Kim Myles: Life, Style and Design

Interior design maven and host of HGTV’s “Myles of Style,” Kim Myles, will answer a question submitted from an ESSENCE.com reader every day. Kim believes that interior design should offer a lifestyle that’s chic, vibrant and attainable for every homeowner or renter. “My goal is to offer simple solutions that help the average person achieve the look that they want without going into debt. There is absolutely no reason for great design to be overly expensive or exclusive,” she declares. Today’s topic: Noise reduction Dear Kim, My bedroom is close to the front door of my apartment. I live on the first floor of my building, close to the entrance way. Anyway, I work nights and sleep through the day. Problem is that I hear everyone as they come and go through the building all afternoon and evening, and it keeps me awake. I am not good when I am deprived of sleep, I get reeeeal cranky! Anyway, how do keep sound from coming in my front door? KIM MYLES: Earplugs should be your first investment! Next, get a white noise machine, and plug it in next to your bed (Bed Bath and Beyond carries a selection). Once you’ve done these things, consider sound proofing the wall that joins your bedroom to the entryway. Hanging a row of floor-to-ceiling curtains to create a soft wall would allow you to double up on the sound dampening by lining the wall behind it. Mounted egg crate bed rolls could be hidden behind a lush wall of heavy velvet curtains. Read more:

• For more “Life, Style & Design” stories, click here.
• Kim Myles: Before and After
• “Myles of Style” Makeovers

Need help selecting furniture for your space? Have a disagreement with your spouse on a color to paint your walls? Toddlers making your home look like a storm rolled through it and need help adjusting for their mess? Send your design question to webmaster@essence-online.com. Please keep the questions brief and as detailed as possible. Remember, the more information you offer, the more Kim will be able to help!