How to Put the ‘60s in the Past

Here are some suggestions for banishing the ‘60s look from your decor:

* Paint is the cheapest and easiest way to go. Paint out dark beams and redo walls in lighter colors. Experiment with paints to get a speckled or water-stained finish. Try sponge painting.

* Refinish or paint cabinets. Some people replace cabinet doors with glass or fabric.

* Re-cover furniture or top with slipcovers. Adding pillows in various colors and textures adds interest and can change the look of a room.

* Try murals or trompe l’oeil rather than wallpaper. Think about painting it yourself.

* You don’t have to be like Kathy Bates in “Fried Green Tomatoes” sledgehammering out a wall, but knocking out a wall might be a good option in some cases. Check with a builder or architect to see whether it can be done.

* Experiment with drapery treatments. Using a pretty fabrics--or even new sheets--can update a room.