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 by Margot Gunther
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Q: We are currently renting a house, and although we don’t want to sink a lot of money into it, the kitchen is so dark and drab that we want to make some quick cosmetic changes. We plan on painting, but what else can you recommend that isn’t too expensive?
Isobel DeMartino
South Bend, Indiana
 A: Congratulations! You have learned rule #1 of decorating, which is that your easiest and most effective tool is a paintbrush. To cure the “drabs,” the warm cream color shown in this photo is a good choice. It is unusual and a real mood-lightener. If you are a collector, use your treasures to create interesting displays by neatly grouping items together. Another easy solution to liven up a kitchen is to add new hardware to drawers and cabinets. You’ll be surprised by the array of pulls and handles available today. Just be sure that the screw holes are the same size for your new pieces as they were for the old ones. If you are truly handy, you can take spoons or some such and drill holes to create your own original handles. And remember, even new dishtowels and oven mitts in bright colors and graphic patterns can add oomph, so be creative and just have fun!
picture: Bradley Olman
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Q: We recently renovated our home and there’s a small nook for a little dining table and chairs. We would like something that’s country but clean, and haven’t found anything in our price range.
Clair Baker
Cincinnati, Ohio
 A: You may have a small area, but you’ll be glad to have a
separate space for dining once it’s decorated. If I were you, I would haunt garden centers, home centers or even used furniture dealers. Wrought-iron chairs (as shown in this picture) can be light, airy and very pretty—avoid the heavy and ornate ones often seen; they’ll be too large for this area. Here, you can see through the backs, which increases the visual space, and you can paint them any color that appeals to you. With your new floors, I would make sure to attach floor-protecting gliders (stick-on versions come in thick felt and plastic), which will also make the chairs more mobile. For a unique table base, look for a stone (faux or real) base—maybe a fruit basket or a classic column—and put a beveled glass top on it. Glass, being transparent, will also serve to decrease visual clutter. Make sure that the base, including the top, is 27-inches high. For visual interest, you could add a hanging wall shelf (be sure to attach to wall studs for strength if it will hold heavy serving pieces). The hanging pendant shown here is a good choice to give overall light and illuminate the area.
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Q: Our kitchen windows open onto an enclosed porch. I don’t want to lose any light by covering them, but I want something more colorful than sheers. What other treatments would work?
Alison White
Zeeland, Michigan
 A: Put an expandable curtain rod behind a wood valance that matches your cabinets, and with S hooks, hang dried herbs and flowers. (To make this a true budget project, you can even pluck them straight from your own garden!) This will add color and an airy feeling, and best of all, rather than having to wash curtains, you can just replace these window treatments when they get droopy or begin to look tired. This gives a definite country look, looks good from all sides and is more whimsical than curtains. You can vary the look with the seasons, too. Group like flowers/grasses together, or mix and match to bring the essence of the great outdoors right into your kitchen.
picture: Bill Mathews |
Editor’s Note: Margot Gunther, ASID, is a designer who has worked on residential interiors, country inns and restaurants. • |
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