Dear Jean and Richard, We’re expecting our first child in a couple of months, and have an area devoted to the nursery. Aside from the bed and a rocker, do you have any suggestions for creating a welcoming space? Karin, Atlanta

Jean: Hi Karin, and congratulations! I’m actually glad you didn’t mention the baby’s sex, because a good design does not depend on the choice of pastel blue or pink. As far as I’m concerned, yellow or green work equally well as wall colors, and not necessarily pastel.
Richard: True, but I think the first few months should be in a calming environment—for mom and dad! Karin did not mention whether the space was a separate room or not, which would impact things like wall colors, but we’ll assume it’s baby’s first bedroom. Most people associate babies with soft or delicate textures, so I say it’s appropriate to use pastels. Besides, the toys will be coming, and I assure you they are as bright as colors can get.
Jean: Good point, but I would encourage you to pick more than one—color, that is. For example, a pale yellow, trimmed in white, looks great with a periwinkle blue or even a soft turquoise. You might mix patterns, like blue and white striped bedding, and polka dot draperies. Other pairs of colors that work well are lime and periwinkle, pink and lavender, cream and teal, or white and anything.
Richard: Actually, using fabric is a good way to decorate a baby’s room. Consider dressing some baskets or boxes in different coordinating fabrics and placing them side by side on white shelves. (This adds storage capacity, too.) You might even fold some different colored baby blankets and leave them stacked on a bench at the foot of the bed or on some shelves in easy reach.
Jean: Karin, you will need some table space, too. Whether it’s the top of a drawer cabinet, or a simple side table beside your rocker, plan to have some surface area available for easy access to powder, bottles, clean wash cloths, and various dispensers. And because you will be in and out of the room throughout the night, I submit you cannot have too many throw rugs for barefoot moments.
Richard: Jean’s an expert on this—she has “barefoot moments” in the office. It’s the real reason that we don’t allow walk-in traffic when we’re in town.
Jean: No, it’s not. But everyone takes off their shoes now and then--or I hope they do. Anyway, you’re in socks or bare feet a lot of the time in a nursery. But make sure you choose rugs that you can throw in the washer—and don’t use a rug with a rubber backing if you have a cat. For some reason, cats are attracted to those, and like to “mark” them.
Richard: I wouldn’t want cats in the nursery anyway…or for that matter, anywhere in the house. Dogs only please!
Jean: What am I going to do with you? But you might want stuffed kittens, teddy bears, DOGS, and other plush toys in the nursery as a form of infant accessories. I’ll bet Richard has at stuffed animal or two in his bedroom.
Richard: As a matter of fact, I do have a stuffed teddy bear named Jean. And Izzy, my dog, is constantly trying to make her thinner by removing her “stuffing”.

Dear Jean and Richard, Do you find that someone who takes pride in the outside of a house has a nice interior as well? –Mary, Kansas City

Jean: Hi Mary. The best answer might be—usually. Despite the fact we specialize in interior design, we are asked from time to time to assist clients with color choices for a home’s exterior as well, and we’ve even been hired to help coordinate the color scheme for several houses in a new neighborhood for better curb appeal.
Richard: Well, to Mary’s point that the interior often mirrors the taste of a home’s exterior, there can be limits. For example, after we completed the entire interior for a home in Las Vegas, the client asked us to select a color for the covered patio area facing the golf course. No sooner had the painters started did someone representing the homeowner’s association call to warn them they were in breech of “protective” covenants. In this case, our clients were forced to comply with deed restrictions, which required approval by a ‘standards committee.’ The fact that we were in the business of design had no influence on the neighborhood fashion police.
Jean: It was a really nice neighborhood, too—if you like rows of homes in pink brick. But let’s say you do have some control over the exterior of your home, and unless you’re partial to chartreuse, the neighbors don’t organize against you. I find that most people are a little more conservative with their home’s exterior treatments, almost as if “blending in” was the goal. Yes, of course a tidy lawn suggests a tidy house, but the houses I’d like to visit (and see inside) are the ones with a dramatic driveway entrance, or an outrageously colorful flower bed, or an English roadster in the garage. (You can bet if there’s a Hummer in the drive there will be a ginormous plazma TV dominating the living room.)
Richard: OK, now you’re profiling! But sometimes there are personality clues. Lots of clutter in the yard will almost certainly mean a busy interior. Kids’ toys? Anyone can predict that one. Porch swing? Antiques. Most people who choose a brick home prefer traditional or even formal furnishings; resort homes typically will be casual and more playful But the homes that are unique in their architecture or creative in their landscaping will also be the ones with inspiring interiors.
Jean: What you say may be largely true, but you’re leaving out town homes, condos, and even those country club homes in Las Vegas. Sometimes it’s impossible to predict a resident’s taste or style by what’s on the outside. If there’s opportunity, though, I think a house’s exterior can build expectations of gracious living by how it presents the home—and not just with architectural treatments. Attention to shrubs and flowers, decorative and uncluttered walkways, thoughtful garden sculpture, and even mailboxes are all ways to make a design statement and herald a high regard for style.
Richard: And it follows that a theme of gracious living will be reflected inside. If you don’t have a front yard, consider painting or even replacing the front door. Our consistent advice to “catch ‘em at the door.” is a way for clients to understand the need for a great first impression. But that first impression may be the entrance itself.

