Home Related Questions and Answers

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

What is usually the average cost of remodeling a kitchen? I have a small kitchen. ?

Q. My kitchen has enough room for a 2 seated table. I am interested in getting new cabinets above the stove and below the sink. Just getting advice.

A. there is really no average cost. It depends on how many cabinets you order, the quality of the cabinets, how much of the work you do and how much you hire someone else to do. One idea is to check with the kitchen design showrooms or lumber yards in your area to see if they have discontinued displays they are getting rid of...these can be a pretty good deal. Be sure to double check your measurements and maybe bring digital pics of what you have and show someone who knows what they are doing. Good luck!

is a skylight above a kitchen table in a kitchen a selling point on a home? we are renovating our kitchen and?

Q. have the option to put a skylight above the kitchen table. would doing this be a nice selling point on a home if we were to eventually sell it or would it have no effect? if this something that is desirable in a kitchen?

A. no, best selling points are

matching appliances/higher end or using all white appliances make the kitchen appear larger

lots of counter top space/cabinet(cup boards)/pantry

nice counter tops... granite

having all of your fixtures matching along with the details of your kitchen (light switches, outlet plugs, handles & pulls on the cabinets

tiles /back-splash

How should I paint my kitchen when using two colors?

Q. When you walk into my kitchen you are in the eating area that has a bay window and a big table. This is on the left half of the kitchen. On the right half is the appliances, sink, and cabinets. I want to use a combination of both a terra cotta color as well as a light milk chocolate brown. Where should I paint each of these colors? Should I paint the eating area in one color and the other area in the other color? Any advice would be appreciated!

A. i would do the eating area in the choclate brown and the kitchen area in the terra cotta because your cabinets are probably brown so if you painted the kitchen brown that would be too much brown if your cabinets are white do it the other way around.

Monday, May 27, 2013

How do you get started in home decorating?

Q. I want to help someone in home decorating or weding planning, any suggestions?

A. Examples of your work help. Do something with your place(you got to start someplace) for no one wants to be the guinea pig... to make it"cool" and then invite friends over for "tea" so they can see your handiwork. Maybe they know somebody who knows somebody. Word of mouth works the best.

Where can I find the best information about interior design/home decorating?

Q. I'm clueless about interior design/home decorating style. Are there any well recommended books or articles on the subject?

A. I hope these links help you.

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/06/all-things-paint.html
http://interiordec.about.com/od/magazines/Magazines_on_Interior_Decorating.htm
http://www.allyoucanread.com/top-10-decorating-magazines/
http://www.bhg.com/?ordersrc=yahoo5bhg_home&cobrandId=ww5&s_kwcid=TC-1389-14228649022-S-43807392022
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/?ordersrc=yahoo1interiordecorating_slide&cobrandId=ww5&s_kwcid=TC-1387-14631541522-S-38809473022
http://www.coastalliving.com/
http://www.bassettfurniture.com/tools/room-planner.asp
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=sher1093&ppc=yahoo&kw=sherwin+williams&9ytype=S&9ykw=213620154022&9yad=42966578022&9yraw=sherwin%20williams&OVRAW=sherwin%20williams&OVKEY=sherwin%20williams&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=42966578022&OVKWID=213620154022&ysmwa=WYUyGF3t7LfVtFKFdjgE4koUQ9C-N9TywzcpcDTZVsUowW_Sw3jC64oDMCcNX23s
http://www.sherwin.com/visualizer/

What are good websites or place for home decorating ?

Q. I just bought a home and I want to decorate in brown tones, but I dont know how to organize everything. I want to see what places I can shop at or websites for interior design and home decorating.

A. http://mariesmanordecorating.com/

How to simply decorate the top of kitchen cabinetry that reaches the ceiling?

Q. My kitchen cabinets have this plain unopened wood area above the actual cabinetry. It actually looks like the retro version of lighted cabinetry most people use to display different things within. I am not into all this excessive clutter of Knic Knacs hanging in every area of space. There isn't much lighting in the small kitchen but I need some decoration that looks clean and simply yet sophisticated and elegant. Also, I am really clueless on how to decorate a section of the cabinets that extend over the kitchen bar area which is also apart of the kitchen/dining room combo. This massive wood area has left the place feeling undone. The two answers I am in need of will have to not include painting the wood!!

A. Of course you wouldn't paint all that beautiful wood! How about some moveabel lights? You know, where you can move the head of the light to wherever you want it to shine? Or track lighting? That would help with your lighting problem. Just a couple of nice vases or a decorative plate or two would do with out making alot of clutter. A simple viney plastic plant would work too. I think those look the best. Hope this helps alittle.

