42-Pt, Vonnes BoldComp, 4 coL Living Different Shades of Wood Often Mix Well

By MARTHA STEWART

By Martha Stewart

When decorating a room, should you use the same shade of wood throughout or is it OK to mix colors?

While there is no rule dictating how to mix different shades of wood, there are some guidelines you can follow. If you are drawn to traditional interiors, consider choosing furnishings that are similar in color – and that harmonize with wooden floors. This gives a room a pleasing, cohesive appearance. Dark antique furniture arranged on a honey-colored wooden floor, for example, looks lovely.

Those with more modern sensibilities might incorporate a range of wood finishes. A room that features bamboo floors and a mix of wooden furnishings is lively and contemporary, as is one appointed with a combination of dark and light wooden pieces and dark floors.

Another option is to introduce one contrasting piece – such as a chestnut-colored lamp, black-lacquered armoire or white painted chest – to a room with wooden furniture. A focal point like this adds depth and interest to a space.

How do you remove a nail polish spill from a carpet?

As with all spills, it’s important to act fast, before the stain dries. Gently blot – don’t rub – the spot with a clean, dry white cloth or a paper towel, working quickly to prevent the stain from spreading. Continue blotting, shifting the cloth so that you’re using a clean section each time, until the cloth is no longer absorbing liquid.

Use a plastic spoon to scrape off any polish that has partially dried, then dab the edges of the spill with a cotton ball dampened with a nonoily acetone nail polish remover that doesn’t contain any conditioners; blot with the cloth. Working from the outside in, continue dabbing with remover and blotting until no more polish comes off. (Test a discreet area first; if the remover damages the carpet, skip this step.)

Next, mix a quarter teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with a cup of lukewarm water. Apply it to the spot with a clean, dry white cloth; blot and repeat, as above. When no more color comes out, thoroughly sponge the area clean with warm water, and blot to dry. For stubborn stains, or if you have delicate rugs, contact a professional carpet cleaner.

Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10036. Questions may also be sent by electronic mail to: mslletters@marthastewart.com Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; Martha Stewart regrets that unpublished letters cannot be answered individually. For more information on the topics covered in the Ask Martha column, visit www.marthastewart.com.

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