We Know You Have at Least One Blank Wall. We Can Help You Fix That

New York interior designer Sandra Nunnerley provided insights and advice during an online chat with Post staff writer Jura Koncius, addressing various home design and decor questions. The discussion covered a range of topics, from selecting art for specific rooms to window treatments and flooring choices, offering practical tips and creative solutions for common design dilemmas. Regarding art selection for a home office with ocean blue walls, Nunnerley suggested using black-and-white photos, noting their versatility and availability across different price points. She emphasized the importance of exploring various sources, including online platforms, auction houses, museums, galleries, and local art walks, to discover diverse art pieces. She also highlighted that combining both color and black-and-white photographs can create an engaging display, encouraging homeowners not to limit themselves. For creating a gallery wall, Nunnerley recommended laying out all pieces on the floor first and taking a photo to visualize the arrangement before hanging. She advised using temporary wall hooks for flexibility and encouraged interesting juxtapositions of different genres and periods to make the wall a reflection of personal taste and style. She clarified that there are no strict rules for when to use photos as art, stating that walls should be a personal reflection and encouraging a mixed approach. Addressing a query about a two-story foyer with dark brown oak floors and a center staircase, Nunnerley suggested staining the banister the same dark brown as the floor. For stair runners, she recommended striped carpets in colors like tan and blue, paired with bronze stair rods with simple ball finials to enhance the aesthetic. When it comes to window treatments, especially for homes with many windows and a mid-century modern/transitional style, she suggested exploring online catalog companies like Room & Board and Smith & Noble to find cost-effective options. Nunnerley also tackled the common fear of hanging art, advising clients to mix different types of art, including tribal, folk, and sculpture, with everyday objects like books or whimsical items, to create unexpected discoveries. She also encouraged homeowners not to shy away from using color on their walls, noting that art can look stunning against lacquered cherry red or moss green walls. She also highlighted the importance of travel for design inspiration, mentioning how it leads to discovering new artists and modes of expression, citing her experience with Japanese American artist Kaz Oshiro. For flooring in a high-traffic kitchen, Nunnerley recommended porcelain tiles due to their durability, wide range of colors and price points, and the option to install radiant heat underneath for added luxury. She also addressed a homeowner considering a shift to off-white walls with color introduced through furniture and accessories, advising against painting entire rooms one color but suggesting accent walls. She cited architect Luis Barragán as an inspiration for masterful use of color. Finally, she discussed options for creating custom prints and artwork, mentioning Flavor Paper for original and custom designs and online image-rights sources for purchasing and printing images, giving the example of finding a David Hockney image. She concluded by endorsing the idea of painting a rowhouse black with white accents, drawing inspiration from Colonial houses in Singapore. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ArtSelection #WallDecor #WindowTreatments #FlooringOptions #ColorPalette #DesignInspiration #CustomArtwork

The article explores how the design and decoration of living spaces in the popular ABC sitcom "Modern Family" serve as an active element in the storytelling, reflecting and shaping the characters' personalities and lives. Unlike many traditional sitcoms where living rooms are often generic, neutral backdrops, "Modern Family" utilizes home interiors to provide insight into its three intertwined families: the Dunphys, the Pritchetts, and the Pritchett-Tuckers. The Dunphy household, inhabited by Phil and Claire and their three children, is characterized by its comfortable, upper-middle-class aesthetic, often described as "Pottery Barn chic." The production designer, Richard Berg, aimed for an instantly familiar look, sourcing many items from common mall stores like Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel. The living room features a transitional roll-arm sofa, a fireplace with a flat-screen TV, a staircase adorned with family photos, and a beige and blue color scheme. This seemingly perfect and normal environment provides a contrast to the Dunphys' individual eccentricities, with Claire's awkwardness and Phil's attempts to remain relevant as a modern dad. Jay Pritchett, Claire's father, lives in a modernist house with his second wife, Gloria. This home initially features a steely, modern design with a glassy kitchen and leather accents, reflecting Jay's more established and perhaps refined taste from his prior domestic experience. However, as the first season progresses, subtle changes in decor are introduced by Berg and his team to signify Gloria's growing influence. These additions include a zebra-print lamp, red accent walls, and chili pepper lights in the