'F' for Freebies

Twitter Chat with John Gidding, and a HUGE Giveaway!

You remember the lovely bedroom redesign that I did with the help of Membership Reward Points from American Express, yes? Well now I am working with them again to host a Twitter Chat with HGTV designer John Gidding. John will be giving tons of advice next Thursday on how to decorate and find creative ways to stretch your budget — just like I did using my points.

John and I will be on Twitter for one hour on Thursday, July 29 at 8:30p.m. EST/ 5:30 p.m. PST (search #AmexHome). John will be answering your home design questions about anything from creating amazing guest spaces to choosing the right colors for your home. He’ll also have plenty of inexpensive ways to get your home ready for sale and ideas for upgrading rooms on a tight budget.

Now, you may have noticed the whole HUGE giveaway thing we’ve got going on here…

How do you enter to win?

Comment on this post with your questions for John and we’ll discuss some of them during our Twitter Chat. By leaving a comment, you’ll be entered to win items like a KitchenAid mixer, a Bissell vacuum, or a set of Cuisinart cookware (all of which can be bought with Membership Rewards points). There will be ten winners in this giveaway! Here are the prizes:

  1. Cuisinart® 10-Piece Commercial Cookware Set
  2. Cuisinart GR-4N Griddler
  3. Krups FBC2 6-slice Convection Toaster Oven
  4. All-Clad 6.5 Quart Stainless Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert
  5. KitchenAid Stand Mixer with Attachment Pack ( Empire Red)
  6. Wusthof Classic 8-Piece Block Set
  7. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum Cleaner
  8. DeLonghi Esclusivo Magnifica Super Automatic Machine
  9. Viking® Professional Digital Hand Mixer
  10. Le Creuset® 7.25 Quart Round French Oven


(All of these items are available on membershiprewards.com.)

This giveaway is open to US residents only, one entry per person. Ten winners will be randomly chosen on July 30 to win one prize each. International readers are welcome to participate in the Twitter Chat and submit questions, but are not eligible to win. Remember you can ask anything about design and home improvements — this is a fun chance to get advice from an HGTV designer!

I know many of you are following me on Twitter @makingitlovely, but you can also follow John @JohnGidding. If you want to get some ideas for home improvement immediately, go to membershiprewards.com/home. And be sure to follow along to #AmexHome with John and I on Twitter next Thursday.

* Update *
Thanks for joining us for the Twitter chat, everybody! Comments (and therefore entries) are now closed. Congratulations to the ten winners: Aimee (aimeeroo), Mim (mimsfam), LeeAnn (leeannhuber), Sara (naturemurph), Sarah (Sarahquail110), Cara, (cara.andersen), Suzy (sayitaintsuzy), Sarah (Pooglit), Devon (devon.cook), and Kc (kcerveny).

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • Ashley
    July 27, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    I love purple (light to medium), it’s always been my favorite color. I’d love to decorate a living room using purple, but not make it juvenile or overly feminine. Can you give me any pointers?

  • Hil
    July 27, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    What’s a good way to display plants? I have about 20 orchids that need to stay near a window, but clumped on a table isn’t doing them justice.

  • Tisha
    July 27, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    I would like to know the best way to paint kitchen/bathroom cabinets. Is it necessary to sand if you use a good primer? Should you seal them after painting?

  • Erin
    July 27, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Is there any such thing as an attractive, functional door mat? I’m driving myself crazy cleaning up what our dogs track in. I need something large enough for them to take a few steps on, made of a material that will really clean their paws, and low-profile enough to allow the door to open…plus I’d like for it to complement my red-and-pale-blue kitchen and red oak floors. Help!

  • Funnelcloud Rachel
    July 27, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    How about pet-friendly decorating? I love having a beautiful home, but I also love my two (very large) dogs and sometimes the two work against each other!

  • Laura
    July 27, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    My boyfriend and I live in a rental. We have outgrown our apartment in just a year YIKES! IS there anyway to make your living space seem bigger than it actually is?

  • Vanessa
    July 27, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    My husband and I are ready to start a family but we’re not too keen on having to spend tons on a nursery. We like the idea of converting a standard chest of drawers into a changing table but want to make sure it’s baby safe. Any tell-tale signs to watch out for with respect to paint or finish? I don’t want to bring something home from an antique store that turns out to be a hazard!

