Updated Traditional Living Room

Mimi and Chris have had a lot of trouble deciding on a color scheme for their living area. Mimi tends to like light colors, as is evidenced by the cream wall color, couch and rug. All that combined makes the room seem uninviting and sterile. The dark-brown Japanese shoji screens provide almost all the color contrast for the room. Karen says lack of color in rooms is a common design problem. "Most people tend to choose too light, so go a shade darker," she advises. "And if you're hesitating between two colors, you can always ask your paint store to mix just the right color for you."

For specific product information, click on the first After photo of the room.