WAS THE NEWSLETTER #125

I’m Paige Wassel. WAS the Newsletter is your weekly dose of design inspiration, where even the trickiest design problems can be solved with a little zhuzh.

YOUR HOMES, MY ADVICE

You all asked, and I answered.

Sometimes, design problems can feel unsolvable. But for some reason, a fresh pair of eyes can really do wonders for a space.

That’s why last week I put out a whole video answering your design questions—and today I’m revisiting those, but including all the links, suggestions, and layouts in one handy place.

So let me be your eyes and guide you through the darkness of interior design purgatory (AKA when you you’ve been staring at that one corner in your living room for WAY too long).

Q: Hi Paige, big fan of yours — would love your advice for what to do with our living room. Mainly looking for a carpet but open to other ideas. My partner and I just moved in together. Is there a rug that works with this furniture and art? Should we sell the coffee table to make buying a rug easier?

A:

• Add a rug to tie the space together.

• Remove the loveseat because it blocks the larger sofa and feels impractical.

• Replace it with:

  • a lounge chair,

  • an ottoman,

  • angled toward the TV.

• Consider upgrading the ceiling light

Q: In our rental apartment I want to purchase a new rug. We have this 9x12' white wool braided one that is nice but is starting to look kind of ratty from wear. Also the cowhide just isn't my style anymore and I want to get rid of it. The tan mohair sofa is kind of the staple piece in our living room so I think that's the thing I want to anchor around as far as a new rug color/design. Our base colors are brown and white neutrals with blue and pops of red accents in the art and decor. I've thought about possibly layering a smaller 8x10' on top of the white rug, or just purchasing a new 9x12'. Any recommendations (new or vintage) are appreciated. Thanks so much!!

A:

• Replace the white rug and remove the cowhide.

• Keep the large 9x12 size.

• Use:

  • richer tones,

  • subtle pattern,

  • something warmer and more textured.

Q: So my fiance and I got this ikea hyltaarp couch about 6 months ago, and it's been working fine so far, but our cats have MANGLED the slipcover because they love scratching this particular fabric texture. I've never been in love with the beige, and would love to add some pattern into the living room. My question is: do you have a rec out of the Bemz covers? I'm partial to the stripe (and the cats won't mess with linen) but my fiance needs some convincing because it's a touch out of the budget right now, but ugh I just feel like the space could be elevated?? Any other ideas for how to give this space some extra UMPH would also be appreciated!!

A:

• Instead of buying a new slipcover:

  • take the existing one to an upholsterer or seamstress,

  • have it replicated in a new fabric.

• This allows:

  • custom fabrics,

  • patterned options,

  • washable covers,

  • and avoids buying a new sofa.

Q: My boyfriend and I are moving into a rental apartment together this June and found an amazing apartment with a massive kitchen. 

There's so much space, natural light, and potential, but the kitchen needs some work. Until now it's been inhabited by a 22-year-old bachelor who doesn't have an oven.

The landlord is giving us a week to paint the hospital grey walls and the chipped black cabinets. We were thinking white walls and green cabinets to keep with the '70s vibe of the black checkered floor (but open to ideas), as well as creating a breakfast nook by the corner window, and putting an island by the other window for more counter space + storage. My boyfriend wants to put the washer dryer side-by-side so we can turn it into another surface, but I worry it will take away space from the dining area.

I'm wondering if you have suggestions for cabinet colours and hardware, storage, art, furniture layout and what pieces to put in and where. Or any other ideas at all -- you have incredible taste and I trust everything you say!

A:

• Paint walls a warm ivory/beige.

• Paint cabinets:

  • olive green,

  • warm green,

  • or a rich muted tone.

• Eliminate the black-and-white cabinet contrast.

• Replace knobs and ceiling lights.

• Keep the overall palette warm to balance the black-and-white floor.

Q: My partner and I (plus our dog, Freyja) just moved into a new house and we are having a lot of trouble decorating our living room. Especially with the awkwardly placed fireplace.