  • Julie
    July 27, 2010 at 5:17 pm

    In this economy is it a waste of money to be pursuing a MA in Interior Design?

  • Quinn
    July 27, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    I have a great room with 4 36″ windows and a patio door. Currently we have silk taffeta curtains on the patio door. What other affordable options can I try to dress up the windows to make it flow with the silk taffeta curtains?

  • Megan
    July 27, 2010 at 7:18 pm

    What designs trends are on their way out? What design trends are on their way in? And what design trends are timeless and will never go out of style? I always believe in buying what I love but I don’t want to have a “dated” home.

  • Kristin Lindberg
    July 27, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    We bought a new home 2 years ago and its been one problem after another. It seems that we always start something but never finish it before we start another and never have enough money to do what we really want. Whats the best way to make it look great with out spending a lot of money?

  • kasia
    July 27, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    I was interested in selling my home, but with the market as it is should I repaint my home to suit my taste or go ultra neutral for everyones taste – I mean I want to sell but if it doesn’t can I get away with having dark grey walls and stripes or is that limiting myself too much for the sellers taste?

  • Heather
    July 27, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    How do I patch cracked/chipped vinyl tiles in a rental kitchen. They drive me nuts!

  • Lyn W.
    July 27, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    Really any suggestions for those who rent would be great. Specifically things that can be easily done and give a rental space a unique vibe but doesn’t cost alot.

  • Jaccqueline
    July 27, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    Hi! I’d love to hear your thoughts on tying a room together — one big boldly colored piece of furniture, or lots of little punches of color? Along the same lines, what are your tips for creating a cohesive (but not to “matchy matchy”) feel to a room or entire house?

  • Erin S.
    July 27, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    How do I tastefully combine my guest bedroom with home office? Unfortunately I have only 1 extra room, and I would like the room to flow together. I don’t want it to look like I crammed everything in!

  • Gina
    July 27, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    I would love to know some tips on how to reupholster furniture! I seem to run across some great Craigslist finds or antiques, but the fabric is old and dated.

    Thanks!!

  • Sara
    July 27, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    Could you please help settle a disagreement on hanging wallpaper that my husband and I are having? My husband feels that wallpaper will not adhere properly to the slightly mottled finished walls that most homes are built with and has spent many hours apply plaster and sanding it out, which you can imagine is back breaking work. I thought it would be okay just to lightly sand the surface down or apply a wallpaper primer. Please help! (me be able to say i told you so..haha!!)

  • Kyle
    July 27, 2010 at 10:42 pm

    I need free stuff!

  • vana
    July 27, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    What are your thoughts on chalk paint? I have been wanting to paint the one wall in my kitchen (currently wide open) but am a bit hesitant to use black paint since our space is kind of dark. I love the idea of chalk paint for so many reasons.

    thanks for the lovely giveaway. It sure feels good to get the hopes up:)

  • miss alexandra
    July 27, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    i would love tips on how to incorporate two roommate’s decorating tastes so they both feel included.

  • rebekah
    July 28, 2010 at 2:02 am

    I would love some great tips on how to incorporate great design into a rental home – can’t paint, nothing permanent, but really want great ways to make it feel like home/mine and incorporate color – and probably more than just pillows.

  • Jeanette
    July 28, 2010 at 7:41 am

    I recently received a pedestal (well, wall mount with legs) sink that was in my Grandmother’s 1880’s farm house. I would say the sink was a part of the 1950’s remodel. Our house was built in 1995. How can we incorporate the two without it standing out odd? It is a small bathroom used by our 3 children. We are very excited to have a piece of our family’s farmhouse in our home.

  • Aspengirl
    July 28, 2010 at 7:49 am

    I’d like some advice on how to incorporate natural elements (like branches) into decor without seeming to kitchy – is there some preserving that should be done? obviously understated is better, but I love the simple and natural feel.

  • Jennifer
    July 28, 2010 at 8:29 am

    Hi there,
    My question is about how to make a temporary space more personal. We’re subletting a furnished apartment and short of putting up a few photos, we haven’t done much to make it our own. Any ideas that don’t cost much?

    Thanks!

  • lynn
    July 28, 2010 at 8:45 am

    I dislike modern, but I love the cottage look, not too shabby/soft/pastel/feminine, but more refined. I also love saturated colors. Any tips on how to achieve this look? What to steer clear of? How about for a bathroom?

    Thanks.

