Jessica Bonness takes a crack at some of your interior design questions

Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

Jessica Bonness runs JGB Interiors and writes at Paint It What I Tell You.

I was perusing the forum this week and noticed several questions pertaining to interior decorating and general home stuff, which is awesome. I took a crack at posting my suggestions and hope others do, too. There are recommendations on here that are new to me (always need a good carpenter…) so I’m finding it really resourceful.

Cheap framing shop? This poster seems to be looking for “just a very basic frame,” which I interpret to mean no mat. If you have an odd-sized piece, this can be a tough and expensive search. One thing you can do is find a frame that’s just slightly the wrong size (so, if your piece is a weird 22 x 33.5, you may find a frame that’s 24 x 36, or 21 x 33). If your off-the-rack frame is smaller than the piece, you can carefully trim the artwork to fit it (use a straight edge and a knife for this). If the frame you find is larger than the art, you can try to purchase a mat to cover up the space. You can also cut your own mat out of a large piece of mat board (available at art supply stores); again, use a knife to cut…not scissors. Mat board is typically white-ish, but you can use paint to change the color (house paint, acrylic paint, wrap it in craft paper…anything goes). If all else fails, try a custom site like American Frame to build your own frame as cheaply as possible, or start clipping those 40% off Michael’s coupons.

Fine Art Auctioneer? Somebody’s got a lucky friend who wants to sell a seemingly valuable painting. PoP advises Weschler’s, which is a good idea. Also, you could try popping into your neighborhood art gallery (never mind what they specialize in) and asking for a referral.

Custom Interior Doors? Try Community Forklift in PG County (no, it’s not very far). And if you go the custom route, be SURE to check out the carpenter’s previous similar projects to make sure you like what they do.

Window Shades/Blinds? Lots of good advice here. Personally, I like to refer economizing clients to Select Blinds. Don’t be fooled by the website’s urgency: there is ALWAYS a 30% off sale. But do be sure to request a sample set (which they express-mail to you) before ordering; if you don’t, they won’t allow a return.

Someone in need of Wood Furniture Refinishing has two recommendations already. Another person looking for an Upholsterer in DC has a few sources to check out. Someone else is searching for Marble Thresholds. Anyone else have ideas?