Tips for Updating: Simply Simplify

Some tips from Tres McKinney, interior designer for Laura Ashley in San Francisco, for updating a country room:

“First,” she says, “edit out those items that date the room, such as overly cute accessories, lots of little pictures everywhere and many dried-flower arrangements.”

* Group the little pictures on one wall. Replace the mixed dried arrangements with one container for fresh flowers or a single bouquet of dried flowers such as hydrangeas or statice.

* Remove some of the throw pillows. Put away the rag rugs for a while and replace them with a large sisal rug or floor cloth.

* Older lamp shades that are boxy or have ruffles or are in a small country print can be exchanged for simple parchment shades or for a shade in a large floral pattern or a check.

* Freshen colors with new paint or wall covering. Stay in the same color family so the upholstery continues to blend in. But instead of deep blue, try chambray. Replace dark red with terra cotta. Choose brighter, clearer yellows and grassier or paler greens.

“Between editing and color changes,” McKinney says, “you are probably there.”