  • Sarah
    July 28, 2010 at 9:19 am

    How do you make light wood floors work with dark wood or honey-colored wood furniture?

  • Catherine
    July 28, 2010 at 9:24 am

    Any tips on dressing up a bare, uneven concrete floor? I don’t want to go to the trouble of evening the surface out to ready it for tiles, but I’m worried a painted floor might be to slick (it’s in a bathroom). Any ideas?

  • Annie
    July 28, 2010 at 9:56 am

    I have a really hard time with bathrooms! They are hardly ever shown on the design shows/website I love. I want my bathroom to be chic, but not too fancy or elegant. I need a shelf or cabinet to hang above my toilet (for a little extra storage space) Any budget-friendly suggestions that don’t scream BATHROOM MEDICINE CABINET? Also, please don’t say IKEA because we don’t have one near us and their shipping is disgustingly expensive!

  • Marya
    July 28, 2010 at 10:33 am

    I’d like some suggestions on how to decorate with things that would be very different and unexpected. With things I might even have on hand around the house to save some $$ or low cost. Like a painting in the fireplace something with a bit of shock value.
    Thanks for any help!

  • Rosie
    July 28, 2010 at 10:34 am

    We have a finished basement with horrible dirty looking rafters. We dont want to cover it because of plumbing and wiring, and have found nothing helpful online on what to do with them. (Nobody seems to like dealing with basements) Any suggestions?

  • carol
    July 28, 2010 at 10:42 am

    What are the current trends in interior colors?

  • Amy
    July 28, 2010 at 11:44 am

    What is the easiest way to patch a large hole in old plaster walls?

    And… what is the current trent in hand railings for stairs?

  • Katherine
    July 28, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    Any suggestions on how to create gallery-like art arrangements on my wall within a student budget? I’m thinking of create ways to frame, mat, and arrange for less money. Any system that could be easily rearranged is also a plus.

  • Jane @ The Borrowed Abode
    July 28, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    Do you think that the show Mad Men is to blame for the sudden resurgence / popuarity of mid-century modern design?

    • Katie
      July 28, 2010 at 1:05 pm

      Why place blame? It’s gorgeous!

  • Katie
    July 28, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    My furniture is all “doll furniture” very low to the ground. I’d like to graduate to larger furniture but can’t afford to do it all at once. I’d like my next piece to be a much needed coffee table… Are there rules about mixing tall and petite furniture? Is there a way to do it with style?

  • Heather
    July 28, 2010 at 1:06 pm

    I’m having a very difficult space solution. I have a lovely but tiny apartment. I also adore having people over. I already do the loveseat-instead-of-couch trick and try to incorporate dining room chairs instead of heavier, more space-taking living room seating. Any other advice, fashionable or functional, for my living and entertaining situation?

  • Andrea
    July 28, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Good afternoon,
    My question relates to tackling furniture renovation projects when one lives in an apartment. I have a lovely dresser from right around 1920. Somehow this piece survived the rigors of belonging to a military family and I have been lucky enough to acquire it from my parents. The unlucky part is that my dad painted it with some faux wood finish paint in the 1970s. I would love to strip and re-finish, but alas, I live in a studio apartment in Boston. I could move furniture around to make enough space to do the work, BUT, according to good ole Dad, the stripping process would emit toxic fumes too strong for an enclosed apartment…even with all the windows open and fans, etc.

    SO–is there any possible suggestion about how to re-finish this lovely dresser within the confines of my 4th floor studio walk-up? Or, is my only hope to make friends with someone in the burbs who might have an empty garage for me to use for this project.

    Thanks so much.
    My best, Andrea

  • Ashlee
    July 28, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    Any great suggestions for affordable area rugs that look good? Or something else to bring together a living room with wood laminate floors? Thanks!

  • LF
    July 28, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    We skim coated and painted our apartment a little over a year ago. We have a toddler at home and have developed the usual nicks and scratches throughout our apartment. I would love to fix them but don’t have time to repaint entire walls. Any suggestions about how to do spot fixes?

  • katee
    July 28, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    We have a 3 foot high ledge that goes the length of one side of our family room (It cannot be removed). It drives me crazy because I don’t know if I should treat it as a sofa table and just group stuff on it or if I should leave it alone…

  • Jennifer
    July 28, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    What are your favorite affordable art resources?

