Q: We (second husband and I) have accumulated a bewildering collection of stuff, mainly books and other items like pottery, hand-crafts and — would you believe — old-fashioned kid toys. We are planning to turn a guest room into a library of sorts, and we are debating between built-ins and free-standing bookcases. Which would you advise?
A: Go for the built-ins. When they are done right, they become an architectural asset that will eventually enhance the resale value of your home. More important, freestanding bookcases will only add to the clutter, while built-ins will help corral it, both literally and visually.
To get the most shelf mileage for your collections, have your carpenter build from the floor to the ceiling. The shelves should also be adjustable, or at least varied in height to accommodate all sizes and shapes of things. Keep them shallow, too, just a bit more than the depth of a normal book. Otherwise, you'll just be wasting floor space.
In the dazzling pictured display on the shelves, there's an intriguing mix of books — hardcover and paperback — plus collectibles gathered on the homeowner's frequent travels. The shelves offer "a place for everything" in his archives, writes John Connell, author of "Creating the Inspired House" (The Taunton Press) from which we borrowed this photo.
They also manage to tame chaos and offer a rich treasure hunt for other readers and browsers.
Q: We've just moved from the West Coast to the East and are renovating a 1960s-vintage ranch. I'm surprised to learn that so few people in this part of the country choose ceramic tile for their kitchen countertops. We had tile before and so did most of our friends. What gives here?
A: It's not the tile that's causing denial; it's the grout. Made of earth, water and fire, ceramic tile is one of the oldest and most popular surfacing materials in the world. It's practically indestructible and highly resistant to stains.
That's a lot more than you can say for grout. Porous and absorbent, grout gives out, shows stains and grows mold long before you're even thinking about replacing the tile itself.
But there's good news: When you need protection from acids, grease and staining, consider epoxy grout. Made with resin and hardeners, epoxy grout will shrug off most household stains and molds. The only downside is the fact that it costs more, about $8 per pound compared to $1 to $2 for regular cement grout.
Q: We've redone our kitchen and added a center work island. How high above the countertop should we hang the glass light fixtures? We've bought two, one for each end.
A: As with so many details of design, your eyeball and common sense are your best guides. Hang your fixtures low enough to spread useful amounts of light over the work surface as well as high enough that you don't bump your head while working or sitting at the counter.
Also, I hope you've brought fixtures that are in the right proportion for the space — not overwhelmingly large or pitifully too small. My advice is to get a ladder and try one: Have someone hold the light over the counter and let your eye decide if it's right.
If not, take it back and try again. Otherwise, you'll never be a happy cook.
Rose Bennett Gilbert is the co-author of "Manhattan Style" and six other books on interior design. To find out more about Rose Bennett Gilbert and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Website at creators.com.
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