The Fixer Upper Contest

Last week in Atlanta, after a spin through Scott's with a fantastic group of readers, Jaithan and I met up with New York Times best-selling author, blogger, and fellow flea market fanatic Mary Kay Andrews.

I still laugh out loud every time I read this post she did when I was on Top Design back in October. She even came out to see us for a blogging reunion at Scott's in January. Well, Mary Kay has a new book out, everyone, and it's called The Fixer Upper, a deliciously funny coming-of-age story all about heroine Dempsey Killebrew's struggle to fix up her home—and her heart.

It promises to be a terrific summer read, so to help kick it off, Mary Kay and I cooked up a fun, little contest, and I hope you'll play! Here's the deal: Simply leave me a comment about one item in your home that could benefit from my own fixer-upper advice. Maybe it's an old sideboard you inherited from Nana, too scary to keep out, but too sentimental to discard. Or a problem spot in the bedroom that makes you positively batty every time you see it. We'll have a random drawing, and one winner will receive a fixer-upper photo consult with me! I'll take a look at the item or problem spot in question, then come up with a magical solution to your design dilemma! Mary Kay will also send you a personally autographed copy of The Fixer Upper. How cool is that?

To review: 

1. Simply leave a comment describing the fixer-upper item or problem spot. Be specific; no whole rooms. I may have a few ideas up my sleeve, but I'm not Houdini!
2. No photos please. When we announce the winner, he or she will then email photos to us.
3. My solution will involve suggestions. As much as I'd love to meet you in person, I'm not quite prepared to show up on your doorstep, spray paint and glue gun in tow! (We'll save that for the show...)
4. Deadline is Tuesday, June 30th at midnight. Good luck, everyone!

Comments

[Cathy M]

Hi! Love your contest idea (and your blog). My problem: the family room fireplace area is in sore need of help. While we love having a fire, which we do most fall and winter nights, we’re tired of looking at this most unattractive focal point. The fireplace is all brick – an ugly 1970’s red featuring traces of black, brick. It sports a raised hearth 82”L x 20”W, a mantle (brick, natch) with an 82”L x 7”W shelf, a second wood shelf above that – all set into an arched Mexican-style niche. I am in sore need of a design solution. Do I cover it with sheetrock and start over? Replace the brick with a more attractive stone? Try my hand at painting it? Or create an entirely different, Eddie Ross-inspired design I haven’t even thought of yet? Emphasizing the problem is the fact that the room housing the fireplace is lovely: big with high ceilings, light-filled, nicely decorated. French doors overlook our pool and deck and large glass windows offer a view of perennial gardens, bird feeders and an expanse of lawn surrounded by the woods our Connecticut town is so well known for. Help!

[Laurie Cian]

Hi, Eddie,
Okay, here it is. Two cherry demilunes or banquet ends bought on consignment for $200 FOUR years ago - I need to paint and place them. They measure 41.5" Long and 21" deep (at the deepest point). I can place them either in my dining room flanking the entrance - two walls 69.5" long or on the opening from my living room to my kitchen (walk through here all the time) on walls 64.5" long. Also need help "styling" - I can always find good pieces, but never know what to do with them - hence why I love your blog!!! I have a pair of pretty marble lamps I bought for $40 at a junk shop - would love to get new shades and really make them POP! Also have some great old china I am considering having monogrammed (I have nothing monogrammed and I live in Nashville)- old off whites plates with a gold band - 4 measuring 8.5" and 4 measuring 9.5" to possibly hang above the pieces - bought all 8 plus two cup/saucers for $8 INCLUDING TAX last week. Have lots of other neat things - just no idea what to do to make them look fabulous! All my ceilings are 10"6", so I need some POW! Love your blog and cannot wait to see the room you "fix up".
Warmly,
Laurie

[Laurie Cian]

Hi, Eddie!
Oh, please help me and all of my dark brown furniture! You could blog for at least three months remaking all of my dark brown furniture. What piece would you choose first? Would it be my pair of cherry banquet ends? Would it be my 6 mahagony shield back chairs? Would it be my old mahogany secretary? Would it be my Grandmother's old mahogany spindle bed, chest of drawers, and night table in my guest room? I want you to help me remake the banquet ends and find the perfect spot for them in my new house. We have three boys ages four and under and I need help - please? If you want to come to Nashville, I am a great Southern cook!!! Thank you! Laurie

[cathy]

My mantle! I don't know how in the world to style anything on my small mantle attached to my non-working fireplace -- help!

[Sylvia]

I just found a beauty of an end table at a thrift shop that I would like to use in my living room but I'm having issues with too many types of wood in there. I'm wondering how to deal with all the tables and wood pieces and make the room cohesive.

