What is the name of the long, droopy greens you used on the iron stairway in the kitchen that was in Traditional Home Magazine (December 2003)? I can't find them in any of the stores.
I would love to use candles to add "glow" to my holiday table, but after I set the table and place the flowers, I have no room left!
Can you please talk about how you achieved the lavish yet natural look in your decoration of the Wine Country home featured in Traditional Home Magazine (2003)? It is just gorgeous, without looking overdone. Does Linda have any books out? Can you tell me where you got the fireplace mantel and screen featured in the Sunset Ideas for Great Fireplaces book on p. 42 and the back cover? I'd love to put them in my home. I wasn't able to attend the seminar in Sausalito, and I understand you gave out Benjamin Moore paint samples of colors you selected. Can you tell me what colors they were? I loved the way Linda faux-painted the walls in Sensible Chic episode #110 "European Country Living Room". Can you tell me the method and colors she used? I have a question about something I saw in a Makeover Room on Sensible Chic. I have a question about something I saw on Curb Appeal. What is the process used in the driveway on the Rental House in Curb Appeal episode #706? What are the colors used on Curb Appeal "Color Change" #713? I just saw the amazing transformation you did on an episode of Curb Appeal called "Escape from 1950." Can you tell me the paint colors you used on the exterior of that home? What a difference! What do you do with the information I submit to the Mailing List? Will you travel to my home outside the Bay Area for a consultation? I don't live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Does Linda do consultations via photos or video? Can you give me a referral to someone you know in my area? Can you provide information about the painting over the fireplace in the "Colorful Cottage" living room on your web site? How can I work with Linda on my home? Are you planning seminars in other parts of the country? In the portfolio section, under Interior Design, European Country, there is a picture of a dining room chair with the cutest slipcover that looks like the back of a dress, with buttons and a collar. Is there a pattern for these slipcovers? There is a photo on HGTV.com's Designer's Portfolio page of a room you designed which they call an "eclectic living area." Can you give any pointers on how to achieve this casual but pulled-together look? I have seen many of your rooms on Sensible Chic,HGTV.com and on your website and have come to the conclusion that the pillows you use absolutely put the finishing touch on your rooms, and are what I need for my home. I've never seen anything like them in stores. Where do you find these fabulous pillows? The "Old World" style kitchen in the HGTV.com Designers' Portfolio is perfect for my kitchen and I would like to duplicate it. I have done the faux painting and we are considering putting in a skylight as it looks like you have in the photo. My question is, how did you get the light fixture to hang from the skylight?
I love the photo on the Credits page of your website. Is the painting over the fireplace a Picasso print? Is it possible to purchase it through you?Can you tell me where you got the fireplace mantel and screen featured in the Sunset Ideas for Great Fireplaces book on p. 42 and the back cover? I'd love to put them in my home.
The mantel was custom made from a few pieces of fir and some dentil moulding. We attached the two pieces of fir at a 90-degree angle, then applied dentil moulding and crown moulding to the bottom piece to build it up almost to the width and depth of the top piece. Finally, all the wood pieces were aged, distressed and faux-painted. I found the two corbels at an antiques store and used them as "supports", although the mantel is actually attached to the wall. FYI - you can see more photos of this room in the Portfolio section of the website, under Architectural/Large-Scale Luxury.
I wasn't able to attend the seminar in Sausalito, and I understand you gave out Benjamin Moore paint samples of colors you selected. Can you tell me what colors they were?
Benjamin Moore offers two-ounce samples of over 250 of their colors. I selected seven of these colors in analagous shades of yellow, gold, apricot, terra cotta, pink and red to give as jpgts to our seminar guests to create a warm-toned color scheme or enliven an existing color scheme. The colors are Harvest Moon 2167-30, Coral Gables 2010-40, Soft Pumpkin 2166-40, Pink Mix 2089-30, Myrtle Beach 061, Goldfinch 187, and Golden Honey 297.
