Byline: Annie Groer and Jura Koncius

Every week, the Washington Post Home staff talks about various ways to improve your home. Find out about new trends, upcoming antiques shows and a variety of how-to help.

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

You may also browse an archive of previous Home Front discussions.

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Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Good morning everyone! We hope you caught Annie and me yesterday on our radio gig on WTWP. We are will be on at 11 a.m. next week as well. And we hope to take live questions in the near future on topics we all hold dear like paint, window treatments, clutter and good manners. Tee hee.

Anyway, let's rock.

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Connecticut: Hello:

I am moving from a quiet Connecticut town to Arlington. While I am very excited about the move, I am a bit worried about the increase in noise I may experience in the apartment. Do you know of any sound reduction methods I could try to quiet intra-apartment noise? Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Connecticut. I was brought in Bristol, Conn. And I love that state! Meanwhile, not all of Arlington is noisy! Where are you going to live -- Certainly Ballston and Clarenton are rocking and some of the streets are busy. But there are many tree-lined neighborhoods in Arlington where you should be able to sleep very soundly.

Keeping noise out - those methods include lined window treatments, shutters both in and out, lots of fabric on the walls, carpeting - and maybe a white noise machine.

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Alexandria, Va: My kitchen has a slightly musty smell, which hopefully will not be a pre-mold condition. The mid-rise condo was built in 2001. There is no obvious water leakage around the kitchen appliances, nor does the wall have any water stains. What should I do?

Thank you in advance.

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We assume you are an owner not a renter. Have you checked in back of your fridge for leaking? Pull it away from the wall. Maybe you should get a dehumidifier and run it for a while and see if that helps. Use all the fans in the kitchen and bathroom to dry out the place. If the smell keeps up, call in a plumber.Ask your fellow condo-mates if they are having this problem as well.

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Alexandria, Va: Are you still taking pictures from home decorators who need help? If so, please give me the address again. I need help real bad with a family room gone wild. Thanks!

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: We sure are. Look on page 2 of today's HOME section. House Calls is the name of the feature. Our fab colleague Terri Sapienza coordinates this weekly article. If you want to be considered for participation, send photos and room dimensions to makeover@washpost.com or write to House Calls, Home Section, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. If you are selected, we will get a designer to make over your room using six or so simple solutions.

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Frederick, Md: Hello Ladies! If you had three thousand dollars to prepare a townhouse to sale, what would you focus on?

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Dear Frederick: What a great question. We called Dana Tydings of Washington, the designer who did our House Calls today and who has a space in the current Washington Design Center Design House (see Home section today). She says treat the shell first. This means repaint walls and ceiling. Then hit the floor by either shampooing the rugs, or if they are truly hopeless, ripping them up and replacing them up with something inexpensive. Get lots of lamps to throw light. Have the windows washed. Clear off every single tabletop and only have a few classy candles - she suggests Votivo red currant. Outside, make sure grass is always cut. Buy two good looking flower pots in ceramic or stone (no plastic please) and fill them with seasonal flowers. If you have a back door, buy two more matching. And then go to Home Goods, which is the cousin of TJ Maxx, and buy lots of $25 throw pillows that are filled with down and feathers. Color coordinate them with your decor - toss out the tacky ones. Good luck.

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WTWP?: Sorry, I'm not familar with WTWP. Where is it on the dial? Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: 107.7 FM or 1500 AM...or Live streaming audio available from washingtonpost.com

Annie Groer and Jura Koncius: Hope you all know about our new Washington Post Radio project. Check this out. It's a lot of fun and informative. And you'll hear the voices of your favorite writers. Hopefully, us.

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Columbia Heights, Washington, DC: Good morning!In my house, I have a collection of rare nautical books and posters in a library setup. The room looks great, but the center is empty and crying out for an interesting focal point. I was thinking one of those huge old globes with a wooden stand, which would go well with the maritime theme and give a masculine feel to the room (I'm a guy). However, I can;t find one of these large globes anywhere. Is there a good map store or furniture store where something along these lines could be purchased? Thanks!