It’s time for round two of your rapid fire decorating questions, and I’m giving you my opinion on what to do with wood trim, hallway doors, the dreaded TV wall, and more. Feel free to leave your questions in the comments for round three.
Q. I have a table that my husband built, an antique buffet, and a new mirror and light. The room is SO blah and while I’m plain Jane over here, I still need something. I’m simple and classic. Help! How do you give a plain room a little character while still keeping it simple and family friendly?
A. My first instinct? Paint it! Color works wonders and the dining room is a great place to step out of your comfort zone. I’ve always loved this dining room because while everything else is pretty classic, the wall color really steals the show. It makes the white chairs pop and warms up the wood tones. I think a dramatic wall color would be a great first step and then you can layer art and accessories over time. (Image via Lonny Mag.)
Q. How do you decorate a wall with a flat screen TV? What should I put on either side?
A. Okay, I know this technically isn’t a picture of a TV wall but hear me out. . . First, it’s hard to find many pictures of TV walls done well that don’t involve some kind of built-in. And there are plenty of gallery-wall-around-the-TV examples on Pinterest. But, I also like the idea of keeping it simple while adding some height and dimension (and light?). I like the idea of a “symmetrical stack” flanking each side of the TV by using a small accent chair (or stool), art work (one or two) and possibly topping it off with a sconce. (Image via Emily Henderson.)
Q. Do you have any ideas on how to decorate with oak trim and doors throughout the house, without having to paint it? I never see examples of this.
A. There are actually some good examples of wood trim out there but not an abundance, for sure. I think oak trim works best when paired with bright white or darker colors like navy, black and warm mossy greens. I also like examples, like this photo, where it’s paired with more modern lighting and accessories. I think I’ll plan a follow up post on this. . . . Stay tuned. (Image via Jessica Nelson Design on Instagram.)
Q. Painted interior doors. . . When does it work and when does it not? My upstairs is just a hallway of doors which leaves little space for any kind of decor. Painting them would add visual interest, but I’m afraid it would just highlight that there are sooooo many doors in a small space!
A. I wouldn’t think twice about painting all of them. It’s a way to add a design element to an otherwise boring hallway. In this photo example, I like how they tied it all together by painting the trim and baseboards, too. (Image via Domino.)
Q. What’s your best recommendation for a rug in a high traffic area?
A. If you want a natural fiber recommendation, I would still suggest this jute/chenille blend that I’ve had for nearly ten years now. But, if you want a patterned rug, I can’t say enough good things about how our antelope stair runner has held up. Pattern is key and I’d use it a larger space (if it didn’t look strange to put antelope in every room. . . ). I also think Turkish rugs are a good choice for their busy (forgiving) patterns and flat weaves. (Image via Ashley Whittaker Design.)
Read my last Rapid Fire Decorating post here.
What questions would you like me to address in the next one?
Yes, please do a post on having oak trim in a home and what paint color or cabinets (kitchen and bath please) work!! My whole house is oak trim and I like it and am not changing it but want to work with it.
Thank you!
So to be clear, put chairs under the tv? Or on either side? If using chairs on either side, then wouldn’t something also be needed under the wall mounted tv? I have been shopping for a console table or a cabinet, but I have two smallish extra chairs that would be useful to have in the room at times.
I was assuming there was already a console under the TV. So yes, on each side :)
How do you define your decorating style when you like elements of all styles (modern, traditional, boho, minimalist, colonial, etc)?
Love this! Do you think is is okay to use a wood floor in my open living area (living, dining and kitchen) when my kitchen cabinets are stained a medium brown color? I currently have concrete floors and want wood, but I’m not sure how it would look.
If you have had your jute/chenille rug for 10 years, how do you clean it? I need a light colored rug that you can actually clean for under a breakfast table (there are littles involved!). Any ideas for a solid-ish light rug that will hold up? Thank you in advance!!!