I loved the way Linda faux-painted the walls in Sensible Chic episode #110 "European Country Living Room". Can you tell me the method and colors she used?
All the painting and the finishing of the cabinets in that house were done by an artist who used many layers of paint and glaze to create the old-world look. The walls were painted pale yellow and then glazed with Ochre. The yellow paint was imported and custom mixed on site, so we can't give you a manufacturer or color number, but you can pick one of the many that are available. You should be able to buy Ochre pigment at an art supply store. Get a bucket of water and a sponge, get the sponge wet, squeeze out half the water, put a dab of the pigment on the sponge, and work it into the sponge by squeezing it. Then run the sponge over the walls to glaze them with the diluted pigment. Practice on a large piece of cardboard first.
Click here for more photos of that home: Interior Design/Colorful Cottage and Exterior Design/Cottage Garden
I have a question about something I saw in a Makeover Room on Sensible Chic.
HGTV and Edelman Productions produce Sensible Chic and Curb Appeal. We are not affiliated with those entities, except to the degree that they ask Linda to participate in many of their shows. In the Sensible Chic show you liked, Linda was the designer for the Inspiration Room only. All the elements of the Makeover Room were found and implemented by Sensible Chic's in-house design team. To obtain information about the makeover, please contact HGTV directly. Many of their resources are listed on the hgtv.com website for the individual episode, and if you need more information, you can contact them by clicking on "Questions" at the bottom of the page (don't forget to include the show name and episode number). There's also a phone number to call.
Unfortunately, we are not able to answer specific questions about the Inspiration Rooms, or give out names of fabrics, paint colors, or manufacturers.
I have a question about something I saw on Curb Appeal.
HGTV and Edelman Productions produce Sensible Chic and Curb Appeal. We are not affiliated with those entities, except to the degree that Linda and Mike Stone have been featured as co-designers on several episodes of Curb Appeal. All the elements of the remodel were implemented by Curb Appeal's in-house construction team, so you should contact them directly for information. They list their resources on the HGTV.com web site, or you might be able to get more specific information by calling or e-mailing Edelman Productions directly. The three exceptions to this are the Super Crete concrete process from "Rental Upgrade" Episode #706, the paint colors from "Color Change" Episode #713 and and the colors from "Escape from 1950" #1305. See the next two FAQs for this information.
What is the process used in the driveway on the Rental House in Curb Appeal episode #706?
Here is the information we have about the process used on the concrete walkway. For more information, please contact the manufacturers directly:
Product #1: Super-Krete, tel: 800 995 1716 or 619 401 8282, www.super-krete.com
Product #2: Scofield Lithochrome Chemstain, L.M. Scofield Co., 800 800 9900, www.scofield.com
Follow directions of Super-Krete, but instead of using the color product recommended by Super-Krete, we used and followed the directions of L.M. Scofield Co. for final color and sealer. The color of the stain used was CS-15 Antique Amber.
What are the colors used on Curb Appeal "Color Change" #713?
House color: Kelly Moore paints, color "Loam" satin finish
Trim color: Benjamin Moore paints, Pastel base + 2 oz. white 096-1B (wh-2x) per gallon semi-gloss
Door color: Benjamin Moore #034 semi gloss
This episode was produced over four years ago, so these exact colors may have been discontinued, but the paint company or your local paint store should be able to provide a close substitute.
I just saw the amazing transformation you did on an episode of Curb Appeal called "Escape from 1950." Can you tell me the paint colors you used on the exterior of that home? What a difference!
Thank you, that was a fun project. Those colors are from the Sherwin Williams Exterior Color Answers deck. The house color is SW2061 Nightingale and the trim is SW2193 Eaglet Beige (Curb Appeal episode #1305.)
What do you do with the information I submit to the Mailing List?
