question: i wish i could find a cute, convenient way to store my purses. here is a photo of my closet- did i mention a cheap solution would be great, too? -cassandra

answer: hi cassandra! depending on your collection and how prominently you’d like to display it, here are my suggestions:

• over the door purse rack: these $10 racks aren’t the prettiest things around, but they’re really practical for storing a large amount of purses in a small space.
• canvas hanging shelves: at $19+ a piece, this is a slightly more attractive solution that gives you room for both purses and shoes/accessories.
• clothes hanger holder: this $4.99 rack is similar to the ones you see on cheesy infomercials. hang your purses out on the rod, then collapse it down so they take up less space.
• pot rack + S hooks: i saw this idea on flickr and thought it could be a clever solution if kept neat and tidy. install a flat pot rack/rod from ikea and then use S hooks to attach purses. it will keep things nice and flush to the wall
• decorative wall arrangement: this isn’t for everyone, but if you have cute purses and aren’t afraid of open storage you can use a mix of just about anything (vintage hooks, old door knobs, etc) to create a pattern on the wall. then just hang your purses and display them as art or accessories, rather than something to be hidden in a closet

CLICK HERE for matt’s office door privacy problem and solution after the jump!

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question: i have a ton of awesome 13″ x 20″ prints i’ve collected over the years that i’ve been trying to find low-cost framing for- at one point I thought clip frames would provide the perfect solution, but oh woe is me, it turns out that 13″ x 20″ is not a standard size. there are so many gig posters and other prints this size that i feel like i must be missing something. can you help me get my gorgeous prints out of the closet and up on my walls? -jennifer wolfe

answer: hi jennifer! print framing can be a costly and somewhat frustrating process when you have non-standard print sizes. but fear not! there are always other (frame and non-frame) options. here are a few we’ve come up with that make the best of a non-standard size print issue:

• local frame/art shops: if your prints are standard sizes, pre-made frames will cost an arm and a leg and be hard to find. my go-to resource for non-standard framing is a local shop where the frame-building is done in-house. they’re always cheaper than shops that source frames elsewhere. so make a few calls and ask around to see if someone in town makes their frames in-house ( often times art schools or art supply stores offer these services). if they do, they can cut out the middle man and drastically reduce your framing cost
• foam core + frame ledges: if you’re open to thinking outside of the frame-world, a great option is to mount your prints with spray adhesive on foam core, wood or cardboard and then lining them up on a frame ledge. they’re easily moved but still have the support of a firm board behind them to hold their shape and prevent bending (top right image above, via west elm)
• line + clips: because pieces like gig posters and prints often get rotated around people’s homes we often suggest using a fishing/metal wire with hanging clips (bottom left image above, via sfgirlbybay). it’s not a frame of course, but it’s a fun and flexible way to display your favorite prints for low price.
• bulldog clips + nails: this look is a favorite of mine (top left image above, via skona hem). it’s flexible and depending on the clips you use, can have a slightly industrial feel. try collecting metal clips from flea markets or antique shops for a unique look
• clipboards: along the same line as the clips above, you can buy oversized/art clipboards that are up to 19 inches wide that will allow you to clip your prints to a board and stand, hang or lean them on the wall like that (bottom right image above, via mondocherry)

CLICK HERE for studio choo’s floral centerpiece ideas for d*s reader linda after the jump!

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question: i am writing because i desperately need help with something in my living room. yesterday we had our beautiful fireplace covered by our landlady (that’s london for you). where once we had different colored candles in our black fireplace (as it wasn’t a working one) we now have a huge wooden piece of block (image here) covering an incredibly large amount of it almost to the mantel. i want to cover it, but i don’t want something too overwhelming in the space because our living room is quite small. what should i do? – sarah b

answer: hi sarah! so sorry to hear your landlord covered up your fireplace. no fun at all. especially with such a flimsy looking piece of wood. grrr. but not to fear, there are a few great options for this. since your carpet is blue, you don’t want to go too crazy with anything that might clash but here are a few ideas. hope they come in handy!:

• wallpaper: d*s diy editor kate pruitt covered her fireplace with a sheet of wallpaper placed over foam board. you could cover your entire fireplace, or just apply paper (or gift wrap- cheaper!) with decorative patterns that match your carpet.
• fabric: i’m of the belief that a piece of fabric almost always makes everything better. instead of paper, you could cover your wood piece with a piece of staple gunned fabric, or create a thin upholstered panel to cover the entire non-working fireplace- and add some extra insulation. you could even add a ribbon trim to mimic the shape of the fireplace.
• mirrors: mirror tiles are always an option, but since you already have a mirror on top, i would avoid overkill with the reflective surfaces. but it could look cool to move the mirror from above and instead apply mirrored tiles to the wood piece and antique them with a technique like this. an aged mirror would look lovely under a mantle decorated with florals.
• chalkboard paint: this might seem a little out there. but i once saw a non-working fireplace painted with chalkboard paint over a wood front at a friend’s home in georgia. she drew a rotating series of playful log or stacked book images on the wood to create a faux-fireplace scene. not for everyone, but still fun.
• decals: i’m not a fan of decals, but if you pained this wood piece to get rid of the neutral brown tone, you could apply any number of decals. but rather than a pre-made set- try this fun tutorial to make your own.
• decorative screen: a screen would be a fun and easy fix to cover the entire section of wood. you can buy a pre-made version, or build your own, covering it with a fabric or paper of your choice

CLICK HERE for a great list of vintage-style bike resources after the jump!