I’ve only vacuumed mine. But it’s always been in a living room or office. I’ve never attempted a rug under our kitchen table. I don’t think it would survive here! :)
Love, love, love Emily! Thank you for the inspiration picture. I already have everything that the table is styled with! Looking at paint colors now.
Thank you again!
This is A W E S O M E
Hi! I need ideas of things to put on the wall over our king bed. Worried about ledges and anything that would fall on me! We have a traditional style house and cherry sleigh bed.
Hi Emily,
I remember several years ago you suggested I put wall sconces on each side of my tv in my bedroom. I’m so glad I acted on that advice. It looks great!
Could you discuss interior door hardware and hinges on traditional six panel doors?
I’m looking to replace/ update 20+ year old worn shiny brass levers. What are your thoughts on knobs/ levers and what would be a longtime good choice in a transitional home with mixed metals for lights and accessories ……brass, bronze, black or silver?Thanks!
What plants pair well with fiddle-leaf fig trees?
This is such a great series! I have a question, what white paint would you recommend to offset green coming in from outside? I love white rooms but I have a few that have so much green light coming in through large windows (from grass and trees outside) and the color I have now is not working well with it (Currently BM vanilla milkshake). Thank you!!
I had a similar situation and also north-facing windows and an open floor plan. I used BM Mayonnaise and have been really happy with it for several years. I think the only pigment in it is yellow oxide.
Thank you!
Hi Emily,
I love your style, I have a rapid fire decorating question. My question is about bedroom furniture. I have inherited/collected a dark brown traditional high boy (the prettiest wood), medium brown dresser, medium brown sleigh bed, and painted white nightstands. I feel like I need to get it down to two wood colors. (?) I am open to painting anything. Also, I am hoping to get an upholstered bed soon, but not sure what color. I don’t know how to pull it all together. I have white bedding, white walls and grayish green chairs in there, too.
Thank you!
How do you style the top of a bookshelf/armoire/ or entertainment center? Would love some ideas.
Stunning inspiration, thank you! I have a very similar hallway and love the idea of painting the doors blue! Would you have to paint the inside of the door the same color? How would you transition to the inside of the door being wood or white? Thanks!
Hello Emily.
Would you share how you would handle decorating an entryway? I’m not wanting the walls too busy/cluttered, but am looking for stylish art/decor that sets the tone for the rest of the house. Thx.
I would love to know the proper height for hanging pictures and mirrors on the wall.
Another idea for the TV wall is a large piece of art behind it, partially obscured by the TV. Our television sits on a vintage Sheraton-style buffet. I hung an Anthropologie Petrichor tapestry behind it and just let it unroll until it hit the top of the buffet. We have 9-foot ceilings and I hung it about 6 inches from the top of the wall using 3M strips. For a while, it even concealed an antenna. It also leaves room for our television to be anchored to the wall. The strap sort of reaches up underneath the tapestry. The tapestry gives a lot of height and drama to the room while making the big black rectangle fade away. Because it’s paper not framed glass, there is no glare or shine. I have other framed artwork hung on the rest of the wall.
To the commenter asking about adding punch to a family-friendly dining room, consider a bookshelf and some framed “abstract” children’s art. Our dining room includes a Mainstays parsons shelf from Walmart, and I just ordered some white wall frames from Emily’s Amazon link to use for children’s artwork on the dining room walls. The bookshelf has some of my nice pottery, art, and books, all secured with Museum Putty. The bottom shelves are open for baskets and pretty boxes to store games and toys. We frequently use the table for checkers, LEGOS, etc.
I can vouch for the pattern rug to hide dirt. I bought a vintage Persian rug for my family room and it has been SO great!! I previously had a black/white Ben ourain rug. Ha! big mistake ;)
I’d love guidance on how to coordinate but not match ceiling light fixtures in an open floor plan. Love your blog!
Neutral sofa or go with a color? I’m dying for a mid toned blue but I’m afraid it’s too specific a color. A beige or linen colored one would work too, but it feels too boring in my space.