Dear Jean and Richard, I’ve been reading your column for over three years and marvel at how you always seem to find a bridge to your home décor differences. Do you guys ever come to an impasse? –Josephine, Ft. Lauderdale

Richard: Hi Josephine. If you think about it, our very job is to find solutions to challenges. Jean—though a good designer—can herself be challenging, and when we can’t agree on something I usually wait until she’s out of the room, quietly phone the client, and tell him or her that Jean has had a nervous breakdown and I will be making the final decisions.
Jean: Ha! Fortunately, our clients are smarter than that. Admit it, Richard, you’d be lost without me to perfect a color scheme, soften a severe setting, or warn you that you have some spinach stuck in your teeth.
Richard: Why do you think I sometimes ask you if you want ketchup with that fry in yours? Although I will admit that sometimes I have to warn you about your, uh, “eclectic” wardrobe. Don’t you know that flowered Capri pants went out of fashion years ago?
Jean: At least they were once IN fashion. And I only wear them when we’re—or rather when I am—working. I can’t tell your black work clothes from your black dress clothes.
Richard: Of course you can. My dress shirts have collars on them. At least I can wear black without having hair all over it. Even my dog is black.
Jean: Hair? At least I have hair!
Richard: I used to have hair before I met you. I’ve been pulling it out ever since.
Jean: At least you’re not pulling mine.
Richard: Well—yours has been plenty yanked, pulled and colored over the years.
Jean: That’s for sure. But bald or yanked, I have to admit you’re a really good designer.
Richard: And I admit you’re a pretty snappy dresser. The Capri pants work pretty well for you. And your interior designs aren’t so bad, either.
Jean: Thanks, I guess. What was the e-mail question again? Oh yeah—do we ever come to an impasse. No, because we both believe there is a good solution for most design problems. And if there is not a good solution, there will at least be an appropriate solution. Wouldn’t you agree, Richard?
Richard: I like being bald. I mean, there’s really no good solution…comb-overs, carpeting or plugs?
Jean: Get a grip. We’re discussing design solutions now. I’m trying to demonstrate that we can work together, and want to know what you’re thinking.
Richard: I’m thinking I should call that new client at the Cliffs and tell her you’re not feeling well.
Jean: And I’m thinking maybe I deserve to have a breakdown.

Dear Jean and Richard, You recently offered some tips on reworking an old bath to mirror the styling of a 1920s house, but what if it’s a newer home and you’re not trying to match a certain era? –Tammy, Mills River

Richard: Hi Tammy. Well, there are as many styles of bathrooms these days as there are styles of homes. In terms of basics, however, we can offer some suggestions. Assuming you are starting over, the first order of business is to determine just what is possible. If you want to change the layout, have a plumber advise you where you can relocate things like the toilet and sink. This is especially important if you hope to add a shower or additional fixtures.

Jean: Well, of course the plumbing considerations are important, but so are the aesthetics of a new layout. For example, you’ll want to place the toilet where you don’t see it when opening the door. If it’s a small room, be careful that doors clear cabinetry and open the right way.

Richard: Most of this is common sense but you’d be surprised at what we see. Especially when someone converts an existing space or carves out an area for a bath from a larger room, the layout can be awkward. In cases like these, don’t guess—draw it out and measure. If it’s too tight, one option is to reverse the door so it opens into the hall or adjoining room.

