Dear Joe,
Help! I recently saw some curtains and a draped valance advertised in a catalogue from a store. When I went in to buy them, the clerk told me that they were easy to install and that all of the instructions were included. I decided to get them and also got a nice drapery rod. I measured everything very carefully and followed the directions. After several hours of frustration, the curtains and valance are up, but it all looks terrible! I didn't expect it to look like like the picture, but I usually have some skill at this type of thing. Does this happen to everybody? What should I do?
Brian
Dear Brian,
Behold the magic of photography in advertising! You are not alone in your frustration. It is not unreasonable to expect ready-made draperies to come out looking great, but it rarely happens.
What most people don't realize is that it took a professional photo stylist several hours to style the window treatment for the catalogue. The drapery panels and valances are all steamed, pinned, stuffed, starched and anything else that will make them look good for a photograph. The fabric is forced to do what it will never do on its own. The more complicated the treatment ( such as yours ) , the more time and tricks it takes to make it look good. It is not at all surprising that these window treatments almost never seem to come out as envisioned.
Here is my advice: Take the treatment down, put it back in the packaging and return it to the store. Re-think your plan for the window and try to come up with something less complicated. For example, you could use some simple cotton drapery panels on a rod with rings. This type of treatment is very practical for everyday use and fairly easy to install.
Dear Joe,
I want to paint the living room and kitchen area in my condo, but am afraid of making a big mistake. I have narrowed the choices down to a few colors but can't seem to make a decision. My favorite color is a bold yellow that looks good with my tan sofa and framed prints. The other colors are sort of beige or creme and much safer. Do you think that I will get tired of the yellow too fast? What would you do?
Sunny
Dear Sunny,
It's hard for me to say without seeing the space. I like to follow my first impulse in design because it is usually the right move. Since the yellow is your favorite, I would be inclined to try it. My suggestion is to buy a small can of the color ( and any other color that you are considering ) and paint it on different sections of the walls. Try it in areas that get both direct and indirect sunlight. Live with the color patches for whatever time it takes to observe how the tones change at different times of the day and night. This will give you the chance to see if you really like the color before investing a lot of time and money.
Dear Joe,
My landlord has given me the go ahead to replace the light fixture over the sink in my bathroom. ( It is an ugly fluorescent thing. ) What will give me the best light?
All Lit Up
Dear All Lit Up,
I believe that we should all see ourselves at our worst in the privacy of the bathroom. To this end, I shoot for maximum light that is distributed evenly. Using a fixture with several incandescent bulbs is a good way to do this. One of the best is the Hollywood style, a metal strip with exposed round frosted bulbs. There are also many other types of fixtures in both contemporary and traditional styles.
There are several important points to consider. First of all, look for a light fixture that gives off as much light as possible. For example, a two-foot fixture usually holds four sixty watt bulbs. Second, be sure that the light is not blocked at the bottom of the fixture and is able to shine on your face. Last, try to select a fixture that has a frosted glass cover or uses exposed frosted bulbs. Light coming from a clear glass cover or bulbs will cast a glare and odd shadows.
Please e-mail your questions to jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in 'WCT Design.'
Joseph Rice is an interior decorator who offers full decorating services. With 24 years of experience, he specializes in 'hard-to-treat' windows. Check out his Web site at josephriceinteriors.com! You can also reach him at Joseph Rice Interiors, Inc, 773-271-2361.