Our Mailing List is a way for our friends and viewers to receive updates and mailings from Linda Applewhite & Associates. We will keep you informed of upcoming TV shows, books, articles and seminars via a monthly e-mail newsletter. In addition, you will receive beautiful color postcards of Linda's design projects in the mail four times a year.
We do not share our mailing list with anyone at any time, and if you ever want to be removed, just scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter and click on "unsubscribe".
Will you travel to my home outside the Bay Area for a consultation?
Linda's work here in the Bay Area keeps her close to home most of the year. Occasionally, she is able to travel to clients in certain areas such as Carmel/Monterey, Napa Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Fe or Dallas. If you are interested in a consultation, please e-mail us for information about Linda's design services, and we can take it from there.
I don't live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Does Linda do consultations via photos or video?
We have tried to do long-distance consultations, but it's harder than you would think, and quite time consuming. Right now Linda's schedule is so full with her regular design clients that it's impossible to add one more thing, but it is something we may re-visit in the future.
In the meantime, Linda recommends doing research of designs that appeal to you, and collect as many photos as you can. When you are ready to proceed, present them to one or more designers to give them an idea of the style you like, and it will help you choose which person is the right one for you to work with.
Can you give me a referral to someone you know in my area?
We do not have associates or referrals in other areas.
Can you provide information about the painting over the fireplace in the "Colorful Cottage" living room on your web site?
The painting was purchased about five years ago at the Hart Gallery in Carmel, California. The artist's name is Irina Korsakova, and I believe she is Russian but we don't have any more information than that. To our knowledge, there are no prints available of the painting, but the gallery could give you more information - their number is 831 622 7110.
The living room was also featured in Sensible Chic Episode #110, "European Country Living Room", California Home & Design magazine Jan. 03, and Creative Home magazine, Fall 03.
How can I work with Linda on my home?
Linda offers a comprehensive two-hour consultation on anything you would like to do in your home, interior and/or exterior. To receive more information about a consultation, or talk to Linda about complete in-home design services, please contact us directly at info@lindaapplewhite.com, or call our office in Sausalito at 415 331 2040.
In the portfolio section, under Interior Design, European Country, there is a picture of a dining room chair with the cutest slipcover that looks like the back of a dress, with buttons and a collar. Is there a pattern for these slipcovers?
The little "sundress slipcovers" are from my own dining room (pictured below). We designed them to add a whimsical balance to the more formal European antiques in the room, and also serve as a frilly contrast to the straight lines of the blue leather chairs. I asked Laurie Soldmann, the talented person who created the slipcovers, how you might achieve the look. Laurie suggested finding a pattern for a slipcover with a skirt that fits your chairs, and modifying it with holes at the "shoulders" and the "neck." Then add the collar and some cute buttons down the back and a fun fringe at the bottom. Our buttons actually open and close, but they don't need to, as long as the cover can slide over the chair. And don't forget to have fun mixing and matching the fabrics. We used different colorways of the same pattern, mixing the collars, armholes, welts, buttons and fringe so no two slipcovers are alike.
There is a photo on HGTV.com's Designer's Portfolio page of a room you designed which they call an "eclectic living area." Can you give any pointers on how to achieve this casual but pulled-together look?
In this room there are many examples of one of my most trusted design mantras: good design repeats itself. While there is a lot going on here, it is not overwhelming to the eye because of the way many of the design elements are repeated. For instance, the original fireplace was simply a box on the wall. We added the overmantel and angled the top of it to reflect the angle of the pitched ceiling. In the furnishings, the curves on the coffee table legs, lamps, ottomans and chairs offset the straight lines of the square niches. And, I often use neutral colors, such as the black lamp, side table and monkey and the dark gray fireplace screen, to ground strong colors in a room. BTW, there are photos of this architecturally interesting guest house on our website. Go to Portfolio, Architectural Design and scroll down to "Large-scale Luxury." Have fun combining your elements!
