Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Stick with black, white, grays with a hit of an accent colour - I love to use wall tattoos for a punch of colour - shown here over the desk. Good luck with your project!

katymomof2 I can only suggest to think long-term unless you want to redo this room AGAIN in a few years! Choose a paint color that you both can live with and a bed that he will appreciate now as well as beyond! Time flies, remember. Cityscape could include metal cubbies that can be added or taken away over time. Posters are a easy low-budget addition and/or subtraction and your son can choose them keeping him involved in the 'design" of the room. You can find terrific and inexpensive desk-top lighting at your local big box store. Keep the fundamentals basic and solid and the rest can be manipulated over time! Have fun!

pcmom1 When our son turned 13 we did a room redo. He chose to do 3 walls in one gray and the ceiling in another shade of gray. Final wall painted a red. Now 25 and no longer living at home, but so far have not felt the need to redo this room. It is now a combo sort of place, desk to pay bills, comfy chair for reading, and a twin bed for when son visits. And the look still works, pulled together with the choice of bed spread, pillows and drapes.

Just sayin... if you can't let loose and have a little fun with decor in a private space, such as a bedroom, where can you?

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Be careful - onyx is softer than marble - if you are prepared for the regular maintenance then there is nothing as beautiful as onyx, but you must commit to the regular maintenance to maintain the beauty of it. Good Luck!

henrachel What a regular maintenance request?? Thank uuu

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. I would - if you have enough room. It should be 12-16" from each wall, with plenty of room for each chair
to be pulled in and out completely on the area rug. It will add a softness and coziness to your dining experience - always very luxurious feeling. Couple of examples of staying traditional or pushing more contemporary in a large format floral. Good luck - your off to a good start - PS. I'd paint the chair rail down all white, and add wallpaper to the upper portion for more texture and softness.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Tie the area rug and pattern into your china - so that when it is all dressed for company - you have a cohesive look. Bring the paint colour into the rug as well - tie everything together with drapery treatments - seat cushions for the dining chairs, napkins, table cloth, flowers - design your room so that when you are entertaining - everything flows and is thoughtfully designed like the attached dining room settings - bring fabrics in - check them with your china - make sure you have a finished-polished look...good luck!

Genevieve Perfect setting Marie , I love the colours I really think that it all would work together . I love sage green walls that green brings life into any room .

teribrennan Azure is blue though

joansahmed Do you like oriental carpets. I can't tell your taste from the furniture, but a red oriental and maybe dark blue walls with some throw pillows picking up the colors in the rug. I would go with simple wooden blinds or linen panels in a warm carmel depending on the rug you choose.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hi myuzername, marie here.

First - move your sofa into the niche wall on the right -
Replace the vertical with drapery - in a colour that picks up on your scheme. Look for toss cushions that have a pattern and colour palette that you love. I'm showing a few variables here that have your base colours in it - carmel wall tones, brick tones of fireplace and dark espresso/black of your furniture.

If you can, I'd also remove one leather chair and replace it with a fabric chair - or, move the leather sofa to another room and put a fabric sofa into this mix - it is always a good idea to mix your leather with fabric in your big furniture pieces.

Until you find your inspiration in either a toss cushion - or a piece of artwork / mirror over the fireplace - there are a few decisions that you need to be make to best reflect your personality, taste and budget. Post your inspiration - then I can help you pull it together. Pillows shown below are varying in either more modern, traditional or transitional. Palette is there to reflect what is already happening.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hi Mkohart, Thank you - answer to your question is yes and no. The living room is a hardwood flooring - due to budget restraints, we had to change up flooring. The dining room is all tile, so is front foyer, mudroom, main floor powder and master ensuite. Living room and master bedroom is hardwood.
Tile is a high gloss vein cut travertine 12X24 in a 60/40 brick pattern.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. HI lulupuff, Marie here.
Find your inspiration - it can be a photograph of your dream room - it could be a toss cushion you saw at Home Sense, it could be your favorite painting.

Then use that inspiration point to set the tone for your colour palette.

The bookshelves and fireplace will need to take equal billing as both being focal points in the room - so treat each one with the same attention to detail - but don't over do it. Good Luck, and repost once you've found your inspiration item...

thedarlingsbecca I think I would like the hardware on the bookshelves/cabinet painted or replaced (if possible) with white.

momof5x I would keep the focal point around the fireplace and a small sitting area ( like two chairs and a table) near the windows and inbuilt wall cabinet-thus, with books on the shelves, it would make a good reading/relaxing area.

