Decorating solutions

Decorating solutions
Q. I tried to paint stripes on my wall, but the lines weren't perfect. I don't want to sound like a freak, but I want the lines to be perfect! The paint seeped underneath the tape and it looks awful! What can I do? -- Nellie, 16, Grand Island, Neb.
A. I love striped walls because they make any room seem more exciting. This is an easy one. First, you are going to paint your walls the lighter of the two colors that you've chosen. When that is dry, tape out the stripes with masking tape. Once you have done that, go over those stripes with the lighter color again. This will make the tape disappear, and the same color of paint will seep underneath the tape and block the new color from seeping!
Now, when that is dry, paint in your stripes in the darker color and when it's almost dry, peel the tape off. You will have perfect stripes.
Hey, don't make the stripes too small or it will look like you're in jail! Stick with stripes that are at least 8 inches wide for a terrific look!
Q. I hate my floor. It's white vinyl tile and it has no personality, and it looks cold. I have a rug on it, but it slips all of the time, and it's not big enough. Do you know what I can do to make my floor really great? -- Abby, 15, San Antonio
A. This is fun to figure out because a white floor is like a big painter's canvas.
First, you need to make sure that you can do this -- it takes some time and patience. Find a great stencil that you like, say a big swirl, that will break up the white. You can also do diamonds or even polka dots in the color of your choice. Even painting every other square to give it a checkerboard effect could be nice. It's all up to you.
Now, to do this you have to sketch out carefully what you want. Make a grid that looks like the tiles and start designing. Once you figure out what you want and what will best fit in each tile, trace it on the floor with a pencil. The best paint to use for something like this is a high-gloss polyurethane enamel-based paint. It smells, so use a mask and gloves, and you definitely will need ventilation! It also takes at least one day to dry so be prepared to sleep in the living room. You can also do one little bit at a time and make sure not to step on it! If your design will cover a big space on each tile, take some sandpaper and sand down the area that you're painting, which makes the paint stick better.
Now for those slippery rugs. The easiest thing to use to keep it in place is bathroom caulking. It comes in a tube and it dries like rubber. Just squirt it in lines on the back of your rug and let it dry. Be sure to send me a photo of that masterpiece when you're finished!
XNeed help with your room? E-mail your question to markmontanonyc@aol.com. Mark Montano can now be seen on TLC's "While You Were Out." Check local listings for times. Mark also writes "Cool Room," a monthly room makeover column in CosmoGirl magazine. For more information about Mark and his work, check out www.markmontano.com.