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Decorating Dilemmas/TrendsAre you in the middle of a decorating dilemma? Click on askloretta@classic-chairs.com and enter your question and obtain free design advice. Questions are chosen randomly to cover a broad scope of decorating issues. Q. Hi! I sure hope you can help me. It has been five years and our new home that we built has one problem...the open floor plan! It has a fireplace on a 24' wall in a 14'x24' living room space. With sliders across the back wall next to the open kitchen I don't know what to do to separate the room into an area for TV/family space. Would some kind of dividers be recommended to separate the two spaces? Thank you for any help you can provide. Sincerely, M.S. A. While it is certainly a challenge to lay out an open space to meet the function and aesthetic needs of a family it can certainly be accomplished by considering a few basic design principles such as traffic flow, use of the space(entertaining, family room/tv, reading, play area/game table, etc.) and scale. Breaking up the space to accomodate your needs, the natural focal points in the room are great places to begin your space planning and placement of furniture. By keeping scale of the room and furnishings in mind you will end up with a room well suited to meeting your family needs! If this is not enough information to get you started you may send a photograph of your room so that I can offer specific direction/suggestions. Most of all, take the first step and enjoy the process! L.J.Willis, Allied ASID Q. I was wondering if you could help me out. I am building a new home and I am having a problem picking out a color for my kitchen. I am having dark cherry cupboards and black appliances. What color should I paint the walls? Thank you, Natalie. A. Thank you for your email! You have an exciting dilemma that usually accompanies building a new home. You did not mention other points of consideration when deciding a color plan for a home (i.e. choice of counter top and color, flooring, lighting issues that may affect color hue/intensity and the flow of color from one room to another. With this said, please consider your favorite colors; the rooms that the kitchen will flow in and out of; a pleasing contrast to your beautiful cherry stained cabinets…and I will end with a suggestion that greens, deep yellows/gold's and browns are very attractive alongside the two elements that you have given me. Please let us know what you decide! Q. Hello Loretta. My name is Najwan, I'm from Israel and I have a problem concerning my kitchen. It is not done yet but the problem is that it is open to the dining and living room area. I want a solution for decorative and designed counter that will fit with my classy dining table and chairs but at the same time I don't want to block the kitchen with the counter or bar or beautiful cabinet. A. Hello Najwan. Your dilemma speaks of a common theme theses days of families/couples desiring to create an open environment within the home that allows easy movement from one room to another. You are on the right track by desiring to consider function as well as beauty within your home. I believe an attractive divider such as a counter top with an overhang for extra seating is an excellent idea. You mentioned the importance of it relating to a "classy dining table and chairs;" then choosing a natural stone (i.e. granite or look a like) that plays right into the features of the adjoining room would be fantastic. Be careful to consider stains for the cabinetry and stone finishes that relate to your existing furniture, wall color and flooring. Leaving the top space open for a clear view into both rooms would address your concern over blocking the kitchen with a counter addition. We would love to see the finished project! Q. Help! What is your thought on an all black kitchen set? I do have black accents in the room (wrought iron, stainless/black appliances). I just have never seen a home with an all black kitchen set. But I found one that I love. THANK YOU!!! A. Hi Laura, thanks for your email. My question(s) to consider are what type of flooring will the set sit upon; how much light does the room receive; what material are the legs of the table made of (i.e. steel, wrought iron…) and what is the predominant color theme on the walls and any other permanent fixture in the kitchen area?? With proper considerations of these basic design criteria as well as function and scale of the set I would recommend softening the set up a bit with a rubbed finish – it really does seem to add a bit of warmth to boldly finished pieces of furniture. Please let us know what you decide! DECORATING TRENDS "The older we get, the more we become who we really are," I once had the privilege of hearing. The same reasoning seems to ring true for decorating our homes; "The older we get, the more our true decorating style is reflected in our home." When replacing furniture that was purchased "on a whim," or "met the budget restrictions," or simply donated during a season of "something is better than nothing;" it is best to take the time to purchase a piece or set of furnishings that reflect the style you are transitioning toward. All of us are consistently transitioning toward that place of creating a home that honors our uniqueness, just keep in mind function, scale, quality (the best your budget can afford), style and alright…a little bit (or a lot) of luxury! P.S. A word to the wise…custom furnishings can take 8-10 weeks to ship…start now on that project that you want completed before the holidays. |
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