Small dining room needs unified style

Q We have a small dining area in our new townhouse that is beside the living room, all one space. We love to entertain and want to be able to seat six to eight people around the table. Have you any ideas for seating?

A: In a small space such as your combined living and dining room, it is advisable to keep the color palette and style unified. The dining table should complement other tables in the living area, whether you have wood, metal or glass, and light or dark tones. However, mix-and-match seating is popular today; it's no longer necessary to have six or eight identical dining chairs. A more casual and eclectic approach is a good solution for your room.

To maximize seating around the table, why not go for one long bench, or two or three single-seat benches? These backless seats take up less space visually; when you and your guests are seated in the living room, your view of the dining area isn't chopped up by a row of chair backs. Also, a bench takes up less physical space, and stretches the number of people that can sit around the table when your party unexpectedly grows.

Upholstered seat pads add comfort and color. This is a great way to dress up a bench simply. Pick fabric that links to the color or patterns in your living-room sofa or chairs. Benches generally are lightweight and easily moved to give you extra seating wherever it's needed. I think you'll be delighted with the result.

Walls too beige?

Q: We are downsizing from a 10-room house to a two-bedroom apartment. It is painted beige throughout, and they discourage painting. What other options are there for wall color?

A: Why not use the rich color, pattern and textures that you find in art? Moving from a large home, I imagine you have a wonderful collection of art and photography from which to choose. You can have your own custom art by transferring one or a collection of photos onto canvas.

If you are ready for a change, then shop for whatever fits your budget, from large framed prints to tapestries and paintings. For the bedroom, you could hang a beautiful quilt on the wall.

Also, use a rich mosaic for the window treatments and accessories. You'll be amazed at how quickly the beige walls become a neutral background that brings cohesion to your personalized new apartment.

Beach look

Q: I just bought my first condo, a small one-bedroom unit, and I want to decorate it in a beach look. I need help putting this all together, what furniture to buy, what colors to use, how to set it up. Can you please advise me? I want it to look great so that I will be happy there.

A: Be a little careful with themed rooms — you need only a few elements to give the look of the story you are trying to tell. In this case, I would choose a color palate of delicate blues for the walls, lots of fresh, white trim, white sheers to give a breezy effect, and some splashes of sharp, fun citrus green or yellow for accessories such as throws and pillows.

Beach style is also about texture, so pick up garage-sale finds — an old wood coffee table, planks for shelving, an old armoire — and then antique them with a grayish whitewash to give the impression of faded driftwood.

Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. E-mail your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Distributed by King Features Syndicate.