  • Ann
    July 28, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    Any great advice on creating a room for a new baby (due in November) that doubles as a guest room? We have a tiny house, and need to keep a fold-out couch in our soon-to-be-nursery for guests. Any space-saving ideas for meeting both of these needs would be useful!

  • Briana
    July 28, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    I have questions about how to handle paint transitions from one room to the next. Specifically, there are places in my house that have an open doorway with no molding around it, like from the living room into the dining room, and from the dining room to the family room.
    Which color should I paint the strip that is on the doorway? Which room should it match?
    Thanks!
    Briana

  • Amber
    July 28, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    We rent, so I was wondering what is a cheap and easy way to decorate our living room without painting?

  • LizMN
    July 28, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    My boyfriend and I are moving in together- all of his furniture is that dark dark wood from Crate & Barrel, and very masculine brown suede, but I love the bright whimsey of Jonathan Adler… Any suggestions on how to merge the two styles?

  • Holly
    July 28, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I’d love some DIY/affordable artwork ideas.

  • Lori
    July 28, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    We had a flood in our basement and had to take up the carpet. What is the best solution for covering basement floors on a budget? We are considering concrete paint, carpet tiles, laminate flooring… Flooding isn’t likely again but since it is a basement, it is always possible. Thanks so much!

  • Bonnie
    July 28, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    We have a dropped ceiling in our living room with ugly out-dated acoustic ceiling tiles.

    What would be the best way to go about replacing the old drop ceiling with tin or up to date ceiling tiles.

    Living room is approximate 29′ x 16’…

    Thank you for a reply.

  • Ahime Ornelas
    July 28, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    Greetings John!! I am a single 30 year old teacher that bought her first home about 2 years ago. It was the scariest decision ever, but I am glad I invested in my future. I have been working on in every room in my house, and I am fairly pleased with the results. (I will twitt you my pics) I have furnished and decorated my living room using a contemporary style and a color scheme: beige, expresso, and gray blue. I really liked how it turned out, but I have a MASSIVE problem. It is my 15 X 12 beige wall!! It is a blank canvas!! I have been watching HGTV for 2 years looking for ideas, and I’ve been unsuccessful. I am nervous to do something with it, because I’m afraid I won’t like it. John, I totally admire your work. I TOTALLY trust you!!I would be tickled if you would consider my blank canvas wall to leave an imprint of your talent!!!

    Ahime
    Baytown, TX

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Ask John Gidding
    July 28, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    […] tomorrow (Thursday) night at 8:30p.m. EST/ 5:30 p.m. PST. If you haven’t already, be sure to add your questions for John to answer. And remember too that by commenting on that post you’ll be entering to win one of ten great […]

  • Camala
    July 28, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    I notice on Curb Appeal (I love, love, love your show), you seem to always paint the brick. My husband always comments that brick shouldn’t be painted. I love the look of painted brick, but is there an instance where you would leave the brick alone?

  • Marjorie Howell
    July 28, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    how on earth can I work with the matching couch and chair (custom made furniture that had never been used that I got both for $1000 at a garage sale) not look/feel so matchy matchy? It is slightly overstuffed cream with light brown strips (1/5 in apart) on spindly black legs.

    Thanks so much! This is such an awesome opportunity.

  • brianna h
    July 28, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    My husband and I live in 800 sq. ft apartment and are seriously having some issues with storage. What, aside from bookshelves, are some ideas for increasing our storage space?

  • Anne
    July 28, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    Are there any nuetral paint colors to recommended for an accent wall that is part of the stairs? I am afraid my house will be too plain, and that wall seems to be a good one to accent without going too crazy with color.

    Also our house has original hardwood floors. I am so so on getting new wood in our kitchen and having it not match. What type of tile would you recommend to go with white cabinets and black countertops?

  • Pam
    July 28, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    We would like to pull up the carpet in our den, which is an addition to our house with a crawl space under it, not a basement.

    We would like wood floors and aren’t sure if we should use actual wood or engineered wood flooring.

  • courtney k
    July 28, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    my fiancé and i just bought our first home, we have a very small master bedroom, and we had to take down the folding doors on the closet for space constrains, what can we do to cover the closet so that is functional but not stick out so your eye goes right to it? i’m just not sure what will work the best there…

  • Amy C.
    July 28, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    My boyfriend just spent A LOT of money putting up vertical blinds with sheers in our living room. We want to do something nice in the bedroom (Bed Bath and Beyond curtains right now), but I cannot justify spending another grand on window coverings. The bedroom is small and we want to block out light at night, but have it feel open and airy during the day. Any window covering (blinds/curtains/etc) suggestions that are DIY or at the very least under $1000?

