Decorating style determines look of window coverings

DEAR DESIGNER: I have blond-colored wood blinds in my living room that came with the house. They don't match my wood furniture. Since I have a mixture of dark woods in my home, should I leave them or change them? -- Jessica

DEAR JESSICA: Mixing wood tones is acceptable in good design; however, be selective about the woods you mix. Your room will look chaotic if you choose too many different colors and types of wood. My rule of thumb is to coordinate no more than three or four similar wood stains in a room. Speaking of dark wood tones, walnut, cherry and mahogany mix well.

The style of your room can be a defining factor in your decision to cover up the blinds or replace them. Wood blinds are terrific to use in any design style but are used in very different ways in each type.

If you have a contemporary or minimalistic style, you may want your wood blinds to grab attention while performing their most basic purpose of providing privacy. The dark wood blinds in the pictured contemporary room by Levolor add the depth, warmth and contrast needed in this minimalistic plan.

But in other styles you may want them to provide privacy, block heat or cold while they visually disappear, leaving other attractive elements in your room to gain attention. You can do this by ordering your wood blinds to match your wall color. If you choose to make your window the focal point of the room, use fabulous fabrics with layers of stylish drapery.

Directly stated, I recommend replacing your blond blinds with dark wood blinds if your style is contemporary and I recommend putting sheers and draperies over them if your style is traditional.

Wood blinds, even hidden, are a good window covering choice for average-sized windows. They are great insulators and have versatility in how much light you want to let into your room, while keeping your privacy intact.

DEAR DESIGNER: I am seriously considering remodeling my tract home (1998 vintage) kitchen. How would I evaluate potential local design firms/designers to handle this remodel? -- Regards, Gerald

DEAR GERALD: The National Kitchen and Bath Association has competency tests that kitchen designers must pass in order to get their certification in kitchen design. Although there are several kitchen cabinet companies around town, it's a good idea to be sure the kitchen designer you choose is both talented and qualified. The NKBA has a website, www.NKBA.org, and you can look up certified designers in our area.

Call at least three kitchen designers in order to determine which one might work well with your personality. Be sure to interview them. It's not only important that they have the education and experience, they need to be able to work in your home for an extended amount of time, without annoying you.

Ask them for references from jobs they have done, and call their references. Phone references are great, but it's even better when their references will allow you to see the designers' work. Check the quality of the job. Ask the references if they were satisfied with the work and if they would use them again. Also, ask the reference if there are any pitfalls you should be aware of. You might ask if the subcontractors show up every day and were there any delays in installation or in the delivery of the cabinetry. Ask if the designer is well-organized. And finally, ask the references what they would do differently if they had to do it all again.

Make a list of all the things you want in your new kitchen. Run this list by your chosen designer to be sure all the things can be addressed.

I wish I could say you could then sit back and enjoy the process, but in reality, the best kitchen designs come about when the client is involved and handy to answer questions and make decisions along the way. Too many times even good designers can misinterpret something that the client wants. Be hands-on and speak up and you will be sure to get the kitchen of your dreams.

Cindy Payne is a certified interior designer with more than 25 years of experience, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, as well as a licensed contractor. Email questions to her at deardesigner@
projectdesigninteriors.com or send them to her at Project Design Interiors, 2620 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 189, Las Vegas, NV 89109. She can be reached online at www.projectdesigninteriors.com.