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Designers to the Rescue
Have a decorating dilemma?
Where should I hang that mirror?
How big should a new rug be?
How high should I hang my artwork?
Everyone loves our famous Lemon Muffins and the Designers at Pine Tree Barn love assisting you with every aspect of decorating your home. Our new monthly cyber-mail will publish decorating/design questions and their answers as well as keeping you up to date on new trends in design, simple decorating tips, up coming sales, new services being offered by the design team and much, much more!
We want your decorating questions...and if we publish them in our new "PTB Designers to the Rescue" newsletter, the LEMON MUFFINS ARE ON US! So, send in your decorating questions...and enjoy those lemon muffins!
I am in need of some decorating tips for my fireplace mantel. I have an all brick fireplace with a dark brown wood mantel. I currently have a mirror over the mantel lengthwise as I do not have enough room to hang anything large in that space. What type of options do I have? ~Deb H
Many times a mirror placed over a fireplace mantle is the perfect piece if it reflects light on an otherwise dark part of your room. If, however the mirror is reflecting a ceiling fan, for example, then it is not the right piece to be hanging above your mantle as it is pulling the image of the fan to your fireplace.
If the mirror is doing its job by reflecting light, accessorizing the mantle with some awesome ceramic or colored glass pieces will soften the harsh lines of the mirror and give the mirror something beautiful to reflect. Keep scale in mind when shopping for your pieces. You don’t want the pieces to be too small. As an example, paring a chunky candle holder (with candle) and a taller vase or charger on one side of the mantle and a coordinating larger piece on the other side will give a nice pulled together, uncluttered look. Also shop for pieces that will pop against the brick of your fireplace. Stay away from tones that will blend in to the brick.~Michele, Interior Designer
I have a question about hanging art on walls. Are there any rules about how high or low? I once heard that the amount of wall space from the top of the frames to the ceiling should be the same for all the art in the room. Will you please give me permission to break this rule (if it is one) and just follow my visual instincts? ~Julie from Wooster
By all means throw caution to the wind and break that rule…..Your visual instincts are usually a good idea. Keep in mind that placement of art depends upon a few things….size of art, size of wall space and height of ceilings. Usually a good sized piece of art above the sofa would normally be placed just a few inches above the back of the upholstered piece. Many times the art piece is placed too high on the wall.
If you are uncertain where to hang a piece (or pieces) here is a tip….Measure the piece(s) and make a template of it and tape to the wall in the anticipated spot to make sure it is visually appealing. If the piece appears too small for the space, grouping similar sized pieces will fill up the wall.
~Janice, Interior Designer
I will be having a new granddaughter added to the family this summer. I would like to help the new parents by providing some ideas and theme accessories to the new nursery. Rather than restrict it to a totally “infant” based theme, I want to provide a space that will easily grow with the child’s development and interests. ~Bill from North Canton
Thank you for the opportunity to be of help with your little princess. Infants seem to grow quickly into preschoolers, tweens and teens so decorating a nursery that can grow with your granddaughter is a great idea. Collections are available for not only function (infants need a lot of sleep) but for a safe, comforting environment and overall feel. Furnishings for the nursery may start with the crib and changing station, grow into the doll chest curio and mirrored armoire; and evolve into the computer desk with hutch, tri-fold mirror bureau and posted bed all paired in soft creamy white with decorative appliqués of carved roses and ribbons.
Powder blue or ballet pink toile fabrics for window and bed treatments will add a feminine touch that works with Mother Goose into the Disney Princess years and beyond. Adding an area rug in a soft chenille braid adds color as well as comfort to the floor. Chenilles are soft to the touch but extremely durable and naturally soil resistant. Wall colors can range from cool, clean pastels to traditional primary colors to bring everything together.
Enjoy your new beginning….
~Inez, Interior Designer
I have had the most difficult time finding an area rug that coordinates nicely with my upholstered pieces in my living room. I have purchased and returned eight rugs so far. Please give me tips on how to correctly select an area rug. ~ Susan from Wooster
Finding the perfect rug for your room can be a very tricky and frustrating experience. It's not uncommon to try out a couple of rugs before finding that perfect one. When shopping for your rug make sure to have fabric sample and paint colors from the room it will be going in. Any pictures you have of the room as well as measurements will help your designer in assisting you in the store.
It is important to look at the rug laying in flat and in natural light. This will give a better representation of true color and overall pattern. Remember lighting in the store will differ from the lighting in your home. Don't be surprised if certain colors may appear more dominant or faded than they did in the store's lighting. After taking several rugs home and finding that they don't work, ask yourself, "Why aren't these rugs working?" Is it the pattern? The overall color or style? Figure out what it is about these rugs that you don't like and the next time you go shopping avoid picking out those rugs that have the same element that wasn't working for you.~PTB Designer Jara Gray
I have a sofa that is approximately 12 years old with a hardwood frame and the cushions are still in really good shape. I'm tired of the fabric and want a new look. Am I better off buying a new sofa or investing money in the one I already have and get it re-upholstered? What are some of the pros and cons of re upholstery -vs- buying a new? ~ Jolene from Medina
Whether to purchase new or reupholster an existing piece of furniture is a decision that should be made based on three factors. First, the existing piece should have a good solid frame that is not in need of repair. Secondly, if you love, love, love the piece and have yet to find a new replacement that matches the comfort factor; and lastly the cost. Keep in mind that if the frame needs repaired, springs in the cushion need replaced and/or new cushion cores are needed, the cost of re-upholstering may well exceed the cost of buying a quality new piece. If all is well with the frame and cushions and you are just in the market for a new look, then re-upholstering may be the right option. ~PTB Designer Michele Mosley
I am in need of some decorating tips for my fireplace mantel. I have an all brick fireplace with a dark brown wood mantel. I currently have a mirror over the mantel lengthwise as I do not have enough room to hang anything large in that space. What type of options do I have? ~Deb H 
Many times a mirror placed over a fireplace mantle is the perfect piece if it reflects light on an otherwise dark part of your room. If, however the mirror is reflecting a ceiling fan, for example, then it is not the right piece to be hanging above your mantle as it is pulling the image of the fan to your fireplace.
Visi