Since we can all benefit from other's people's decorating problems (and solutions!) I decided to make a page especially for Q&A. So, if you have a question or want to offer your solution for a design problem that someone else might be having, tell me about it!

Question: "Dear Anna, I live in Michigan and love to visit Florida in the winter. During a visit there I came up with the idea to make my bedroom seem tropical. I put a mural of a ocean view from the sandy beach with palm trees. I really like it but on each side there is a 14 inch space and it just doesn't look right. If you could give me some ideas I would be very thankful." -Cindy

Answer: Dear Cindy, There are several things you could do...
Make the mural look like a window scene and paint faux curtains or even a window with panes and a ledge so that it will look as if you're looking out your window. Or....
Keeping with the window them you could actually hang a decorative rod across the top of your mural, along the top of the wall and drape a long piece of fabric or inexpensive (or however expensive you want to go) lace. Kind of drape the fabric loosely along the picture, letting it fall a little into your mural, then let it hang to the floor on each side. you will need to measure your wall across, then from floor to ceiling on each side and add about 2-3 feet extra for draping. Or...
You could either paint or wallpaper those 14 inches with a nice plain textured wallpaper that would coordinate with the mural. I picture something that might resemble sand in color. You could also use a nice bright "beachy color". If you have any extra space at the top and bottom of the mural, you could paint or sort of a frame around the whole thing. Or...
You could try to find or make shelves that would go on each side and would hold small items like flowers, seashells, picture frames with your vacation pictures inside, or anything else that would stay within your theme. Or...
My last idea is to hang something from the ceiling on each side that would sort of detract the fact that there's some extra space there. Maybe windchimes or a windsock or put a tall plant there or a long hanging plant. Just be careful to not make whatever hangs there look like "bookends". In other words, be careful about hanging the same thing on both sides.

Question: "Dear Anna, I am redoing my living room and chose a casual floral upholstery. Do I have to use that same floral for all the other accessories in the room?" -Deana

Answer: No, Deana, you certainly don't but you should definitely stick to florals that are in the same color family. Be careful about adding too much floral to your room. You should also mix in some other patterns for contrast and eye appeal. A great look with casual florals could even be denim as an accent fabric. You can also use stripes and plaids, both of which are wonderful looks. Just coordinate the colors to your floral uphostery and you'll be fine!

Question: "Dear Anna, My husband doesn't want a flowery bedroom, but I want a nice feminine retreat, what do we do???" -Leslie

Answer: Dear Leslie, Remember that this is your husband's retreat also and try to reach a compromise. Maybe you could let him choose the wallpaper and then you choose something more feminine that would coordinate for the border and bedroom accessories. The walls are the part of the room that often dictate the stye of the room, but the accessories make it, so you are both contributing. There are so many styles of decorating out there now and you should look through some magazines. I'm sure you will find something that pleases you both that is neither feminine nor masculine...something that is BOTH of you! :-)

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