[Amanda]

Our fireplace is in need of help. The top half is plain and the bottom half needs fixing. We painted the mantel and removed a dated full-wall mirror before moving in, but now I'm not sure how to decorate on/above the mantel. The hearth bricks were painted previously, but some sort of red wax (applied directly to the bare bricks, I think) has started to bleed through. I've peeled up a brick's worth of paint, but don't know how to restore it to bare brick--or if there's another creative way to have it look good.

[Megan]

I need an attractive way to store things in a filing cabinet (or get a clever idea way to store my files in something other than a filing cabinet). The kicker? They need to be legal files. I can't bear to bring in an ugly metal lateral file from an office supply store because my style is much more like yours. Help!

[Jean Jones]

Hi Eddie,
I live in a 100+ year old home that started life as a country church. It has nothing charming remaining from it's life as a church, due to several remodel jobs in it's life. A few years ago we pulled up the carpet and discovered wood floors underneath. Unfortunately the dining room and connecting small hallway were just subflooring. My budget is nonexistant. I'd love to paint the floors until some future time when I can have salvaged hardwoods installed and all the rest refinished. What color should I paint them? The dining room is two toned, upper walls Bungelow Gold and lower walls glazed Brick Dust, the hallway is Toffee Crunch, a soft yellow. My dining room furniture is black. There's just one window in the dining room and it's a little on the dark side. The subfloor is in pretty good shape and it's plywood. Atleast it's not fiberboard or chipboard subflooring. So what do I do? Paint them or stain them? And what color? Thank you, I sure hope I win!

[Sara]

Hi Eddie! I'm moving into a new house here in Kentucky and I want to do something fabulous in my entry way. As my husband and I looked at the space the other night, I actually said out loud...."I wish Eddie Ross was here to help me."

Hope I win!!

[Pattyann]

I'd like advice on my 23 year old stained kitchen cabinetry and island....should I paint them and if so, what color(s)? How about hardware? Thank you Eddie!!

[Danielle]

Great contest! My fixer-upper would be two 20+ year old white melamine Ikea chest of drawers I was given. They were part of my childhood bedroom furniture and so it would be great to find a new use for them! I just moved into a new house and could use some drawer space for storage so they could definitely be put to good use.

[Kareen Prentice]

I have an old desk that was my father's then my sister's. It now resides in a guest bedroom of our house that we call the "Rose room" - because the previous owners covered the room and adjoining bath with rose wallpaper (not so pretty). It is not very big and has icky kind of orangey wood stain and a matching chair - it is filled with all sort of scentimental items and it is impossible for me to get rid of.... Please help - can I paint it? or should I just rearrange everything on it once again? It is being used as a sort of nightstand also. Thanks!!

[Dotti]

Hi and HELP

I have a mud room that houses my washer and dryer. Wainscoat half way up the wall and cabinets over the washer and dryer. Need a sink of some sort for those quick "rinse-off-your-hands" before entering the house situations. The width of the room however is only about 8 ft. Any ideas? Thanks so much.

[Susan Pratt]

The second bedroom of my apartment is quickly becoming 'the catch all' room. I know if I can fiqure out this one spot, I'll be able to pull the rest of it into a 'living space'. There is an indented opening floor to cealing in the corner of the window wall. (Have NO idea why it is there!!!) It's about 20" wide and 13" deep. Thank you for your time....

[naphtali]

Hi Eddie -

I'd love your help! We recently moved into a little place (which we're renting). Love the old wood floors and layout, but can't stand the unsightly base board heating. There must be a stylish solution that won't cost a fortune and is removabled for when we leave. Please help!!

[Pumpkin Petunia]

My biggest decorating dilemma is definitely my dining room wall. I am having the hardest time figuring out what to hang there. I know that whatever it is, I want it to be unexpected. A bright punch of color, something fun, I'm not sure. Just want it to be fab.

I think of you, Eddie Ross, whenever I walk into that room. (well, almost every time) My husband and I scored 4 side chairs and 2 arm chairs for the dining room at a barn sale for only $30!!! Innocently driving by, screeched on the breaks as the chairs were just what we've been searching for, when the owner said $30 I nearly died. Load 'em up!

[Marie]

You could be the answer to my BIG Dilema! I just painted the exterior of my house...Yellow...by accident really, the color is called "Biltmore Buff" but it is yellow, not lemony, its a good yellow, just not what I expected. I have linen white trim and a black roof and would like to paint the front door something unexpected and interesting and add potted plants and/or accessories to add the finishing touch...all on a pretty tight budget! Thanks for your consideration! have a great summer

[my favorite and my best]

well fart knockin butts! i DO have a sideboard from nana that is a deep reddish brown and needs some love in the form of eddie ross.
love to hear what YOU think i should do with it.
xojenny

[Kristen]

Geez Louise, I currently have about 10 design dilemas! I guess the one driving me most nuts is my kitchen backsplash.
The previous owner made their own tiles that resembled a patchwork quilt. So many different colors and patterns I couldn't rest! I ended up painting over the tiles several times until I settled on lime green, yes, I'm serious. It seemed like a good choice with my white cabinets at the time Now I'm restless, and need another fix. I would so appreciate your help.

