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white", and "navajo white". They make the walls a soft white in sunlight or when lights are turned on, but whisper the other color in the shadows.

Do you have paneling that you don't want to take the time to take off the walls so that you can paint? Most major hardware stores (ACE, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) have paint that is specially made for using on paneled walls.

WHAT DECORATIONS DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR WALLS?
The first apartment I had was the typical white-wall type. And the terms of the lease didn't give me the option of painting those boring walls. Most apartments are like this. I was young and hadn't really looked into interior design at all so I went to the closest Woolworth's store and bought run-of-the-mill pictures with plastic frames. Yes, my apartment looked God-awful. Later I learned that the art galleries on the side streets in one of the shopping districts of the city I lived in had original paintings with one-of-a-kind frames at extremely reasonable prices. True, I couldn't afford the larger paintings or the ones painted by famous artists but when the rooms aren't extra large, you don't want something covering the entire wall anyway. And who knows, maybe the unknown artist's work will be famous and worth quite a bit some day. Don't settle for wall items that are going to make your rooms look tacky. Take the time to find those treasures.

WHAT ARE YOU USING FOR KNICK-KNACKS AND HOW MANY ARE YOU USING?
All of us have precious items that we want to show off but if you have too many on end tables, the coffee table, the bookcase, etcetera; your home is going to look like a junk shop instead of your abode. The coffee table and the end tables are there for things like a lamp and a magazine. One or two knick-knacks will be a nice accent. Any more than that doesn't leave room for things like a cup of coffee when someone comes to visit. Even with collections, it would probably be more noticeable if you just put a few out as a group and chance them every once in awhile to have something different to see.

Of course, transforming your space from a storage unit to a retreat isn't something you can do during a boring weekend. It'll take a little time. I did each room separately and completely before going to the next room. To keep myself motivated, I started with the first room I see when I come in. In my case, it was the kitchen. For you, it may be the living room. I, then, went to the second room I would see when I first walk in after working all day, and then the third, fourth, etcetera. It took me about two months just using my weekends that were free.

Learn more about this author, Glynis Jolly.
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