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

[Gina Theodor]

I have a corner in my LR that I find icredibly annoying. The fireplace butts right up to the corner, then a large picture window is on the other wall and it is off center. The corner looks odd and perlexing with nothing in it as it is difficult place anything there as it blocks the FP. So, my solution is nothing is there. It feels nlike Alice in Wonderland with all the strange off centered windows, corners, FP.AAAHHH HELP!!!Gina Theodor

[Brighton]

We have a 1960's ranch that opens up onto a courtyard. I have no idea what to do with this space to make me want to step out into the 100+ Texas heat to enjoy it.

I'm thinking a fan. Or a pool. Or both.

A cool book would help...

[pippa]

OH I SO LOVE MARY KAY (aka katybug) and her books! you lucky boys to have met her. she is a dream.

alas, I can't enter the contest because there is simply too too much in my home that needs help, there is no one place to start. but what a fabulous idea!

[Terry]

This spring we have overhauled our downstairs. We painted, new carpet and new furniture in our family room. But it still doesn't feel warm and cozy even though the room isn't that large. I don't want to spend anymore money, help!

[JWMc]

Upholstered loveseat passed down from my grandmother when she downsized years back. She is almost 102 so who knows how old it is? The piece has great lines and great wooden legs but needs to be rescued from my labs who recently decided to make it their bed.

[Jessica]

Ooh, I would so love to have your advice. I just purchased 10 dining room chairs on a garage sale and am debating how to paint/reupholster them to complement my dining room table and buffet.

[Kim]

Eddie! This is a great idea for a contest!
I have an old potting table I moved out to my screened porch to use as a serving space and would love some ideas for items to display on the narrow upper shelves as well as "out of the nine dots" serving/entertaining ideas. Thank you!

[Lynn Rounds]

That book looks like the perfect read for my summer vacation! Thanks for the heads up on it.
My design problem-child is the component tower in our family room. The rest of the room is lovely, done in cherry woods, Oriental rug, adobe walls and some nice artwork, too. But, I can't find a replacement tower that will fit all my components and the space! I've been frozen with indecision as to what to do to it to make it work in this room for over a year now. It's light oak and I'd love to paint it or stain it; maybe add some trim molding. Help!

[Janet]

Oh Eddie!
I have an awesome 1940's chair attached phone table. Somewhere along the line someone reupholtered it with green naugahyde complete with brass tack finish. It needs a makeover, but I am not sure what it needs to make it what it truly deserves to be.

[ChrisC]

Crap!Our whole house needs a fixer-upper consult.It screams 70'S!Especially the kitchen.Formica,dropped ceiling,laminate counter tops.
You need to help us,or else I'll have to start stalking Oprah!

[jill]

Ohhh, so tuff to choose!!

I have an old chunky mexican styled buffet piece. It has the bottom half with drawers and the top piece with glass doors.

This piece was awesome in my dining room when I lived in TEXAS... but now that we're in California, I sure would like to know how to UN-mexican it.

thanks... (pick me, pick me...!)

[Marcia Smith]

My summer house in Maine is great but the large open foyer is always a discussion point- do I put the round table in the middle. the radiator on the left is "in the way"- we don't want anything to block the ocean view! Such a dilemma!!!!Please help.... Oh by the way a visit to Maine is included....

[hanako66]

What a super fun giveaway!!!

I inherited an antique dresser that was painted with an awful floral motif when my sister-in-law was a child. I need inspiration to make it into a beautiful piece again! It is missing hardwear and the paint job is horrific!

xo

Aline

[Kate at Centsational Girl]

Hi Eddie, great post!

You're invited to rescue the sitting area in front of my fireplace in my living room. Grand piano, check. Marble surround, check. Bronze silk curtains, check. Chocolate brown settee, check. Panache, missing.

Come on over and visit today's Foyer Fixer Upper: an "Elegant UpDo" with a thrift store highboy.

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/06/highboy-transformed-elevated-elegance.html

Cheers,
Kate

[Allison Fielding Taylor]

Um, y'all, I need some serious help. I live in an apartment and my living room is half done - as in the room looks perfect from one angle and desperate from the other. The desperate half has a lovely antique sewing chest my grandfather refinished, with our internet modem sitting on it (I know, I'm cringing as I write). There is a kitchen passthrough/bar area, but only two lonely Restoration Hardware chairs - way too short and no bar stools. It's shameful really. The rest of the room has lovely bright Boulanger signed lithographs, a sofa and chair in a pistachio tweed and a killer chest. It'd be a fabulous room for a party - if only I weren't ashamed of the corner! Please, please, please help!

[Erin]

I have a problem with a 1950's-circa cane-sided club chair. I already have one that I painted white, with gray velvet fabric, but I'm at a loss as to what to do with this one. I don't want them matching, and need help with paint color and fabric! Please help!

