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: Eat-in kitchen is too small for get-togethers Dear Kim, I’d like to know the correct way to decorate a apartment that has an eat-in kitchen. Having only one room that functions as a living room/dining room and kitchen makes it hard to have special occasions at my home with several guests. My friends suggest that I can do buffets with folding chairs and tables in my living room and have the kitchen be where I place the food. What do you think? KIM MYLES: I think that’s a great solution for larger gatherings, but I also think that you want to maximize your space for smaller groups as well. Consider banquet style seating: a bench along the wall, round table, and two chairs. This allows you to seat more than four people in the kitchen itself. 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!