Restful Haven
The study, located off the living room, occupies the former sunroom. A leather sofa and ottoman/coffee table sit beneath casement windows. An antique secretary provides a practical and handsome workspace, and upholstered chairs offer comfortable seating. Pecky cypress paneling imparts a wonderfully warm and rustic quality, giving an unexpected counterpoint to formal fabrics and furniture.

The scenic toile fabric that accents the study's window valance also embellishes the adjoining master bedroom, a space that's located in a rear area of the house that was significantly enlarged. Closets in the master bedroom have wooden doors with glass inserts that are lined with fabric, a treatment that continues into the bath. Built-in cabinetry between its pedestal sinks features tall doors that are hinged at the center, rather than at the sides. This arrangement allows easy access to storage areas that function as individual medicine cabinets.

• Focus on acquiring large pieces of furniture first, such as an armoire or sofa. I like old sofas that can be reworked, but most people want new for comfort. Stay with classic lines.
• When coordinating patterns in a room, try not to match everything so perfectly. If you like a pattern, there's usually a way to make it work. Add decorative trims to help colors blend.
• Make use of each nook and cranny by turning it into something functional. Search for unusual furniture pieces that will make odd spaces look better. We used a washstand and a dressing table as bases for bathroom sinks upstairs and still retained storage.

For Children of All Ages
In the living room, a new stairway with a handsome iron railing leads to the second floor. At the top of the stairs, the first room you see is the boy's room with its painted door and window moldings that echo the vivid red in ticking and other fabrics. An adjoining bath with a hand-painted wall treatment connects to the girl's bedroom that is stenciled in green-and-white flowers.