Too often when we're buying or building a house we do not consider each room. We are carried away by one charming feature and are blind to details that will give us trouble later on.

Too much of anything is the beginning of a mess.

This can be one of cheerfulness or gloom because color which is so inexpensive, is what does the trick. Not color alone but color plus imaginative lighting and cleverly grouping of the furniture. You say you have an old lobby that nothing much can be done with? Oh yes it can!

Don't buy a bedroom suite, but collect your pieces separately - generally cheaper and always the decorator's way of furnishing.

If you are collector, let other people share your pride and joy. Don't sprinkle your collection out of sight in a meaningless jumble. Notice how groups of small objects, when they are well arranged, become important and effective. Remember that repetition is a form of emphasis. Collect what you will, but see to it that you arrange your hobby to its best advantage.

There seems to be within all of us an innate yearning to be lifted momentarily out of our own lives into the realm of charm and make believe.

No room can be called perfect unless it has real comfort.