The other option is ( if this will include a small dining area) then place the table infront of the cabinets, and use the cabinet to display dining ware and other decors.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hi Marja Welsh, Marie here.
I happen to adore the exterior of your home- and find that if you paint the corners an alternate colour, it will only bring more attention to them - so my best advice is to not go there.

What you do need to do is in the careful consideration of your accessories for your home - maybe change out the white lamp on the lawn to black, add updated black light fixture on the porch, and black house numbers.

I happen to love them in white, so I've left my image of those in white.

Concentrate on adding more life and colour to your garden - keep an eye out for some retro inspired planters. find some gorgeous planters with your teal blue and black in your planters. Like this retro inspired teal planter I found on Ebay...perfection!

Good Luck with your project -

lesliehagan I'd paint the blocks a shade darker or lighter than the teal, whichever you think would look nicer. They'd still "trim" the house, but not jump out at you.

Marja Welsh You all are wonderful! Thank you for all your help! Still undecided on what to do...so I may just leave as-is. Was thinking of grabbing some large queen palms to throw in front of the quoins and adding some copper plants. ...and maybe painting the inside of the frame white--I've noticed some other houses in the neighborhood have theirs painting on the inside too.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. I would vote for as much "closed" storage as you can get - showing too many open shelves can make a small room look cluttered and also feel like it doesn't have enough storage.

I see a storage cupboard in the mirrors reflection - if you are moving in a couple of years - I would:
- repaint existing cabinetry, change out door handles, light fixture, toilet, and tp paper holder, towel holder etc.
Replace countertop with a gorgeous new granite or quartz, new undermount sink - maybe add a banjo to the countertop to give the illusion of a larger countertop.
- repaint the walls to a colour that compliments your countertop
- get yourself some new accessories (towels, shower curtain, wash cloths etc.)
- change out your electrical vanity light, and overhead light
- change out your plug covers to new, white decora cover
- replace the builder basic mirror with a framed mirror - and you'll have a freshed bathroom

Nancy Walton You could then paint your linen cabinet the same color as the walls in a semi-gloss finish. I would use eggshell finish to paint the walls--not as shiny.

Colautti Brothers Marble and Tile I wouldn't put open shelving in a bathroom, especially one of this size.
I would, however, refinish what is existing. Getting any granite counter (pick something neutral if you are going to be selling) will always catch a buyer's eye... it's something people would assume they would never have simply because of the cost, and yet people pay close to $500 for just a vanity base... why not keep what you have and invest in granite?
Getting a framed mirror will do wonders, and look into updating the tile if you are up for it.

Definitely paint as well... something neutral.

Good luck!

SF Design & Build @Marie, of course it is, and if it's your client's, I wanna see a smile on your face. And when you deposit their check, you can tell the bank teller all about your lousy bad taste client. Bank tellers love a good story.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. @ SF Design - LOL - true, only concern SF is my clients depend on me to guide them in their choices and steer them clear of decisions that will detract from the overall value of their home. We all know taste is a matter of perception - and, like art, is in the eye of the beholder. If these clients for this home are happy - and it is there forever home - then fabulous. My opinion is the contrary - we have cabinetry with the grain running horizontal on door fronts, and vertical on end gables - with the grain not even matching from bottom to top!, then we have different colour/tone on the floor (not complimenting), with another grain in the marble countertops. It's too much of a similar vibe, and its rendering all of them to be dull - rather than taking each individual item and making them as absolutely beautiful as they deserve to be...
Gotta run - have an amazing day - I love constructive criticism, its how we all hone our crafts and become better professionals - cheers!

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Chintz and Company

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. White with walnut ? ANYTHING for countertops - but remember - you need to compliment your flooring as well because the countertops and flooring are on the same horizontal viewing plane subconsciously.

I'm doing a white kitchen with walnut flooring, and we're using white quartz, with inlay of Elegant White marble.

Stoneshop I have seen it listed as Everest at a handful of other places. However, I do not specifically know of any other names for this stone. It looks similar to Persia Avorio.

LB Interiors I'm sorry, no I don't either.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. You want style and temporary - Don't waste your money on Ikea as a temporary item to built-ins within the next year or so. Why don't you get those fabric laundry bags - name each one after your kids and simply keep the kids toys in each bag. Better than wasting a couple thousand dollars on cabinetry that your going to replace in a couple years. And I would definitely put in custom builds into this space for sure.

belltheile what about shelving around television??--I don't mind spending some money so that we can use it in our basement in the future...

belltheile I would like to do a cubby system of some sort/lockers? Also any ideas for light fixture, currently there is a fan in the room.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Nope - your profile of your cabinets is an arched profile - your dream kitchen is a shaker profile.
You'd have to strip off that profile and re-apply. Not an easy task if for a DIY'er.

