From Susan, Ringgold, GA.    How do I know what size of rug to buy for my living room?  I love my wood floors and don’t want to completely cover them, but I don’t want to look skimpy either.

As a general rule I like for a rug to be about 2 – 3 feet less per dimension.  This will show about 12” – 18” of your wood floors.  Thus if your room is 15’ x 18’, you would want a rug approximately 12’ x 15’ to cover the room.

If you are wanting to place a rug under a furniture grouping, make sure the rug is large enough to go at least 6” – 8 “under the sofa and that at least all chair front legs are comfortably resting on the rug.  You want the rug to engage with all seating.

My final tip is for dining rooms.  You want the rug wide and long enough so that when you push your chair back the back legs don’t fall off the rug.  I recommend a minimum of a 9’ x 12’ rug for most standard dining room tables.

From Nancy in Chickamauga, GA - I have an older 1920’s home.  I want to turn a small bedroom into a 2nd bath.  There are wonderful old wood floors in the whole house, including this room.  Can I use the wood floors in the bath?   It would save money, but my husband says a bath should have a tile floor to be practical and keeping of the period.   What do you think?

Tell your husband he can relax.  Not only is a wood floor in a bath ok, it is perfect for a period 1920’s home.  I love the warmth that a wood floor can bring to an otherwise white and chrome bath.  Envision a claw foot tub, matching pedestal sink or period cabinet vanity with period cross handle faucets.  You can add subway tile on the walls if you like for even more character and practicality.

My one recommendation would be that you may want to seal the wood floors with three coats of polyurethane which will give your floors extra protection from water.  So go ahead!  Wood is naturally beautiful, warm on cold days and adds tons of charm and character.  Plus once properly sealed, is so much easier to clean:  no grout!

Wood floors are always a great choice for any room in the home and that includes the bath!

From Karen in Chattanooga, TN – I’m wanting to redo my kitchen.  I want a very good designer to draw something up.  I want an island that at the end goes into the space my kitchen table is now and lots of cabinet space.  How do I start?

Before starting any kitchen remodel there are 4 questions you should ask yourself.

1. 1.       Is my space adequate?  If you have the space available but just don’t like the arrangement or the look of your kitchen, you are looking at a kitchen renovation.  This may involve re-arranging the appliances to be more functional.  It may involve any or all of the materials – cabinetry, countertops, flooring, being replaced.

If you are thinking about adding new space to your existing kitchen and to increase the size of your home, you will need not only a qualified kitchen designer but also the help of an architect and perhaps an engineer.

Most kitchen remodels can be done within the existing confines of the home and of the existing kitchen, even if we have to incorporate some surrounding space, such as a closet or breakfast nook.

1. 2.       What are my 5 non negotiable?  Before you talk to a kitchen designer or remodeler, you need to ask yourself “if I could only change 5 things about my kitchen, what they would be?”  Call these the “non-negotiables”.    These are the 5 things that mean the most to you and any plans we design must provide or accommodate these 5 items.

Simple items such as different wall color, new hardware and better storage can be modest cost items.  Other items such as new cabinetry, new counter tops and new appliances are more expensive

1. 3.       How long am I staying here?  If you are planning to move in 5 years or less, you want to, generally, keep improvements more modest.  Fix or change things to make your time in the kitchen better, but to keep in mind what will help sell the home and to bring it up to speed with current new homes.  Keep your ideas of your dream kitchen for later.

If, however, you plan to stay more than 5 years and this is indeed your “forever home” then make decisions based on what you truly want.  If you sell the home in 10 – 15 years, chances are the next person will update or remodel it anyway!  You want blue tile – go for it; 2 dishwashers?  – why not.  As long as budget permits – and you keep your 5 non-negotiables at the top of the list you can really have the kitchen of your dreams.

1. 4.       What are the designer’s qualifications?  If your “non-negotiables” are more than a quick weekend project or if you really decide that you need a complete kitchen overhaul, it is best to hire a professional kitchen designer.  This is someone with years of experience, training and know-how to help you assess your situation and to devise a master plan based on your budget, lifestyle and “non-negotiables”.  When meeting with a designer you want to ask to see past projects, to get references from past clients who had similar budgets and situations and ask how the designer charges for his or her plans and design work.

Finally, be truthful about your budget.  A designer can help you the most when the budget is discussed so that he/she can make the most of the money you have to spend.  A bigger budget is not the key to a great kitchen – honest communication, realistic expectations and design skills are what make a kitchen remodel a successful endeavor.