From the category archives:

Reader Question

Reader Question: What to do with a front entry way?

by Shira Abel Shvo on December 2, 2009

My girlfriend Sara Eisen actually sent me this picture ages ago. I always meant to get to it – but never did. Until today.

Sara hates the “balatot” (terrazzo) tiles in her front entryway, but getting the area re-tiled isn’t currently an option. So she asked me about cutting out an area of the tiles and putting in decorative tiles instead.

sara_entryway (Small)

Click here.

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Reader Question: What should I do with my living room?

by Shira Abel Shvo on July 10, 2009

in Reader Question

Remember Tammy with her maroon terrazzo tiles and dark yellow knotty pine ceiling that Patti and I hated and Judy liked?

Well we got a letter from Nancy showing us how she dealt with her pine ceiling and asking us for some help:

Hi Shira!–

When we bought our new home it also had a pine ceiling that I couldn’t stand!!
Before we moved in we put white “Geves” (plaster) boards between the beams. It was a challenge because in some places the ceiling is nearly 3 stories high.
I love the way ceiling looks now! (I’ve attached pictures)

The interior design of the living room however has remained a challenge. Our old furniture doesn’t fill up this large room and looks out of place here. The high ceiling makes the room seem even bigger. I’ve taken some pictures from the floor above so you can see the whole room, and would love to hear what you think.

Thank you, Nancy

Nancy_porat_living_room (Small)

I thought I needed to see more before giving an opinion – so I wrote back asking for more photos.

Click here.

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Reader question: What to do with a brick red terrazzo floor?

by Shira Abel Shvo on June 5, 2009

in Design, Reader Question

Brick red terrazzo floor. Not the easiest thing to live with unless you love brick red. Especially difficult to live with mixed with actual dark red brick walls and a yellow pine ceiling. Did I mention the yellow pine stair banister – oh – and the fact that you hate the floor? This is the unfortunate situation of today’s reader who sent me this email:

Hi Shira,

I’m sending you pics of my house.

The main issue: I would love feedback on is how to deal with the floor. It is so dark and busy. To my eye, it clashes with the brick fireplace, the pine ceiling and the stair banister. These last three all seem to have warm orange undertones, while the floor is kind of a burgundy colour. What would you change?

The floor also really limits me. I would have loved to paint the place with some clear colour, probably shades of soft spring green, but I stuck to a cementy/grayish greeny white because the floor is so dominant. I didn’t think it would be smart to have too many players on one scene.

Every piece of furniture seems ‘lost’ on this floor, to say nothing of patterned upholstery.

If I do change the floor eventually, what would you recommend?

I would also love constructive criticism on the place in general. Some things are missing due to budget constraints (would love an area rug in lr, would love a chandelier, etc). Some stuff is missing because I am no interior designer, so it’s always nice to hear an educated opinion. (And no, I won’t be insulted at criticism, as long as it’s not too scathing!)

Thank you,

Tammy

the_floor_upclose

The offending floor in question

Click here.

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Reader write in: Color questions answered

by Patti Boker Elkon on February 1, 2009

in Color, DIY, Reader Question

Dear Tchochkes,

When we moved in, I was in such a rush to make our place look like home that I had all our art put up without painting over the white. Now I am itching to paint in warmer tones, but don’t want to start having to take out all the screws etc… I also put up some really nice wall decals that I bought over the Internet and they are not reusable… I would love some help with the colors too.

~ Thanks

Questions:

* I wonder if it would be weird to leave the wall with the decals white?

* Can I paint over the screws in the walls?

* What colors should I paint?

laura-m-dining

Click here.

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What do to with an orange sofa?

by Shira Abel Shvo on December 16, 2008

in Accessories, Color, Design, Living Room, Reader Question, furniture

I love Tchochkes readers. We just got a comment in an ancient post of mine “What not to do with an orange sofa” and it was too good of a question to leave in an old post:

I just ordered a sectional orange sofa that just looks like this one (it’s actually a sleeper sofa) along with brown wood coffee table from Macy’s

Click here.

Tagged as: carpets, sofas

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Reader question: LED light source and Jerusalem stone cleaning

by Shira Abel Shvo on May 19, 2008

in Reader Question

I’m looking in Jerusalem or for that matter anywhere for a good LED lighting source for my whole apartment. Am also looking for a pro who does steam cleaning of exterior stone. The exterior walls have been enclosed and now are part of my apartment.

I know these issues might not be run of the mill. They entail a big investment. But many newcomers do work on apartment projects that require “teaching” their Kablan a thing or two.
I don’t want someone just washing stone.

Thanks,
Ida

Ida,

As I don’t know Jerusalem very well I would recommend calling one of the local Jerusalem stone dealers and asking for a recommendation. Also you could send your question to Jaanglo, which has over 1000 members based in Jerusalem.

As for buying the LED lights I would recommend shopping around and negotiating on prices. You might be able to open an account at a local kablan/DIY shop and save an additional 15% (we had an account at Bendix in Zichron for awhile when we were shiputzing our house.) I would not recommend IKEA LED’s just from personal experience. They are expensive and didn’t last very long.

Good luck – and feel free to send us pics of the final shiputz!

Best,

Shira

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