Painting cabinets is a long, tedious, arduous procedure - with the result, being at best - 5 more years of life from the cabinets - IF you've done all your preparation of the wood properly to even received the paint.

My advice - live with this kitchen until you can gut it and get your dream kitchen for real - don't paint the cabinets, give them a really good cleaning, replace the backsplash and countertop with a laminate and then in 5 years time - gut it and have all new! Good luck,

shelly01 I have granite counterrops with a beveled marble tile backsplash

kschmoller What granite is it, shelly01?

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hi sumeetinaz, Marie here.
Your problem is everything other than the table and chairs are too small!
- don't like the painting / picture(s) they are too traditional looking and the context, patterns are bossing around what can / could be done in here.

I love the chandelier - so bring down that same metal colour into the room with a BIG, GORGEOUS mirror like this one from Christopher Guy.

Add a wider - almost as wide as the room credenza at the back, with two lamps on it, with a few more trinkets on the credenza ONLY - not on the table itself - leave that clean.

Then - your going to add an alternating fabric to the backs of your chairs only - in a tone on tone gold and turquoise sheen shown here.

Finally, add a gorgeous double - dyed rug from ABC Carpet. com, and make the area rug come 16" from each wall end into the room - the current area rug you have is TOO SMALL.

good luck with your project - what I found in researching items for you is that the gold, blue scheme you have going on here, isn't really condusive to more traditional patterns, textures - so stop fighting it and embrace the hollywood feeling you could have here...

achelous If room is not used daily try this set up (excuse my drawing). Take out rug and sit table on the wood, then try accents on table like these on this console

Sandy If I understand you correctly, when you are in the LR looking into the DR, you see the"end wall" of the DR, and you are not looking through the arches? If so, it seems that that end wall is the focal wall in your DR and that is the one that needs the pizazz.

You mentioned that most paint colors are making the DR seem dark. Im glad you have tried those deeper colors for yourself and can see the result. So, you want to think about a way to bring light and life to that wall and your DR. My #1 choice would be to mirror that wall. #2 choice would be to keep the wall the light color it is and hang a large mirror on it. You can hang art on the side wall opposite the arches. Maybe a series of prints would work, hung in a horizontal line. You need a rug in there to help define the table/chairs group.

On the other hand and thinking outside the box, you could repurpose the little-used space into something you will use. A den, library, reading room, etc. Replace the dining set with comfy chairs, rug, bookcases, desk, etc.

ASVInteriors Umm, hate to say this with such lovely suggestions above (again not bulletproof) but certainly replaceable - IKEA do a farmhouse sink in white ceramic.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Really - bullet proof and white - shall I deliver the moon too?
I'd decide upon either white or bullet proof, but I don't think your going to get both.
Closer to bullet proof is a 16 gauge stainless steel apron sink at IPTsink.com, I'd go there...

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. I would describe it as GORGEOUS! and I LOVE IT! Inject lots of white into the room with your coloured fabric upholstery throughout - such a lovely palete - good luck!

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. To judyg - on her really bad Overstock find in a similar pattern - this is a perfect example of "you get what you pay for" - in that it's not the fabrics fault it was thrown on to a crappy chair frame, you can see the bones of it poking through the seat! and that the upholsterer didn't pay attention to the pattern repeat. You can avoid this pitfalls by hiring the proper professionals! The fabric is stunning...

dorrie2012 I do not want three solid pieces of solid colored furniture. The sofa is a solid. I really want a pattern on the chairs. I had planned to have pillows made and place on the sofa..

JMittman Designs Ah, forgot about the solid couch. ~Janet

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hi amandaala, I don't mean to down play your question - but what is it that is driving you crazy about your decision? Is it the combination of hardie with brick, or that the brick is too expensive - what is the driving factor to your question.

amandaala The decision making is driving me crazy:). I think we have decided to brick the two gable ends. We have to use siding with the second porch gable due to structural and cost issues. I am just planning to paint that siding (hardie) in a color that will blend with the brick and stone so it doesnt scream siding. I could go with the brick gables but my husband is really pushing for the brick and I think I will let him win this battle:). Thanks for all the great advice. We have never built before in 30 years of marriage and it is a test:)

