By Ayn-Monique Khlare

red, white and blue room

In this 1960s cabin in the northeast corner of Georgia, every day is the Fourth of July. "The yard is full of blue hydrangeas," says Craig Kettles (C-Designs.biz), who decorated the home. "Between that and the view of Lake Burton, blue was a logical jumping-off point for a color palette. We added the red to give it pop." The iconic color combo, plus natural textures, distressed finishes and quirky antique furniture, gave this remodeled home its vintage American feel. Here's how to do it on your own. Photos by: Gridley & Graves

DETAILS:

This vinyl floor is made with three shades of vinyl tiles.

Though the living room reads as patriotic, it's actually grounded in neutral tones. "We painted the walls white and the floors a putty color to create a blank canvas," says Kettles. This brightened up the original pine planks-keeping the texture of the wood but making it easier to patch holes or cover any stains that co

Photo: Noah Webb

Mistake #1: Bringing the Caribbean to Canton

"Some people, who return from traveling in Italy or the Caribbean, get inspired by the exotic locales and want to design a room based around where they've just been. I always remind them to maintain a sense of place-to respect where their home is actually located. The light and landscape is different, and so a tropical look won't translate unless you live in a similar climate. Instead, take what you love about the setting and incorporate into your home. Keep your pallet simple and use accessories that hint at the environment you love."--Tim Clarke, author of Coastal Modern: Sophisticated Homes Inspired by the Ocean (Potter)

Left:The whale bone over the mantel and the bleached coral on the coffee table give a slight nod to the sea without making the room feel like a beach cottage.

Mistake #2: Hanging Art at Altitude

These fun projects have the potential to change the whole atmosphere of a room without costing a ton of money.

	Photo Enlargement Projects Take a photo of something you love -- a dog that comes every time you call, a keepsake with beautiful cursive and a colorful stamp, your lucky Tuesday-night poker deck. You can blow it up with some hassle-free Internet help, then frame it, hang it, and be enormously happy every time you walk by. Get the how-to
	Picture-Rail Shoe Rack Some of your heels are works of art, so why not display them as such? Line the walls of a walk-in closet or a dressing area with picture-rail molding to make a tidy yet visually arresting display. Get the how-to.
	Mirrored Tabletop Here's an illuminating idea: Transform a simple coffee table or end table by topping its surface with a piece of mirror glass. Get the how-to.
	Greenhouse Window Transform a window into a mini-greenho