Feast for Your Eyes
A piece of art, a color, or even a texture can help bring a room's design together. In this case, a mixture of similar textures and furniture within the same color tones helped to create a cohesive look. "Many of the objects in the McDonoughs' home express a craftsman approach to something functional," says Kathy.

The couple chose pieces that weren't just furniture but art as well. For example, the bases of their dining room table are hand-carved wooden pedestals. Each one is slightly different--perfectly imperfect. A simple wooden trough serves as the table's centerpiece, and a wrought-iron chandelier punctuates the space. An antique buffet table to one side of the room displays trinkets from travels abroad.

Conversation Starters
Showcase pieces you love, and above all, have fun with your displays. Here a grouping of three Indonesian cowbells, a handwoven rug, and a favorite ceramic jar-turned-lamp, inspires conversation. When you're creating a vignette, group an odd number of items--three or five--for a more aesthetically pleasing look. Also, consider displaying objects at varied heights for a more interesting arrangement.