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Anything but that (sorry) it's not very exciting -
Layer baskets, vases - even an easel with a painting.
- play with a grouping of things (should be minimum of 3 items to a maximum of 7 items) in my estimation of the space.
You've got a good size/ space here - use your imagination:
-place a gorgeous old antique chair, with a knitting basket, and then a knitting project draped over the chair as a vignette on a ledge - or
- find an old half mannequin, dress her/him to your style-taste in flea market finds - or
- add stacks of baskets for texture, and place a silk fern
Whatever you do - do it big, purposeful and with your personality in mind - and have fun with it!

travisinteriors Anything would be better.put grouping of plants candles picture frames use a table runner a bunch up around them adding some twigs fro Michaels. Make it larger a small mirror on a small art stand group tall with shorter items. Those balls in color.

travisinteriors A panel on window and then pull to one side. Would finish look

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Spray paint it high gloss black, or even high gloss white - in a gray, black and orange schemes - white brings the look from halloween and into modern / chic. Some images to help you keep your halloween theme into check - good luck!

judy Go with the Formby's, it really is a beautiful.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Yup that's what I thought is a perfect little reading nook - lots of natural light, great spot for a gorgeous chaise lounge, or wing back...

Carolyn Albert-Kincl Design But there are those of us who have Ipads but still read "real" books, by choice!

Ironwood Builders So right Carolyn! My iPad will never replace my giant photo filled books on design, art and architecture or the feel of a book in my hands, the smell of the ink and paper, the krinkle of the binding. The bindings and dustcovers add ambiance and color to my rooms and the "stuff" I collect adds to the eclectic style I love. Oh...and those mustache chairs do come with narrower arms sometimes!

anubha_it thank you all for the suggestions. Ed: The construction has not started yet.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Hello anubha_it, Your really asking for help online and getting MORE confused about your new home build ? You shouldn't do this, your only going to confuse the issue with too many opinions and comments about what commenters can't see anyway.

You need to see all the elements together in natural sunlight to make the very best choices for your new home. I highly recommend hiring a local designer/decorator to help you with your decisions - and to really stretch those new build dollars and get your money's worth out of the builder.

I've selected for 100's of new home builders and it would only take a couple of hours to help you with all your choices. At most a couple hundred dollars to be sure your choices are solid design choices for you and your home now and 10 years from now. Well worth it don't you think?

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Nope - don't like it - when I'm outdoors - I want natural - if you don't want to upkeep and want green - get a green coloured stone, or dye concrete instead.

Ohlenburg Inc The new products out now are great, get some samples.

EasyTurf This type of application is a perfict fit for Artifiical Turf. We've done similar installs recently. EasyTurf has many advantages especially around pools - no maintenance, mowing, fertilzing, weeding, edging ... Just a lush, green lawn year round! Our drainage is unmatched - The main differentiation in EasyTurf products is the MaxxFlow backing, a proprietary 100% permeable backing that drains faster and cleaner than any other turf backing - and drainage is a major factor, elevating our product above others.
Let me know if you've got any questions I can answer for you and/or check us out at www.easyturf.com -
Cheers!
George

suzanne_m Can the closet go in the laundry room over in a cabinet built over the washer and dryer?

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Definitely Linen closet - and check out Toto's Neorest Toilet or Kohler's Numi Toilet for the best of both Bidet/toilets. Gone are the separation of the two...

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Definitely add greenery - to what degree depends upon your dedication to your yard. Definitely add plants and texture - soften those hard edges with rounded beds too please - this outline is too rigid!

ASVInteriors Here was my planting

Dan Roy 1 Jay, I have used the pattern I'm attaching, and will again. I really don't care for the look of the "Open Block Paver". But I find the historic look of the spaced Sett type of paver very attractive. I don't plant between the stones, I just allow whatever greenery wants to take come through. Advantages: Appearance. Ecological - allows drainage. Greenery. Cool in Summer. Soft under bare feet. Can park a vehicle on when extra parking required. Disadvantages: lawn furniture legs/feet can sink between stones. Uneven walking surface.
Photos of mine freshly finished, before greenery came in, and a photo of someone else's, with greenery between stones:

decoenthusiaste Swedish contemporary minimalism - I like it.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Find an accent cushion, area rug or painting that you love and has all the colours, patterns, textures you love and that you WANT in your home.

Use THAT inspiration point to get your paint colour, and other elements to complete your room.
There are wayyyy to many variables here to determine what will suit you best. As examples, I've attached a couple of mood boards and/or rooms I've designed for my clients to show you what I mean by too many variables.

Best Advice - find that one item, that has colours you want in your home - then post that for us to help you pull your room together...

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. General Paint CL-3172W Charleston

loll33 Thanks!