If there’s one thing I’ve learned through experience, it’s that there are levels of solutions for every design dilemma. Some spaces require minimal effort to reach their fullest potential, and others require reconstructive surgery to achieve a worthy result. Today we’re stepping into three homes that require 3 levels of work – minimal, medium, and maximum. One homeowner is questioning if curtains are necessary for her living room. Another is seeking help on how to add warmth to her white kitchen. And a third is at a loss on how to add historic charm back to her remodeled home exterior.
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Dear danica,
I feel like I’m stuck if I should add window treatments or not. Thoughts?
– Amanda
In short, yes, I would recommend curtains! Window treatments play just as vital a role in aesthetics as they do in privacy. Oftentimes, people assume that if they don’t need the privacy, they don’t need curtains or shades. But window treatments are one of the best (and easiest) ways to infuse texture, depth, pattern, and layers within a space. Walls and windows are one giant hard surface – without soft drapes or shades, the room can feel cold and unfinished.
Of course, there are a few instances where curtains or shades aren’t necessary. For example, if a sunroom already has a plethora of textures, layers, patterns, and soft surfaces, perhaps window treatments aren’t necessary. But more often than not, a room benefits from drapes, shades, or both.
In your home, I would position your curtain rods 8-12″ from the top of the window casing. This will ensure your curtains look proportionate to the floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Use two curtains per window, not just one, and double up your panels on each side if you’re purchasing ready-made curtains. This will ensure they’re nice and full. Follow this curtain hanging guide! And finally, for a higher-end look, opt for a pleated header!
Pleated Curtains – Affordable & High End Options
Dear danica,
What are some (relatively) easy ways to bring warmth to this kitchen? I’m not a fan of all the white, bright gold hardware or navy walls. I also dislike that the lighting is all recessed. I’m not sure where to start. Thanks!
– Megan
How comfortable are you with painting cabinets? Because you’ll make the biggest impact by changing the color! I agree that the navy walls need to go. A color is better suited for the cabinets than the walls in your case. Since there’s no natural stopping point on the left, I’d recommend painting the walls the same color as the adjoining room.
For the cabinets, if you crave warmth, muted olive green or beige are great options. If you like cooler tones, a midtone blue is a bold, but timeless option!
As for the hardware, the yellow brass pulls are dating the kitchen, so I’m glad you’re on board with changing them! I’d recommend an antique brass or true bronze finish instead. Mixing a couple of hardware types (knobs on doors, pulls on drawers) will add a bit of interest.
The recessed lights may require a bit of work to replace. Sometimes you can use conversion kits to install flush mounts in their place without running new electrical. But that really only works with certain recessed lights, and the flush mount has to be bigger than the existing hole. I wouldn’t recommend large flush mounts scattered across your ceiling. Perhaps an alternative would be to replace just the center recessed light with a flush mount. Or easier yet, place a couple of lamps on the counters for mood lighting in the evening!
Last but not least, I’d recommend adding some textiles to soften all the hard surfaces. A large rug that fills the middle of the kitchen and roman blinds or cafe curtains on the window will do wonders for adding warmth.
Dear danica,
We’re unbelievably lucky to have found this home in our dream neighborhood in a tiny coastal village in Maine. The interior is chic and modern and needs some TLC, which we can do, but we are truly at a loss on how to add back the 1900s charm to the wonky exterior of this New Englander (No, it’s not a multi-unit, those two fronts are connected, it got a BIG reno/add-on at some point). What’s our ten-year plan for doing what we can to restore some of that original charm? We’d love a porch, but where?
– Kate
Wow congratulations!! I’m so excited for you! Real estate is extra tough in Maine, so I’m thrilled you were able to find a home in your dream location! I have a few initial thoughts on how to bring back the historic charm of your exterior, and I’ll share them below, but I think this one will require more time and brainpower than I’m able to offer here. With that said, you would be in great hands with Brent Hull. Brent is an expert in re-imagining exteriors. He specializes in classical architecture and historic homes that have been renovated beyond recognition. He is remarkable at spotting what is wrong and how to fix it, and his renderings of past projects are proof of his incredible vision. Take this Colonial Revival illustration for example.
I’ve learned a lot from Brent on classical proportions and styles, and there are a few key details that I would focus on for your exterior.
- CREATE A FOCAL POINT: Historical home builders understood the importance of clarity, and every home they built had a purposeful, clearly defined entry. The biggest point of emphasis was always over the front door and the main part of the home. Because of your large add-on, it’s not clear where the entry is. Essentially, both “parts” of the house carry equal emphasis – so minimizing one, while emphasizing the other, will help create a clearer focal point. Is it possible to make the smaller portion look like an old barn? Is it possible to add on to the front of the taller portion to make it stand out? Truthfully, the best solutions will likely require extensive reconstructive surgery, but this is where Brent Hull would be able to guide you in making the most impactful and historically accurate changes.
- CLEARLY DEFINE THE ARCHITECTURE: It’s unclear to me what the original architecture of the home was, but given the front gable and off-centered door, it’s possible it was once a Greek Revival. If so, I would focus on reintroducing trim, pilasters, and details that are appropriate for that style. New England (and Maine specifically) is peppered with Greek Revival homes, so you have a plethora of inspiration at your fingertips!
- REPLACE THE WINDOWS & CREATE ORDER: Wood windows with divided lites would be a massive and important improvement. 6 over 6 double hung windows are relatively easy to source. Currently, there is no rhyme or reason to the placement of the windows. Positioning them symmetrically with a 3-bay front, as a Greek Revival cottage would have, would provide order and further define the architecture.
- REPLACE THE SIDING WITH WOOD CLAPBOARD: If there’s an ultimate crime in architecture, it’s vinyl siding. Wood clapboard with wood trim is timeless and never goes out of style. This would be a big priority if I were you! As for paint, white siding and white trim is classic and honors its historic roots.
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