Or, you could tell me how the heck to slipcover my high back cane seat dining chairs I inherited! You choose!

Thanks,
Kristen

[Pat]

Hi Eddie,

I'm redoing my two youngest son's bedroom. I've purchased a wonderful Art Deco dresser from an yard sale for $20. It's 18"x32x48. The dresser has 3 drawers with two small doors on the bottom. I thought to store shoes. While the front is beautiful to top needs help, there are scratches & water marks on the piece. I'm not sure what to do. I'm on the verge of trying to find another dresser for them and do something else with this one. It's in the art deco style, waterfall with it's original handles. I would hate to paint it, but it was a deal. I was also able to score two Mahogany twin beds for the boys and a oak desk. All the woods are different, I guess my question is what to do with the dresser, but if you have any other ideas about the room that would be great too. I'm going with an Airplane theme. Now if you have any ideas on how to stop a 4 & 5 year old from writing on the walls.. Thanks your all you do.

[Sarah K. Brennan]

I bought a pair of VERY OLD exterior doors at my favorite architectural salvage shop (The Brass Knob). I had been stalking them for years. They are 84" tall, 34" wide, have incredible carved rope detail, and the original beveled glass. They were painted brown and I'm in the process of stripping them. I'm a clothing horse, so I'm redoing the closet in my guest bedroom. Currently the doors only take up half the width of the current closet and I am considering building in a vanity/desk with the additional space. Ideally I'd love shelving above desk for my bags, stationary, etc. I could sure use some help with this closet conundrum to ensure that it will look right and I'm maximizing the space appropriately. Oh, and I'll need some ideas about color the newly stripped doors should be and what to put behind the glass to hide my collection of frocks. Thanks, fingers crossed.

[Christina]

I have this very large fireplace mantle that is one of the main focal points when you walk into my house. The mantle itself is beautiful, as my husband help to hand craft it but it is large and I am having a hard time putting together a telescape. One of the only things that I have above the mantle is a round convex mirror but I know with your help this problem spot could become a show stopper.

[Tina Rivera]

Hi Eddie,

Our bed in the master bedroom. It is just plain bed without a headboard. I feel that we need something to make it alive with the rest of the furniture.

Please help! We will really be happy resting on it after a long day of work.

Thank you.

[Ms Liddy]

Hi. I have an Art Deco Vanity that my husband bought for me a couple of years ago. It is beautiful, and *maybe* came from a Hollywood estate sale in a prior life. It needs to be refinished at some point, but for right now I love it just the way it is. My problem is the stool / chair. The original was lost somewhere along the way, and I have no idea what to put with the vanity. It only has a small opening, and I want something that both compliments the vanity and ties with the rest of my bedroom. Any and all suggestions welcome.

[pve]

My breakfront needs an Eddie Ross update and edit!
She is a beauty but needs some 2009 ing.

[Kim]

I'd love your assistance with my small, cement front porch. I need a way to add height to the area as I only have a few potted plants, but it's so small (only about 4 ft. by 4 ft.).

[Donna]

I get excited just having the opportunity to maybe be chosen! I have a stairwell--6 steps up, landing, 6 more steps--walls aproximately 18 feet high in places-I just need some idea of what to do with it. It's just big and boring right now!

[georgie]

an 11 ft. x 14 ft. deck with a weird angle on one side. Person who built it said it would add style to the yard. I think it adds impossible! How to put furniture, plants there but still have space and design..oh and leave the bright blue rainbarrel near the house!

[Mary]

Oh to pick just one problem area that could benefit from your ingenious design help. Woe is me...eegads. Okay...here it is--i have a very old dark brown wooden (family "heirloom")desk (i'm not savvy enough to know what the wood is)...with a drop-down writing table, lots of little cubbies and clever little drawers, 4 big drawers etc. It's in rotten shape. The drop down has fallen off. Bits of wood are falling off etc. We use it as our kitchen phone/mail/stationery station. How can we make it look prettier...while maintaining it's functionality!? It has such potential but i do not know where to start! I'd much rather rehab this good-boned piece than start from scratch with a new piece from Pottery Barn!

[Pam]

I have an large oak display cabinet which I had made a few years ago by a neighbour to hold my Barbie collection. Problem is that it doesn't work with my new modern decor. It wasn't cheap to have built, so I don't want to give it away, and the hand made quality is amazing - it will last my lifetime. It's currently a honey oak stain, the back is mirrored and the doors & side are glass, there is one glass shelf in the middle.
How can I make it look more modern?

