Focal points add contemporary zest to dowdy room

There's contemporary design -- and then there's more contemporary design.

The more contemporary version of contemporary design can be adapted, at least in part, to rooms filled with the same nondescript, vaguely traditional furnishings. The color schemes and fabric patterns associated with this newer interpretation can add visual zest to a sleepy setting.

Q: I'm tired of looking at the floral-patterned oriental rug and the damask silk-covered sofa and chairs in my living room. Its overall color scheme is -- you guessed it -- gold, red and blue.

How can I give the room a more contemporary look without getting rid of everything in it? I especially don't want to touch my beautiful dark wood floor.

A: You probably won't need to toss the whole setup in order to achieve the effect you want. But you certainly should replace that rug and re-cover your furniture.

Choose a neutral color scheme -- possibly consisting of off-white, beige and camel -- for the larger surfaces and for the covers of the sofa and chairs. And I recommend mustard, lavender and chocolate brown as accent colors.

Sound exotic? Maybe even weird?

Trust me. With the right placements and proportions of those colors, you can transform your tired living room into a stunning and elegant setting.

You can start by experimenting with some swatches of small-patterned fabrics in the colors I've suggested. Spread them around the room and see how they look.

You might even end up with something similar to the dramatic design shown in the accompanying photo. What you're seeing is actually a simple sofa with a textured covering in a shade of beige.

The pillows in this model can't accurately be described as accents. Because of their number and the variety of their colors and patterns, they qualify more as focal points. The pillow collection from Dwell Home Furnishings (www.dwellshop.com) is actually what gives this space the kind of contemporary look I described earlier.

As for a replacement rug, its color should be one of the neutrals from the palette you choose for the room. It should contrast with your dark wood floors but blend with -- not match -- your upholstered pieces.

Good luck and have fun.

Rita St. Clair is a syndicated columnist with Tribune Media Services Inc. E-mail general interior design questions to her at rsca@ritastclair.com.