Some years ago, representatives of an engineering firm in Winslow came to our studio on Madrone Lane and argued that a window shade could not insulate well because the cold has already passed through the glass and is inside the house. To test that assumption — and to prove them wrong — we installed a […]
Juris Zommers, ASID
A longtime Bainbridge Island Designer, Juris Zommers first opened his firm under the name Daina Design in Seattle in 1962. He moved the business in 1974 to Bainbridge Island, where Stephanie Harris joined him in 1980. As Harris/Zommers Interiors, they have worked in all phases of residential design and specialize in window coverings and fabrics/reupholstery services.
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How to Incorporate Your Books into Your Home Decor
If you have bookcases on each side of your fireplace and the shelves are deeper than the normal 10 to 12 inches, don’t push the books all the way back against the wall. In fact, you should do exactly the opposite. Line up all of the books with the front edge of the shelves. Leave […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How to Troubleshoot Your Three-Way Floor Lamp
If the three-way bulb on one of your table or floor lamps has only one level of light, more than likely one of the filaments has burned out. However, it could also be a connection in the three-way socket. Follow these steps to try and figure out the problem. Caution: It is very important to […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How to Properly Clean Your Shower Liner
If your vinyl shower curtain liner has developed black spots, especially in some of the folds, it is probably mildew rather than dirt. It’s perfectly OK to wash it in your washer. Most good-quality vinyl shower curtain liners will survive years of washing. This method works very well with top load washers. Our first attempt […]
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How to Restore Indoor Teak Furniture — Part 2
It is best to leave outdoor teak tables, chairs and benches unfinished and sanded to weather to a beautiful silvery-grey color (as shown in this photo). But if your indoor teak furniture, especially a table top, has been exposed to sunlight for several years, it probably has a rougher feel due to the grain being […]
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Replacing Your Carpet? Don’t Forget the Carpet Pad
A client is having new carpet installed in the living room, and was told by the salesperson that the pad — which is 10 years old — needs to be replaced. The client questioned whether that’s really necessary. If you’re replacing your carpet, here’s my advice. You should absolutely replace the pad. Once the old […]
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How to Restore the Color of Teak Furniture
A client who has a 1960s Danish oiled-teak dining table was recently inquiring how to safely restore the original color of the furniture. The table has dark spots in several places, and the client wanted to know what to do to get back the original look — rich and warm brown. If you have teak […]
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How to Properly Install a Bedroom Mirror
Installing a mirror is easy but it does require a little bit of planning. Here’s how to install a full-length mirror on the back of a bedroom door without a fuss. If the door is solid wood, then metal or plastic clips will work. However, many doors are hollow-core and screws will not hold a […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How to Choose the Right Table Lamp
A common question I hear regarding home décor is how to choose living-room table lamps so they are the correct height. In most cases, tops of lampshades should be somewhere between 4 and 5 feet from the floor. A variation of 2 to 3 inches is acceptable. If you also have a floor lamp — […]