Nate is dedicated to answering decorating questions! Whether they're trying to remodel the kitchen on a budget, looking for dog-friendly upholstery options or incorporating color into the home, callers are seeking Nate's expert advice.
Q: I live in a 1983 traditional home, and my kitchen is very outdated. I love stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, but if I had $20,000 to spend, what should I spend it on?
A: Paint the cabinets ivory or white, something that's going to completely transform the space, and buy new pulls for all the cabinets that are more modern looking, Nate says. He suggests spending money on a new counter top because it's a great investment and will give the room a completely new feeling. With the rest of the money, buy new appliances in steel.
Q: We have two dogs, and we're looking to purchase a new couch, a couple of chairs and an area rug. What do you suggest for the materials?
A: Nate says the best fabric he's found is natural or Belgium linen. It's an oatmeal color, has a lot of texture and works well with existing color schemes. "It's the easiest to wipe or vacuum off, [and] it doesn't show the hair unless you look closely," Nate says. "Get one that's a thicker hand [textured surface] because the thin ones don't have as much texture and the hair doesn't stick to it as much." Nate says distressed leather is also a good option because it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and the more aged and weathered it becomes, the prettier it is.
Q: We bought a new, modular home and almost everything beige. I have no design sense, and I'm terrible with color. What should I do?
A: Nate asks what color the caller wears and what she's comfortable with. "Keep your basic pieces in a neutral, khaki, pale gray or chocolate brown, and bring in different color through accessories, pottery and lamps," he says. Also, go to the paint store, look at the colors on the paint chips and pick three in a row or every other color on the same strip, because those are all complementary colors, Nate says.
Q: I live in a 1983 traditional home, and my kitchen is very outdated. I love stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, but if I had $20,000 to spend, what should I spend it on?
A: Paint the cabinets ivory or white, something that's going to completely transform the space, and buy new pulls for all the cabinets that are more modern looking, Nate says. He suggests spending money on a new counter top because it's a great investment and will give the room a completely new feeling. With the rest of the money, buy new appliances in steel.
Q: We have two dogs, and we're looking to purchase a new couch, a couple of chairs and an area rug. What do you suggest for the materials?
A: Nate says the best fabric he's found is natural or Belgium linen. It's an oatmeal color, has a lot of texture and works well with existing color schemes. "It's the easiest to wipe or vacuum off, [and] it doesn't show the hair unless you look closely," Nate says. "Get one that's a thicker hand [textured surface] because the thin ones don't have as much texture and the hair doesn't stick to it as much." Nate says distressed leather is also a good option because it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and the more aged and weathered it becomes, the prettier it is.
Q: We bought a new, modular home and almost everything beige. I have no design sense, and I'm terrible with color. What should I do?
A: Nate asks what color the caller wears and what she's comfortable with. "Keep your basic pieces in a neutral, khaki, pale gray or chocolate brown, and bring in different color through accessories, pottery and lamps," he says. Also, go to the paint store, look at the colors on the paint chips and pick three in a row or every other color on the same strip, because those are all complementary colors, Nate says.
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When making design decisions, always exercise common sense and safe judgment. The opinions expressed by the hosts, guests and callers to Oprah Radio are strictly their own.
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