The whole room needs help (we have plans to do a shelving wall for the tv + new bigger rug) but here is where we are stuck:

1. Window corner- Windows treatments and somewhere for our dog to sit and look outside

2. Arm chair(s)

3. Coffee table

4. General layout help

Thanks!!

A:

• Ignore the fireplace as the focal point.

• Turn the sofa toward the TV instead.

• Pull the seating inward to create a more intentional conversation area.

• Add:

  • a lounge chair,

  • sofa table,

  • lamps,

  • and a rug.

Q: I have a small living room and have always struggled with whether or not I should hang something above the sofa. It has art on both the perpendicular walls and I feel like it might look cluttered if I hung something above the sofa. But does it look too blank? Help please!

A:

• The room already looks good.

• But:

  • a large single artwork would improve it.

• Avoid a gallery wall.

• Add a mirror elsewhere in the room to balance the space.

Q: Hi Paige, I’m struggling with this bedroom that is long and narrow. I plan to hang the big black painting eventually and I also have five cool old prints that are currently getting framed. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you!

A:

• Swap the bed and desk positions.

• Move the bed to the back of the room to feel:

  • cozier,

  • more protected,

  • and visually calmer.

• Put the desk near the entrance/window instead.

• Add side tables and center the bed if possible.

Q: My fiancé & I just bought our first house & just moved in like 2 weeks ago, it is definitely still a work in progress!!! It’s much bigger than our last one & is all wood floors, so looking for recs for a new rug for our living room.  I’m going to move the current one to our bedroom & hoping to get a large 9x12 under 1,200$ if possible. 

Also open to general recommendations, especially art, fun lighting, furniture, etc.

PS - the black tv stand is going as soon as humanly possible also (it is fugly). & I’m the market for an entry table to go under the large art in the back <3

Thanks, HUGE fan :)

A:

• Etsy gabbeh rugs are the way to go.

• Avoid flimsy kilims.

• Use either:

  • darker beige,

  • darker tones,

  • or subtle patterns.

Q: My partner and I are moving into a new rental soon in Toronto, but it comes partially furnished, and we can't paint or put any nails into the walls, which limits our decor options. 

The living room in particular is a bit tricky (see photos) because it's small and we have to work with the couches they have. Will be replacing the coffee table, Tv console, and adding IKEA enteri shelving behind one couch. 

Would love your advice on what else could be done/added or different possible furniture arrangements! :) I've added some inspo photos as well for reference. 

Thanks so much, big fan of your channel!

A:

• Replace the rug with a larger one that unifies the sofas.

• Upgrade the TV cabinet.

• Hide or cover unattractive furniture pieces.

• Use:

  • vintage blankets,

  • coverlets,

  • pillows,

  • rice paper light shades.

Q: I'd love some feedback on updates for my kitchen/dining room in Paige's upcoming video! Attached are a few photos - let me know if I can share any other pictures/angles.

The cabinets are from the 70s and we love them, but are interested in adding some square subway tiles, new counters, and a hanging light over the sink. I’d love Paige’s thoughts on if the white appliances truly have to go (I think I know the answer lol). The coffee nook/wall needs some help too, we’re interested in doing a built in or shelves of some sort also with tile backsplash.

I’d like to get a funky chandelier for the dining room and also a rug. Open to other thoughts or advice! Also I’m in the Denver area and am open to any thrift ideas.

Thanks so much!!

A:

• Keep the cabinets.

• Upgrade:

  • countertops,

  • backsplash,

  • appliances if possible.

• Add a vintage rug.

• Remove the scalloped trim above the window.

• Add a Roman shade instead.

Q: Hi Paige! I need help with my bedroom. I got this nice quilt for Christmas which I really love however I’m struggling to match with it. I moved into this apt 6 months ago and I have been putting off my bedroom decor. I already know the art and bedding would need to change if I stuck with this quilt, as there’s too much pink. But what color do I match with the quilt?

I tried white and hated it. Maybe I need a headboard?

A:

• Don’t keep matching colors directly from the quilt.

• Instead:

  • contrast it,

  • mix patterns,

  • use cooler floral patterns,

  • create tension rather than exact matching.

DO / DON’T by Basma Alromaih

xx,
P