If winter is black-and-white, spring is Technicolor. You can change the entire color scheme of a room in a matter of minutes by slipcovering furniture. Keep the look harmonious and tranquil by sticking to two main colors and choosing variations within that palette. For instance, we chose two blues (a sky and a periwinkle) and two greens (a celery and a sage) for our slipcovers. Don't try to get all matchy-matchy. Subtle differences in color are what lend interest and sophistication.

Slipcovers not only make over a room but also reduce the wear and tear on furniture. To find a seamstress, look in the Yellow Pages under "Slipcovers" or "Upholstery." The simpler the lines of your furniture, the less expensive the slipcovers will be — for both labor and fabric. Try 100 percent cotton faille in Euphorbia, Delphinium, Fennel, and Forget-Me-Not; $17 a yard, Calico Corners, 800-213-6366., www.calicocorners.com