QUARTERLY DESIGN TIP: ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION This month's tip is straight from a basic rule we're taught in design school: the appearance and ambience of nearly every room can be improved by removing an item. Because taking something away is the least-expensive home improvement possible, it's well worth your time to consider that particular designer's tip every few months or so. To use this method of room design, position yourself at a main entrance for the given space and close your eyes. Count to three and open your eyes, pretending you are viewing this area for the very first time. Note what draws your eye, then ask yourself whether or not, to quote a Martha Stuartism, that's "a good thing." If, for instance, your eye is drawn to an absolutely lovely palladium window and flawless draperies, that's excellent. Pat yourself on the back and focus your energies on the second item you notice. Try removing the eye-catching item, and chances are that the overall room appearance will be more serene and in better harmony. The lesson here is that we want to be able to see our spaces as a unified, inviting whole. In most cases, that conversation piece or piece of artwork that you couldn't quite find a home for is now drawing attention to itself at the expense of the rest of the room. Once you've performed the above step for all of your rooms and are satisfied with the results, you're still not necessarily finished. Suppose you have three fabulous vases. Placing one particularly nice vase on a shelf is generally more flattering to the vase itself and its surroundings than displaying two or all three of your vases at once. In this instance, don't discard anything, but rather, rotate which items you have on display and the items you have temporarily placed out of state. Clutter has an annoying way of collecting and always detracts from a given room. Personally, I try to look at my ceaseless battle to get rid of clutter as "redecorating," which I enjoy, as opposed to "cleaning," which I detest. My husband is a pack rat, which adds to the challenge. We parents can find the ever-needed storage space by periodically giving away those toys and clothing that our children have outgrown. As a final tip along the vein of addition-by-subtraction, if you're anything like me, you will have grouchy moments during which the first thing you'll want to dispense with in order to improve the appearance of the room is a family member. Resist that impulse, or simply move your redecorating operation to another room and urge your family member not to follow you till your mood has improved. Back to list of design tips.