Decor Tricks

Can we paint over wallpaper?

Nest Caitlin — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:17:00 GMT

Technically, yes. Strategically, no. You’ll see the seams unless you skim coat with a special compound. And you have to use an oil-based primer to seal the paper. There isn't a guarantee of no show-through, and it makes it harder to remove the paper later. If you’re going to do all that work, why not just remove the paper now with a chemical wallpaper stripper?

- Miles Stiverson

What are some alternative seating options?

Nest Caitlin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:51:00 GMT

One option: Spring for the ottoman that matches your couch; that way, it can be pulled up to look like an extension of your couch and used as a footrest, or can be pulled away and used as individual seating.

But designers are crazier about something even smaller and more stylish: a pouf. “The pouf was originally a North African cushion that, when filled, was completely firm and used for seating around a low table and as a table itself,” explains Sophie Lombard Bergé, whose L.A. company Sophie Nova produces poufs made from Moroccan materials. Poufs range in styles from plain basic white canvas ones to modern cubes and soft romantic designs, all of which add style elements to a room in a way other furniture may not. “A little tweedy footrest can be so dull and sad,” says Lombard Bergé.

The pouf is also multitalented: “I use mine mostly as a seat, but also as a footrest by the sofa, and as a side table by the bed, piled with my magazines or books,” explains Lombard Bergé. “And when I’m not using it as seating, I stow one in my office under a console, piled with rolls of fabric.” You can also use it as a napping area for a pet or as a childproof table.

On the cheaper end, Ikea sells woven straw stools that stack and you can use indoors for a natural look, and carry outdoors for a backyard summer party.

- Amy Spencer

Will I regret upholstering our couch in a bold bright color or pattern?

Nest Caitlin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:16:00 GMT

“A couch in a bold bright color is a risk, but a fantastic way to make a statement in a room,” says Los Angeles-based interior designer Jennifer Delonge. She suggests accessorizing it with more neutral or muted tones in the rest of the room, so the brightness doesn’t take over the room. Try a white side table or coffee table, or choose pieces from nature. “Introducing new textures, like wood, sea grass, and linen, will balance the brightness of the couch,” says Delonge. If you’re really nervous about that big blast of color, bring it into the room some other way. Try one bold-colored chair in the corner with a white or wood side table. Or, try bright lampshades on a modest base (Delonge’s company, for example, sells bright fun shades made from vintage scarves). Or, bring in the color with pillows, which can always be replaced. And don’t rely solely on your local Pottery Barn to have the fabric you want. Instead, go to the very best source for cool, contemporary fabrics: purlsoho.com, a site launched from a tiny fabric shop on Sullivan Street in Manhattan, which sells unique fabrics from young, hip designers, perfect to add a splash of color to your living room.

- Amy Spencer

How should I pick the paint combo for my walls?

The Nest Editors — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:18:00 GMT

We love browsing paint websites like Behr.com and BenjaminMoore.com to see what jumps out. Other areas of inspiration: Your closets. Look at the clothes you love versus the ones that get passed over. Then start flipping through catalogs (even the ones you normally toss) and tear out pages with colors you love. Take (or wear) these pieces of inspiration to a paint retailer, and have them match the color or find color combos that coordinate.

Before you buy samples, keep in mind the lighting and size of your room (a chocolate wall in a darkly lit living room might be more moody than trendy); the feel of the room (do you want lively or relaxing?); the surrounding rooms (will this paint coordinate with the adjacent spaces?); and your furniture (how will it work with the red couch?).

For cool color combination ideas, view our décor database.

[Nest-pert] Nate Berkus, author of Home Rules, host of The Nate Berkus Show on the Oprah & Friends channel on XM Satellite Radio, and designer of a home decor line sold exclusively at Linens ‘n Things

How can we keep our closets organized?

The Nest Editors — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:01:00 GMT

Order a pizza, open a bottle of wine, grab your hubby, and start purging your closet. If neither of you has worn it in two years, toss it. Formal stuff can stay (if it still fits), but store it in the back of the closet or in another location where it’ll be out of the way.

Then put into piles everything that’s left, according to how it needs to be stored. Sort items into “hanging,” “folded,” and “other,” and label each pile. This will help you decide if you need to add more shelves, clothing rods, or bins to what you already have.

Now that you can see your closet again, re-strategize your storage. Make use of every possible area -- especially vertical space and behind doors, which are often overlooked.

∙ Use the floor space under tall rods with short-hanging clothes for drawers or stackable bins.

∙ Oddly shaped wall? Use it for extra shelving or to put a laundry hamper.

∙ If your hanging pile was the largest, think about where you can add an extra clothing rod (below an already-existing rod is often a good spot).

∙ And if your folded T-shirts are the bulk of your wardrobe, you may want to read our fashion message boards(!). But in the meantime, add some extra drawers or shelves to accommodate your stash.

Lastly, buy any closet add-ons that would make your wardrobe more accessible, visible, or flexible. The more storage you have, the easier it is to keep everything organized. Brightly colored storage boxes are an attractive way to keep like items together. And be sure to label each box or drawer to avoid endless digging.

[Nest-pert] The Container Store

How can we make our home cozier?

The Nest Editors — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:35:00 GMT

Use these five easy tricks to help you achieve serenity in your space:

1. Go botanical. Mounting a series of botanical prints on your walls is the quickest way to give them some stylish sophistication. Pictures of leaves, flowers, and even fruit bring in the outdoors and capture the spirit of all four seasons.

2. Update your curtains. Buy an inexpensive pair of plain curtains (we like pleated ones), and amp them up with some grosgrain ribbon trim sewn vertically down the edges. The heftiness of grosgrain will make them look expensive, and the subtle embellishment will turn forgotten-about curtains into a unique focal point.

3. Soften with slipcovers. With basic sewing skills and inexpensive organdy or muslin, you can give uniform style to your seats, turning them into a well-dressed family.

4. Splash up the sink. Create a playful backsplash with a line of flea market or melamine plates inspired by the season.

5. Bring nature in. Celebrate lazy beach days by displaying sandy finds in a guest room or living room. Shells of a similar color draw attention to the subtle variations in hue and form. During cooler months, the bright colors of gourds, crab apples, rosehips, feathery wild grasses, and nonpoisonous bittersweet announce the season, welcoming you and your guests into the room.

What can I do with my husband's sports memorabilia?

The Nest Editors — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:31:00 GMT

Besides throw it away? Whoops -- did we say that out loud? We know DH loves his sporty paraphernalia, and although it might have been fabulous decor when he lived alone, a shot of the Red Sox winning the World Series does not need to go over your bed too. (We know, the curse was reversed. It’s still not going in the bedroom!)

The new plan: Create a nook or room where he can proudly display his favorite sports moments. Maybe it’s a home office, a downstairs bathroom, the staircase going to the basement, or the basement itself. We love the idea of having a “guy’s hangout” room in every house. This is where he and his friends can watch games and tell old stories without messing up your peaceful routine (and decor). Now if only you could stop MIL from giving him new sports crap every holiday.…

Is there one room in the home that you think is best for wallpapering?

Given Campbell — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:46:00 GMT

Given Campbell, Custom Design Nestpert:

The powder room is my favorite because you can take a risk and try something that you probably wouldn't have done in a larger room. It's not a space that you have to live with on a daily basis. It is the room most used by guests and always makes a big statement when you have a bold pattern. It is also one of the smallest rooms in the house and therefore takes the least amount of wallpaper so you can do really extravagant or rare papers that would break the budget in larger rooms.

Check out Given's website, CustomDesignProjects.com