[Shonda]

Hello from KY. I love your designs and your blog. I have an old cabinet top (Hoosier cabinet style)that belonged to my great grandmother. I do not have the bottom part of the cabinet, but I do have a table that I think might work as the "bottom" cabinet. At the moment, it is white and is sitting on a counter in my bathroom. It has become a "catch all" and I really want to do something unique with it, but I need YOUR EXPERT help. Please help this KY gal!!!Thank you for your consideration!

[Briana]

The problem spot that jumps out at me is our fireplace. It's red brick (which we love) but the mantle is all wrong and I'm at a loss of what to display and how.

[LeilaMac]

Love this contest!

My problem is my dining room set, given to me from my parents when they downsized. It's not "antique" but is a lovely china cabinet, buffet, table and 4 chippendale set. But what drives me nuts is that (1) it all MATCHES when nothing else in my home does, (2) it's "oranged" over time, and (3) it desperately needs to be refinished. What do I do to keep all the pieces but make them more "gathered over time" than "matchy matchy"?!

[Emily]

I need help with my second bathroom. It has a tile border, alternating black and colored (red, blue, green, and yellow) tiles. We can't afford to change the tiles, but I hate them! Right now I have a white shower curtain with dogs and cats embroidered on it that match the tiles (compliments of my mother). It's okay because I have a two-year-old, but it's also the guest bath! HELP!!!

[Melanie]

Oh, I'd love some advice on my basement fireplace. Its the one thing in my house that's completely stumped me in terms of what to do or where to begin since we moved in 5 years ago. The recycled red brick goes from floor to ceiling and there is about an 18" step on the bottom. Also, a faux brick panel hides our electrical box on the upper left corner of the wall. I think it could really be beautiful but I just don't know what to do or where to begin. I thought maybe a vintage mantle, but that's as far as I've gotten.

[Jeninlb]

I have a long, narrow kitchen with (and no, I am not kidding here) PINK AND GREY atomic style formica, wood cabinets, and PINK appliances. You're thinking it's all retro cool, but actually, it's just PINK and GREY, small, and totally lacking in counter space.

[abeachcottage]

Hello

Well you must of read my mind, I have an old pink vintage dresser that I wasn't sure of, I put it out to my blog readers and 105 of them and more emailed me to give me advice.

I was in pickles over what to do and it still remains in my beach cottage in it's old pink weathered glory.

However I though I wander what an expert would do with it, would they think it fit in...?

here's the link

http://www.abeachcottage.com/my_weblog/2009/06/beach-cottage-old-antique-dresser-mirror-help-needed.html

interesting

Sarah

[MimiG]

Only one - hmmm.
Probably my dining room - just moved into an apartment - too much furniture, not enough space. Should I do open shelves, paint my cabinet, a long open shelf just below the ceiling? Ideas?? I have a lot of "treasures" I want to display - need some help here!
MimiG

[Roeshel]

How exciting - great prizes!

Let me try to explain. We have an old farmhouse and a barn (not currently a working farm nor will it be). The basement of the barn gives us an outdoor covered area which we are remodeling (concrete patio poured today - Hurray!) ....anyway, it's an ideal spot for summer and fall outdoor parties. I'm furnishing the area with treasures I'm finding in the barn loft, etc. For example, I just discovered a mantel/fireplace surround - probably original to our home in the rafters.

There is a huge wall in the back of this spot with only a small barn door on the left. The rest is a blank slate.

I would like the area to have a farmhouse/cottage feel and I'd love some help! The giant wall space is overwhelming!

Thanks for the generous opportunity! Keeping my fingers crossed!

[aimee]

Great idea for a giveaway!

I desperately need your help to dress my stairwell windows. They are bare and boring, but I need something fabulous, and I am out of ideas. Thanks!

[cj]

Love this! My problem piece is something we all go through sooner or later. My mom's cedar chest where she kept everything that was of sentimental value to her has been sitting in my bedroom for fifteen years. It really is ugly! Sorry mom. However I cannot get rid of it. Help! I just can't paint that sucker white.

[Deborah]

Sounds like fun! I'm happy to say that I don't have a fixer upper, but I'm looking forward to reading about and seeing you work your magic! Deborah

[Joanne Albaneze]

Eddie;

How I would love some help in organizing the craft/computer area that is in a TINY 8'x8' bedroom. 2 complete computer areas (1 Mac and 1 PC), 1 small chest of drawers, TV, 1 sewing machine and a 4 foot wide closet. I also need to add my photography as I have started a at home business.

HELP!

[laura @ the shore house]

Aw....Mary Kay's a doll! So nice to find her here. I have more problem spots than you could possibly solve (everything from an awkward corner cabinet built-in, to my hips, lol!) so I'm not entering the contest, just popping over to say "hello" to you and Mary Kay from the shore house. :-)

[The Flying Quiche]

Ooh I could use help with our coffee table! The boyfriend claims his family salvaged it from a Pirate ship many years ago- and although this might make for a good story- it also means that the mirror top is sunk into the table by about 1 inch to prevent things falling off in the case of ocean turbulence (it also prevents my legs from resting atop it comfortably). Not to mention that it's pretty hideous.

