Is the path to your kitchen worn out because it's where your family spends most of its time? If so, then you are just like Susie and Ben Allen. "We've decided this is all we need. We just go from the kitchen to the bedroom and back every day," says Susie.

With a spacious cooking area connected to a small sitting room that doubles as a dining area, the Allens' kitchen in Jackson, Mississippi, is one to envy. But it didn't happen overnight. Designer Ann Carter used five key strategies that combine comfort, convenience, and ideas adaptable to any setting. Maybe they will inspire the same success at your home.

Incorporate existing attributes.
As the old saying goes, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." The same is true in this kitchen tune-up, where cosmetic improvements were made without removing any walls, windows, or other original fixtures. White cabinets and countertops have classic style, but the rest of the room required a personality overhaul to suit this family's needs.

Overall, the kitchen was in good condition with a practical floor plan. It was open and spacious with room for a typical dining area opposite a well-organized workspace. The large window overlooks a lake, so enhancing views and capitalizing on natural light were a big part of the update.

Use fabric for unity and color.
Because the area was mostly white and sleek, Susie wanted color to turn it into a warm, cheerful room. Ann chose a multicolored toile fabric that feels happy. "With toile, sometimes more is better," says Ann. She dressed three window treatments and two comfortable chairs alike for impact.