French antique taste on a thrift-store budget
Designer Charlotte Moss, author of “Garden Inspirations,” joined Post staff writer Jura Koncius recently on the newspaper's Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt.
Q. I like the curves of French antiques but am on a very tight budget. I have thought about buying thrift-store furniture and painting it. However, every DIY project I have seen looks like cheap paint over cheap furniture and looks terrible, in my opinion. Is there any way to do it well?
A. Yes! Be very selective about the pieces you buy and realistic about the amount of time you need to paint them properly. And moderation is best; not everything should be DIY. A few investment pieces along with good upholstery will make a thrift-shop find look like a purchase from a great auction house.
Q. I have been looking at natural-fiber rugs (jute, sisal, sea grass, etc.) for my bedroom because I like how they look, but the samples all seem so rough to the touch. How does it feel to walk barefoot on them? Also, how are they regularly cleaned? Can they be vacuumed? Seems like little pieces of dirt (and whatever else might be on the bottom of my shoes) would get stuck in the nooks and crevices.
A. Yes, things will get stuck. It's OK to vacuum, and I suggest doing so regularly; spot cleaning works best. As for the materials themselves, looser weaves over a good mat will feel softer under your feet. A small throw rug on top next to the bed may be an option. I would suggest “foot testing” at your local carpet store. I have a sisal from Stark in my bedroom in the country, and I love it.
Q. I need a lot of comfortable seating in my great room for a weekly book study group. What furniture should I get, and what configuration will give me the maximum comfortable seats? I have a very large room.
A. Aren't you lucky! I love sectionals for ease, combined with big ottomans and their flexibility, because they can be moved around and assembled in different configurations for your daily life and your book group life.
Q. I just had my house painted in order to stage it to sell. Now that the walls are puncture-free, should I hang a few pictures or leave the walls bare for staging?
A. I truly believe that people need to see how the house may look if they lived there. A mirror in the right place and a few pictures — not overly done — would make the house feel lived in and inviting.
Q. My elderly mother wants to decorate with a beachy decor, but tastefully. What do you suggest?
A. I love the idea of beachy decor, painted furniture, bleached finishes, crisp linens, a wicker chair and a fresh old-fashioned print for warmth. Today, there are so many places to shop for all of these kinds of things: Pottery Barn, Frontgate, One Kings Lane, the Wisteria catalog.
Q. I have an ancient wrought-iron patio table and chairs and would like to replace them. I'd prefer something less high-maintenance. Do you recommend cast aluminum? Teak? All-weather wicker?
A. All-weather wicker, cast aluminum and teak are great options to consider, but here's a thought: Teak does fade naturally, and some people are bothered by that. All-weather wicker gives an atmosphere of bringing the inside out and is available in different colors. Good cast aluminum is a totally different look but very practical. In the end it is really about your style and the look you want to achieve.
Q. You have the most beautiful urns and garden ornaments in your book and on your website. Where do you find them? I'd love to invest in a special piece for my garden but haven't been able to find anything at my local nurseries/garden centers.
A. A number of the urns in my own garden came from Haddonstone. Seibert & Rice, Accents of France and Authentic Provence are other favorites. Scour antique shops and markets to uncover the odd and unusual that in the end create a great mix.
Q. I own a townhouse with the usual problem of not enough natural light. The walls are painted a pale buttery yellow to cheer it up. I will be listing it for sale later in the year. Should I repaint in one of the greige/beige/gray tones to appeal to more buyers? I'm afraid the place will look dark. My furniture is also fairly bright (chintz, etc.).
A. I would leave well enough alone. It sounds divine, and someone will want it. Light a candle, put some cookies in the oven, add fresh flowers and make it feel like they are already at home.
Q. What are your favorite flowers to grow in pots and beautiful containers?
A. Container gardens have so many possibilities because of the number of annuals available. My preference is to keep it simple and abundant: Knock Out roses that bloom all summer, white New Guinea impatiens, petunias, geraniums (including the scented variety) will all keep blooming as long as you dead-head. In shady spots, try Boston and tree ferns to add some greenery; they also require less maintenance. If you have full sun, think of mixing some herbs with your flowers for added fragrance.
Q. I am hosting an end-of-summer get-together the evening of Sept. 10. I have a large deck that, weather permitting, should be where most people gather once they've picked up food. Right now all my petunias and geraniums are going gangbusters, but by early September, anything living will be leggy and not so bloomy. I'm not sure it will be mum season yet, and I don't really care for mums anyway. What can I do/plant/buy to maintain the lush, flowery feeling that makes a deck so inviting in the summer?
A. Dahlias are in abundance in September, both potted and cut. What about introducing a few small shrubs with a yellow leaf, such as spirea? Or try variegated shrubs or anything with a light leaf.