[Marcie]

Eddie Ross is the one with the tools
To make my bedroom walls look cool
The furniture's lovely, the linens are grand
But white walls? Is there anything more bland?

Help me, Eddie, please.

[Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality]

Just look at those legs on you 2! Would have loved to been there again this time, but didn't make it. Hope it was fun & not too hot for ya'll. I'm not entering the contest, just wanted to say Hey!

[Jeannie Daniel]

Hi guys, I have a fixer upper I am not quite sure what to do with. I salvaged from the road side, a early nineteen hundreds desk. It has neat details. I am not sure how to resurrect it though. Hoping you can give me an idea. Thanks, Jeannie

[Vickie W]

I have a long wall in my living room above the couch that I have no idea what to hang there. Right now I have a decent sized painting on canvas on the wall, but it still looks bare. HELP!
I love your blog and enjoyed watching you on TV.

[Audra]

As much as I love my 15'x15' dining room, I'm afraid I love my sewing habit more. My Bernina & I have done a lot of embroidery and sewing in that dining room because it's the only room that has a corner available (4 little kids and their stuff sure take up a lot of space!). I've been trying to figure out a way to stylishly disguise the sewing corner while keeping the dining room a dining room.

[Lois Cavanagh-Daley]

I have 2 oversized handmade cedar chests which I do not seem to be able to utilize other than for storage. I am thinking of making a sideboard/breaker for my entry or seating in the living room. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Your blog is such a pleasure to read. Lois Cavangh-Daley

[stacilyn]

goodness! pick one space, item, etc.?? i'll choose my office area in our bedroom. three years out of college & it's still not anything like it should be. the inherited drafting table does us no favors & the crap (both mine & his) is rather unsightly. help!

[Karen M]

Hi! Love this and I'm keeping EVERYTHING crossed in hopes that I am the winner!
I live in a 100+ year old home with little to no closet & cupboard space. There is a small "hall" that runs under the stairs from the livingroom to the kitchen that I would love to use for misc. storage (ie: cookbooks, rarely used cookware, etc.) but I just can't figure out what would make that work best AND look good.
Thanks for the opportunity!

[Jaybird]

I REALLY NEED your expert advice regarding corner window treatments in a bedroom that's so ugly it scares the cat!!
Love your blog!!

[Shauna]

We have reno'd our whole house, but never put much thought into the entertainment "spot" in the living room. The TV is on the wall, and the wires are run behind the drywall, but we just have 2 floating shelves holding cd palyers, game consoles, etc and it is UGLY! And I just can't think of anything to do with it since it is a long skinny room and can't stick too far out from the wall!

[Karena]

Hi Eddie, my den has bookcases that include a large center case and two smaller on each side. I have so many books,it just looks like a hodge podge! I had it made to resemble some that Ballard has offered for years. It is white. The den also serves as mini office, and occasional art studio. This is a small room! Also, Merrie, if Eddie makes house calls, while in Kansas City, I need him!

[Celia]

Hi Eddie. I have built-in shelves on either side of a fireplace in my master bedroom that have been sitting empty since we moved in almost three years ago. I know you could help me fill those shelves with beautiful display items!!

[Christy Donahue]

Okay Eddie, you asked for it! This one is a toughie. I have a 1400 square foot Dutch Colonial, built around 1940. It's very cute. But not big on space. And I need a craft room. I am a bit of a neat freak and doing projects in the dining room doesn't work because I can't leave works in progress out as the mess makes me crazy. And the set up and clean up time doesn't leave a lot of crafting time. I can't use our spare room because it is a guest room and houses my husband's clothes. Yes, I took up all the closets in our room :-)
So, that leaves the basement. With the furnace, oil tank, washer, dryer, unfinished wood open shelving, concrete floor, and doorway that truly resembles something from The Flintstones. The good parts are that it is very dry down there and I have a big table that can be used for crafts. It gets very dusty very quickly though. Anyway, any thoughts from you would be greatly appreciated! Thanks much! Christy

[Lisa M.]

I have a teeny tiny "hallway" the size of a small linen closet and I don't have any idea what to do with it. It is literally the size of a door mat and four doors open to it, it has one wall...that is naked...and sad. Gotta love a house built in 1927 but what is with the tiny hall with all of the doors?

Lisa

[Sasha]

The area for the dog bed in my living room. We just moved into a new place and there is this corner that does not look right. My English Bulldog must have her bed, but I would like it to be a little more inconspicuous!