[sasha]

My bedroom is not there yet...and your help and inspiration would be the best thing that could ever happen to it!!! I have an idea in my mind but have no clue haw to translate it and make it happen!! Maybe I could be lucky...yes pick me, pite please!!!

Also, I just finished a weekend project doing my own candles using vintage silver containers that I bought at a flea market! they look adorable!!!
Hope all your things are going great!!

[abby jenkins]

Eddie! I inherited a really cool wingback chair from Gramma Braswell and want to upholster it in a way that is fresh and classic. I purchased some french linen tablecloths that I thought might make great slipcovers or to simply use as upholstery fabric... I just don't know where to start! Skirt? Studs? Paint the legs? Arr. I will get a photo up on my blog www.abbyjenkins.com and would love your advice! thanks

[Mimi Kriele]

How about a peeling back deck, with a hot tub that has cracked edges, no protection from the hot sun, it's beating on our poor heads.

We have to take refuge indoors!!! It's a big space and I'd love to use it but somehow can't figure out how.

[Susan]

I have a recessed nook in my living room where the tv is supposed to go. I have a small sideboard that the tv is sitting on..but there is all this empty space on top that I don't know what to do with. What to hang? Paint the nook? Wallpaper it? Help! :)

[Ruth T.]

wow......uhmm...what to choose...a china hutch that belonged to my mother....it was part of a dining room set. Right now it holds a hodge-podge of glass, platters, bowls, etc. The book sounds like a great read.....look forward to winning or buying....thanks

[The Scarlett]

I'm looking for the perfect art to add to my wall in my basement media room. I have lots of mirrors in the room to make the room look bigger but I still need something that plays off of the orange and chocolate color story that I'm using.

[Chris Wiggins]

::: First off, love you Eddie Ross. And B, I bought a vintage 2-piece secretary/bookshelf that's almost 9 ft tall. I painted it Benjamin Moore's 968 Dune White, and the inside of the bookshelf is light blue. I have blue transferware, a dozen or so books, and a flat screen tv. It's so boring, but just know it could look amazing if only you could do you magic. :::

[Sara, without the 'h']

My 1950 colonial has windows/sidelights on either side of the fireplace that are, gasp, glass block -- great for light, but awful for looks. I'm at a loss for what to do with them, short of grabbing a sledgehammer. I could definitely use a clearer head than mine to deal with this, er, um, feature? ;-)

[Molly]

My entryway.... it's the first "room" everyone sees and it's definitely a BAD sight for everyone's eyes! I would love any design advice! :)

[elizabeth]

what a great giveaway. i rent right now, but have currently been looking for a house....or i would love to participate:(

[Wren]

I have an old Simple Victorian, ca. 1870. We are just starting to fix it up, after is spent the last decade or so as a rent house. Oh, the pain and neglect, but luckily, little remuddling--other than boarding up the kitchen and bedroom fireplaces and tearing down the chimneys. But, I digress.

We just had the front porch re-floored, tongue and groove, then I stained and varnished it. It is stunning. We are in the process of removing 130 years worth of paint in the Texas summer-thank goodness for people willing to work hard---and in a few weeks, it will be stunning!!!

I want my front porch to say, "Come, sit, be happy!" Any ideas?

PS. All of our money is going to the kind man who is working in 100º heat to accomplish this beauty, so the ideas have to be really inexpensive!!!

[Layla Palmer]

Even though I'm usually the one making the design-related suggestions, I would LOVE to see what you would come up with for my "french farmhouse" style Guest Bath I'm about to start working on.
I've posted the before photos on my blog (TheLetteredCottage.blogspot.com). It's horrible! I have some very "builder-basic" white laminate cabinets that I would like to re-do in some really interesting and breathtaking way. I KNOW you could think of a million ways to tackle them, and I'd love to hear what you'd suggest! :-)

Thanks Eddie!

Layla Palmer
The Lettered Cottage

[Jenny]

I have a "knotty pine" room in our 1896's Queen Anne. It looks like a 70's porn den...not that I know what that looks like but I imagine it looks just like our room. Everyone but my husband and I love it and I believe it was leftover from the man that velored the basement. Yes that is possible. Please help us because my son should not be in any way influenced by such a thing. Maybe there is a wood treatment or something I can do to make it less "hey baby" and more modern.

[blue hydrangea]

Help me! Help me!! My fireplace wall, 1950's raised hearth, no mantle. It is sad. It is scary, it depresses me!! The worst part? I had the wall wired for sconces...16 months ago!! The wires are still hanging out of the wall. Maybe you should just forget this whole random drawing and pick the most needy person..that would be me!!

P.S. it was great chatting with you two, thanks for taking the time!!

