and sundry items. Another option is NEWS photo Terry Peters GLASSED-IN SHELVES provide ample space for the display of decorative plates to arrange plates in a pattern on the wali. NORTH SHORE News readers’ interior design questions this week focus on space — whetiver it’s making a small space appear larger, finding the space to dispiay dec- orative objects or defin- ing separate areas in a mulG-purpose room. Q: We have a tiny powder room (with sink and toilet) we need to repaint or wallpaper. What do you sug- gest to make the room look larger? A: One of the most effective tools to make a small space appear larger is trompe l'oeil, a painting or drawing with a strong three-dimen- sional effect that helps to “deceive” the eye by drawing it into the distance depicted in the art- work, Painted or “papered” onto the wall oppo- site the entrance, it can create an astonishing illusion of depth. Wall-covering stores cften carry such trompe Uoeil items, ready for installation. For a more authentic effect you could hire a painter who specializes in this craft and could suggest a variety of schemes, from whimsical to classical. A simpler way would be ts choose several pastel colors in cool tints for a faiex finish. Some faux finishes, such as color washing, cre- ate an illusion of depth because different colors are applied in successive layers, Q: I have different collections which are stored away. One is of decorative plates, and the other, unusual old bottles. How best could I display these? A: Collections speak of individuality; they always create interest and are usually a pleasure to study. For best effect they descrve a suitable frame or setting. Decorative plates can lock very attractive on a wall, arranged in a unified and harmonious pattern. Depending on the size of your collection Edith ti Saatkamp _ and the style of your interior, you could install a narrow shelf with a traditional continuous crown molding along one or all walls (six feet and a few inches above the floor). Paint the wall, crown molding and shelf in the same color, and the wall above and ceil- ing in a fighter color. For your bottles I suggest shely- ing, not much deeper than the widest bottle. It should be custom-made with rectangles or squares to suit the size of the individual bottles. Glass shelving would also be attractive, espe- cially for colored bottles, because light can flow through it and illuminate shapes and colors. Q: We have ovemight guests from time to time, but the only room we can use to accom- modate them is our rec room, in which the bed is placed against one wall. How can we set this space up to be private, yet look a part of the whole room? A: Here are a few suggestions: a grand old four-poster bed with curtains; a room divider created with floor-to-ceiling shelves; a shoji screen; a curtain installed at ceiling height and draped or tied back when you have no guests. A curtained four-poster bed might just appeal to you if it suits the layout and size of the room. With several cushions of the same fabric and a decorative bed cover with lace or fringes, this could be so luxurious and romantic that your guests might have to book in advance to sleep on it. A room divider made of shelving is a'‘more sober if equally attractive solution. It could be . installed two to three feet away from the foot of the bed and provide storage space for guests and family. The simplest solution would be a shoji screen that shields the bed from view. 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