Beautiful. I found some more shots that didn't make it into the magazine, courtesy of Eric Roth.
Here's a shot you've already seen....

This is a better image though, because it wasn't cropped for the magazine. It shows the full gallery wall of art that I accumulated over the eons.









Here's another view!!!

And another shot............

I know, I know, more dogs.....Oy.














O.K. Now be good girls and boys (if there are any boys reading this, that is) and don't forget to check back for my Tuesday Answers, for Tuesday's Questions..... That's on Tuesday, by the way........
Did I mention to come back on Tuesday?
Of course I will be blogging more before then.....
So come back for that too......
Oh, what the #$&, just leave your computer on, set to my #$& blog.
Betsy
I joined the party at:
 
 Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

    
    

Tuesday Answers

Twice a month I will answer decorating questions.

Until I think of a better name; it will be called "Tuesday's Answers".

I am open to suggestions for a better name, my brain is dead, dead,   dead.
I will then post your pictures with my suggestions and answers on the following Tuesday.
If this becomes popular ('cuz, no one may even join the party), I will answer the questions I think will interest the most people.
Then, on the Tuesday in the middle of the month, we will do it AGAIN!! And so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on.........


I will choose the best questions the next week to share with everyone, and hopefully give an absolutely brilliant answer.


Here's a before and after of my kitchen.
Just an example of what I do.
So ask me some @#% decorating questions, already!!!!!

This is the view from my family room into my kitchen, when I bought my condo.

This is the same view.
I know, I know.....
This wasn't a budget redo, but I can do those too.








Here's a budget redo!!!

All I did was take the doors off, and restyle the shelves.





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amy from Maison Decor (she's my web guru), has informed me, that I should post the party on Monday night, if it's for Tuesday. I am trying to get my head around this web business. It doesn't make sense to me, I mean if I'm invited to a party on Tuesday, why would I show up on Monday???? Everyone would still be in their pajamas!!
HOWEVER.....since she knows more than I do about blogging, I will open the party from now on on Monday nights.

 If you ask a question, please join my blog and become one of my followers; after all, nothing is ever REALLY free.
If you join the link party, please grab my button (to the right), or link back to this post with my url address.

No advertising or etsy links, please.

I had a little trouble figuring out how to set up the link party, please ignore the two bottom ones and only use the top link up. OY YEY!!
The bottom two don't allow thumbnails, it took me three tries to get it right. As for grabbing my button (why does that sound off color?), all you need to do is right click on the button, and choose copy, then just paste it at the bottom of you blog post.
Thanks!!
Betsy










 
 
 
 
 
 

Design Questions Answered!!!!!!

BETSY IS GOING TO PARTY!!!!!!!

For the new year I've had an IDEA!!!!
(actually, Amy from Maison Decor suggested that I do something like this awhile ago; but I'm just tweaking the idea.)
Twice a month I will answer decorating questions.
Until I think of a better name; it will be called "Tuesday's Answers".
I am open to suggestions for a better name, my brain is dead, dead, dead. 

Amy wanted me to call it "Rip me a new one", because of how I ripped her house apart when she asked my advice. I will try to be as kind and helpful as possible. She thinks I shouldn't dampen my personality (she thinks it's funny), but I don't want you guys to be afraid to ask questions.
O.K. it will go something like this:

on the first Tuesday of the month, (starting at 5:00 PM) link up to the "party" by linking a particular post, add your question to the end of your post with a link back to my blog.
For those of you who don't have a blog, you can email pictures with questions.
email me at:  betsyspeert@gmail.com.

IN ORDER TO GET AN ANSWER, YOU GUYS BETTER BE A FOLLOWER!!!!!
It's easy, just click on the blue box at the right; over the pictures of my members.

I will then post your pictures with my suggestions and answers on the following Tuesday.
If this becomes popular ('cuz, no one may even join the party), I will answer the questions I think will interest the most people.
Then the Tuesday in the  middle of the month, we will do it AGAIN!! And so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on.........
I will choose the best questions the next week to share with everyone.

O.K on to the pictures!!!!!!!
Lisette emailed me the before pictures of her kitchen before she took the wall down, so I can now share them with you!!!!
Remember this kitchen??????
I posted it just two days ago, but with New Years Eve............

Here's what her kitchen looked like when I first met her.

Same view, isn't that amazing? She is one smart cookie.

She ripped down the wall....................

This opened up the kitchen to a large part of the pantry closet that was so narrow it was practically unusable.

She had bead board added, and the cabinets I wrote about on Friday.
Then she changed the counter top to marble and added white subway tile for a back splash behind the other counter tops in the kitchen.

VOILA!!!!!!!




O.K. don't forget to come back Tuesday!!!
I can't believe I'm giving out free advice!!!!!!!!!!!
That is, if anyone shows up.
Please post something, I don't want to feel like that fat kid in gym class that was always picked last.
My weight fluctuated, but I was ALWAYS picked last. At least that's how I remember it.
It's amazing how many people remember being picked last, makes you wonder who the @#$& was  picked first.

Betsy

Linking to: 

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life