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Questions for November, 2007

Mixing Wood Colours

Jacqui asks...
We recently bought a house that contains dark wood doors. Our furniture in the spare bedroom is medium oak while the Baby's nursery is an Antique Stain. We are now looking to buy new furniture for the main bedroom and have fell in love with a dark maple. My question is, would the furniture in the main bedroom stick out like a sore-thumb versus the other two bedrooms that have lighter wood. Does this matter if our same colour scheme is present in each room?

Dear Jacqui,
The continuity of wood finishes is far more important in large open spaces where rooms of different function and furnishings can be seen all at once. As a matter of fact, on a floor with bedrooms where each room has it's own door, you don't even have to worry about all the colour schemes necessarily matching because all the doors could be shut.

The fact that your colour scheme is present in each room is a bonus.

So actually, you've pretty much answered your own question. The colour of the wood doesn't matter as long as the woods in each room are complimentary.

The most important thing is that you've found something you love and that purchase should bring you many years of happiness.
Hal

Help with wall colors!

Beth asks...
I have recently removed wallpaper in my kitchen and the walls are ready for painting. My countertops are medium blue-grey, cabinets are pickled oak, tile is about the same shade as the cabinets. The kitchen is fairly large with an island in the middle with bar stools. Any ideas on wall colour? Should we texture the walls? Thanks!

Dear Beth,
I would paint the walls a much lighter version of the blue-grey from the counter. That way you're continuing a softer version of the same colour palette while keeping the kitchen fresh and airy. If the room is big enough and you have a fairly large expanse of wall, you can paint it the colour of the counter to create an accent wall. Don't get carried away with this - one big accent punch is enough.

As far as texturing the walls, I never recommend this for a kitchen. You want clean, smooth, easily cleanable finishes. Even fine textures can collect cooking greases over the years. Many companies have a type of paint specifically for "kitchen and bath" with special properties for steam, heat and repeated cleaning and scrubbing. You can't go wrong if you use one of these products.
Hal

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If you are stuck on anything to do with interior design or decorating, send your question to Hal! We will do our best to answer all of the questions we receive, and may feature yours on our web site. Send an email to askhal@homeinteriorguide.com with your name, location, and question.

About Hal Eisen

Halcyon Designs

Hal Eisen is currently the on camera Co-host and Design Consultant for the series DESIGN MATCH, which airs on HGTV Canada and USA. Hal has designed for personal clients across both countries and created events everywhere, from the pool at the old L.A. Athletic Club to the penthouse of the new Trump World Tower in New York.

He is no stranger to the "Lifestyle" T.V. airways either; having appeared as one of the resident, on camera designers on HGTV Canada's LOVE BY DESIGN and HGTV USA's DATE WITH DESIGN.

As a Co-Production Designer, with partner Andrew Bottecchia, Hal has worked on two seasons of HDTV's TRASH TO TREASURE, a FOOD Network pilot called PIECE OF CAKE and a new pilot for West Wind Pictures called PLASTERED; where he also appeared as the guest designer. Before Design Match, he was the Associate Production Designer on HGTV Canada/USA "new" DESIGNER GUYS series for their first season.

You can contact Hal at (416) 533-5508 or at eisen333@hotmail.com