9. Add more texture by layering accessories of different materials, such as leather, wood, porcelain, silver, tole, lacquer, and crystal.

10. Use antiques with strong colors, and mix them at will. As the color ages, it acquires a certain patina that makes it work well with a range of other hues. A new piece in the same color, however, will often clash.

11. Before hanging a mirror on a wall, consider what it will be reflecting and make sure that the object is interesting.

12. When entering a rectangular-shaped room from the corner of one end, bear in mind that the focal point is the opposite corner rather than the center of the room.

13. Lower a chandelier to make it appear larger.

14. If you are hanging a grouping of art or objects above a piece of furniture with a distinct shape, such as a camelback sofa, allow the grouping to follow the shape of the furniture rather than hanging it in a straight line.

15. Electrical cords that cannot be hidden, such as those on table lamps, will be less noticeable if they are pulled straight down and tacked to the top of the base molding.

16. For ease in hanging a group of objects, measure the wall space and designate an area of the same dimensions on the floor. Place the objects within this template and make any desired changes before transferring the grouping to the wall. This is especially important when hanging objects on wallpaper, paneling, or walls that have special paint finishes.

Charles Birdsong, 5319 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75235, 214/521-4764, charliebirdsong@aol.com.

Cathy Kincaid Interiors, 4504 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214/522-0856.