A design expert on color, countertops and more
Paloma Contreras, an interior design blogger based in Houston, joined The Washington Post staff writer Jura Koncius recently on the newspaper's Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt.
Q. Do you think it's better to have all-white or color towels in a bathroom?
A. I prefer white towels in bathrooms. They look more crisp and classic than any other color. There also seems to be an element of luxury. If the upkeep of white towels is not appealing to you, I would recommend you stick with a neutral color, such as a gray or tan. Generally, lighter colors look better. To be honest, I don't like the look of dark, bold, colored towels at all.
Q. How does living in Houston influence your design?
A. I was born and raised in Houston, and there are so many things that I love about our city. It is at once an international, cosmopolitan city and a gracious Southern one. I love some of our old neighborhoods, such as River Oaks, Shadyside and Boulevard Oaks, with their grand lawns, traditional architecture and beautiful oak trees. My design aesthetic is rooted in traditional design but executed in a modern, fresh way. It's the new traditional, if you will. I love things that have meaning (very Southern) and enjoy mixing classic and modern, masculine and feminine, and tempering clean lines with hard edges. For me, a successfully designed room is one that is not only beautiful but also functional and comfortable. I strive to create spaces that will look as beautiful today as they would have 10 years ago or will 10 years from now.
Q. We did quite a bit of remodeling this year and used warm grays on walls, countertops, tiles, etc. A little late to be asking, but is gray going to look dated in the near future?
A. I know that gray has been a very trendy color for the past few years. Although I prefer to shy away from trends because they look dated so soon and don't have a personal element, I do think gray is the exception. Although it is popular now, it is also a classic, neutral color that will never go out of style, in my humble opinion.
Q. We just moved back into our four-bedroom Colonial home after renting it for two years. We were planning to update our kitchen when we moved back in, but now we need to replace all the carpets and redo the two full bathrooms. We are considering wood for the bedrooms and upstairs hallway. We plan to stay in our home for at least 10 years. We are thinking about choosing a gunstock finish for the pre-finished 3ΒΌ-inch wood floors. Do you think this will still be in fashion in 10 years?
A. That size and style are classic and completely appropriate for a Colonial home. If you were doing 5 inch wide, heavily hand-scraped wood, I would say that would definitely look dated in 10 years, because it is trendy now. Basically, anything you see repeatedly done in new construction should generally be avoided because it will become dated rather quickly. Worry not! Your choice is completely classic and will stand the test of time.
Q. We have a traditional, red brick, white-mantel, wood-burning fireplace in our living room. We've recently had it cleaned and re-pointed and want to purchase a new fire screen, but I've been told polished brass is old-school. What do you think?
A. Brass is certainly a classic material, but polished brass has become dated. My suggestion is that you have the brass refinished to go from polished and lacquered to more of an aged finish with some patina and less shine. First, be sure to check that the surround is actually made from solid brass. Oftentimes, things can be labeled as brass when they are, in fact, just plated steel. If that is the case, you can cause some corrosion in the refinishing process, so it is important to be sure. If it is in fact brass, you'll love the new, updated look. We recently had a custom, aged-brass fireplace surround created for a client, and it is a true showstopper!
Q. Do you have any suggestions on where to look for ideas on decorating a corporate office? I'd like to upgrade my decorating, which right now is haphazard. My only artwork is my daughter's drawings, and everything else is largely functional or too cute (freebie desk toys from conventions). I'd like a professional look with a little personality and can achieve that only with accessories on my desk, shelves and walls. Nothing too cutesy, but a touch of fun would be nice.
A. I would buy a few nice, silver picture frames to hold pictures of your family. They'll add a personal touch to your desk area. I would also recommend getting a nice desk blotter and desk accessories that match, so that the space looks polished and complete. Leather desk accessories, a personalized tray or coaster and a few well-chosen mementos are a nice way of adding a personal touch to an otherwise corporate space.
Q. What are the latest trends in kitchen countertops? I have yet to see a piece of granite I really like and want to stay away from earth tones in our remodel.
A. This year, I was selected to be one of the National Kitchen & Bath Association's K+B Insiders, and as such, I've had the opportunity to preview a lot of great new countertop options. Companies such as Cosentino/Silestone and Caesarstone are making ultracompact surfaces that are a breeze to live with because they require little maintenance, but they also come in a variety of interesting colors and motifs. I'd recommend getting a few samples and seeing how they look with the other elements in your space.
Q. What's best for a warm, Colonial look: carpet, wood, a combo or something else?
A. My advice would be to opt for wood, which is more authentic to Colonial architecture. It is also timeless and can be refinished, as opposed to carpet, which will eventually need to be replaced. I prefer to limit the number of flooring choices in the living areas so that things look and feel cohesive as opposed to having tile in the entry, wood in the dining room, carpet in the living room and so on.
Q. What paint colors do you find the most restful for a bedroom? Any specific recommendations?
A. I tend to favor neutral colors in bedrooms. As much as I love a bold-colored wall in other areas of the home, your bedroom should be the place where you go to rest and recharge. One of my favorite neutral paint colors is a lovely gray with warm undertones called Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. It is universally flattering and pairs beautifully with just about any color palette.
Q. I'm considering a minor update of a small main-floor bath. It has white ceramic floor tile. I'd really like to add a white vanity, but would that be too much?
A. You can't go wrong with all white! It is crisp, classic and timeless. I would just make sure your wall color provides some contrast.
Q. I am looking to have Roman shades made for my baby's nursery. I like the look of Pottery Barn Kids' Harper shade, but it doesn't come in the right size for our windows. I thought someone might be able to create something similar for us. Do you know of a vendor that might be able to help?
A. The Shade Store (theshadestore.com) has showrooms throughout the country and is open to retail customers. They do an exceptional job with window coverings. Their staff always goes above and beyond for us, and their turnaround times are so much faster than that of a traditional drapery showroom. We usually have our orders filled within a few weeks.
Q. My friend used heated travertine tiles in her bathroom and loved it. Would you recommend this or something else for the bathroom floor? I need to redo both the master bath and hallway (kids') bath.
A. Travertine is porous and brittle, so you should be aware of that. It was also considered trendy in the late '90s and 2000s, so it isn't a material that I use in my work. Limestone is a good alternative that is also a nice, neutral color and works with radiant heat but feels more timeless than travertine.
Q. What's your best tip for storing multiple rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom?
A. If you have room under the sink, they should preferably be concealed. Otherwise, a seagrass or natural-fiber basket tucked behind the toilet is a good option for storing extra rolls of toilet paper.