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question: dear design*sponge, i’m currently planning a budget wedding, so my fiance and i don’t currently have much (ok, any) extra cash with which to feather our nest. i’m wondering if you have any ideas for wedding decor that could transition into adornment for our sparse apartment once our country chic-themed fall 2010 wedding is over? there’s so much that I love about this concept- decorating our home with fond memories, being green and frugal- but I have to admit that i’m design-challenged. help! -sarah

answer: thanks for your question sarah! for your answer i went straight to one of my favorite wedding sources- abby larson of stylemepretty. her expert wedding advice is spot on. so i’ll let her take it from here…

This is a great question. One that every bride should ask themselves! Making your dollars really count when planning your wedding is much easier to digest when you know that the materials you buy will go to good use in making your home a more beautiful place. Here are some creative ways to stretch your dollar…

1. Your Linens. Collecting vintage, elegantly mismatched linens is such a great way to add a bit of depth to your wedding decor. Plus, you’ll always have them as a keepsake to enjoy when entertaining guests. Or you can go one step further and sew them into a gorgeous quilt that you can use when you snuggle up with your new hubby. [image above by sedona bride]

2. Your Dessert Plates. For my own wedding, we scoured ebay for pale pink cut glass dessert plates. We ended up with around 200, so I packaged them up in groups of 6-8 and gave them as housewarming gifts for the first year we were married. I kept quite a few, as well, which have been perfect for cocktail parties as well as pretty little dessert plates. They would also look pretty stunning arranged creatively on an accent wall.

3. Your Guestbook. Use a vintage postcards rather than a traditional guest book to have your friends and family write well wishes. After the wedding, tuck them in and around a vintage mirror or make an amazing collage for your walls that is as whimsical as it is meaningful. Great impromptu art. [image above by sedona bride]

4. Your Centerpieces. Whoever said centerpieces HAD to be fresh flowers was flat out wrong. Bowls or vintage trays filled with peaches, cherries or mandarin oranges would be gorgeous. Potted herbs, small topiaries or vintage lanterns would also be stunning and perfect for recycling into home decor.

5. Your Decor. Handmade throw pillows are a gorgeous accent to any seating area, particularly with weddings. They bring a sense of intimacy and warmth to any space. A collection of framed photographs, a chalkboard with your menu handwritten on it, beat-up wooden signage…all would make for pretty incredible wall decor in your home.

We have some really great budget-happy, DIY inspired weddings on SMP that you will definitely love…our real weddings are filled to the brim with gorgeous ideas and practical, swoon-worthy inspirations. -Abby

[have a design question you'd like answered? just shoot us an email right here with the title "dear d*s". if you're asking a specific interior design question please include a picture of the space in question and your budget for any new projects.]

CLICK HERE for the second question about restoring a vintage chrome oven hood after the jump!

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question: what are some ways to create the look of wallpaper without actually wallpapering? -amanda

answer: hi kate! wallpapering without wallpaper is one of my favorite craft tricks. it’s cost effective, easier to apply (usually) and leaves you with a wide range of customizing options. here are some of my favorite:

• stencils/stamps: one of my favorite ways to create a wallpaper look is to break out the old stencil or stamp kit. using a pre-made stencil, designing your own, or free-handing a pattern can be a great way to get the look but leave yourself the option to paint-over when you move. here are some great stencil books resources: lena corwin, lotta jansdotter, ed from stencil 101.
• gift wrap: whether you mod podge this on or adhere it with clear contact paper (cut slightly longer than the gift wrap to stick to your surface) this is a really affordable way to get the impact of a bold wallpaper pattern without the sticker shock.
• decals: i’m not a huge fan of decals, but there are so many to choose from these days you’re bound to find something you like- and can easily remove. here are some of my favs: domestic, blik, and elly nelly.

[have a design question you'd like answered? just shoot us an email right here with the title "dear d*s". if you're asking a specific interior design question please include a picture of the space in question and your budget for any new projects.]

CLICK HERE for 2 more reader questions – your advice is needed for a tricky bedroom layout and a bedroom makeover!

