Q Our house is totally uninteresting and bland. For example, I would love a warm, cozy living room, but I’m stuck with sheetrock walls and really cheap windows. I am particularly fond of the country style. Can you help? Pat Reilly West Hartford, Connecticut A Pick out a sophisticated wallcovering pattern, such as the toile shown here (top right), for your living room—its graceful pattern will go a long way to warm up the space. Use coordinating (or matching, if possible) fabrics for the curtains, pillows and occasional pieces. Shir curtain fabric on wooden rods to soften stark windows. Slipcover the sofa to create a plump, cushiony effect. I love occasional chairs that you can move around and pull up as the need arises. You could even use the armchairs from your dining room set and, with the seats covered in the same fabric, tie the living room into the dining room. Checks work well with toile and add to the country look. photo: brewster wallcoverings Q My husband and I have inherited a cottage by a lake, but it is a little too rustic for us. We would like more of a place where we could spend time and relax in comfort. Is this possible without doing major reconstruction with major expenses? Barbara Harem Elkhart, Indiana A This photo from Village (bottom left) offers many clever solutions. First of all, try wallpaper to get rid of the unfinished quality of the walls. (Note: You may have to apply a liner first to even out the surface.) National Park, from the A Walk In The Woods Collection, is perfect. It features woods and sports, with pinecones, branches, geese, cabins and the like. If you add moldings and a baseboard, it will give a more finished look to your room. Get a comfy sofa that invites you to relax and sink in and some nice lamps. The perfect accessories are sports-related items such as a canoe paddle and fishing equipment. Then relax and enjoy. Q We recently purchased a ranch house in the suburbs. It does not have a great deal of character, but I must admit that ease of maintenance does make up for interest. I would love to have an old Victorian. Is there anything that I can do to make my house more interesting and warmer? Sarah Clancy Glencoe, Illinois A Crack-free walls and new floors can be assets, particularly if you’re busy and not terrifically handy at home improvement. To create warmth and character, pick a dark paint color (one of the historic shades would work well) and do the molding in a dark cream. Don’t do wall-to-wall carpeting; instead, show off your new floors and use a few interesting area rugs, which don’t have to be expensive to be effective. Reflect a warm country look and add interest by using wood blinds. These, from Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, are in an antique white, which pulls the room together. Blue-and-white-check side curtains on iron rods contribute to the country-French look. A country provincial print works well on the sofa and decorative pillows. On the occasional chairs, use a blue-and-white toile to give some punch. Editor’s Note: Margot Gunther, ASID, is a designer who has worked on residential interiors, country inns and restaurants. home • advertise • links