Textural collage by Michael deMeng, a Canadian artist with a sense of dark whimsey. If you can afford to add original art, you'll create interest, a cultured aspect and in this case, a conversation piece - to a room. 

Idea board: Rustic + modern is a great combination of earthy and sleek. This particular look features pale painted floors, warm sisal carpet with modern cool grey sofa and lots of white to create a crisp and eclectic room. The plants bring life (green!) and save the room from being too neutral.

This open floor plan benefits from a simple color palette and plenty of light to create visual harmony throughout the large room. With open plans the rule is usually 2 or 3 colors (max) that follow the lead of your hard surface (countertops and floors) choices. Note how the dove grey ceiling picks up the pale grey stone fireplace.

Clean contemporary spaces don't always have to be neutral. This warm palette of buttercup and tomato red are marvelous with the dark floors and floor  to ceiling windows.

The matte painted hutch with its collection of softly glazed ceramic vases, the matte painted chairs with cushions that echo the colors in the vases, and glossy white table work well with the inviting oversized white sofa. This room appears to get soft natural light which a white room truly needs. Rooms without natural light simply look clinical with white walls and this much white furniture.

A raised bed garden adds functionality –think food or a cutting garden – as well as pleasant visual interest. The texture of the blue stone wall plays well with the pale wood boxes and pea gravel containing the same colors. Creating outdoor spaces, even if tiny, is as important as your indoor spaces for creating a thread of calm continuity.

Work in progress: This living room has just received new taller warehouse style French doors (upper right) and the fireplace wall has been remodeled to bring a more contemporary feel to a traditional home. Waiting for "floating" travertine slab mantel and classic black marble fireplace surround and hearth to be installed.

Simplicity rules in this elegant space, where details make all the difference. Note the floating stone steps, the deep overhang on the roof with open areas and of course, the dazzling natural light. Natural light must not be overlooked as a huge asset to any space.

A painting by artist Duy Huynh of Lark & Key Gallery brings magical and serene energy. Original art is a great way to personalize a space and support local artists at the same time.