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question: i have seen so many before & afters that have been transformed by a good paint job. i want to jiffy up a piece with color, but want it to end up looking well-worn. one example is the hutch in this post. i’ve heard of sanding, but am afraid that would look too contrived. how else can I achieve this look? -trina

answer: hi trina! a distressed look can be achieved many ways- here are some of the most popular: crackle glaze (applied over a base coat of paint), sandpaper (rubbed on areas that would typically show signs of wear and tear), liquid paint remover (can be brushed or applied with a towel), manual distressing with objects (using a chain or other rough objects to physically wear a piece. this can really damage a piece though so i don’t suggest it normally, but some people love it). but my favorite option is the wax method. all you have to do is: clean your furniture, apply wax (you can even use a crayon) over portions of the furniture you’d like to look distressed, then paint over top. once the paint is dry you can use a light piece of sandpaper or brillo to remove the paint on the wax portions. it will have a hard time sticking to the wax so it will easily come off. barb from knack adds:

“in my opinion, the best way to get it is to use an orbital sander with 120 grit or finer paper on it. an orbital sands much rougher than you can hand sand and takes off more paint. if you want it to look less contrived than you need to look at it as a canvas add more paint in the corners or edges, take away some in the middle, etc. you can also dry brush on a couple shades lighter (or a light gray) in places to simulate the weathered look.”

here are some more great ideas online.

question: my boyfriend and i like the idea of taking our shoes off when we enter the front door (which has no foyer, just bam! and you’re in the living room). any suggestions as to how to keep shoes (only a few pairs) organized and not too eye-catching? -jessica

answer: hi jessica! as someone who shares the same problem as you, i figured i would tackle this question. my apartment door opens right into our living room and almost hits the couch it’s so close, so storage for shoes, coats and rain gear can be tough- and pretty unsightly. but here are some solutions i love:

• j-me horizontal shoe rack: slim, modern and great for just a few pairs (here’s similar pre-made version and a diy version)
• baskets/containers: if you don’t mind having your shoes a little visible, using this or this as a storage spot for shoes can look pretty cool. there was an image in dwell magazine years ago of a guy who used a planter to hold his collection of vans and it always made me want to try it
• bissa shoe cabinet: i have seen these wallpapered, painted, stained and even decoupaged to match rooms. bonus points for hiding the actual shoes
• hanging storage: if you have a closet in the room, consider hanging options to keep things totally out of sight
• upholstered storage seating: this is my favorite option and one i use at home. whether you diy one or buy a pre-made upholstered storage bench/cubes, you’re left with extra seating for the living room and a place to stash shoes and winter/rain gear.

[have a design question you'd like answered? just shoot us an email right here with the title "dear d*s". if you're asking a specific interior design question please include a picture of the space in question and your budget for any new projects.]

CLICK HERE for jenny’s living room redesign question after the jump (SHE NEEDS YOUR HELP!)

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[image above by julia rothman]

today is the first installment of dear d*s: a column where d*s editors and experts tackle design questions sent in by readers. this week i’m tackling two of my favorites and next week we’ll be hearing from an interior designer and an architect about space planning and much more. if you have a question you’d like answered just shoot us an email right here with the title “dear d*s”. if you’re asking a specific interior design question please include a picture of the space in question and your budget for any new projects.

question: dear d*s, could you please discuss painting a brick wall? under what conditions is this a good idea? when would it be an absolute no-no? what colors are up to the task? should it match other walls in the room? are there any tricks to the actual painting process? -alan and jennifer

answer: hi alan and jennifer! after we posted sabrina’s painted brick kitchen makeover we started receiving emails about the do’s and don’ts of painting brick. i consulted with some of my favorite local interior designers and their consensus on painting brick, and matching walls were pretty much the same- it’s a subjective decision. many of them sites real estate as a reason to paint- explaining that red and brown brick is often cited as an eyesore by those seeking to buy or rent homes. on thing they did agree on was that neutral colors are always a safe and classic option. what colors did they love most for brick? grey, white, cream and light coffee colors- all easy neutrals for a modern or traditional color scheme.

as for the how-to, i emailed one of my favorite local handymen to talk about the pitfalls and tricks of home brick painting. here are their steps, broken down:

1. start with a smooth, clean base: before painting, checking the condition of your brick is crucial. any cracks, holes or broken pieces of brick should be filled and treated before moving to the next step. when the brick is fully repaired, make sure it is cleaned thoroughly to remove any dust and debris.

2. keep it dry: brick is difficult to paint because of its porousness. so treating your brick with a water repellent is important. whether you use a water sealant (surface level) or water repellent (which penetrates up to 1/4″) this step will greatly improve the paint’s ability to stick to your brick wall.

3. priming: because of the porous nature of brick, you’ll always need to prime. you’ll want to use a water-based exterior primer. apply several thin coats of primer, allowing at least an hour (for quick-drying primers) in between coats.

4. paint: a lot of people have recommendations for mixing glue into paint, adding hot water and all sorts of other tricks, but the painter and interior designers i consulted all agreed- regular flat paint is always a safe bet for painting interior brick. the process is a long one because of how quickly brick absorbs paint, but if you work in sections and take your time, you’ll end up with a more professional finish.

*tip to consider: paint with a glossy finish will accentuate any irregularities and unevenness in brick, so if you want your wall to disappear into the room, you will want to stick with a flat paint. if you want to show off the brick texture, look for a glossy finish- it will also be easier to clean (which you can do with mild soap and water) and will highlight the finish of the brick.

CLICK HERE for the next question & answer (color flow between rooms) after the jump!

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