kitchen, implicitly communicating Gloria's increasing control and personality within the home, a detail left for viewers to observe rather than being explicitly stated by the characters. The Pritchett-Tuckers, the gay couple Cameron and Mitchell, along with their baby Lily, inhabit a more urbane, Mediterranean-style condominium. Their interior design is presented as upscale, neo-modern, and "Jonathan Adler chic," differentiating it from the Dunphys' mall-sourced items. Their decor, featuring African metalwork and abstract paintings collected from their travels, is sourced from specialty shops in Los Angeles. Berg suggests that the self-expressive elements are attributed to Cameron, while Mitchell is reflected in the more reserved color tones. A notable example of how their home becomes part of the narrative is the bubblegum-pink nursery designed by Cameron, complete with a Sistine Chapel-inspired mural of Lily's two dads above the crib. This detail highlights how children can disrupt a once-perfect home aesthetic, serving as a humorous and pointed commentary on domestic life. The article emphasizes that the homes in "Modern Family" are not merely static settings but active participants in the comedic narrative. Incidents like Luke Dunphy getting his head stuck in a banister, Jay accidentally killing Manny's turtle while hanging a picture, or Phil repeatedly tripping on an unfixed step demonstrate how the architecture and objects within the homes contribute directly to the show's humor and character development. The show's success and its Emmy win coincide with a growing appreciation for detailed set design, mirroring the trend seen with "Mad Men" and its influence on retro design. "Modern Family" distinguishes itself by making its sets integral to the characters' interactions and communication, effectively conveying aspects of modern family life that might otherwise go unsaid. The interiors serve as a non-verbal language, revealing character traits and evolving relationships as effectively as the dialogue itself. #ModernFamily #Sitcom #InteriorDesign #HomeDecoration #SetDesign #DomesticLife #CharacterDevelopment #TelevisionCriticism

Plaster, an ancient building material composed of lime, sand, and sometimes fibers, has been utilized for centuries, adorning structures from ancient Egyptian pyramids to Greek temples. Despite its susceptibility to cracks and bubbles, plaster remains a durable and aesthetically pleasing wall coating. Its popularity peaked in the early 1900s, featuring prominently in historical homes built before World War II, prior to the widespread adoption of drywall panels in the 1950s. Today, plaster is experiencing a resurgence, appreciated for its beautiful texture that adds depth, interesting highlights, and a sculptural effect to rooms. This renewed interest is fueled by technological advancements in plaster variations and its eco-friendly properties. Modern homeowners and designers are increasingly turning to plaster to infuse artistic flair into their wall spaces, with a wide array of color palettes and texture options available, akin to paint colors. Various types of plaster exist, including tadelakt, slaked lime, and Venetian plaster. While gypsum and other cement-based plasters are more affordable, they necessitate professional application and may not be suitable for all surfaces. Venetian plaster, though higher in price, offers stunning visual effects. Clay-based plasters, while softer, are not recommended for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Proper care is crucial to prevent significant and costly plaster repair. This guide provides five key tips to minimize damage and maintain plaster walls. First, it is essential to recognize the signs of damage. Cracks appearing near door openings, wrapped doorways, hallways, beams, or corners typically indicate stress cracks due to foundation or structural shifting. Water damage, often caused by leaky roofs or pipes, manifests as separation of plaster from the lath, forming bulges, or in plaster-over-drywall applications, as soft areas with brown-tinted stains. Ideally, such defects should be repaired by a professional specializing in the specific type of plaster, as repairs are usually visible unless the entire wall is skim coated. Second, promptly repairing cracks is vital. Unlike drywall cracks, filling hairline cracks in plaster is not straightforward, as sealing agents often bubble up. A more involved trenching process is required: the crack should be cut out deep enough to reach the substrate using a utility knife held at a 90-degree angle, creating a V-shaped trench. Before beginning, it is crucial to ensure proper ventilation with a box fan and a MERV 13 or HEPA filter, and to wear a dust mask, gloves, and safety glasses, as historical plaster may contain harmful components. Children and individuals with respiratory issues should avoid the area. After trenching, a fast-drying patching compound, such as USG Easy Sand 45, is applied to fill the cracks flush, allowed to dry and shrink. Mesh tape is then placed over the repaired area, followed by a thin coat of joint compound or the patching compound. Once dry, the exterior side of the tape is feather-coated approximately six inches wide using a putty knife, ensuring it is flush with the tape and wall. Any heavy pieces are removed before the final coat. The key