Keep carpet colors consistent to balance the flow of your home

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In the world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it." Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Irish playwright, novelist and poet, "Lady Windermere's Fan" (1892).

Q: What is the rule of thumb about different colors or carpet in a house? We have several different colors and have had people comment about it. We happen to like it but are just curious about the dos and don'ts.

A: As I've said many times, there are no decorating police, just those of us with opinions. First of all, if you like it, and it presents no danger to anyone (I seriously doubt that carpet color would qualify there) do whatever pleases you.

Now, from an aesthetic point of view, it's more cohesive and pleasing to the eye to maintain a constant color throughout your home. If, for instance, as you walk down a hallway and peer into each bedroom and see a different carpet color, that can be a little disconcerting. Your poor eyes view that as a separation, and I would bet that people coming into those rooms for the first time would actually slow down or stop before entering.

Different colors separate the room from the main area, which, in this hypothetical case, is the hallway. It just doesn't flow and would cause a temporary halt to your thought process as you enter the room. I'm sure some of you might scoff at that but the way you decorate your home has a definite impact on those in it and their movements.

There are instances where parents let children pick their carpet color and end up with a mix of colors. And I know of situations where new carpet is on the agenda but not in the budget, so a room at a time gets redone.

For whatever reason you have them, and as long as you enjoy your multicolored floors, that's all that matters. Your happiness with your stuff is the key to decorating success.

Q: We just moved into our new home and we have our first fireplace -- something we've wanted for years but didn't have in any of our previous homes. This one is quite plain with not even a mantle. The fireplace wall is flat. We would like to make it a focal point and are unsure of how to go about it. We would appreciate any suggestions.

A: First of all, congratulations on finally getting the fireplace!

In addition to providing warmth, most of us want fireplaces for the coziness and charm they add to a room. Since there are as many ways to dress a fireplace as there are homes, your choices are unlimited. You should try to make yours fit into your décor as much as possible, while making it a focal point at the same time.

The cheapest (ahem, most cost-effective) method of transforming a fireplace is to paint it. You indicated that it was a plain wall, and the first thing I would do is paint. Pick a color that you like or one that matches your furnishings. I would pick a standout color like red, but if that's too bold for you, paint it a shade different from the rest of the room. Make it darker, for instance, than the other walls in the room. The contrast will set it apart and make it stand out.

Moving on up the dollar chain, you could cover the wall with stacked stone, granite or slate to make an awesome statement. Tile will do the same thing.

If there is not a border or separation around the actual firebox, you can create a frame around it by using different materials like contrasting tiles, either in size, shape or color.

If your vision of the perfect fireplace includes the mantle topped with family photos or a prized work of art, you can add a mantle to any fireplace. I wouldn't tackle that project myself, but it's relatively simple to do.

First, select the size, the material and the color. There are countless woods to use, and you can treat it separately also. The mantle can then be painted to contrast with the wall or stained to match other woods in the room.

My favorite advice is to shop around and look through magazines. You will find that myriad options abound with the solution that works for you.

Carolyn Muse Grant is the editor of Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home & Garden section of the Review-Journal. Check out other decorating tips in Southern Nevada Home & Garden magazine, which is published the first Saturday of each month. Send questions to cgrant@reviewjournal.com.