June Design 411 Show
Segment 1: Virtual Makeover
Christopher traveled to San Francisco where he met the young
couple who won the From House to Home Sweepstakes. In their
consultation Christopher made sure their home would reflect
a "his and her" friendly environment. Although both
were hesitant to see if they could unite on the look they
wanted, Christopher showed them pictures of a great hotel
and both responded beautifully. He took the concept and transferred
it to their house and upon returning home he worked with Michael,
our creative director, and Janet, our webmaster, to create
a virtual makeover and the pictures came out fabulous!
We're going to use this technology in an upcoming series we're
developing where you can take the process a step further by
putting a camera into your own home and we'll show you a 3D
animation throughout a finished house.
It is important to Christopher that people are able to do
the work themselves as many cannot afford a designer and it
also helps people to get in touch with their own personal
creativity. Christopher gives them simple, easy concepts which
meet both his and her sensibilities.
The job of Christopher and his staff, which is different for
other interior designers, is to empower people to use their
home as the incubator, rather than to dictate taste, as no
one knows you better than YOU!
Segment 2 -Design Dilemma Email and Calls
I have a question about using a vertical stripe fabric
in a custom drapery fabrication. This room has 13 ft. ceilings
with 4 different size windows as well as sliding doors with
a transom above them. I am wondering if using a stripe might
not be a good choice. I fear the stripe making a wavy appearance
that might complement the room. I love the fabric but have
issues about using it .I would like to use the fabric as a
straight cut for the panels but need to have swags or toppers
that need to be deeper that standard 22" deep? HELP.
Caroline in Florida
Caroline's home has an old world look with some Italian influences such as hand carved wood and wrought iron. Great fabric choices. Remember when working with a light weight fabric you must line it and you must weight the bottom of it which will keep the lines in the stripes nice and straight. You can do that either with weights that come on a roll as a part of the seam tape and you can include them as a part of the hem, or you can do it with straight chain from the hardware store. Regarding the swags, the valances may be too much for the room and shroud the beautiful view. Keep the curtains in exactly the spots where they are but underneath the curtains put a false Roman shade in one of the alternate solid colors. You can use a lovely trim at the bottom of the shade which will give you a tailored look and it will be much easier to create. Do this on all the windows to keep it uniform.
My cabinets are oak and the upper cabinets
are connected to the 8 ft ceiling by an oak box but are not
finished. The original homeowner had a wallpaper border on
this area. I took it down to find oak plywood unfinished and
rough. I would like to make this area look like a part of
the cabinets. What should I do? Or should I paint it the color
of my walls? My house was built in the late 80's and the enclosed
areas above the cabinets are indicative of that period, its
just that the area above my cabinets is not sheet rock but
rather made out of oak plywood. Help, my cabinets are too
nice to replace right now.
Vickie in Hartford, AL
Treat the area like a suspended soffit and paint it the same color as your ceiling or your walls. You can resurface it with wallpaper products which can provide a good, smooth surface which you can paint and take it all the way over the sink area. Adding crown molding above the ledge would be a terrific idea after it's painted.
Segment 3- Design Dilemma Email and Calls
My KITCHEN..HELP! I have dark paneling, wood cabinets
and the doors were not finished good...they are still rough
in places and the countertop is another story. The room was
added on in 1974 NEED I say more...Anyway what can I do to
spruce the cabinet doors and cabinets up? I want to paint
them but I don't want them to look funny with the wood paneling.
We are getting ready to put hardwood floors in the kitchen
and I want the painting done first. I am a messy painter.
I know you can help me!! I have watched you for years!! Thanks
in advance and keep up the good work!
Beth in Bennett, NC
Definitely paint the cabinets and also paint over the ugly paneling by first retoothing the surface with light sandpaper. Wipe it all down and put a stain blocking primer on everything and let dry overnight. From there you can use a semi gloss and the look is almost of that of a cottage. A medium, dusty sage green will compliment the yellow that's already in the kitchen. If you go three shades lighter than the paneling, you can paint the cabinets and they will match perfectly.
I have a screened in porch, with a concrete floor, siding
1/2 way up, I need a color for the floor and the siding. My
couch and chairs are Aqua in color. I have a double roll of
wall paper that is blue background w/clouds that I am thinking
about doing the ceiling with. The rafters are exposed, and
I want to cover them up. I have thought of fabric for a tent
effect, but this is probably going to be expensive. So, what
do you think?
Doris in Lexington, TN
Continue the yellow paint around to the cement retainer wall and add a great looking outdoor rug. Sherwin Williams color SW6382 Ceremonial Gold would be a beautiful, complimentary color for the floor. In addition, take the gold color used for the floor, paint some lattice with the same color and put it on the ceiling.
Segment 4: Design Dilemma Email and Calls
Christopher,
I have a marble fireplace, is it possible to paint over it?