  • Lindsay
    July 28, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    What window treatments are best for allowing maximum light to shine through, while still affording privacy (our neighbors on either side are ~ 20′ away)?

    Thanks!

  • Missy
    July 28, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    What size outdoor rug do I need for a 12×12 deck? I am so ready to make a great space for the fall! Thanks!

  • Kathy
    July 28, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    We’re in the process of a kitchen remodel and while I love the progress I’m afraid that my decisions have been too ‘safe’ from a design standpoint. Unstained maple floors and cherry cabinets. Beautiful, but? . . . . Our house was built in 1908 so I don’t want to completely ignore the design appropriate to the age. What can I do with the remainder of the project to respect the heritage of the house and neighborhood?

  • Phoebe
    July 28, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    My parents have been trying to sell my childhood home for more than 2 years now. There’s nothing wrong with it — in fact I’d be overjoyed to have a house like that. However, they’ve already moved, and I think the culprit is that the house is standing empty without furniture. What are some things they can do to make the house a better sell?

  • Cynthia
    July 28, 2010 at 10:00 pm

    Q: Stained wood moldings and trim: paint them or not?
    if not painting it, what neutral colors to paint on the walls so it doesn’t look dated??

  • Elizabeth
    July 28, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    I need advice on buying a new couch – I have two kids, a dog and a cat, and a husband who’s also not the neatest. I want something that is easy to keep clean and that requires very little up keep, but I can never decide if I should look for something covered in leather, microfiber, washable fabric, or some other miracle fabric? The couch I have right now is covered in a dark nubbly material that attracts every piece of lint around, and I really hate having to vacuum it off all the time. Any advice would be much appreciated!

  • Rachel
    July 28, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    I’m undertaking some renovation projects at my father’s house next week. First on my list is making his house a safe and healthy place, but I’d also like to make it a place he’d like to come home to. When my grandmother sold her house to move into a nursing home years ago, almost all of her possessions moved into dad’s house. After we pare it down (a lot) I’m hoping we can display some of her (and his) things. What are your recommendations for using not always so perfect or pretty antiques in your decor?

  • Janny A.
    July 28, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    I have 2 dressers in my bedroom that I have bought at flea markets. Should I paint them both the same color to unify or not?
    Also do you prefer carpet or wood floors in a house?

  • Ruth
    July 28, 2010 at 10:28 pm

    Ohhhh I <3 John Gidding! Being off for the summer, I've been watching a LOT of Curb Appeal: The Block. He's just an amazing designer.

  • Geri
    July 28, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    I’d like to know what colors are good to paint in a kitchen? What colors to avoid and how to work with a rental that has those cheap brown cabinets and a faux wood laminate counter? Right now our kitchen is orange!

  • Lauren
    July 28, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    I’d like some tips on hanging art in groupings. I need help in knowing how to mix different types of art together.

  • Mary
    July 28, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    I’m questioning whether I should remain a (lifelong) hobbyist interior decorator (of my own spaces and some solicited advice), or make the leap and try to be a career designer. I’m 25, a couple of years out of college at an office job I don’t love, and wary of making the move, especially in this economy. You haven’t seen anything I’ve done, so I know you can’t advise in that way…but do you have some general advice on how you knew you should be a professional?

    Thanks!
    Mary

  • Crystal
    July 28, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    Can you recommend a gray wall color with mild purple undertones that would look great in a dining room with yellow accents?

    Thanks!

    ~Crystal

  • Austin-ite
    July 28, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    I’m so over mid-century and want my home to be more forward thinking. What are the new trends for the next decade?

  • Kyle
    July 28, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    What is the best way to make a carpeted room look as good as room with wood floor. It is so rare to see any carpet in decor magazines.

  • lori
    July 28, 2010 at 11:43 pm

    My fiance and I are currently living in his 2 bedroom condo with our 6 week old son. Though we’ve transformed his former office and “shoe room” into a nursery, every other part of the house still resembles a bachelor pad. How can I begin a transformation of his place to make it more suitable for the whole family without sending him into total shock? And how should I prioritize since I can’t furnish the entire place at once?

