The Challenge

Bethany Bultman and her husband, Johann, both 54, have been living alone ever since their youngest son went off to college three years ago. Now the adolescent hideaway serves as a guest room for musicians and doctors who volunteer their time to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic, a not-for-profit that the Bultmans founded six years ago to provide health care to local musicians.

The Fixes

1. Whitewash. Painting the rattan pieces and the walls in complementary shades of white helped quiet the riot of color and mismatched furniture. Woven outdoor furniture was brought in from the downstairs sunroom. Restoration Hardware Bleecker Boom table lamp, $129, www.restorationhardware.com. Behr paint in Frost, about $22 a gallon, www.homedepot.com for stores.

2. Create order. The beds were different sizes and styles, and they were set at different angles. Now two daybeds face each other to establish a symmetry that anchors the room. Bonus: The slipcovers are machine-washable. Pottery Barn Megan daybeds, $999 each (mattress not included); www.potterybarn.com. Ikea Vard wall lamp, $8, www.ikea.com.

3. Cozy up. White paint and Bethany's striped pillow brighten up what was once a forbidding nook. The window frame retains its dark stain to accentuate the architectural details.

4. Contain collections. One wall had been devoted to a cityscape mural, and a portion of it was squared off and left as if framed. The other wall art was also pared down.

5. Stow away. The low white laminate shelves offer storage space. Baskets and magazine racks keep books, papers, and clothes in order. Topdeq Look shelves, $99 each, 866-876-3300. Pier 1 water-hyacinth baskets, $18 and $25 each, www.pier1.com. Design Ideas Structure magazine holders, $20 each, Cocoon, www.cocoononline.com.

6. Add a little color. One large striped rug replaced the motley collection of smaller ones scattered around the room. Kiwi ticking rug, $385, 9 by 12 feet, Pine Cone Hill, 413-496-9700 for store locations.