What two colors will work for a living room and a kitchen?

Q. My living room flows into my kitchen and there is a "bar" to separate the rooms. You are able to see into the kitchen so the colors cannot clash. My dilemma is what two colors will go well together or should I pick one color and do different shades? I have a rich brown, comfy couch in the living room with brown furniture and a neutral carpet. The kitchen has dark cabinets and counter tops, light floors, and the appliances are white. The kitchen table is glass and dark metal. Hope that helps!
Thanks!

A. To play off your brown furniture either a sage green or a warm golden color. From the same color strip at least two shades lighter for the kitchen. Considering the furniture and kitchen cabinetry are dark wood I would go for the golden/amber paint color.

What is the best way to repair the inside of my kitchen cabinet?

Q. I have two kitchen cabinets. One is under the counter top and the other under the sink. Both have floors made of some type of wood that has gone bad over the years, it was there when I moved in. They look like they got wet and feel damp sometimes. The parts that are dry feel velvety and when I use my duster I can brush some of it off. I don't know what this kind of damage is called. I just want to repair it and changing all the cabinets would not be worth it. We rent and we will be moving soon.

We want to repair them in a way that can isolate the whole cabinet under the sink and counter top as if we had installed new cabinets.

I hope I have been clear, not sure how to explain it better.

Thanks

A. The first thing to do is to fix whatever leaks you have, this can be a small leak so check thoroughly.
Cabinetry is basically box building. The floor or bottom is part of the structure that holds everything together. This is put in place by the use of dado cuts otherwise called grooves. You will need to remove the bad material completely. If you are able to remove the material in the groove then you can install nailer strips into the grooves using wood glue and screws. If you can't remove the material in the grooves. Then place the nailers at the joint line and attach with glue and screws.
Then you can insert a plywood bottom in place and screw down on the nailers.
NOTE this sounds easy but will require some Patience cutting everything to fit drain pipe, etc.

i want to display my home decor products on the internet to take orders.?

Q. i am from Pakistan and want to display and advertise my home decor products on the internet for export purpose.
need guidance about different free sites that serve the purpose. thanks.

A. ebay

What are some good online stores for home decor?

Q. I just bought my own place today, and I'm very excited about getting to decorate it since I can't decorate in my apartment. I want lots of color. Purples, blues, golds, greens and browns. The problem is I live in a small town, and many home decor stores are not available to me, at least not to suit the taste of a 20 year old girl.

I know about Crate and Barrel, but I was wondering if anyone knew of some more that were reasonable in their prices.

Thanks.

A. Ikea has some good and affordable furniture. Homegoods.com also has some affordable items. Look at BestWicklessCandles.com for wonderful wickless candle to give your place that awesome fragrance without the health risks of a lead wick or soot.

Does any person know exactly where i could discover La Loteria home decor or accents?

Q. Does any person know exactly where i could discover La Loteria home decor or accents?? La Loteria is mexican bingo..?
For those of you who are hispanic or know of the game Loteria. Iâve seen in some mexican restaurants, framed art or accent pieces. I am wanting to have my kitchen a mexican theme, so i would adore to uncover some factors with the Loteria on them.

A. you should go to a mexican restaurant and ask them where they got it from. that is pretty nice that you are trying to keep in touch with your culture though. i myself also try to do the same. as for other decorations i would also recommend checking out homeseasons.com they tend to have some pretty nice stuff that you can get. well anyways good luck with the theme.

Hardwood floor, lavender colored walls, and white accent furniture?

Q. I'm making my room right now and the room has dark mahogany color floor, and I added white accent furniture and my walls are a light lavender. I am given the option of getting a carpet put in or leaving it as it is. Should I leave it as it is, only based on the looks! Not the difficult maintenance of the hardwood floor, I've lived with those types of floors my whole life I know how to maintain them! Thanks(:

A. I think you should leave it as it is. You can always put area rugs down if you want too, and hardwood floors (in my opinion) give the room more character. Plus, I think it will look really good with the mixed wood colors! Good luck, and I really like the wall color you're thinking of by the way. (:

Not Registerting and asking for gift certficiates at a house warmong party?