  • Nicole
    July 28, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    I would love to know your view on decorating a little boys bedroom with paint and pieces that will last through high school. He is eight. He has picked a dark royal blue for his paint color of choice. We fear it will: 1.)look cave like 2.)make the room look smaller 3.)not be his favorite color choice come the age of fifteen. We have a few ideas but would love creative input!

    P.s. I loved your last post!!! Could the mid century rocker posibley make its way into a “big boy room”? =) Perhaps with royal blue paint hahaha <3

  • Ashley
    July 28, 2010 at 11:49 pm

    We are about to move into a rental property and I am wondering, what are some simple ways you can make something that does not belong to you “your own”?

  • Lindsey Rockers
    July 29, 2010 at 12:30 am

    Hey! My husband and I have been married for almost three years and live in a 1930’s craftsman bungalow with our 7mo old little lady. We bought the house almost a year ago and have been busy transforming it from dark and outdated with an awkward layout, to open, airy and modern with huge crisp white moldings and walls that I consider the perfect shade of gray (behr-wheat bread)!

    :)

    Our floors are original to the house and are in pretty good shape in the front half where our main living areas are, but in the back they are covered by a fairly worn and dingy brown carpet with almost no padding underneath!

    I’ve peaked underneath the carpets in a corner of the guest bedroom and know that the original wood floors run throughout.

    and I REALLY want to paint them white!

    I’m just having a problem convincing the hubby :/ He thinks that we should lay wall to wall carpeting in the back bedrooms because that’s what families would want and it’s better for resale down the line…

    What is YOUR opinion on painted white floors? Are they too trendy or impractical and hard to take care? Or are they as fabulous as I think they might be? And how do you find a balance between resale value and your own personal taste?

  • Laura F.
    July 29, 2010 at 12:40 am

    Do the floors need to match the woodwork in a room exactly? We live in a 1920’s four square farm house, and we recently pulled up the carpet in the dining room and living room to find that the center of each room had never been finished. We don’t plan to paint our woodwork, but I am concerned that we will be unable to match it exactly. What might you advise? Thanks!

  • Lillian Chang
    July 29, 2010 at 1:07 am

    How would you go about decorating a bathroom to lift it from it’s “blah”? What little things can I change (aka: inexpensive changes) to make it feel like a spa?

    What an incredible giveaway!! :)

  • Julie Anne
    July 29, 2010 at 1:29 am

    My question is about color: Is there such a thing as too much? I’ve seen some very color saturated homes – bright walls, colorful prints, painted furniture – featured occasionally in shelter magazines and blogs, but I just don’t know how I would get that look without looking like I lived in a perpetual rummage sale.

    Are these folks editing their colors secretly, or is there some formula for making a “house of many colors” work?

  • marla kohutek
    July 29, 2010 at 1:33 am

    Hi there, I am debating reupholstering my sofa. It is a gorgeous overstuffed 92x42x36. I’m having trouble finding discounted upholstery fabric locally and wonder if you could recommend a good online source? Also what do you trend forecast the next ‘it’ design for sofa’s?

  • Cheryl W.
    July 29, 2010 at 2:37 am

    I am desperate to know if we are remodeling a home, with an upstair bathroom, would we be able to get a new tub in and our old tub out? Surely there has to be a way. We desperately need a new tub. What are my options other than knocking out walls and the stair well?

  • Denise
    July 29, 2010 at 2:55 am

    We have a narrow, oppressive, lonely galley kitchen that I would like to remodel soon. I am thinking I would like to take the wall separating the kitchen from the living room down to a half-wall and put a counter on top, bringing in light, space, and conversation, but essentially exposing the kitchen to the living room and in direct line sight to the front door – bad idea??

  • Karen
    July 29, 2010 at 5:16 am

    My house is dark so I am looking for window treatments that do not keep out the light but provide some privacy in the evening. I love shutters but are these a dated idea?

  • Kelly
    July 29, 2010 at 5:49 am

    I would love some ideas for organizing craft supplies (fabrics, bunting, paper, etc)…keeping them accessible, but hidden! Also, need creative ideas for organizing/displaying wrapping paper and all those needs!

  • Jenn
    July 29, 2010 at 6:29 am

    What are the best looking window darkening treatments for kids rooms?

  • Michelle C
    July 29, 2010 at 6:39 am

    I’m lucky to have a large master bedroom. But I have no idea what to do with it. I especially don’t know how to divide the space up. Right now, we only have our king size bed and bed side tables. What can you suggest to help?

