Twitter Chat with John Gidding, and a HUGE Giveaway!

Katie

Give some scoop on upcoming color/pattern trends. What can those of us who do not have the budget for frequent redos invest in that will seem modern and fresh, but not go out of style before we finish paying it off!!

Kim B.

I’m selling my condo next summer. I’m deciding whether to invest in two new (expensive) double paned sliding glass doors to reduce traffic noise and condensation. Is it worth the expense? I could enjoy them for a year and it could potentially be a selling point.

Janssen

How do I make an apartment feel like a home?

Melissa

My bedroom is only big enough for a small dresser, side table, and a twin size bed. How can I make my space look chic and not like a college dorm?

kara

I feel like I have so many different styles that I like in terms of decorating [vintage, modern, etc.] What’s the best way for me to edit all the styles I like into one? Or to decide what style really suits me the best?

Heather

Can I spray paint filing cabinets or should I send them to an auto shop? I feel like it would be way cheaper to do it myself! Is there any peril involved in this?

Ashley

What is the easiest, most efficient way to hang a beautiful photo gallery on a budget?

Béa

what is a big No-No in decoration for Americans (both designers and the average person)?
(we’re French living in the lone star state and just few months away from putting our house on the market)

Lauren

I love Curb Appeal the Block – How would you landscape around a huge tree with roots that cover most of your planting area? I can’t dig anywhere because of the roots, and I can’t even grow grass, so it just looks like a big empty space.

Crystal

We just bought our new house and it came with dark green carpeting we hate it! But we can’t afford new carpeting right now. What should we do?

Hailey

We love using real wood & vintage type furniture, but we are renters, so we don’t want to commit to very expensive pieces, as we don’t have a home for it to permanently live.

Since we don’t want to buy expensive stuff to fit our temporary spaces, what recommendations do you have for finding and refinishing solid wood and unique furniture?

We are also way outside of any big metropolitan area that might have lots of thrift shops. It’s pretty slim pickings for us.

Emily

Any tips on good purchases for grad students, pieces that aren’t too expensive but don’t scream dorm room and are sturdy enough to last until I have a real job?

faith

I have a really ugly raised brick fireplace with a long brick step in front of it in our family room which is light green. White or cream paint seems the obvious choice, but do you have a more interesting, even jazzier, suggestion?

Elizabeth

If you could only give someone one piece of design advice what would it be?

Megan

What is your opinion on curtains touching the floor – should they or shouldn’t they? What’s the right length?

laura collier

what is the best kind of lighting for the corner of a dark room? i hate dark corners but can’t seem to find a lightbulb that doesn’t look like a spotlight or make it feel eerie. (i have a arch lamp in the corner, hence the downward light…)

thanks!

Genevieve

Hi, I have horrible brass fixtures in all my bathrooms. Can’t afford to have them changed or updated. Is there a way to make these look cool and not so late-80s?

Sara

How neat! Hey John, What is the next trend in kitchens? We often see lots of white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Does this have staying power or is it on the way out?

Hannah

We are getting ready to prepare our house for a baby. Any tips on stylish storage for blankets/toys, or ways to be ready without our house looking like a neon plastic tornado hit it?

Jen

Yay! You and John and two of my faves.

I’m renting an apartment and dying to do something to spruce up the kitchen. It’s pretty outdated, the appliances are mismatched, and I loathe the linoleum tile and formica countertop. My landlord is pretty open to painting and DIYing here and there. Any ideas to spruce up the place?

krissy

What is one thing you should never DIY, and one thing you should always DIY?

Christy Grubbs

I would love to know if it is possible to do a combo room for a nursery and a guest room when needed!

Shifra

Great giveaway!
How about… how do I convince my husband that the ugly but brand new and expensive brass light fixtures that our house came with have to go? They’re perfectly fine but drive me crazy!

Katie Rose

My kitchen is desperate for a remodel, but it’s not in the budget for a while. Do you have any inexpensive suggestions to revamp the surfaces?

Thanks!

Sherry Gustafson

I would like to know a good way to decorate a home office/guest room?

Ellen

What is the best way to update kitchen cabinets without spending a lot of money?

Katie

How can I build a stylish, durable, and sturdy work surface/kitchen island on the cheap for my rental kitchen? It is a large kitchen with little counter and little storage.
Thanks!

