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See past redesigns for more advice on updating your space.
Even though the Johnsons have lived in their house for 14 years, "we've never known exactly what to do" with a 10-by-12-foot extra bedroom, Gae Johnson says. Their son formerly used the space as a guest room for friends and as storage for his computer. Now that he's in college, the couple want to reclaim the space. They have more than 1,000 books scattered around the house, and Johnson wants to move them all into one area. She'd like a place to set up her sewing machine, which can be put away when not in use. They are also seeking suggestions for the two dormer windows, which pose a big challenge for decorating.
Designer June Shea suggests: Pick neutral furnishings and add color through wall paint and art. Bright art and other accents can be easily swapped out to change the room's tone. When decorating a multipurpose room, look for furnishings that can do double duty, such as an ottoman that provides extra seating and storage (these can make sense of those troublesome dormers too) and a table that can expand to become a workspace. - Contact June Shea of Shea Studio Interiors in Springfield, www.sheastudio.com.
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ILLUSTRATION: Julius Goyanko - For The Washington Post; PHOTOS: Courtesy; EDITED BY: Kathleen Hom - The Washington Post; WEB PRODUCER: Janet Bennett Kelly - washingtonpost.com; INTERACTIVE: washingtonpost.com