Turn the TV into part of a gallery wall
Designer Joe Ireland of J.D. Ireland Interior Architecture joined Washington Post staff writer Jura Koncius recently for an online chat. Here is an edited excerpt:
Q. We just moved to a small rowhouse. Last night, my boyfriend mounted the TV. It's now the first thing you see when you enter. I'd like to try and do something around it that visually reduces that. It's mounted fairly low (for optimal viewing from the couch, of course) so there's some room above that right now just appears awkward. Do you have any suggestions?
A. We've run into this conundrum before! With nothing surrounding your TV, it probably looks like a black hole that your eye is guided to. To lessen this effect, try making this wall into a gallery wall. Add artwork around the TV so that the TV is no longer the highlight. Instead it will blend in with the additional paintings, photos and collected works. Don't be afraid to make it eclectic and fun! Also, you can drop some of the artwork slightly behind the TV so that it becomes even more a part of the overall collage.
Q. Our kitchen is very large - more than 20 feet of countertop plus a large island - all blue Formica. We want to replace this, but cost is a factor with so much material. Can we mix countertop materials, like granite/quartz on the island and Corian for the other counters? A bad design choice will be too expensive to fix later!
A. You can absolutely mix your materials! Don't think of this as a negative but rather as a positively great way to make your island, for example, more of a focal point for the kitchen. Perhaps you do a highly figured marble for the island and then white or gray Caesarstone for the counters. We love a matte finish, but this isn't as durable as a polished finish.
Q. I have an older cottage in the woods (by a lake) that has a three-sided screened-in porch (about 22 by 10 feet). The sides are white, and the rafters are original wood (dark brown). The floor at some point was painted an industrial-color gray. I need to repaint, not only because it is worn but also because the color is terrible. (Stripping is not an option.) Can you suggest a nice color and a type of paint? I was thinking something that had some blue in it. The indoor of the cottage has the same industrial gray, but in the next year or so I am planning on stripping that and refinishing the original pine floors.
A. Our painter swears by Sherwin-Williams for exterior paint, and we trust the experts! As for color, we could see going classic or funky for this location. It sounds like you aren't enjoying the gray look, so how about a taupe to keep things neutral and warm? Try Warm Stone or Adaptive Shade. Or go with a green/mint and have some fun. Try Softened Green.
Q. Is sisal a good choice on stairs? I need to replace a runner and want a thinner material than regular broadloom.
A. We had a natural sisal on our office stairs for years, and while we loved it, it was a bit slippery. Men's dress shoes made for an especially adventurous descent. Explore synthetic options and discuss carpet-pad selections with your carpet expert. Tread carefully.
Q. We live in a narrow rowhouse, and I'm having a terrible time finding furniture that works well. Everything seems to be oversized. I want to find a small love seat (large enough for two to sit) and eventually two comfortable but still small chairs. Any ideas on where to get started?
A. I think just about any city dweller can relate to this problem. We use antiques a lot in our projects, not just because they add patina and interest but because they are more appropriately scaled for urban living.
Q. What kind of floors do you like to install in a kitchen?
A. It depends on the kitchen. If the kitchen is open to the rest of the house, we like to run the same flooring throughout to keep things consistent. This will also make your home look larger. Otherwise, we really enjoy stone tile with dark grout so concerns with staining go out the window. After all, messes are to be made in a kitchen, and it's better to plan ahead than cry over spilled milk. Don't forget to add radiant heat beneath tile. It makes a huge difference!
Q. Any thoughts on countertops? We are having a house built in Fenwick Island, Delaware. Is granite passe?
A. Granite isn't passe at all; we love it! Marble is always a classic. Caesarstone is virtually indestructible and comes in a huge variety of colors.