Thursday, August 18, 2005; H02

Angle the curved sofa to the right of the fireplace to free up the only long wall for the TV cabinet. Flank the TV with two armchairs that can be pulled around to watch a movie. For balance, put the large lounge chair on the left of the fireplace.

Edit lamp styles. If possible, find a duplicate of the standing lamp now by the lounge chair and flank the fireplace with them.

A larger area rug will make the room more expansive; the small one that's there now results in a look that's cluttered and cut up.

Plant a ficus (real or fake) behind the sofa and add an up-light on the floor beneath to throw shadows onto the ceiling.

Paint the fireplace the same eggplant (Behr's Victorian Iris, No. 650F-6) as the walls. The current color, the same green shade as the sofa, makes the fireplace look upholstered.

Try removing the French doors . Both living and dining rooms will appear more spacious while remaining distinct spaces.

Edit your accessories . There's too much on the mantel and other surfaces. Cluster collections, and remember the wisdom of "less is more."

Want to try our take on your room? Tell us about your design challenge, and send photos and room dimensions to http://makeover@washpost.com or write to House Calls, Home Section, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20071.