Dear Debbie:
We live in an older home with a charming front vestibule. The ceiling is high and I'd like to do something special to create a grand entrance. Should all the ceilings on one floor be the same colour, either white or off-white? Thanks for any suggestions.
Vanessa
Dear Vanessa:
The entrance to your home should be warm and inviting and introduce a feeling of the style that continues in your overall decorating scheme. The building's architecture will also offer clues.
Whether a ceiling remains white or has colour added depends on the overall mood you set out to establish. Generally, in a room with high ceilings and mouldings at the top of the wall, I suggest painting the whole surface cream or off-white and use a semi-gloss sheen on the mouldings. However, for a vestibule you have lots of options to create a more dramatic theme. The walls in the entranceway shown here in a home like yours were given a stone block finish. To complement the effect, the ceiling and mouldings were both sponged with three light shades of stone, then darker stone colours were flecked over the surface with a stiff brush. The faux stone works beautifully because the ceiling is not too big, otherwise it would feel heavy. The ceiling and mouldings were treated as one to give fewer breaks in a small space.
Dear Debbie:
We've just bought a 1960s bungalow and my biggest concern is the bathrooms. The master has gray wall tiles and fixtures, the guest bath has blue tiles and fixtures. I can afford to replace the floors and vanities. What would you suggest to give them both an updated look? Thank you.
Marina
Dear Marina:
A new floor in both bathrooms will freshen the style dramatically. Look for porcelain tiles; they are affordable, durable, and come in many designs from marble and stone shades to solid colours. Shades of gray are very contemporary, so for your master bath choose a complementary marble, or pair the gray with muted browns and taupe. The guest room suits either a crisp white floor tile or for some fun, try bottle green. If these rooms have windows, then shop for new thin or thick slat blinds or a modern fabric shade. The vanities should match up with the existing fittings, new hardware or a painted finish will freshen them up.
Dear Debbie:
We are planning a new kitchen; the cabinets will be off-white and the island a medium-cherry-stained walnut. Could you suggest what granite would match adalia cappuccino marble tiles? What backsplash style and colour would suit this combination? Thanks.
Armando
Dear Armando:
You weren't specific about which material was going where, so I am guessing you are thinking of the marble as floor tiles and the granite for countertops. The marble tile you have selected is gorgeous, lovely rich shades of brown, as the name suggests, so I would go with a sandstone-coloured backsplash. The granite is a personal choice; find a colour that complements the tones in your marble, or pick another material such as the stone composites that come in a more diverse range of colourways. A light countertop will offer a brighter, yet classic mood.
Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com
