Decor dilemmas

Q. There's a radiator under our window – what's the best window covering in this situation?
“Wood shutters, wood venetian blinds or sheer Roman blinds with side panels to the floor will frame the window and make the rad less obtrusive.” -- Brian Gluckstein, Gluckstein Design Planning, Toronto

Q. How do you create points of interest or focal points in an open-concept space?
“Group furniture into conversation areas in larger spaces – place sofas and chairs facing one another for an intimate grouping, or back to back to create two separate points of view. Anchor one or both ends of a large space with substantial or tall items such as an oversize painting, a mirror or a fireplace with art hung above it.” -- Jeffrey Douglas, Douglas Design Studio, Toronto

Q. What's the best way to lay out a kitchen?
"Follow ‘use patterns.' The best thing to do is live in a kitchen for a while beforehand - if you haven't spent time there, you can't design it. And it may not sound exciting, but if a kitchen doesn't work in a practical sense, then it doesn't matter how beautiful it looks. Some things to keep in mind as you plan: Leave counter space on either side of the stove to place things while cooking. Put the dishwasher beside a sink, so you can move dishes from the sink to the dishwasher without dripping all over the floor. Keep cabinets that hold everyday dishes close to the dishwasher, so it's easy to put the dishes away. If there are small children in the house, give them their own cabinet for dishes and snacks -- it makes them feel like they belong there, too." -- Monica E. Kuhn, Monica E. Kuhn Architect, Toronto

Q. Any design tricks to make a small space feel bigger?
"Mirrors! They create the illusion of space. Options vary from wall-mounted to freestanding styles, from oversize models to a fitted floor-to-ceiling mirrored wall the entire length of a room." -- Dan Menchions, II by IV Design Associates, Toronto

Q. How do you pick the right paint shade for a room?
"Consider natural and artificial light and direction. A yellow that's pale in a south-facing room will have more intensity in a north-facing one. Lightbulbs also play a role: fluorescents bring out a colour's undertones but without depth or richness; incandescents add a warm glow; halogens provide sparkle and enhance colour." -- Allison Pluim, Allison Pluim Interior Design, Edmonton