Once you make the decision to decorate or redecorate, one of the hardest things for many homeowners to determine is where to start. Deciding on a mood or style for a home is hard enough for one person; it's altogether more complex when two or more people share a household.

There are no scientific methods to help you through this, but a sincere look at your lifestyle will begin to reveal your first clues. If you frequently entertain a large number of guests, then a good amount of seating will be needed, and this might be your starting point. On the other hand, if your lifestyle involves small children, perhaps fine antiques should be ruled out. Starting points vary from person to person and from household to household. Get the picture?

One of the best ways to get you moving toward a decorating plan is to identify one design element that will provide direction. You might start with something that is purely aesthetic such as wallpaper or an area rug, or you might begin by selecting an item that addresses a functional need such as a bookcase. Either of these approaches can provide your stylistic starting point. The main essential is that what you select be something you like very much.

Resist the urge to go out and spend money immediately. Your starting point may be something you already own. It might be a pair of mid-century chairs, an inherited collection of antique dishes or simply a coffee table that you love. If you don't have something you want to work with, think about that piece of furniture you covet: that leather chesterfield sofa or that luxurious wool carpet you still remember from a home decor magazine. Virtually anything can serve as a point of inspiration.

There are other ways to get to a starting point. A great patterned fabric, wallpaper or even a work of art could be the thing. Although they might not be exactly what you'd want in your home, the color combinations could help you develop a color palette that works. This is a great tool for everyone, because determining what colors to decorate with is one of the things that trips most homeowners and sends them to a screeching halt.

When selecting your starting point, avoid convincing yourself to use something just because you spent a lot of money on it. Invariably, such items will slowly become unbearable to you, and over time, they could make you dislike your decor. Bottom line: Start with something you are fond of. If the foundation of your home or room is agreeable to you, other decisions you make will be educated and complementary.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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