Q: We're a busy household of four -- we have two teenagers. My husband and I want to redo the basement family room but have no idea what to do. We have black leather furniture and wonderful deep emerald green wall-to wall carpeting. We need practical ideas for an active family. -- Cindy Mellow, Leamington, Ont.
A: Sounds like you have the makings of a very funky space with a slightly '70s vibe. Here are a few suggestions about how to use colour and accessories to make it sing. (See page three for the accessories) You can also consult these books by two big-name American designers who are masters of the look: Jonathan Adler's My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living (Collins Design, 2005) and Kelly Wearstler's Modern Glamour (Collins Design, 2004).
Q: How do I make our front hall entrance feel lighter? Our front door is oak, stained a rich mahogany colour. I'd like to put an area rug down but don't know what size. -- Elizabeth Peat, via e-mail
A: Here's my five-step plan to lighten and brighten your entryway. (Click on above images for larger views and shopping information).
1 Paint the door and its trim the same colour as the rest of the trim. The stain may be beautiful, but it's really the main culprit in darkening the space. It's a giant dark rectangle that needs to be tamed.
2 Place a console table along the wall to the right of the door.
3 Hang a very large mirror on the wall above the table. It will reflect light that's coming into the room from the left.
4 Add a pendant light. I've chosen three favourite options that would work in your space (see above).
5 Add a light neutral carpet. Position it in front of the door. It should be large enough to stretch across the entire opening but stop just in front of the new console table. If you have trouble finding one that size, you could have a carpet store custom-bind a piece of broadloom to the correct dimensions.
P.S. When budget allows, replace the stair rail with a wooden handrail painted glossy black and wooden spindles painted the same colour as the trim.
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7 Comments
Question; How do I determine what size coffee table to use in my living room?
Great tips!
I have redone most of my kitchen in tomato red and white. cupboards are oak floor is a gray cream laminate. I want new counter tops not to sure the color not marble or granite have a low end budget. back splash is white subway tiles with a two inch ribbon of red glass tile. What color would be good.
There is a great laminate counter top that looks like slate. You can find it at Home Depot. I have put it in a home that has similar colour floors & oak cupboards. The walls are not the same but I'm sure your tiles and great splashes of red would look fabulous with this counter top as well. Good luck. DG
Help! Our house is being taken over by Lego! We need a stylish and functional solution ( that doesn't include plastic bins or under-the-bed storage ) that can go in our son's room. We'd like it to be as accessible as possible as he loves playing with it so much, without looking disorganized and messy. Does anyone have any ideas?
Would a child size table with hidden storage (top flips up to store Lego). He can build and store right at the table. This is a DIY project. Take plans for an ottoman with storage capabilities and add hinges and wood for top.
Would a child size table with hidden storage (top flips up to store Lego). He can build and store right at the table. This is a DIY project. Take plans for an ottoman with storage capabilities and add hinges and wood for top.