[Christy Little]

Would love some advice on window treatments for my Lake House. It is located in Georgia on Lake Oconee. The ceilings are 25FT tall and one whole side facing out toward the water is nothing but windows. At this time I have nothing dressing them up as I do not want to take away from the view. I am design Challenged so any advice would be welcome.
Thanks, Love your work. Christy

[Kara]

I think I have a good challenge for you - my house is fine but my sister needs some help. The biggest problem is her front room that holds the dog kennels. By the way - her dogs are mastiffs so the kennels are huge. Great give-away btw!

[anna_chronistic]

Wow, advice from Eddie and an autographed MKA book? Excellent prizes!

My problem spot is my closet. In order to call my room a "bedroom" there had to be a closet, so they slapped a door over an oddly shaped niche beneath the stairs and called it a closet. It is 2 feet wide inside(21 inches at the door frame) and the stairs slant diagonally across a large portion of the upper half, so it's really only 52 inches high. It's rather deep, considering the width, but if I put items in the back, I have to remove everything in the front to get to them. I hate my closet.

[Emily]

Please help the bookshelf in my bedroom. It's defied my every attempt to make it look chic. I feel like it's so close to looking good - but I'm missing something and can't figure out what it is!

[nancy]

I would love help with a blank wall
opposite my bed in the Master Bedroom.
I'll wait till next week to see if I
win before buying the book, but I've
read all the others and can't wait long
to get my hands on this one!

[Mona form T.O.]

Hi Guys!!

I currently have a weird, cramped corner in my bedroom that is my home office. I sit at a tiny - very inexpensive ikea desk (temporary fix until I can find SOMETHING).

I have no art or shelving in that nook because I'm waiting for a solution (it's been a year now and so far - I'm stumped.

I'd like to hide my computer monitor and create symmetry and serenity in that odd area. It is definitely a fixer upper!

HELP ME EDDIE - PLEEEEASE - I DETEST that office/desk and it is screaming out for your design flair!

How can a girl get any sleep with an ugly computer monitor in her bedroom?

Mona

[jolene]

hi, we need help! Our style is a combination of vintage flea market finds edited and combined with the clean lines of mid century and danish modern furnishings and accessories. The problem is our outdated Mexican tiles on the floors of our adobe home, please we need help to our schizophrenic design dilemma, thanks

[Michelle]

My husband inherited a beautiful (scratched up) set of wrap-around-the-room bookshelves in out den. First question...what should we do to make them more...I don't know, better. And second, how in the world do I arrange my books in that lovely way that isn't too clutter-y looking?

Thanks for your site, I am a frequent visitor and always love to get an idea or two. Thanks for sharing.

[Ennis]

I inherited my mother's dining room chairs. I always liked them because of the rattan backs, but they quite dated. Would love your advice on how to update them for my small dining room. Thanks!

[Jan]

Hi Eddie,
First, I just want to tell you I love your blog! The problem spot that I have in my home is in my master bedroom. I have no idea what to put over the bed! I'd love to hear your opinion. Thanks!

[Linda]

Hi Eddie.

I have a beautiful chest and dresser set that is about 35 years old and could use an update. It was the furniture in my nursery when I was a baby. It's lovely, pale wood with old brass handles. Perfect condition and I'm currently using the pieces in my daughter's room. They are fine as is, but I know that with a bit of redesign they could be amazing. I'd love your advice! I have 2 wonderful daughters and I'd love for this furniture to be useful (and gorgeous!) for them. Thanks for your always enjoyable blog and inspiring, stylish ideas!

[Stella Blue]

I'm in need of fixin' up a wall in the dining room, and don't have any idea what to do with it. Come to my rescue! While you're cooking up ideas, I'll be reading my new book!

[Shandell's]

Well, I need help with my books. I have tons and nowhere to put them. A creative solution is needed.

[Willow Decor]

Hi Eddie,
I have a large, wonderful old irish pine plate rack/side board. It is natural colored and waxed. I recently brought it up to my beach house and it needs a new look. I would love your ideas for updating it with a beachy New England look!
Thanks,
Gina

[Tracy Holland]

E and J,
Please tell me this show is in the works! I was home yesterday and watched HG TV and marveled how certain people get shows and here you are with more taste and style in your little finger than most of these clowns who are already on! Hurry up, American homes need you!

Tracy Holland

[suzanne hill]

okay, eddie, here's the deal: I recently rearranged most of the house in preparation for an at home show and sale of my artwork. The master bedroom has a dilemma. Everything in it is perfectamundo except on one side of the bed is a small French style chest of drawers - it is fruitwood but during some brainstorm gone awry I painted it a blue called Iceberg by B. Moore - it did not look quite right so I antiqued it (not heavily). Still did not look right so I added a dull gold accent line where it would seem to work. Still no luck! Now what: paint it black? Get another piece? The bed is a mahoghany canopy Hepplewhite style. On the other side of the bed is a large skirted table; polished chintz in a great but odd green with an oversize welt at the bottom, a glass top and an oriental lamp sitting on top. Your idea would be most welcome!!

