Myka will you be putting an area rug on the floor? Area rugs can be a colorful way to start your room. After finding the right style, color, size, price, etc., you could buy neutral furnishings that work well together. Neutral sofa could be anything that says neutral to you- tan, brown, grey, navy, cranberry, you get the idea.

Curtain panels available at any big box store could be your colorful starting point. You might put colorful panels in the living room and dining room for color and just paint the wall behind the tv to bring color to that side of the room.

Check out decorating books like - "Seven Layers of Design". Christopher gives lessons in how to plan your decor.

If you know what store you might buy a sofa or chair from, make a scouting/shopping trip there. See what fabrics are available in the design you like. Take pics of those items. (Could refer to slipcovers for not as new furniture too, :)

If you buy a rug or carpet remnant ( usually good value), buy one large enough that the sofa or chair can at least have front feet on rug. It will make your space feel grounded or cohesive. A rug should extend 18 inches bigger than a dining table on each side.

Wall art does not have to be expensive. Cheap picture frames ( possibly white to match dining set) could be filled with colorful patterned fabric or scrapbook papers to add a lot of happiness.

Myka, here are a couple of room pics. The frames for cheap art can be picked up at the largest of box stores for about $5 each. I have picked them up stained, but you could paint white or black to suit your taste.

Do a we search for "model apartment" to see more basic decor pics. Remember, taste isn't about how much you spend. Buying at flea markets, tag sales, garage sales may be where you score your best piece for your home. Happy nesting!

Kathy, MT

Creamy walls are not noticed with just a little decor in place.