1. Paint.
2-3. Reducing the sectional and adding three scaled-down chairs creates a circular seating arrangement perfect for conversation.
4-5. It's nice to have a table near every seat in a room if possible.
6. Move the TV.
7-10. Play up the natural focal point of the fireplace.
11. Soften the windows and add color.
12-14. A few well-chosen accessories can have a big impact.
Tell us about your design challenge: Find out how
E-mail: makeover@washpost.com
Write: House Calls
Home Section, The Washington Post
1150 15 St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20071
When La Plata, Md.'s Darlene Johnson moved from her condo to a house five years ago, she had no idea how difficult it would be to decorate the larger areas. Her 16-by-18-foot family room poses the biggest challenge: "I find myself at a loss on how to pull it all together, and I'm intimidated about getting the right proportion and scale and making costly mistakes," she says. Johnson would like a "luxurious but family-friendly" room for relaxing and entertaining. Her sectional is new, but Johnson admits it's too big for the room -- so at least part of it needs to stay. She also needs suggestions for TV placement, window treatments and storage.
- Contact Interiors by Design at 301-933-7971
ILLUSTRATION: Julius Goyanko - For The Washington Post; PHOTOS: Courtesy; EDITED BY: Terri Sapienza - Washington Post Staff Writer; WEB PRODUCER: Andrea N. Browne - washingtonpost.com; INTERACTIVE: washingtonpost.com
