Branching out from white walls
New York designer Justin DiPiero joined staff writer Jura Koncius last week on The Washington Post’s Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt.
A: I also use the underside of my bed for storage. I found some simple black rollaway drawers at Ikea that I love. They keep everything organized and hidden so that all you see under the bed is a thin black line, almost like a platform. You could also try stylish rattan or wicker baskets that are more decorative.
A: If you’re selling online, photographs are really important. A nice photo of your item will definitely help it sell for top dollar. Think about what you as a consumer would want to see, and try to allow for that same experience. If you can, find a neutral backdrop (use a bedsheet or poster board, if possible) to allow the product to stand alone. Also, be descriptive and list all the dimensions and any special features of the piece.
A: They can be. I recently found a wonderful piece of art at a sidewalk yard sale in Brooklyn. It is also helpful to see items in person, rather than online only. These days you can even use social media to advertise your yard sale. Post pictures and give pricing details, but remember not to give out sensitive information online. walls a darker color to open up the space. If you’re really tight on space, maybe forgo the art for a mirror, which would reflect light and trick your eye into thinking there’s more space than there is. Another idea is to wallpaper the space. This would add color, pattern and texture without actually taking up any room. If you’re afraid of commitment, or live in a rental as I do, check out temporary wallpaper solutions such as Chasing Paper.
A: If you decided to paint all the rooms the same color, it will definitely make the upstairs feel cohesive. Because your hallway is off-white, you could try going with a medium-toned gray like Benjamin Moore’s gray huskie. This works well with warmer whites and neutrals. nursery or Christmas tree farm and lay them on the counter first. Then arrange your buffet dishes on top of the branches. If you’re really feeling festive, weave some ribbon through the branches and around the dishes.
A: A lot of retailers these days are coming out with “apartmentsize” lines of furniture, which are actually just normal-size pieces. Try searching that term. Places like Interior Define, West Elm and CB2 are also great for small and normal-size goods as they cater to apartment dwellers and new homeowners.
A: Not at all. I have two in my apartment. One in my bedroom and one in my living room. It’s low effort, high impact.