is to apply thin coats, as adding more compound is easier than sanding. The final thin coat is sanded as needed once dry. Third, correctly hanging art and shelves is paramount. Plaster walls can be challenging for hanging objects due to the bounce-back effect from the underlying lath, which can cause significant wall damage or paint bubbling. To prevent this, an anchor-and-screw system is recommended for heavy items, with molly bolts or toggle bolts providing superior support. Locating a stud using a stud finder is also advisable. Pre-drilling is essential when using nails, with a drill bit 1/32-inch to 1/16-inch smaller than the nail. The drill bit should be angled at 45 degrees, and the nail gently drilled in. A small amount of caulk or construction adhesive can be applied to the hole to secure the nail, allowing it to dry before hanging. Alternatively, utilizing existing picture molding or installing a modern wire system can avoid nailing into plaster altogether. Fourth, regular touch-ups can extend the life of plaster walls. If plaster is in good condition but has a shiny, cracked appearance, repainting with a matte finish paint can minimize defects. Before repainting, it is important to determine the existing paint type; if oil-based, an appropriate primer is necessary before applying water-based paint. Finally, careful cleaning is crucial. Plaster walls should be cleaned delicately due to their texture and susceptibility to cracking. Vacuuming with a dust-brush attachment is the first step. For dirtier areas, a warm, damp cloth with a mix of water and dish soap can be used, taking care not to scrub vigorously to avoid damaging the texture or finish. #PlasterWalls #HomeMaintenance #WallRepair #InteriorDesign #DIYHomeImprovement #HistoricHomes #WallFinishes #CrackRepair #HomeCare

Renovating a home, especially addressing uneven or damaged walls, can be a daunting task. While professional plastering offers the smoothest finish, it often comes with a high cost and can be difficult for DIY enthusiasts to master. For those looking to achieve smooth walls without the complexities and expense of traditional plastering, several alternative methods exist that are both effective and more manageable for homeowners. One common and accessible technique involves using joint compound. This material, typically used for drywall seams, can be applied in thin layers to fill minor imperfections and create a uniform surface. The process involves applying a thin layer with a trowel or putty knife, allowing it to dry, and then sanding it smooth. This method can be repeated until the desired level of smoothness is achieved. Joint compound is less thick and easier to work with than plaster, making it a suitable choice for those new to wall finishing projects. Another straightforward approach for minor imperfections is sanding the walls directly with sandpaper. This method is most effective when the existing paint is in good condition and only slight unevenness needs to be corrected. For more significant flaws, a filler should be applied before sanding to ensure a consistent surface. This technique requires careful attention to avoid creating new depressions or uneven areas. Wall lining paper provides a practical solution for masking imperfections. Similar to wallpaper, this insulating paper is applied with adhesive and effectively covers cracks, bumps, and other surface flaws, creating a smooth base for painting or further decoration. It simplifies the preparation process, as the goal is to cover the imperfections rather than perfectly level the wall surface. For localized repairs, the dabbing and dotting technique using plaster is recommended. This method involves applying plaster in small, targeted areas where it is needed most, then smoothing it with a putty knife. While it may not result in a perfectly uniform surface across the entire wall, it is highly effective for addressing specific blemishes without requiring extensive plastering skills. Adding wall paneling offers a decorative and highly effective way to conceal uneven walls. Options such as beadboard or wainscoting can be installed directly over existing surfaces, completely covering imperfections and transforming the room's aesthetic. Paneling comes in various styles, from traditional to modern, allowing for diverse design choices that also provide a durable and smooth finish. Finally, if the walls are already in relatively good condition, simply painting them can enhance their appearance. While not a method for smoothing out major defects, a fresh coat of paint can minimize the visibility of minor flaws and refresh the room. It is crucial to assess the wall's condition accurately to determine if painting alone will suffice or if one of the other smoothing techniques is necessary. When considering alternatives to plaster, materials like drywall, wood, and metal also offer different benefits and drawbacks regarding insulation and cost. The choice of method largely depends on the extent of the wall's imperfections, the desired finish, budget, and DIY skill level. Understanding these options allows homeowners to achieve a smooth and aesthetically pleasing wall surface without resorting to professional plastering. #HomeImprovement #DIY #WallSmoothing #JointCompound #WallLiningPaper #WallPanelling #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation