Twitter Chat with John Gidding, and a HUGE Giveaway!

Jennine G-L

How do I make my guest bedroom with an office space/craft room?

Dana

How can my husband and I make our studio more multifunctional (work, sleep, eat, play)?

Kathy

My husband and I just bought my “dream home”. It’s a modest, simple, brick colonial and I love it and am super happy. My only dilemna is that it is covered in all sorts of old white wallpaper (even the ceilings) and my budget does not allow for replacing it all at once or having someone remove it for me. My question s… Where do I start? What will make the most impact? Thanks! : )

Laurann

In wanting to be more “green” what are the quickest/easiest changes to make?

Amber

I love dark colors, but hear all the time that they shrink a room. Is it a go if the room i small and I paint the ceiling the dark color as well? It seems like it would be dramatic, which I love.

Katherine H.W.

My husband and I have a mid 1950s brick ranch style home- where closet space is minimal. There is no hall closet and one small closet in each room, Our master bath is in the hall and I would love to renovate our “linen” closet to be more functional as not only for linens but to hold all bathroom related items and products. I am also looking into attractive but compact and functional vanities for better storage. Any suggestions?

Joanna

I’m working on my son’s first room with a Big Boy Bed. Any decorating advice that will allow me to make subtle design changes as he matures, rather than a total overhaul when he gets older? Save me from rookie mistakes…

MJ

What are some affordable ways to decorate and add drama to my apartment living room? We’ve been there 2 months and still have a gaping white wall behind our tan couch (combined with the creamy beige carpet it’s all pretty neutral). We just can’t seem to find an affordable solution that fills the space.

gesika22

Thinking about putting up crown moulding, but wondering if there is a ceiling height requirement (as far as it only looks good if the ceiling is a certain height)? We are thinking it might look silly since our ceilings aren’t that high.

Suzy Q

Help — I have two vintage steelcase aluminum chairs painted black with mustard yellow vinyl seats and backs. I want to use them in my kitchen with a medium gray painted wall. What color should I reupholster the seats in, or else what can I do to make the mustard/black combo work?

Karlie

Please help me with styling objects around the house! I am hopeless. I know the guideline of grouping in 3’s, but my styling is always terrible. I desperately need more tips. Thanks!

Kei

What’s an easy and nice looking way to hide cables that need to run across the room?

Jessica

I’m preparing to put my mother’s house on the market this fall, and I’d love some tips on getting it ready to show.

It’s a beautiful space, but I’m fighting two big problems: perhaps too much (or too specific) furniture and a not-as-lovely-as-the-rest-of-the-house kitchen. Any suggestions?

Jennelle

I getting ready to redo my bathroom, and I really want a Hollywood Regency masterbath to match the style of my master bedroom. But I don’t want something too over the top, so it won’t look too “last year.” I’m having a hard time finding items like the vanity,faucet, light fixture, etc. What common elements should I keep my eyes open for? Straight lines, geometric shapes, colors??? I’m clueless.

natasha

We bought our house a few years ago and the origianl paint on the front door is beginning to chip. is it better for me to try and match the paint or should I repaint the front door?

Katie

I have a beautiful heirloom – a mahogany headboard from the 1940s that belonged to my grandparents – that I would love use in my home. Unfortunately our bed is a queen, and this meant-for-a-full headboard is too small no matter how I arrange it. Any alternative suggestions for how to use or display this piece?

grace gunn

I’m wanting to get started as a DIYer. What are the best tools to buy first?

Leslie

What are the easiest ways to incorporate color into a room?

Lisa of In Pencil

What is the easiest way to make over garage sale furniture finds?

Emily

What are a few inexpensive tricks toward making a small house (think under 900 square feet) look bigger and feel roomier?

mara

What are the top 5 things you need to do to get your house ready for resale?

Michelle

My living room consists of three colors: orange/reddish, “tiffanys” blue, and brown. Its a great color combo, and the room is awesome. The only problem is our nasty grey carpet. What color or brand of inexpensive but functional carpet would go well with this sort of room?

Amy

My question: We live in a 1969 brick ranch that we are preparing to put on the market in the spring. A few years of apartment dwelling has left me with a love of color and it shows in my paint choices. I know that most realtors suggest neutral paint schemes for a better sale, but just how neutral do I need to go? I’m pretty sure a little part of me will die if I have to paint my home some almond color. I’m leaning toward grey. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks!

jesse

Is your closet always as clean as in the photos you snapped? :)

Anissa

What is the least expensive way to give an ’80s laminated cupboard/countertop (hunter green and off-white) kitchen a facelift? I have considered an IKEA wood countertop which looks nice and is inexpensive, but I’m not sure what to do with the awful cupboards!

