Window dressing sometimes calls for hands-off approach Adding a blind or shutter may be sufficient in children's rooms; Informally elegant atmosphere is among the hardest to achieve Q: Even though I like a mixture of furniture styles, I'm having trouble producing an informally elegant atmosphere in my large living room. One difficulty is that I don't feel confident about choosing the right combination of colors for such a setting. Can you give me some general guidance? A:You can take heart from the fact that relaxed elegance is one of the hardest looks to achieve, whether in fashion or in interior design. Perhaps it's because this style depends as much on one's attitude as it does on any set of design criteria. I can suggest, however, that you keep things simple both in color and line. You seem to be at a stage where experiments would be more likely to produce disappointment than brilliant breakthroughs. The floor, walls and curtains could all be done in shades of bleached linen, while at least some of the furniture might be in a similar color. The type of furnishings rustic, traditional or modern is actually less important than their color, which should definitely not be dark. You can't go wrong with high-quality wicker or rattan, especially if you intersperse these pieces with a few funky antiques. Such a combination will put you well on the way to creating an interesting and personalized interior. The photo of a large Dutch Colonial home presents an example of the atmosphere I think you're trying to establish. Here, a bleached wood floor and putty-colored walls with white painted woodwork form a surround that comfortably accommodates a mixture of styles. Just look at the seeming jumble of elements: a trestle-like birch log table with a glass top; a velvet-covered Jacobean high-back chair; a teak-armed sofa with peal covering topped with squishy, multicolored silk cushions. Black iron antique furniture is also scattered throughout. The deep-piled carpet is instrumental in making this setting look cleverly eclectic rather than merely chaotic. This particular floor covering comes from Tufenkian Tibetan Carpets of New York City. Its strong geometric patterns and neutral earth tones act as a sturdy, steady base for the entire room. Don't think that art and accessories are incidental just because I mention them last. In fact, details such as these are essential to the casually elegant look that you're seeking. Some well-chosen pieces of folk art will make a great deal of difference to your living room's ultimate appearance.