[Mary]

I have a problem mudroom...besides a pile of boots, I have no idea what to do with it to make it homey and welcoming yet organized.

[Erin]

Ok, it's not a whole room, it's just the COLOR for a room. Our master bedroom has a huge vaulted ceiling and it's been bare! I have a painting in orange and blue and coordinating bedding. All furniture is dark brown. i have no idea what to do...so it's remained white. I need something that will pop, but it's such a big room that I'm afraid to make the wrong choice. The right color will be magic. Help!! Ok, I'd love a copy of the book too! :)

[Rachel]

My problem would be my guest bedroom. Its my old bedroom furniture and my mom had a designer pull together fabrics and paint choices for us. I don't want the same room that I spent the last 15 years in. I'm keeping the dust ruffle for now, but I need ideas on how to update duvet and accessories to go along with it.

[Bri]

I've been slowly renovating my house, but I've not come up with anything to do with my fireplace/hearth yet. It spans across 2/3 of my living room wall and just takes over. I won't say I'm a designer or even remotely stylish (in other words if I'm selected don't look at the rest of the furnishings!) but I would love some help with this eyesore. I'm sure it can be fixed up, I just don't know what to do. Thanks for the chance!

[Dre]

Hi Eddie,
I have a beautiful old rattan (or bamboo?) chair that I think may be from the 40's. It's very well made but the chocolate brown paint is flaking off and it also needs to be reupholstered. I have some 40's bark cloth fabric wrapping the old cushions for now. Would love your advice on how to restore or update it!

[Brooke]

i bought a $40 thrift store sofa (i know. gross, right?) with the intent of teaching myself how to reupholster furniture. It's got great lines and a lot of cool welting details. I just needs some new stuffing, some fresh new upholstery, and it will be perfect. Thanks for having the contest! :)

[Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio @ The Comforts of Home]

My laundry room is a pass through from the garage to the kitchen. No windows. I painted is a golden yellow hoping to brighten up the space but it still looks dull. Since it is the first thing I see when I walk in my house I want to make it cheerier...Can you help?

What a great contest!
xo
Penny

[heidikins]

I have a giant loft-space above my apartment that is desperately in need of some divide-and-conquer help, I've been here three years and have come to a complete standstill as to what to do with it.

xox

[Sarah]

Great giveaway! I could use some help with my kitchen chairs!

[Louise Cardella]

I picked up two old gorgeous doors by the side of the road. What can I do with them???

[Mona]

I usually lurk but this contest is too much to resist - design help and a great book!

My problem is that I have a two story living room/foyer and the second story of the wall has a huge window and landing spot that I just dont know what to do with!

[Kaye Richardson]

Hi Eddie, great contest! I love Mary Kay Andrews and have read every one of her books - can't wait to read the latest! And YOU! Who doesn't love you??? My dining room needs your attention - it's too small for our growing family. I'm thinking of tearing out a non-load-bearing wall between kitchen and dining room and making one big room. HELP!!!

[eleisa]

My fireplace was a disaster when I bought my old late 40's cottage. It was built entirely of brick including the forward jutting mantle. I use the term "was" since I started tearing out the mantle several years ago and am now stumped on what to do with what I have left....

Please help~!
eleisa

[Emilie Moreau]

I am going crazy trying to keep my new home organized and tidy (especially the living room) with a 90lbs Alaskan Malamute, 2 long-haired cats and a fiancé who has a multitude of hobbies that take up massive amounts of storage space! I need room for myself and would like to finally be able to invite guests! (We have lived here since October 2008 and still haven't had our housewarming party!) Help please :)

[erin]

Please please please pick me and my hideous oaky 80's kitchen. We are a mess and we need some help... in an affordable format! Although I think I might die of embarrassment if images of my kitchen went public! :)

[Sam]

Okay - I have a decorating problem that is driving me crazy. I purchased a new sofa. I liked the lines of the sofa, the color and the fabric. Now the crazy part - it came with four custom pillows which I did not like. This sofa does need pillows in order to sit comfortably. I feel so bad for it - just sitting there naked because I can't make up my mind.

[Brenda]

UGH! I have a problem child living room! With a huge bay window on one wall, a fireplace on another, the entryway opposite the fireplace and a dining room on an L it's IMPOSSIBLE to arrange. HELP!!!

[Padgett Hoke]

I have this small two drawer chest in my (if I say so cute room) that just doesn't fit the rest of the room. It is plain light wood with some outdated handles. It needs some sprucing up and I just don't know which direction to go in! Any help would be oh so lovely & to get an autographed copy of The Fixer Upper would be so amazing!! Thank you!

[Shell]

I have several problem spots that would benefit from a nice sprucing up. If I win a consult from you, I'll pick the MOST troublesome area and email you a photo! I'll keep my fingers crossed! By the way, I've already met you in person and you are a doll!

