Themes & Styles Questions Answered

Q. I would like to decorate my home with Middle Eastern/Moroccan or Islamic Art. I would like it to have both modern and old world together where it just flows. I would like to start with the right colour for the walls. I have many ideas but I just can't put them together right now. Where can I find some books on architecture and interiors with Middle Eastern ideas and how do I go about looking for an interior designer that can help my vision come of life. Thank you for any info you can provide. From: Hoda, Baltimore, US

A. To find a designer look in the Yellow Pages for your local Institude of Interior Designers. They should be able to help you with a suitably qualified and experienced interior designer. Always ask to see examples of their work and references, and make sure that you feel comfortable and able to talk to them. They won't mind if you don't employ them because you don't click, design is very personal and you have to be able to express your ideas to them for them to interpret. If you go to this link on our site, http://www.interiordezine.com/index.cfm/Shopping/Design_Books/Art you will find some books from Amazon.com that you can purchase on Moroccan Interiors. The local library could be of use. The wall colour, I think something with an earth base, light ocre, tan or white washing, but the world is your oyster! Related articles: Design Books

Q. I want to create an old world look throughout my home. I like the look of dark woods. I'm ready to start choosing stain and paint colors of mouldings, baseboards and doors. I'm not sure if it is best to keep all the woodwork in dark stains or to keep them light painted color. I have bedroom doors, bathroom doors, and closet doors to do plus the trims. Your help would be appreciated. From: Sharon

A. If your woodwork is already painted it takes a lot of hard work to strip it back to stain it. So you're probably best to keep them painted but you could make the color darker ie dark chocolate brown and have white walls, this provides a definite contrast and would help with the old world feel.

Q. I need help! My husband and are building a cute little stone home with log elements and a red metal roof. For the kitchen - which will have log rafters - I'm trying to decide what materials to mix. Here's what we've been debating: We have a retro Red (bright red) refrigerator; bright colored dishes (Fiesta ware in primary colors) that will be displayed; and we're thinking about hickory cabinets - accessorized with custom ceramic hardware painted in the colors matching the fiesta ware. We're also considering a flagstone floor for the kitchen. As for lighting, we're thinking about wrought iron. My question is, how do you know what materials mix together well? Does ceramic hardware look OK with stone and log? Also, what sort of countertop and backsplash should we be considering? My thought process was to keep the floor, countertop and backsplash somewhat neutral (sticking to grays and beiges probably) since the refrigerator, hardware and dishes are so colorful. Also, the grays and beiges would mimic the stone on the outside of the house. But I have no idea if I'm on the right track here or not. Help! Any advice you can give me will be much appreciated! From: Georgina

A. It sounds like you are on the right track and your instincts are doing a good job! If you are ever in doubt keep everything neutral and gradually add color as you get more confident. You have a good combination of textures with the stone exterior, logs, flagstones, and wrought iron. I think that the feature pieces you have will provide enough impact for now. You can always add more color or texture later. I think it sounds like a fantastic project - keep up the good work. I hope I have been of some use. Thanks for visiting our website.

Q. I am decorating my living room in Tuscan style. My husband had the room decorated and designed in a colonial style before we got married, complete with colonial railing around the sunken living room. This is something I have never liked, but I will have to integrate it into my new design ideas unless you can give suggestions on how to replace it or disguise it. Help!
From: Melinda, US

A. It sounds like time for a change! I have a few suggestions; these are based on the fact that it is a big job to replace the railing around the room. You could sand back the existing paintwork and paint them with a washed or lime washed look, or antiqued paint effect. The second option is to sand them back and add a textured paint to make the railing look like plaster or cement, here we have a product called sandtex, but most companies will have a paint that is similar, it is easy to apply but has a finish that looks gritty or like a fine plaster finish, the colour in included in the paint, and I would suggest a sandstone, plaster or natural colour to make it look like they are plaster or stone. The third - but expensive option is to take it all out except the top rail and perhaps some balusters to support the rail and add wrought iron filigree inserts between. I hope that this has given you some inspiration. Good luck, I'm sure you will do a great job. Thanks for visiting our site. We hope you will visit again soon, we are constantly adding new articles that may be of interest.

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