[Jennifer]

Hi Eddie....The book sound like a great read by the pool this summer. I'll have to check it out at Barnes and Noble when I head to Chattanooga again.

I could use advise on an entire room, but I have a true delima that bothers me to no end.....master bedroom windows. I know what color I want to paint the walls, have bedding picked out, and even flooring, but I do not have a clue what to do with my windows! I want something classic that won't make me batty and ready to change everything in a year. I can't wait to see who gets your advise. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Jennifer @ Fiddle Dee Dee

[Kimberly Archer]

So sorry I missed you here in Georgia. We are getting ready to move to Bowling Green, KY. We have been house hunting. Off to do it again this coming weekend. Off your subject of post here, I have an antique Chinese/Japanese? Vase purchased back in 1970 in Okinawa, Japan. I inherited it when my mother passed. I have tried to research the mark on the bottom. It is of course, a character I have not found. The vase is turquoise blue with peacocks. It is incredible and has real gold within the design. I would so love to send you a picture and see if you recognize the work. I just do not know how to send you a personal email. On a side note: My mother used to keep Peacock feathers in the vase. I proudly display it as it is such a wonderful, vintage, and talked about piece in our home. Can you help a Southern Army Brat-Mom out?

[Anne Statland]

Hi Eddie and Jaithan; can't wait to see you in DC in September! My problem area is in my living room. It's the fireplace "wall" -I think too much stuff and I can't quite figure out how to get it right -- mirror over the fireplace? picture over the fireplace? sconces beside whatever it is?
H E L P! Thanks for all the fun reads you give us.

[Jeannette]

How fun! We are moving some Duncan Phyfe dressers from the guest room to the master bedroom. The set includes a full headboard but we have a queen bed. What kind of frame/headboard can I use with this style of furniture

[Kate]

Thanks for letting me play. I love reading, and I need some advice, so this is one contest I would soo love to win. Here's my fixer-upper situation - almost all the internal walls of my house are brick. Some have been dry walled (eg, in one room, one wall is drywalled - that sort of thing). Here's my fixer-upper question - would you paint straight over the brick or would you recommend drywalling almost all the walls in the house (and leaving one wall, say, as a feature)? Thanks.

[Mave]

Hi Eddie,

I'm new to your blog, and I've already started my living room revamp (not to mention I picked up some gorge plates at Goodwill...but I digress)
Anyhow, to be succinct....my niches are b**ches!! I've got some that are visible from both the living room and family room, which are decorated differently. Any ideas on how to fill them?

[Mary Beth]

I have a 1910 style Craftsman home that we built 10 years ago. It has a large front porch that I absolutely cannot decorate. There is a prevailing wind all the time and stuff blows around. The space is public to the street and people walk and drive by our house and probably wonder why I do NOT decorate that porch!!! It is such a shame to waste our great view and chance to sit and relax on an old fashioned front porch! help?

[Linda]

My family lives in the basement of a 2-story rambler. We don't get much light down here but who doesn't want a light & airy space? The walls are all white and while I love some color, I'm afraid that anything other than white will look grayish, rather than sunny. Any ideas?

[Charla @ For the Sake of Time]

One of my upstairs bedrooms, I have named "The Grandmother's Room". The cherry bed and dresser lived at my grandmother's until it decided to take up residence at my home. The room is just plain still in the 80's. Sometimes I go in there and am overwhelmed with memeories. At other times, I feel a strong need to move on and lift it into today. I would love some suggestions. Thank you as always for sharing.

Charla

[Kathy Patrick]

Hi! Love your blog.
My headboard in our master bedroom is old and dated. I would like ideas on what to do to bring it into the current century. Mary Kay's book looks like a perfect read for my book club.

[Ashlee @ Prairie Cottage]

Eddie, I need some of your stellar expertise... I just inherited a cupboard/china cabinet type piece of furniture from my Grandmother when she went to live with my Aunt. It is the only family heirloom I have ever received. I'm not sure of it's age, but it has sat in the same spot in her house for as long as anyone can remember.
It really meant a lot to me when she decided she wanted me to have it for my little house. So, now I am trying to decide how to give it a new life, as it is in need of some serious TLC.
I am a graphic designer and I do a lot of work from home. So, my initial idea was that it would make a great piece for my office. Maybe a new snazzy storage unit for all of my paper, supplies, files, etc. In my little '40s cottage, I need all the storage space I can get! I would love your suggestions on how to make my heirloom something really special that I will always remember my Grandma by...

Best,
A

[Lauren Hightower]

Oh how I would love to fix up this "hole" in the enclosed sun porch in my new house. It's really a cut out in the wall between two closets intended to house a television but I have dreams of turning it into a bar, "eddie style" of course!

Thanks Eddie!!

