Interior Design & Decor Questions

Wood Ceilings

Okay, so I'm moving into a fabulous new house in the hills that might as well be a cabin. Wood exterior, wood floors, and wood beam exposed ceilings. Which is all great, but would be better the place weren't nestled in the shadows of trees--meaning very little light comes in. The wood ceilings only enhance the cave-like atmosphere. I was ready to paint them white until my landlord refused to allow it. The walls are already white (which I find boring). What can I do to lighten up the ceiling and the space without doing any major renter-forbidden projects? Read our expert's answer »
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Need more light from our ceiling fan

I have a 20x24 room with a ceiling fan. A light fixture on the fan supports four 40watt bulbs but this is not enough light for the room. Are there other light kit options made for ceiling fans that will allow me to increase the overall room lighting? Read our expert's answer »
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Changing the tile around my fireplace mantle

When my home was built, the fireplace came with 12" tile on the inside of my mantle and on the floor in front of the fireplace. I would like to change the tile to match a new color I want to paint the room. For the tile on the wall, can I just break it out without having to replace the drywall it is attached to? Read our expert's answer »
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Combining old with new

Hi, we have added onto our cottage and the older part is the kitchen/dining-room which has golden knotty pine walls, cupboards and vaulted ceiling. The new addition, which is the entrance and sitting room are, has pale cedar. It is all open concept so you can see the differences with the colours and wood types. I was thinking of painting the pine a colour similar to the cedar but my husband just hates the thought of painting any wood. The knotty pine section is a darker room with windows and a patio door that face the lake. I have several pictures. Can you please help with this dark, and outdated problem? Read our expert's answer »
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Wall art

I have a long narrow living room space that opens on to the dining area, kitchen and hall. All rooms have cream colored/Navajo White, walls and white ceilings. The living room sofa, love seat and chair are all mission style Merlot dark wood. That room has a very light tan carpet, colorful window cornices, white blinds and no drapes. I don't know what to put on the walls. Paintings seem to clash with the cornices. It all looks lovely but hasn't given me the sense of warmth I would like to have because the walls are bare. Read our expert's answer »
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