Jaymie

I moved into a new apartment recently – my first actually. It’s going on one year, so I am now figuring out some of what doesn’t work (no I didn’t need to buy those chairs from the as is section of the big box store that we all know and love) and some of what does work (buy the best cookware possible – I have grandma’s pots but got a few Le Creuset pieces). Here’s the question – what are the top ten apartment kitchen essentials? I feel like I’m missing some much needed items – for example I just bought a blender last week. Apartment kitchen is the term I’m using because then you will know that my space is limited. I love to cook – but want to get as much mileage from one item as possible. Thanks!

Laura Wilson

Please help, I have just moved from Scotland to Canada (been here one week) and to a house 3 times the size of the one I have just left. Where are the best places to shop in Ontario for interiors?

Mrs Soup

Tips for RENTERS!

lil g

I am moving into my first house next week. there are lots of little projects that I want to do and a couple of big projects that I can’t afford yet. one of the things I can’t afford yet is redoing the kitchen. I am planning on painting the cabinets and changing out the hardware, but I have no idea what to do with the ugly old countertops. any cheap suggestions? (I considered ikea butcher block, but the shape of the counters makes that impossible).

Martita

Do you ever use pure pigments to mix or enhance your own paints, or to add to a wall plaster? Is it possible for a non-professional to pull this off without looking like a jackal?

jaclyn

it’s time for my 4 yr old to have a big boy room. i’m stuck on the colors. i don’t want the typical blue, red, ect.

Amy

How do I pick a color scheme and go with it? I’m way too indecisive with paint colors.

Jamie

I’m planning a bathroom remodel – what elements can I incorporate to give it a timeless look?

Colleen in Cleveland

I’m remodeling on a tight budget with re-sale in the next year or two. In your opinion, what are the few most important things buyers look for and remember. (this budget does not include a full bathroom or kitchen remodel – all were done in the mid-90’s).

Lisa

Would love to know what John thinks about decorating my kitchen backspash. I got a subway tile quote of $600 for a pretty small area! Any fun ideas on the cheap?

Nikki

Hey there John and Nicole-

I am about to move into a rental that has some not so chic vinyl flooring. I was wondering what are some things I, as a renter, can do about that? I have heard about using linoleum tiles; but I don’t really know where to look for those or how to go about it.

Thanks for your time guys!

Meghan

How do you decide when to incorporate a “trend” into your home?

Brittany

What do you think are some good, DIY alternatives to plain old curtains?

Stacy

Any tips on how to make a cookie cutter type of home look modern?

gesikah

I’m sorry I can even think of a question (long day), but I didn’t not want to enter. :/

bene

I’m seconding Mel’s question from 4:52 today (except it’s my roomate and I):

“Hi there,

My husband and I rent but the hardwood floors in our 1930’s home are totally wrecked. Scratches, stains, the works! Any innovative/animal friendly/cheap ideas to either spruce them up or cover them up with something?”

In our case, carpet isn’t much of an option – we already have to vacuum the rug in our living room every other day, which is overload for two full time jobs.

Melissa

Do you have any websites to recommend for great home inspiration?

Do you have any tips on mixing different wood tones/colors in a home and still making it look cohesive?

jdzjane

I have such a hard time picking wall colors for my spaces. To me its a huge commitment. I could really care less about what people think of my furnishings or style. I just don’t want to wall color to stick out like a sore thumb. Are there any rules or guidelines I need to follow? Any suggestions or ideas? I would love to have colors on my walls, not just white!

Kylie

Are pendant lights over the kitchen island an outdated trend? I’m remodeling my kitchen and don’t know whether or not to make the investment. They can look classic when done right but I fear that they’re quickly becoming another predictable and boring design decision.

Morgan

Are there any ways to get that crown moulding look without the big budget? Maybe faux crown or a faux paint technique?

Also are there inexpensive ways to get that historic feel to a brand new home? I love built-ins, moulding, real wood cabinets, but new houses are much more affordable. Any tips to get a bit of that charm?

Lisa

How do you blend different colors of wood in harmony within a room?

Stacy

What is the best way to update a dark mahogany four poster bed? Beautiful, but I want it to look “fresh”.

Katie @ goodLife {eats}

My questions is a spin on April’s: What’s a good compromise for someone who loves light, white spaces like myself…and has two young children. I can’t have white everywhere unless I want to go crazy, but I don’t want the whole house to feel dark either.