Laying out a floor plan for success in decorating
Newell Turner, editor-in-chief of House Beautiful magazine, offered decorating advice to readers during an online chat. Here is an edited excerpt.
Q. I’m wondering what decorating mistake you see most often that we should avoid?
A. I think the biggest mistake people make is not starting with a floor plan. Even something very basic and simple will help. Knowing exact size, space, needs and limitations takes a lot of potential mistakes out of the decorating equation.
Q. Newell, I’m curious about what the inside of your house looks like? What is your personal decor taste?
A. I’m a big fan of English decorating, and I like a layered, years-collected look. Blue is my favorite color, used in my living room, but I sleep in a green bedroom. I also have a pale, whisper-of-pink guest bedroom that I’m crazy about. I slept a lot in that room when I was working on my own. There are many shades and tones of pink, and it can be a great interior color. Men secretly love it too when it’s very pale.
Q. I’m repainting my home and was wondering what the best whites are for ceilings and window trims?
A. White is one of the most challenging colors. There are so many variations with such subtle differences, it’s hard to choose one.
Look into “full spectrum” paints. “Full spectrum” refers to formulas that use pigments of all colors but produce full, solid colors. There might be only a touch of certain pigments, but they give a depth or life to the final color that can be wonderful.
A full spectrum white paint might look more warmish in the daylight and cooler in the evening. The color shifts subtly given the type of light.
Q. I remember reading that you paint paneled doors two different colors. Can you remind me of the shades?A. I#146;m flattered that you remember that detail; it#146;s a decorating tip I picked up from interior designer Steven Gambrel. I paint the surround a mid-gray and the raised panels a slightly lighter gray.Q. I have a brown thumb but love the look of greenery in my house. Where can I purchase faux plants for my home that look real unless examined closely?A. I have mixed feelings about faux plants. If you go faux, you need to find the best quality you can. I#146;ve been looking at the flowers and greenery sold at Pottery Barn. The quality is very nice, but faux can get a little pricey. One of the keys is to splurge and buy something full and lush looking. Don#146;t skimp.Q. Any suggestions for a tone of wood that looks nice with a bedroom painted Benjamin Moore#146;s Palladian Blue? I#146;m in the market for new furniture!A. I would steer away from woods with a reddish tone, like cherry. Personally, I think walnuts and even darker wood tones are gorgeous with the blue palette.Q. Newell, what would your advice be for a tiny entry hall? Should we go with art? Mirrors? Lighting?A. I have a very small, dark foyer. I wallpapered it with a realistic bamboo pattern so the effect is like being in a grove of bamboo. Then, I added a large mirror above the console, and it transformed the space. Suddenly, the little hints of light that go into the foyer were magnified, and the mirror became more like a window into another room. Mirrors can do wonderful things for a room.Q. What is the average ceiling height of the rooms pictured in decorating magazines? I want a home with extra-high ceilings and nine feet is no longer cutting it.A. I love high ceilings, too. You really only start seeing the height of a room at 10-12 feet, especially in larger rooms.