Every week, the Washington Post Home staff talks about various ways to improve your home. Find out about new home trends, upcoming antique shows and how to reupholster your furniture.

Ask Post staff writers Annie Groer and Jura Koncius about all things home related.

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Good morning all...Hope you had a fruitful Memorial Day holiday (spent either buying paint, furniture, window or wall treatment.) So let's rock.

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Arlington, Va.: My bedroom is painted Benjamin Moore Misty Blue (820 on Preview fandeck), a great bedroom color! Anyway, our adjoining bathroom needs to be painted. It has bath and floor tiles with a terracotta tone, and the fixtures are brushed nickel. Any suggestions on paint color? Many thanks.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Why not go a shade or two lighter than the fab Misty Blue? The other possibility would be take that terra cotta and run with it...a nice, intense Adobe Dust.
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Old House, Md.: We just bought a 150-year-old house that we're very excited about renovating. What are some of the basic rules as far as keeping the old charm but moving in modern technology? There are beams on the ceilings, crown and base moldings, wood floors, etc. Also, the last owner moved in in 1975 and can't remember if it was painted then or not. Didn't paint contain lead at that time? How do we check for lead in the paint? Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Old House - It's a good bet that at least some of the paint on those old walls is lead based. You can have an inspector test it, or you can just assume that is what is there and act accordingly. As for updating a 19th century home, you need to think convenience and lifestyle: Upgraded wiring for such things as cable TV, a DSL line, heavy duty appliances etc. You might want to consult with your local historical society for the names of contractors who specialize in such work so there will be no surprises.

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Woodbridge, Va.: Please forgive yet another paint question: I want to paint my son's bathroom and need a little inspiration. It's a navy and white bathroom: tiles/sink/floor/cabinets are white, the shower curtain is white with navy trim, and the floor mats and towels are navy. I was thinking of maybe a khaki such as SW Relaxed khaki. Another color that would probably look really crisp with navy and white would be a nice bright yellow, but it will clash with my hallway paint, which is a buttery yellow already. I also thought of red, but my son nixed that one. Is there another color that comes to mind besides the khaki? Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Woodbridge - Annie, lover of gleaming white bathrooms, votes for white walls. Jura, lover of paper bag and khaki neutrals, suggests Swept Plains by Duron, which will give you a classic combo that is great for a guy's bathroom.

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Montclair, Va.: Is "C Mart" the same Maryland outlet featured in an article on the front page of the "Home" section a year or two ago? The Maryland outlet was located in a K-Mart building. If not, please let me know where the MO outlet is located. Thanking you in advance.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Montclair - Yes, it is very same C-Mart that Jura wrote about last year and it continues to be an incredible source of designer bargains for the home as well as the body. Recently, C-Mart consolidated its operations, moving the fashion part to the new Home store. The address is 1000 Joppa Farm Road, in beautiful Joppatown, Md. 410-538-6100 and the web site is www.cmartdiscount.com. They are open 7 days a week and currently have great samples from the High Point furniture market to offer. Keep them in mind as you traverse I-95 this summer. Perhaps you can score a frock and an ottoman in the same trip.

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Arlington, Va.: Our foyer looks incredible thanks to your suggestion of dark and light taupe stripes. The foyer hall leads into an open family room/kitchen area that is decorated with red/gold/sage rug, leather sofa, and terracotta tiles (kitchen). Do you think I should bring the taupe colors from the foyer into the kitchen/family room, or go with another color? I was thinking about prescott green (BM) or silver sage (RH)?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Arlington, We're always gratified when someone loves our suggestions. Silver Sage might work because it is such a pale neutral. But if you, like we, are worried about introducing yet another color, use one of the taupes to pull the eye into the room.

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Arlington, Va.: Looking for some thoughts on covering three casement windows in my family room. Great view outside but do want the windows covered in the evening at least. What do you think about white wood blinds vs. metal blinds vs. fabric-covered roller shade (or maybe rattan?) Current panels are cumbersome to open and really close in the room. Thank you!