  • Gina
    July 29, 2010 at 6:49 am

    My husband is a musician and owns a lot of instruments and recording equipment. We live in a 1 bedroom apt. and his music equipment is spread out all over the place. Are there creative storage solutions for musicians to stores their guitars, cords, mics and little accessories/instruments?

  • Tara
    July 29, 2010 at 7:03 am

    I really want to paint my living room grey, i think it looks so sophisticated and clean but am terrified of picking the wrong shade. Don’t want any thing to sad.

  • Bridget
    July 29, 2010 at 7:10 am

    Hi! I have a flooring dilemma. Our 1950’s house has the original parquet flooring in the entry/living room, which flows into a kitchen with horrible peel and stick vinyl that is begging to be replaced with…something. Just not sure what! Should we tile or try to do a parquet-type floor in the kitchen? (Budget won’t allow for new flooring throughout.) Thanks, guys!

  • ClistyB
    July 29, 2010 at 7:30 am

    Gimme a sec, finger cramp from scrolling….
    Whew!
    Ok.
    Our ceiling is vaulted. Kitchen and front room
    is separated by a pantry, which leaves a large surface to decorate.
    You can see the top of the pantry from the whole upstairs.
    I’ve seen folks decorate similar surface with plants. Which looks disgusting and lacks creativity.
    Currently I have some red white n blue themed Longaberger baskets up there. Meh.
    @clisty

  • ClistyB
    July 29, 2010 at 7:34 am

    •*•*•*•please replace the word
    ‘disgusting’ with ‘dusty’ in the above comment. Whoa, thank you iPhone auto-correct, so embarassing. Sorry.

  • Jenna Peck
    July 29, 2010 at 7:38 am

    How do you handle dirty clothes? We don’t have a laundry room, so our hampers are in our bedroom. My fiancee uses his college method, mesh laundry hampers. Eww!! Any suggestions for a less obvious hamper?

  • Danielle
    July 29, 2010 at 7:58 am

    This is kinda crazy, but we have an organ in our guest room (it’s a long story). Is there any way to make it look less obvious? We’re trying to sell our house and we don’t want potential buyers put off by it.

    thanks!

  • holly
    July 29, 2010 at 8:14 am

    Hi – i love my house, but it has so little storage! have you ever encountered this problem and how did you tackle it?

  • TD
    July 29, 2010 at 8:21 am

    I love the large scale artwork in Nicole’s living room. Is there any way to create such large scale art without so much expense? My budget is really tight, but I just can’t get over how awesome a room looks with large art pieces in it.
    Thanks for the giveaway, Nicole! Love your blog.

  • abeachdreamer
    July 29, 2010 at 8:24 am

    Hi John
    I have a dried up old concrete pond in my yard from original owner it is a real eyesore and don’t want to fill it in because when it rains the water stays there and afraid if we do fill it – where will that water go? I would like to do something withit to enhance the area around it but not utilize the pond – it doesn’t get much sun – I was thinking of planting grasses or maybe even bobtails in the pond area as they grow tall – I am just at a loss here – can also send you pics if that will help. You are the best and I LOVE YOUR SHOW! THANKS

  • allison
    July 29, 2010 at 8:26 am

    i need help hanging pictures. i don’t know where to start. i only have a few already framed, and i’m not sure where to put them. dining room, living room, hall? my walls look terrible bare.

  • jenn
    July 29, 2010 at 8:31 am

    Looking for cheap kitchen makeover ideas. Thanks :)

  • Heather
    July 29, 2010 at 8:33 am

    We recently just purchased a twin home, and now I admit I’m a little lost as to what to do outside. We’re part of an HOA and they’re incredibly picky about what you can and can’t put outside. Upstairs we have a 10′ x12′ deck, where we’re going to put our new red grill, but what else can I do? I love gardening, so how can I do this in pots so it looks nice and how do I decorate – everything has to be unattached to keep the HOA happy. Then there’s the slab of concrete outside of our lower level sliding glass door. It’s not very larg at all, but it’s an eyesore, as are the concrete pillars in the grassy area that hold up the upstairs deck. HELP!!! Oh, and if you have any ideas on how to make the upstairs deck cat friendly, that would be superb!! I need a stylish way to keep my cats safe, and I’m stuck on that too.

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