[Karen Torres D'Amico]

Eddie, new to your blog (and SO enjoying it). Question: We have an awkward spot to fit a dining table in our kitchen. Currently we have a 48" round table which seats four... now, we are five. When "the littlest one" graduates from her high chair, we will need seating for at least 5/6. I can fit a longer table (60-65") but it has to be NARROW (30,32,34") due to the angle of our island. Style: a little distressed, but not rustic. Cabinets are nat. cherry rift cut, granite is Dakota Mahogany. Table is too specific to find online, to hard to drag three kids around to find in stores. Any suggestions?? Thanks! K

[Meghan Simmons]

Well you would about die if you saw my upstairs closet situation. My husband and I live in a 1928 bungalow in Portland Oregon. The previous owners didn't have much taste when they decided to build out the attic space into a bedroom. Never mind my husband ducks when he climbs into bed, but the closet is white wire racks hanging from the wall (some ready to fall off the wall) and its the first thing you see when you walk up the stairs! Hello! I have redecorated and redone alot of the house, but alas the upstairs-closet-ugly-space has me stumped. Would love your help, although I might have to fly you out for fun if I do win :)

[christy suny]

Eddie, Jaithan, and Mary Kay Andrews!!!!!!!!! Hmmmm... and the question to this answer is 'Who would I love to lunch and spend the day with?'
What fun, I hope she bases characters on you two for her next book!!!!
Christy

[jerusalem]

I have a huge king headboard & footboard that someone gave me. I like the overall shape, but it is somewhat discolored/yellowed white and I don't love the "shutter" look of the inset. I can't decide if I should paint the whole thing, paint the inset or make a slipcover and cover it completely but keep the overall shape...
Can't wait to read the new book!!

[Joyce]

What a great idea!!
My corner is in front of the fireplace because of the "L" shape of the room and the high, high ceilings I struggle with what furniture to put in front of the fireplace.
Let me know if you are ever up for a whole room contest- This one will give you a run for your money, honey.

Thanks Eddie! xoxo

[Naomi]

I have several pieces of midcentury Heywood Wakefield furniture in various finishes (champagne, wheat, some kind of '70s brown) and stages of disrepair. A desk, corner cabinet, low bookshelves, a round cocktail table, several end tables, a dresser... There is no way they will ever "match" but am I just fooling myself thinking that they could live happily together with our contemporary furniture, too? Any ideas would be welcome!

[Merrie]

How are you with ideas for kids- or rather a kid who is nearly a teenager.
The problem is my daughters room and her love of sports.
She is a nearly 12 year old girly girl fashionista and wants her room hot pink and zebra.
We have lots of fun plans for the room including painting a 60 year old desk that my grandfather made and installing a large ornate mirror that my husband reclaimed from one of his remodel jobs.
We're toying with the idea of making a chandelier out of clear store hangers. (Saw the idea in ready-made)
But what to do with all of those balls? Volleyballs, baseballs, knee pads, bats and gloves.
They are sitting on the floor in a corner, right next to her great big lime green chair full of hot pink pillows.
You ARE coming to Kansas City...are you SURE you cant make a house call?
Please?
Seriously. What am I supposed to do with all these balls?

[Jen]

I recently bought a few pieces for my new bedroom (just bought a home 3 weeks ago!). I've been really inspired by some of your finds/makeovers, and have picked up all boxy pieces in great shape, on the cheap. I have a low, wide mid-century modern dresser, two boxy-looking nightstands, and two chairs similar to the ones you painted gray. My problem now is that I'm not sure how to make them all coordinate! Which pieces should I paint? Which ones should I re-stain? Which should I leave as they are? Or do I get rid of all of them and start over!?

[Debi Faber]

Hi, So we have this home built in 1947 with jack and jill bedrooms that our daughter used to ocupy. She is in her own apartment now and Help -- what do I do with the rooms, she took her stuff, left with a couch and a few odds and ends and a twin sleigh bed. Hmmmm what to do? Thanks.

[Christine Baker]

My fixer-upper is the fireplace. It currently has 1990 whitewash brick facia, an inset to the left of the fireplace for firewood with a lovely oak mantel. My problems include the obvious dated look of it and it is converted to gas and does not need the firewood inset. Help!

[Judi McCauley]

The window nook in my bedroom screams for an ER makeover. HELP!!! lOVE MARY KAY & HER MARVELOUS BOOKS

[Heather Bell]

So when I'm in the living room looking into the dining room, the first thing I see is the table and chairs (I can't even describe it's design genre, it's almost medieval - oh goodness that sounds awful). Behind that and just in front of the window is a demi-lune hall table with a lamp on one end and a vignette which incudes a cut glass water pitcher, a crystal candy dish and a small porcelain covered dish. My dilemma is what to put on the table. Everything I've tried just makes it look too busy. Yet I don't really want to move the items off the hall table. help.