Designer Meg Hoburg, whose home was featured in The Washington Post on Oct. 12, joined staff writer Jura Koncius last week on The Post’s Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt.
Q: I noticed your house has a lot of blinds. Do you ever order curtains for your clients? What kind of curtain fabric do you like?
A: I love using draperies, but because of our radiators (under every window in our home), we have gone with bamboo shades and shutters. There are so many fabric choices that can look great. For example, linens let in more light, and velvet provides a richer, cozier look.
Q: I am looking to replace two sofas. Can you recommend an economical source for sofas? I have Mitchell Gold taste on an Ikea budget.
A: Great sources for sofas with a nice price are West Elm, CB2 and, for a more classic look, Ballard Designs. And I love the new Target line Project 62.
Q: I live in a townhouse and would like to start redecorating. My budget is limited. Does it make sense to tackle one floor or room at a time, or should I save up for the whole enchilada?
A: I would take it a room at a time. It’s much less overwhelming financially and in terms of decisions, and when you see one room updated, it will get you excited about more to come.
Q: I bought two large mirrors at a flea market. I would like to paint them, but I don’t know if there is a particular paint I should use that provides good coverage without peeling off. Also, any suggestions on colors? I have midcentury modern decor with mostly yellow and gray accents.
A: I have painted many types of mirrors and frames, and plastic is no problem. The key is using a primer first (unless it is chalk paint), and for colors, I think white, gray or a fun pop of yellow could look great.
Q: Is wallpaper in small spaces a good idea?
A: Using wallpaper is such a great option for making a small space super interesting. We have bold patterns in our tiny entryway and powder room, and I think they make the spaces feel bigger.
Q: What would you recommend for tiles and color schemes for a bathroom renovation on a budget? I don’t want cheap goods but can’t afford Carrara.
A: I am a big fan of white subway tiles. They can be inexpensive and are timeless.
Q: I have a medium-blue terra-cotta tile for a kitchen backsplash and am struggling to find a grout that looks good with it. The rest of the kitchen is white (cabinets and countertop). Any tips?
A: I bet the blue tiles look great with your white kitchen. I would use a white grout to tie it in with your cabinets and counter.
Q: The article about your home mentioned that your family has the same space constraints as many city homeowners. How does your family deal with the lack of closets? What do you do to store your clothes and your daughters’ clothes?
A: We have hooks in pretty much all of our rooms, storage under all the beds, cute baskets around for shoes, etc. My main advice is to assess what you each actually use and wear several times a year and make lots of trips to Goodwill.
Q: I would like to repaint an older wooden sideboard to brighten up our dining room. I like the look of chalk paint but haven’t used it before. Can you share any tips?
A: I am such a fan of chalk paint. But it is super easy to use. I love the fact that you don’t have to prime and that you can get either a distressed look or a clean modern finish.
Q: In my bedroom, I have three brass lamps. Two are ivory, and one is dark blue. I would like to make them more cohesive. I’m going to paint the walls Sherwin-Williams Naval. How would black lampshades look?
A: I would consider painting over the brass on one or two of the lamps (unless you absolutely love them) with a primer and maybe a white or light gray to update them. And for the shades, I would recommend going lighter because of the dark walls.
Q: Our townhouse has a lot of dark wooden pieces, and I’m looking to lighten up our family room. Do you have any suggestions for inexpensive coffee tables that are not dark wood?
A: Think about brass with glass or marble. I love using ottomans with a tray on them for coffee tables.
Q: I know wallpaper is popular, but I also feel like it’s an investment. Do you have any tips for where to use it to get a lot of impact without breaking the bank?
A: I think a great way to begin with wallpaper is to consider doing just one wall. The wall behind a bed can be a fun way to frame out that area. You can also try removable wallpaper tiles in a small area, which is less scary.
Q: What kind of floor tile is in your bathroom?
A: In our powder room, we have basic black-and-white ceramic tiles. In our upstairs bath, we have marble.
Q: Do you need special paint when painting a tin ceiling?
A: With ours, there was already paint over it, so we didn’t have to prime it first. But you will need to prime if painting directly on tin.
