But you don't have to hire a professional. Here's the inside scoop on how you can take a designer's ideas and decorate your own home with confidence:

Add colour with accessories For upholstery and walls, choose a timeless combo - here, it's beige and sage - then punch it up with a bright burst of colour in easy-to-change accessories that jazz up the Colonial style.

Large pillows, HomeSense. Small pillow, Caban.

No time to hunt high and low? Pop into your favourite décor store to pick up a collection of objects; the resin Buddhas on the windowsill (previous page) were a steal. For visual interest, choose odd numbers of items, remembering to vary shapes and heights. Buddhas, Abbott.

Be smart with storage

Instead of a TV cabinet, hide your set behind a wall of wood panelling. When it's not movie night, a panel slides down to hide the bulky TV. Rug, Pottery Barn.

In a combined living and dining room, make sure to continue your colour scheme throughout. Pale upholstery keeps everything light and bright, while the almost-black dining table carries through the dark wood finish used in the living area. Table and chairs, UpCountry.

Resist the urge to match

Instead of buying all your furniture as a matched set, think outside the box and use something other than a traditional end table. A leather trunk or vintage crate will add personality - not to mention extra storage, perfect for blankets and throws.

Add colour everywhere

Even a telephone table can add a touch of style and drama. A funky phone, paired with a bold lamp and shade, goes from ho-hum to daring in this rich red tone. Telephone and lamp shade, both Pottery Barn.

Your bedroom should be all about relaxation. Take time to create a private space where you can quietly read, meditate or just kick back. Bed throw, printed pillows and armchair, all Pottery Barn. Rug, IKEA.

Put your style on display

Use every surface to express your creativity. Here, a spot above the radiator showcases a simple vignette of Eduarda's art pieces in different shapes and sizes.

Rain-style shower heads are an affordable luxury (available at home reno stores for as little as $50) and can be fitted to most shower fixtures - not just to the ceiling. The only problem is, you may never want to towel off and get on with your day!

Hide away clutter

A built-in cabinet with frosted glass doors keeps the counter clutter-free and bathroom necessities close by. A bright idea to steal: this cabinet was fitted with interior lighting, giving the room a soft glow.

For only a few dollars, affordable artwork and fresh floral accents bring personality to this spa-like master bath. Sculptural heads, IKEA. Skin-care product's, Origins and Lothantique.

Think long term

These stone and wood finishes might look ritzy but they're a smart choice - the slate tiles and tropical hardwood countertop are durable in wet spaces and well-priced compared with marble or a solid surface such as Corian.

Make the sink shine

The striking finishing touch in this bathroom is a glass top-mount sink. For a less pricey designer touch, use a stainless steel bowl.

Anchor your arrangement with a large-scale painting, print or mirror. The more dramatic your choice, the fewer extra accessories you'll need to jazz it up.

The golden rule By setting your collectibles to the side, not the centre, they'll look more attractive. Keep your decorative pieces to a favourite few, mixing styles, shapes and sizes.

Flowers are the final touch A branch of fresh orchids, though pricey, will last longer than regular blooms. Or cheat and pick up some fabulous fakes that never fade. Painting, Art Interiors. Vases, Scantrade. Candle holders, IKEA.

For a luxe hotel look, choose linens in calming tones and graphic patterns, such as the ones you see here in an of-the-moment combo of light blue and chocolate brown.

Get the right feel by incorporating sensual fabrics such as velvets and cottons with a silky touch. And remember: the more pillows you use to dress the bed, the more pampered you'll feel.

Keep your night table free of clutter and use accessories that mimic the spiffy style of the bedding, such as this hammered metal-look picture frame and stitched leather lamp base. Linens, Jeffrey Fisher Home. Picture frame, IKEA.