Q. I am having a house warming party at the end of January and all of my friends are telling me to register for gifts. I pretty much have a handful of kitchen appliances and really only need big stuff like bedroom furniture and accent furniture. I really dont want to enforce gift giving at my party but I feel like I should. I honestly would just rather recieve gift certficates rather than picture frames and 5 of the same kitchen appliances. I know that is tacky to talk about gifts in an invitation but how can I go about it the right way? HELP!!

A. Etiquette dictates that YOU do not ask for gifts in an invitation. Tell your friends if someone asks them what to get you that a G.C. at certain stores would be great. Otherwise, you get what you get, or don't get for that matter.

Who has decorating tips for choosing sofa & love seat colors?

Q. I already own a nice black dining set, black accent furniture, and a black entertainment center. The living room and dining room are both one large room, so the black furniture seems connected. I really love black leather sofas, but it seems like it may be too much black. I'm also considering deep brown, tan, or beige leather. Suggestions?

A. have them be the same or variations of the same color. And choose that color in relation to the walls, carpet or another color that is prevalent in that room.

How do you hang Christmas lights in your livingroom?

Q. I live in an apartment but my livingroom is kinda big. I don't know the exact size. What I'm really concerned is what can I put on the walls in order to hang the lights? Can I find that product at target? Ps- I live in Los Angeles, Ca in case you don't know what target is.

A. there is a brand called command that has removable hooks in clear plastic

What would I need to build a tall pet gate for blocking livingroom from hallway?

Q. What would I need to build a tall pet gate for blocking livingroom from hallway. My dogs love to see visitorsbut they jump all over them. So I want to build a tall pet gate to block the livingroom for when visitors do come. I am no DIY'er but I want my guests to feel welcome without the slobber and being malested by my dogs. :-)

A. Unless they are larger dogs maybe a pet gate would be suitable, and a lot less trouble and cheaper as well. http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Carlson-Lil-Tuffy-Expandable-Pet-Gate/5156686/product.html Good Luck

What paint colour will look best with my livingroom furniture?

Q. I am trying to decide what color to paint my livingroom. I have a black leather couch & love seat, dark walnut floors and teak coffee table. What paint colors will compliments my furniture and floors?

A. I'd like to give you a different idea. On one of the walls in your living room, place a mirror with a kind of designed grill in front like in this picture - http://www.luxuryfurnitureandlighting.com/furniture_images/living/deco/Y02%20sofa-1.jpg

Or paint the walls a light grey colour. see this - http://www.3dm3.com/forum/attachments/f48/14067d1200848748-living-room-interieur.jpg

Since you have dark colour in you living room, try to balance it by painting the walls a very faint yellow or off-white. Or one main red wall and the rest beige colour could also work. You decide. :)

What color dining room table should I get for my nook?

Q. My entire kitchen cabinetry is oak wood that is stained a medium-mojagany. In my nook area, I have a ton of cabinetry in there, so I'm thinking if I try to match the table to the cabinets, it may be too much. I was thinking a lighter color table... does anyone have suggestions? It cannot be glass of any sort because we have 5 young kids that will use the table for each meal. Thanks in advance!

A. Go with something painted that coordinates with your kitchen outside of the cabinet color/grain -- cream, blue, green, yellow, red, or black. Or change materials -- get a metal and slate/tile table. Or, mix light and dark wood tones so it breaks up the look, but looks deliberate, not mismatched. Or go ahead and match your cabinets for the top of the table, but have the rest be metal or painted another color.

I have a split level home built in 1986. What changes can I make to update it and increase my resale value?

Q. Upper Level - 1 master with small 3/4 bath; 2 guest bdrms; 1 full bath
Mid Level - front room and kitchen
Lower Level - office; 3/4 bath; and family room with fireplace.

We recently had a new roof and siding put on and plan on landscaping the front for "curb-appeal" in the spring. In the meanwhile, we were hoping to get some ideas on how to spruce up the house DIY style.

Initial thoughts are:
1) Replacing vinyl flooring in all bathrooms with ceramic tile.
2) Refinishing kitchen cabinetry (their all wood)
3) Putting in laminate wood flooring in kitchen.
4) Replacing appliances (they're all probably 10 years old) if there's money left.

Any advice or other suggestions.

A. Kitchen remodel is your best "bang for the buck" people really look at the kitchen when looking for a home a up to date kitchen is your best option!

How do you match hardwood floors to exsisting cabinets?

Q. What would be the best color or type of hardwood flooring or other material to match to existing walnut Kitchen cabinetry?

A. most of the time if the cabinets are dark, then the flooring is light and so on. Basically you want a little contrast between the two so the whole kitchen doesn't disappear into a one tone black hole.