Elaine

In my living room, I have a wall with a sliding glass door and on the wall next to it (shares a corner) is a wall with a big window. Since privacy isn’t an issue (looks out onto the backyard) I haven’t tackled window coverings yet, but I don’t know what to do since the big slider meets the big window right at the corner. Any suggestions?

Emily

What is a great paint color for an entryway?

tina

our finished basement is being used as a home office/entertainment room. the walls are an awful wood-paneling. my husband wants to keep it and i want to get rid of it. what is a good compromise?

Karen de castro

I live on a street of ranch houses, with a limited budget how can I make mine stand out?

Mrs S

How do you get inspiration for your designs?

Peter

would it be cheaper to make a headboard or buy one? If it’s cheaper to make one, do you have any suggestions on getting started?

Jenny

I live in a small apartment, and have a very large (but comfortable and nice) bed that takes up most of my bedroom. I have a small corner left over and would like to have both a desk and some books in my room. Do you have any ideas for decorating the small space that is left?

L

How important is it to stick to the color scheme of your neighborhood when choosing paint colors? I’ve just purchased a total 50’s pad and want to paint it charcoal and orange (front door)…what say you (all)?

young c-m

What great giveaways! My question: how can you bring unity to mis-matching storage containers?

Erica

I just moved into a beautiful old apartment with all original woodwork. Sadly someone in the past did a really mess paint job, and slopped paint on the sides of the wood. Is there are easy way to get some of it off without having to refinish or strip? I hate to invest that much in a rental, but would like it to look nicer.

Vanna

What is the best way to disguise/cover wood-paneled walls in a rented apartment?

kelly

What are so tips for re-doing a master bedroom without spending a ton of money?

Lindsay

What are some tips for making a nursery functional for 2 kids that are different ages? (and still look nice) I am having my first baby in September and when baby #2 comes along, they will be sharing a room. I want to make sure that what I buy now will last for the next 5+ years with 2 kids. Thanks!

Jenn dePaula

My husband and I are gearing up to get our house ready to sell. We have A LOT of work to do and a very (and I mean VERY) small budget. Most of the walls within our home have color on them, which we kept from the previous owners. Do houses with lots of paint on the walls hinder or help the sale of a house? Should we consider painting our walls a neutral color before we try to sell it?

Caiti

I love worldly decor (ecclectic/bohemian, ethnic prints, mixing patterns, dark wood, etc.), but what are some tasteful ways to decorate in this style without looking like everything came straight from Pier One Imports?

jlyn

i have been dying to ask someone this question, so thanks for the opportunity!: are there any “rules” for combining natural woods with painted furniture (black or white)?

for example, our dining room table has a medium-dark wood (stained) finish. but our new living room (we just bought a house!) has white trim (love it) & we need a LARGE hutch or buffet of sorts to go in it to take up space. BUT we don’t want the room to feel TOO much smaller by putting something black in there. so fess up, are there rules for combining woods with painted furniture? and if so, is one color (e.g., white) better than another (e.g., black)?

AshleyG

I love the outdoors and natural elements. What are some ways to use natural elements (branches, beachwood, etc.) in a clean, modern way? Thanks! :) I’m so excited for the twitter chat!

Kate

I have a small child and as he is growing I’m moving all my decorations higher and higher and I’m finding myself just putting them away. How can I decorate and keep my style with a small child without it looking like everything is up high :)

Kathryn G

What is an easy way to make my dorm room feel less like a bedroom and more like a living space?

A. Faith

How do I “lighten up” my living room for the summer without changing the expensive items such as furniture, rugs and drapes?

Tiffany Larkin

What shades of gray do you recommend for paint without the room looking drab? I love Sherwin Williams brand but I will take other brand suggestions as well.

Maggi

We are going to redo our kitchen, its an old 1934 home with original everything. What is the best way to “marry” the old style (picture molding, original hardwoods, original windows) with a new modern look in a kitchen?

Kelsey

Our home has no linen closets for towels, bedding, etc. What other options do I have for storage?

courtney

How can I easily make my entire house look more cohesive while also playing up different styles of furniture/themes in each room?

Desiree Fawn

How can I section off my open concept living room/dining room/kitchen while keeping the flow?