Victoria Sanchez, who created the master bedroom suite in this year’s DC Design House, joined Post staff writer Jura Koncius last week on our Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt:
Q: How many pillows do you think is too many to have on your bed?
A: A topic of frequent debates among couples! It really depends on whether the person making the bed wants to move them every day. However, I always have a pair of pillows, a pair of shams and at least one decorative pillow front and centre, or a pair of 22-inch pillows with a lumbar pillow in front of that.
Q: What is the best way to add colour to a room — pillows, rugs or artwork?
A: We love pillows at my shop, Victoria at Home. It’s the quickest and easiest way to add colour. It’s immediate and usually less expensive.
Q: How many sofas are too many in one house? I didn’t take the time to count how many are in the Design House, but I think some of the rooms could have been put to better use — maybe a home office, a pool table or something other than another place to sit.
A: A show house is a bit different from a house where people live. Logistically speaking, a pool table could be difficult to put in a temporary setting because it must be put together on-site with new felt, levelling etc. It’s an expensive proposition. The design advisers also guide us as to what they want the rooms to be used for. But how many sofas are too many? I think every room in a house should have comfortable seating, whether it’s a sofa, a pair of chairs or just one. Nothing is worse than uncomfortable upholstery!
Q: What colour walls are good for bedrooms? I think white is too boring, but I want something restful.
A: I used ivory and pale blues for the master bedroom in the DC Design House. I believe that a bedroom should be really calm and restful. I don’t want to decorate with hot colours such as oranges, reds and whites. White can be lovely, but be sure to add some warmth so it doesn’t look sterile.
Q: We painted our bedroom with one sky-blue wall and the others in creamy yellow. That was 20 years ago. We will probably downsize in a few years and would like to update the look. Any suggestions?
A: I am not a big proponent of accent walls. I prefer to paint all walls the same colour. If you want to add a second colour, try painting or adding wallpaper to the ceiling.
Q: How do I determine which type of coffee table to buy — glass, wood or mirrored?
A: I usually look at the other materials and finishes that are in the room. If there is already a mirrored chest, for example, then I would steer away from using a second piece of furniture in a mirror finish. Glass tables are always a nice choice, but not if you aren’t going to use coasters or if you don’t want to see fingerprints! Wooden tables are usually more traditional and can be timeless, too.
Q: What is your favourite source for rugs? There are great choices online, but returning a rug can be prohibitively expensive.
A: Shopping online can be a nightmare! Not only is it a hassle for returns, but there really is no way you can determine the real colours and quality. I always steer my clients away from online purchasing.
Q: When placing a rug in my living room, should the ends of the rug be under the furniture or in front of it?
A: When selecting a rug for any room, go big. A room-size rug will make the room look bigger and more finished and absorb sound. All of the furniture should sit on the rug. If budget is a constraint, then how about a seagrass or sisal room-size rug and then later layer a second decorative rug on top?
Q: The top part of our front door is glass, which is fantastic for letting in light but also makes me feel a bit on display. Is there a way to frost the glass portion? I’d like to avoid contact paper, if possible.
A: What about a little sheer drapery? With or without a pattern is fine, but it will offer light and privacy and be softer than frosting windows. If you choose to frost your window, you can do it yourself. Hardware stores sell frost in a can.
Q: I need to replace the cushions on my patio furniture set, and I was wondering how I could get cushions made. The cushions are all custom sizes and depths, so the replacement cushions I’ve seen online won’t work. And even though this is a Crate & Barrel set, it is old enough that the company doesn’t offer the cushions anymore.
A: I know exactly what you are going through because I was faced with the same thing this summer. We ended up doing a combination because we found some online through Frontgate and then I had to have some additional ones made through my upholsterer.
Q: I recently moved into a rental row house, and the bedroom upstairs has an old-fashioned fireplace set in marble. Because of the chimney, it juts out into the room about three feet. The problem is, from just above the fireplace all the way to the ceiling, the previous owners added a huge mirror. It’s a giant, square mirror from about four feet off the floor to the ceiling. Is there a way to modify it in some way that will not cause permanent damage but that will break up the space?
A: What about layering another piece on top? Art or even another mirror could look great, and you could hang the new piece from the ceiling. No damage done!
Q: We’re remodelling our kitchen with white cabinets and white/grey countertops. I was thinking of a pop of colour for the backsplash (green maybe), but a designer suggested white backsplash tile for a clean look and advised adding pops of colour with paint and dish towels. What are your thoughts on a mostly white kitchen? Do you find them timeless or boring?
A: I am a big proponent of classic finishes, particularly in a space such as a kitchen or bath, where you are making a big investment and want to be sure not to be trendy. I agree about adding pops of colour in your accessories, window treatments, art etc.
Q: I have a 1930s art deco dresser and armoire that is perfect for the look I want, but all of the art deco wood headboards and footboards I’ve seen seem too dark and heavy for the look I’m going for, which is straight out of a glamorous 1930s Hollywood movie. Any suggestions?
A: Why not create an art-deco-inspired upholstered headboard? The fabric can dictate the mood you are going for, and it can certainly be glamorous.
Q: I am considering twin beds for my small guest room but am wondering about arranging them differently from the typical side-by-side route by placing a table between them. What do you think of each being flush against perpendicular walls with a table and lamp occupying the corner between the two? Any other space-saving suggestions?
A: I have to say, I prefer symmetry when it comes to a guest room. There is something welcoming and calming in simplicity. Trying to change things up too much can actually have the opposite effect for your guest room, and it won’t look put-together.
