Red and White Kitchen

Red heats up kitchen decor

Q: Red is my favourite colour. How much of it can I use in the kitchen without overdoing it? I’ve heard that red is a mood enhancer. What do you think?

A: I love red too. The colour is full of character, and even a small dose of it has a big impact in any room.
Since red is a high-energy colour, it suits a kitchen. Rather than make it a main colour, choose a shade or two as accents.

You don’t say what colour your cabinets are. If they are white, use red in your backsplash. It will really sing.

Why not a red floor? Look for hard-wearing and comfortable linoleum or good vinyl tiles. You can also use red as a focal point in stylish bowls and serving platters. Small kitchen appliances are available in this happy colour as well.

For even more impact, paint a wall or look for wallpaper in a red pattern. You can go traditional damask, country check or stripes, or choose an abstract pattern for a more contemporary theme.
Red is a great way to warm up a kitchen that has stainless steel appliances. Shades of red with some orange in them are warm, while reds that have blue in them are cooler.

Choose red hardware for the cabinets, small carpets, picture frames, and tea towels. Keep adding until it is enough.
It’s your kitchen, the only rule is that you love it.

Q: We have a curved staircase to the second floor. How should I decorate the curved two-storey wall?

A: Curved staircases are a classic architectural element, very grand and welcoming in any home.
Several decorating options can work well for this focal wall.
It is the perfect place to hang wallpaper with a modern edge. Look for a large or oversized pattern in a bold shade of fuchsia, lime green or marine blue. For a more subdued look, tone the colour down to a rich mocha, but keep the big pattern.

Another option is to paint the wall and hang a tapestry or collection of small tapestries on the curve. They have exquisite patterns, and easily mould to the wall using nails or wire. Similarly, coloured posters can be hung with wallpaper paste.

Q: We enjoyed your article on stairways. We are in our 70s and have a steep staircase. I’m thinking about having the stairs modified by cutting them down with a landing about six steps up. Does this make sense?

A: Ask a contractor to look at your stairs and explain what you have in mind. A professional can tell you if it is possible to modify them and give you a free estimate.
You might also look into stair lifts that are mounted onto the wall so that you and your wife can ride safely up and down the existing stairs. Stair lifts are available for curved staircases as well as straight.
Be sure to get estimates from two or more sources before you make a decision.