Catherine
The problem with marble fireplaces is that they remain cool to the touch. Outdoor planter paint would be recommended. Use small, similar marble tile which is the same density and temperature as the fireplace. The heat and cold is what makes paint blister. Use Binn or Kilz which is made specifically for non-porous surfaces, but be careful because if you apply paint to a marble or stone fireplace, you cannot remove it. Make a big plywood box which can be very modern, thick and cool looking, and paint it with a little trim and crown molding and place it right over the top of the existing mantel in case the painting does not work out well. It's always good to have a back up plan.
My 16 year old daughter grew up knowing that her mother is a CL junkie, but never paid much attention...after all, I'm OLD. When I showed her the platform bed she went NUTS! She's heavily involved in the theater program at school, and loves designing sets. I told her how you got your start and voila...a new fan was born. She spent the day in her room pouring over both the new book and 7 Layers.
The platform bed is genius. Her room re-do will be our summer project. Now if I can just talk her out of the Red, Black and Green walls and the huge Gold map of Africa.
Substitute black paint for a chocolate color and you'll get the same look but integrate the map.
Segment 5: Designing in the Future
Christopher talks about how he is in constant flux of designing and redesigning, being ahead of everyone else. He does so to help guide people with confidence into the future.
Hollywood landmarks come and go. The city is like one big
movie set - when that doesn't work, the set comes down, nobody
cries and another goes up.
Segment 6: Design Dilemma Email and Calls
You are the best! I love how you take a small room and
make it functional as well as beautiful! My design dilemma
is that the ceiling of my back room is too low-only 7 ft.
(It used to be a back porch). For years I have let it just
be a playroom, TV room, exercise room and laundry room. I
haven't bought new couches, etc. because of the 3 boys. And
I didn't want curtains because I didn't want to hide the view
of the outside and also didn't know how to disguise the ceiling
that slopes slightly over the French doors. I am so ready
to have a pretty functional room. Help, please! Any ideas?
This room totally baffles me.
Barbara in West Palm Beach
Get the paint strip from the walls and go three shades lighter on the strip to paint the ceiling. Use Sure Fit slip covers in lycra and spandex to cover the couches. Remove one sofa. Bring the two matching sofas to the center of the room with a low oversized coffee table in between. This will free up both ends of the room for either a laundry area or built-ins. For the laundry room use four bar height book cases in white. Lay a core door on top, painted white and turn perpendicular to one of the walls which will create a folding table. For the kids, underneath the windows, get IKEA Lack shelves and lay them horizontally edge to edge, putting baskets underneath them in the cubby holes and add nice yellow print cushions on top. Now you have a storage area and a window seat as well.
Segment 7 - Design Dilemma Email and Calls
Dear Christopher,
Why are white ceilings a no-no?
Joanne in Everett, WA
Most people think a painted ceiling will make the ceiling look lower. For a completely white room it is perfectly acceptable. However, once you introduce a beautiful, rich wall color and you do not paint the ceiling a transitional shade, your tendency is to look up because the big expanse of ceiling suddenly looks unfinished with the rest of the room full of color. If your ceilings are nine feet or lower, go three shades lighter on the paint strip of the wall color. For vaulted ceilings go two shades darker which brings the sense of intimacy down. There are professional companies that can remove popcorn ceilings, however, if you have to live with them it is possible to paint them. Get a thick, dry paint roller and try a corner of the ceiling to make sure the popcorn surface does not come down. Paint with a very dry brush and put three coats of paint on which will take a two day period.
Do you think it is possible to create a multi
use room (10x10) containing family computer area, kids toy/TV
room and work out space?
Gwyn in Gilbert, AZ
For storage use a couple of ready-to-assemble book shelves
as tall as you can find them and put them on either side of
the window. Place a plywood board with a little crown molding
on it above the window and on top of the shelves. Find some
great textured baskets for all the cubbies and you'll have
floor to ceiling storage and a beautiful surround for the
window. The lower area can be for the kids, the middle can
be merchandised with a row of photos and the upper levels
can have matching wicker baskets that would look stunning.
For the other half wall which is coming up the stair well,
get four great looking, inexpensive file cabinets in your
color choice. Put them together as a base, and add plywood
or two core doors painted the color of the trim in your house.
Lay them on top along the entire length of the wall so you
can put your computer and work station in that area. Now you
have great looking storage in one area and a work station
on the other.
The Lowell Down
- When choosing upholstery, focus on texture rather than
print. Accent pillows are what can easily change, should
your taste change. Don't lock pattern into your room.
- With window treatments: Keep it simple. Today, stationary
curtain panels are all you need when combined with shades
and blinds to control light and privacy.
- With bedding, remember, it's the same yardage as your
sofa so again keep comforters solid or texture driven. That
way they'll remain luxurious for her, yet tailored for him.
- Keep clutter to a minimum. Today decorative lamps, now
affordable to everyone, are becoming the new accessories
and often all you need on a small surface.
- Don't be afraid of wall color-it's the cheapest way to
add warmth to a room. But remember to choose colors that
act as backgrounds not accents.
- If sharing a home, keep things as non-gender specific
as you can in your public spaces-think 'Hotel.'
- Only display things that tell your story accurately-things that make you smile every time you walk by them.