What does your room need to live a civilized, contemporary life? Form should always follow function, of course. The great trend in design is to produce a "masterful mix" of personal objects that create an eclectic interior that could belong to no one else but you. It's about blending. You want your home to look as if you've collected accessories for years, perhaps on exotic trips to remote lands. The masterful mix combines the best of design from all over the world. To get the look, you'll probably want to toss in some Asian-influeced pieces, or maybe a piece of plantation-inspired furniture. Incorporate trends into your existing decor. The idea is to sprinkle your rooms with something "new" periodically - otherwise rooms die by becoming untouchable mausoleums.

How to Create the Masterful Mix:

LIGHT: Search for the most attractive, original lamps you can find. A necessary object in every room, lamps don't have to be boring, and should be an integral part of your design scheme. Think about using an offbeat color as an accent. Choose lamps for quality construction and design style. Re-shade them periodically to update their look. Also try floor lamps for reading, to light corners, and to wash walls with dramatic light.

TABLETOP: Unleash the collector in you with accessories you'll display and cherish. Like urns filled with flowers or topiaries, decorative boxes, candelabra, permanent botanical arrangements, or aromatherapy candles nestled in beautiful candleholders. Coffee tables, side tables, hallway tables, buffets, and display rounds are great places to hold unusual objects that will create a since of visual interest and individuality.

DECORATIVE ACCENTS: Try a wonderful painted screen, a piece of rustic weathered furniture, gilded frames, or lacquered accent tables. Splash a room with a fresh color,provide a playful sense of fun, or safely try out an entirely new style direction. Accent furniture does it all. Choose trendier pieces for a funkier, eclectic look.

WALLS: Empty walls are a definite no-no. Consider wall-space your own personal gallery. Whether it's black-and-white art photography, hand-painted reproductions, three-dimensional architectural artifacts and moldings, or lively poster art, select something you love. Always connect your wall decor with a piece of furniture below, separating the two by no more than 12 inches.

OBJECTS OF BEAUTY: Every room should possess at least one focal point. Make sure you have at least one object in a room that "speaks to you." Whenever you pass by, this piece should fill you with pleasure. It could be a beautiful painting, print, or piece of sculpture. A large mirror that fills room with light or a decorative tree potted in a stunning giant urn could also be objects of focus. Make sure this piece is the first thing you and guests see when entering the room.