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"With basic white walls and run-of-the-mill fixtures, most newly constructed homes could use a big dose of personality. What are the keys to imprinting your personal style to create instant character? We&amp;#039;ve enlisted three clever interiors experts to provide some design inspiration.  1. Details, Details. A few wellplaced architectural details can turn a bland room into a grand room. Add dimension to a ceiling with coffers or beams. &amp;quot;This is a great way to define different sections of large spaces, such as a kitchen, dining, or great room,&amp;quot; says Richmond, Virginia-based interior designer Marcie Blough. 2. Windows of Opportunity. Framing a window with the right treatment makes a marked improvement in the finish level of a new room. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s easy to add drama, color, and detail with drapery hardware and great fabrics,&amp;quot; says interior designer Kathryn Chaplow, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mount treatments several inches above the window casings for added height. 3. Color Your World. Painting is the fastest way to enhance the look of a room, and a little color in an unexpected place can make a big impact. &amp;quot;I love interior doors painted a contrasting color,&amp;quot; says Chaplow. &amp;quot;Black doors in a house with all white trim are so chic, and touches like that provide an instant sense of customization and history.&amp;quot; 4. Don&amp;#039;t Tip the Scale. Many new homes have high-volume ceilings, so it&amp;#039;s important to maintain balance in the space below. &amp;quot;Nothing makes a big room look disproportionately large like tiny furnishings and accessories,&amp;quot; says Chaplow. For large walls with little detail or trim work, try a grouping of nicely framed art or a grand, framed mirror. &amp;quot;Remember to keep accessories focused, and in proportion to the size of the area,&amp;quot; the designer notes. &amp;quot;A lot of small things can become clutter rather than points of interest.&amp;quot; 5. Light Up Your Life. The right (or wrong) lighting can instantly change the mood of a space. &amp;quot;Ideally, a room should have three types of lighting,&amp;quot; says Blough. &amp;quot;Ambient (overhead), task (focused on an area for a specific activity), and accent lighting (such as a sconce) add interest.&amp;quot; Pendants over a kitchen island, sconces in a bathroom, a striking foyer fixture, or small LEDs in built-in bookshelves, can add instant light and life. Or try directional lighting in a hallway for a cool, gallery effect. 6. Mix It Up. A blend of eclectic furnishings and accessories can give a new home a cozy, lived-in look. When designing the interiors for a custom home, Skye Kirby of Lillian August in Norwalk, Connecticut, spiced up the palette of creams, grays, and golds with pops of black and small touches of animal print. &amp;quot;A little bit of zebra goes a long way,&amp;quot; Kirby says. She also maintained a proper balance of new and oldlooking pieces by introducing a rustic cabinet with vintage glass doors to the tailored family room. \u2014Courtesy of Decorating with Style Magazine.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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