[Susie]

I'm in the process of buying my first house and the kitchen comes equipped with the original 50's chrome wrapped teal formica! Since I don't have the money to change it just yet, I'm trying to figure out how to tie it all together to make it look retro but updated at the same time. Help!

[Kristen ~Pajama Mama]

What a fun contest for a new season!

okay, i've been pacing all over the house today even trying to figure out how to make our dining room function as a dining room AND a playroom for our kids (three under 6 yrs with one on the way). It's the first room guests see as they enter our home, so it feels uber important to this stay at home nesting mom!

help from Eddie Ross himself AND a fun summer read-great contest!

[Averill]

How exciting! I'm in the process of moving to a new house so, to be honest, I could use help with just about EVERYTHING. That said though, I'm particularly stumped with the large "niches" on either side of the fireplace in the family room. What do I do with them? I've thought about built-ins but I'm afraid that may get too expensive...HELP!

[Quinn]

My problem is my living room. I can't get the colors right.

[Lynett]

What do you mean you're not going to show up on my doorstep? LOL

Does a whole room count as a fixer-upper? Actually, I have these two faux bamboo chippendal chairs that I found on craiglist and they're just giving me the biggest headache to repair, sand and spray paint. I would LOVE your assistance :)

Seems like a great little book too!!

[Darci]

My husband and I live in a small condo in Chicago and our problem spot is our "office." It is a small space in the corner between our kitchen and two person dining table, and it needs help. There is just room for the desk - no storage and no room to breathe. We can certainly use some advice!

[Terri]

Great Contest!

My family room has vertical blinds for the door length windows. I want to remove them and put up drapes. The only problem is right above the window is a crown molding that juts out. I can never find drape rods that stick out far enough. Do I need to have custom drape rods created?
Thanks,
Terri

[Pigtown-Design]

My house was built in the 1880's and it 11.5 feet wide. This presents loads of problem spots. I have had the furniture in a certain way since I moved there three years ago, and think it needs a re-do. But I can't see the solution because I am too close to it.

[Adam]

Oh thank goodness, eddie to the rescue.

I would like your advice on what to do with an impossibly small bathroom, specifically the sink/counter area which is dominated by a vessel sink, which unfortunately doesn't leave room for anything else.

It is a rental so cant replace it, have to work with it!

[pve]

Oh how wonderful! I have many fixer uppers, but the one thing that could really use your help is a pair of Bergere chairs that I have had for years...love your suggestions and to read Mary Kay Andrew's book.
(signed no less!)
pve

[LindsB]

Love this contest!

My little problem area are my bookcases next to the fireplace. I dont know if I should put shelves up to the ceiling or leave them how they are. AND I need help styling them, and you are the master of styling so your help would be AMAZING! Oh, and that book looks great- I needed a good summer read and this would be perfect :)

[mary]

Really? A photo consult for my horrific bedroom and a book to read before I fall asleep? I am in.

mary

[Joanne Kennedy]

What a fun and wild idea you have here and a great giveaway! How I would love to win.

I live with my sister and she has this old ugly dining room table and china hutch. You know way back when that ugly white washed look was in? Well, it's one of those sets.

I hate it and want to change it out so badly but she loves it.

I'm thinking some paint and recover of the chairs may make it a little bit better but she won't trust me to do it.

So I told her I was going to submit this problem to you. She agrees to do whatever you say would be best. Either redo it or toss it out all together.

Please help us!

Joanne

[Julia]

My fixer upper spot would have to be my dining room. I have a mid-century modern buffet I love and an antique drexel dining set I love - and how do I marry them? I have no idea. I need serious fixer upper help!

[Lisa]

Hi! I have a mid century modern cabinet that I bought at a salvation army for $50!! It needs a makeover to be all that it can be in my home!!!

[Susan]

My bedroom. We moved into our current house 3 years ago and I vowed that this would be the house (our 4th) in which I would FINALLY get around to decorating the master bedroom. Well, three years in and I haven't started. I have some great pieces of furniture but haven't been able to decide on the fabrics, bedding or finishing touches. Help!

[Aarika]

I have a cute little yellow desk that my mother gave to me. It has some style to it, but I think that it needs to be fixed up a bit - as well as the rest of the office.

[Christine]

We just bought a new house and have no idea what to do with the dingy old kitchen - we need to at least paint but cannot decide on a color or theme! Please help Eddie!! Also, the book sounds just perfect. If I don't win I am going to go check it out at my library...

[Dee]

I have a huge, brick fireplace that is painted white. No matter what I've tried, I just cannot (affordably) seem to make it fit with the rest of my house!

[Betsy Wuebker]

Oh, pick me, please, or rather pick my kitchen. The only solution I've been able to think of for it is a hand grenade.