MAR'S Recipe For A Room
Open up to the view, reflect light, choose the right size furniture, make the most of a long narrow area, and streamline upholstery - Mar shows you six easy steps to get the job done.

1. Dare to go bare
Simple window treatments are always in good taste. But where privacy and light-control are not concerns, you needn’t cover attractive windows.

2. Let in the light
Removing a partial wall between the living and dinning rooms admits sunlight and affords views of the backyard throughout the two spaces.

3. Take a shine
Mirrors and other reflective surfaces enhance light, add shimmer, and make rooms appear larger. For greatest impact, incorporate metallic accents sparingly in the form of, say picture frames, fireplace tools, and light-fixture trim.

4. Streamline slipcovers
Forgo slouchy cover-ups for form-fitting fabric designs that emphasize, rather than obscure, furniture lines.

5. Divide a long room
Anchor discrete sections with rugs. The solid-taupe wool sisal establishes the seating area and echoes the neutral tone in the dinning area’s needlepoint rug.

6. Scale down
A large sofa and monolithic coffee table can overwhelm a small room and restrict furniture-placement options. Two 55-inch-long love seats (one shown) bracket a pair of 18-inch-square cocktail tables and can be easily moved within the 17 by 12 foot living area.

And there you have it.