I have seen many of your rooms on Sensible Chic, HGTV.com and on your website and have come to the conclusion that the pillows you use absolutely put the finishing touch on your rooms, and are what I need for my home. I've never seen anything like them in stores. Where do you find these fabulous pillows?
I agree - pillows and other accessories are important to pull the room together with color, texture, contrast and sometimes whimsy. I have always designed the pillows for my clients' homes myself, and had them made by a very talented local artist named Laurie Soldmann. We use the best quality fabrics, trims and stuffers and we usually make them bigger than those you see in retail stores, so they make a real impact. After years of being asked this question, we are now producing a limited number of custom-designed indoor and outdoor pillows for sale, and will be introducing them at our upcoming seminar on June 25 in Sausalito, California. After that, you will be able to buy them on our website. If that's not an option for you, try buying pillows you like and embellishing them with pretty trims from your local fabric store. There are hundreds of trims, and I often use two or more per pillow. You can get VERY creative!
The "Old World" style kitchen in the HGTV.com Designers' Portfolio is perfect for my kitchen and I would like to duplicate it. I have done the faux painting and we are considering putting in a skylight as it looks like you have in the photo. My question is, how did you get the light fixture to hang from the skylight?
There is a beam that bisects the skylight that you can't see in the photo, and we hung the fixture from the beam. Good luck with your kitchen!
I love the photo on the Credits page of your website. Is the painting over the fireplace a Picasso print? Is it possible to purchase it through you?
It is a Picasso serigraph or silkscreen print from the owner's private collection. FYI, you can see more photos of that home on the website under Portfolio/Interior Design, and scroll down to "Whimsical Contemporary." We don't sell art, but you can probably find it on line.
Are you planning seminars in other parts of the country?
Our first venture outside the San Francisco Bay Area will most likely be Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2007, but we don't have a date yet. If you'd like to talk to Linda about a personal appearance, please contact our office at 415.331.2040, or click here to e-mail your request.
Does Linda have any books out?
Linda's first book, titled Linda Applewhite's Architectural Interiors and published by Gibbs-Smith, is currently available in bookstores and on line. To purchase a personally autgraphed copy directly from Linda, Click here. Linda will sign it with the inscription of your choice.
Can you please talk about how you achieved the lavish yet natural look in your decoration of the Wine Country home featured in Traditional Home Magazine (2003)? It is just gorgeous, without looking overdone.
My philosophy about holiday decorating, whether extravagant or simple, follows one primary rule: use nature as much as possible to embellish articles already in your home. Instead of shopping the crowded malls and pricey catalogs for more things to buy, start by taking a look around your home. Select subjects that lend themselves to embellishment such as tabletops, candlesticks, art objects, chandeliers, sconces... anything that fires your imagination. Then look to nature and your crafts box to add color, texture, sparkle, glitter and glow. Add a big bow to a spray of lush greens on the mantel... scatter colorful berries, seeds and flowers over pine cones in a lovely bowl... hang glittery balls or sparkling garland to a chandelier... be creative and take pride in your beautiful holiday home.
I would love to use candles to add "glow" to my holiday table, but after I set the table and place the flowers, I have no room left!
Combine your flowers with your candles (carefully, of course!). A candle holder such as the one in the photo - or any container that has some height - serves double duty by holding greens and a beautiful candle. Plant material can be hot-glued to a base, or stuck into a piece of floral foam (called oasis), taking up the same amount of space as a a single vase would. This works particularly well with my Appleglow candles, since you need only one or two to create a major GLOW on the table.
What is the name of the long, droopy greens you used on the iron stairway in the kitchen that was in Traditional Home Magazine (December 2003)? I can't find them in any of the stores.
The official name is Araucaria Columnaris, sometimes commonly called Norfolk Island Pine, Cook Island Pine, or Monkey Puzzle Tree. The species is native to the South Pacific Islands and frequently found in Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and California. Have fun decorating with this dramatic and unusual gift from nature!