Jean: A new bath also opens the door for creativity. You may not be able to financially justify elaborate tile work or expensive wallpaper in a larger room, but you can splurge when the amount of material is smaller. It’s also more important than ever in a smaller room to make every item contribute functionally and aesthetically. If you want it to be truly special, employ some elements not usually associated with a bathroom. An antique mirror with a curving, carved frame can add charm. A small crystal chandelier can add elegance.

Richard: Well, even the furniture can be unique. As most people now realize, a vanity or sink base could be an old buffet or server. But thanks to the availability of vessel sinks, you could also use something like a large garden ornament or even a wrought iron table or console. One thing to remember is that there must be a way for the finished assembly to function—another question for your plumber.

Jean: As in other rooms, sconces and table lamps can offer lighting drama, so if you have the option, leave enough space on your vanity—or large garden ornament?—for a small lamp. But plan this ahead of time when laying out your wall plugs. No need to have a lamp cord running behind a faucet! Drapery and/or shower curtains are another opportunity to be creative—in fact, they serve an important role in softening the room. Don’t use carpet, but do use washable area rugs. And if it’s a guest bathroom, make sure there is somewhere for overnight visitors to spread out their toiletries and cosmetics.

Richard: As for styling, be careful about designing the room to accommodate the latest fad. Sunken tubs were all the rage in the mid 60s, but many folks agree they were awkward. Large clear glass shower enclosures are beautiful, but they require constant cleaning.

Jean: The secret of having a great bathroom is to stop thinking of its design as predictable. Replace the window with stained glass, or tile the floor with a mosaic. The “necessary room” can be unnecessarily flamboyant!

Dear Jean and Richard, We live in a 1920s-era house and want to redo the bathroom. Do you have any suggestions or cautions for us? David and Jennifer, Asheville

Jean: Ohmygosh, yes! We’ve re-designed all types, but I think period baths are the most fun.

Richard: Not everyone gets as excited about bathrooms as Jean.

Jean: Well, most women spend more time in the powder room than men. Or at least than most men.

Richard: I trust you’re not referring to me. First, if it’s an original bathroom from the twenties, there are some serious decisions to make. Should its appearance stay original? Does the plumbing need to be replaced? And finally, what modern trade-offs might be appropriate for a period house?

Jean: We’ll suppose you’ll want to remodel the bath in the style of the home. Let’s start with the integrity of the plumbing. If you are planning to reposition walls, or replace the floor tile, or do anything structural with the room, it may be best to replace the pipes and valves while you have the chance. Better safe than sorry.

Richard: If your house has exposed pipes, I say replace them. They can be charming if they show craftsmanship, but nothing’s worse than new fixtures and nasty old pipes.

Jean: But you don’t want to invest in new tile and fixtures only to be forced to rip it all out and start over again a year from now. If you have a claw-foot tub, you can have it resurfaced. Prices to do this are reasonable, and some refinishers will even make house calls. There are plenty of resources for replacement period faucets as well. My favorite is the “British Telephone” design.

Richard: To stay with period styling, there are also lots of opportunities using tile. I prefer 1-inch squares or hexagons porcelain tiles for the floor, especially in black and white combinations. A local “dramatic” professor, who is a classic movie buff, has permanent red “blood” drops on the floor next to his tub. If there are as many black as white tiles, use a white or light gray grout. For the shower, a good choice is subway tile—those rectangular shapes set like courses of brick—that are enjoying a revival.

Jean: If you have the space, consider an old mirror in a wooden or gesso frame. I also love vintage frameless beveled mirrors. They’re even better with beautiful etching. The powder room is also the place to “let go” with some bright or dramatic wallpaper. To complement the small tile, consider a large pattern. The effect in a small space is fun, and unless you’re trying to be as authentic as a museum would be, this is also a good way to add artistic flair to the room. If you use busy wallpaper, choose solid towels to match one of the accent colors. You might also repeat that color on the outside of a claw-foot tub; otherwise, always use white porcelain.

Richard: If you are adding a vanity, you might make new use of an old cabinet, but select one with doors rather than drawers. At least you could make use of the space around the drop-in sink, while drawers would be rendered useless.

Jean: Finally, soften the edges with fabric. My shower has a lace curtain (over a conventional liner) and chenille valances. I think it’s the cutest room in the house!

Richard: I’m telling you, not everyone gets as excited about bathrooms as Jean…