Design Hints

Athena and Eddie Richard help a petite floor plan feel more spacious in their Cape Cod-style home in Paris, Kentucky. Athena's decorating wisdom is on full display in her living room.

* Create a conversation space. Define your main seating area with a large square rug centered in the room. This will encourage you to station sofas and chairs away from the walls.

* Combine tall with small. Use a tavern table instead of a coffee table, but join it with a bench to provide another surface that is compact but functional.

* Include upright furnishings. Incorporate wardrobes and narrow cupboards for both decorative and storage purposes; they will maximize available wall space and keep walking paths clear.

* Decorate vertically. Make "columns" of boxes, artwork and other treasures for a tidy look that maintains high visibility of each precious object.