10:40 AM CST on Friday, March 25, 2005

We've begged and borrowed relentlessly from Mom and Dad and scoured the Salvation Army, but now it's time to grow up and get some real furniture. It can be a bit intimidating to newbies – bright showrooms, boisterous salespeople, big price tags and mind-boggling dimensions.

MILTON HINNANT/DMN

Pink accessories add some pizzazz to the Dawson sectional and Raj coffee table at Legacy Trading Co. in the West Village.

Here are a few tips to help you get started room by room, including what to pay for basic pieces you can build around.

What you need: Start with seating, says Max Jones, president of Jones Walker furniture on McKinney Avenue.
Why? The in-laws will eventually have to come for a visit.
What to look for: •Kiln-dried hardwood construction is essential, Jones says. The drying process takes the moisture out of the wood and gives it a longer shelf life.
•Make sure the sofa is padded and suspended. "You can test this by banging on the back of the sofa," Jones says. "If it's hollow, it's probably a lower-end product."
•Corner block construction offers additional support. "A way to test this out while you're shopping is to lift up the front corner of the sofa and see how quickly the other side lifts up," says Jones. If it takes a while for the other side to lift up, then the construction is probably not very solid.
•If you're buying leather, make sure it's the same leather everywhere, Jones says. "Cheapy places will put top-grain leather on only the places you touch, such as the cushions and arms. You don't want 100 percent genuine leather, that's what we use on our shoes and bags. It's made from the underneath of the cow hide," he adds. "Top-grain leather, the outer part of the cow hide, absorbs moisture better and is a better long-term investment."
What about style? For a casual look, go with back cushions that can be fluffed from time to time. Tight-backed sofas offer a sleeker, more contemporary look. Be daring and go with bare legs instead of an old-fashioned skirted hem.
What will it cost? Jones Walker specializes in leather, so their sofas range from about $2,000 to $4,000. If you're going with fabric, expect to spend about $1,200 or more, says Susan Balistreri, an interior designer with Ethan Allen on Dallas Parkway.
How long will it last? A higher-end sofa can last you 20 to 30 years. A formal piece that's used less often can last longer, says Jones.

What you need: A good table and chairs. "If you're only seating for four, then a table is probably your biggest investment, but if you're seating for more, you will probably spend more on the chairs," says Max Jones with Jones Walker.
Why? Because a card table is just sad, and your lap is one step up from eating off the floor with your dog.
What to look for: When choosing a table, wooden pieces hold up well. But make sure it is finished properly and not a raw material, says Susan Balistreri of Ethan Allen. "Softer woods like spruce and pine show more dents, while harder woods like maple and ash are more durable," she says.
What about style? "Lots of people sell dining pieces in sets, but we like to incorporate antique and vintage pieces or recover existing chairs to mix it up," Jones says. "That fusion design is very popular right now." Balistreri adds that soft contemporary, clean lines are most popular these days, but there are still those Dallasites who love the traditional, heavily carved pieces.
What will it cost? You can spend $2,000 to $3,000 on a table and several hundred per chair, says Jones.
How long will it last? "A dining table, if you buy it right, can be an heirloom, multigenerational piece," Jones says.

MILTON HINNANT/DMN

The Savoy bed at Legacy Trading gets elegant with red and gold accessories.

What you need: A good bed (this includes mattress, frame and bedding).
Why? Because that sagging hole in the middle of your hand-me-down is eventually going to suffocate you.
What to look for: Make sure your mattress has quality construction and materials, says Balistreri. Synthetic fibers are usually better because natural fibers absorb odor and moisture more. She adds that California recently mandated a fire code on mattresses sold there, and Ethan Allen has adopted this safety feature on all their mattresses.
What about style? "Four-posters, sleighs and platforms are most popular," says Balistreri.
What will it cost? "It depends on the bedding. Some people spend $3,000 on a bed, then spend that much or more on bedding," says Jones.
How long will it last? According to the Better Sleep Council, don't look to the warranty to tell you how long to keep your mattress and foundation. A sleep set may still be usable after 15 or 20 years, but if it's not giving you a good night's sleep, then it needs to be replaced.
TIP: If you sleep with a partner, be sure to select queen or king size, according to the Better Sleep Council. Both are not only wider, but several inches longer than the standard "double" (full size), which offers each sleeper only as much space as a baby in a crib. Visit www.bettersleep.org for more tips.

Erin Wade

We've all drooled on the windows of Legacy Trading Company, the funky West Village furniture shop, and wished we could back up a U-Haul. Meet owner Kelly O'Neal, who, like his shop, is full of personality, not pretension.

Q. What are your favorite color combinations for spring?
A. Adventurous pool blue hues paired with earthy browns.

Q. What do you feel is the most important ingredient for a stylish home?
A. Personal flair. Anything done well that speaks of you specifically (and a lack of "chain store catalog syndrome").

Q. What's your most recent purchase for your home?
A. Willie, a 9-week-old English bulldog pup! Probably not the best investment piece, but certainly the most entertaining. For the house, I ordered a really great linen burlap sofa to replace my 10-plus-year-old basic. I figured Willie should have his very own thing to ruin.

Q. What's your favorite item in your home?
A. I would have to say that my collection of religious art is a constant fave.

Q. Where do you like to shop?
A. In New York, there's a great place called B-4 It Was Cool that has great old science and machine-age relic stuff. I love Ceylon et Cie in the Design District. The owner, has a kooky eye for investment stuff, and I love the White Elephant and Lots of Furniture on Industrial Avenue. I'm a flea marketer other than that. Almost everything in my house is a one-of-a-kind.

Q. From where do you draw your design inspiration?
A. From nature (like reproductions of school science charts, at right, by Design Legacy, the wholesale division of Legacy Trading), a little sentimentality, and what I consider a great sense of humor. Without the three, it's not really a home, just a building full of stuff.

Q. What is your home decorating philosophy?
A: A great home is like a great wardrobe – a little classic mixed with a modern sense of humor and style. Update your accessories as often as you would your wardrobe for a fresh feel constantly.

Q. What bands/music are you listening to now?
A. I'm an Allison Krauss fan. Anything bluegrass, mostly country (I'm a Collin County boy), and a little classical.

Q. What's on your bedside table?
A. Always a good book and a stem or two of something that smells good, like a stem of freesia or a casa blanca lily. Of course, there is also a small saint I bought at a Barcelona flea market years ago (one of my favorite pieces and memories). The lady I bought it from told me he's the "saint of the bachelor."

Q. Where do you live?
A. Kessler Park. My 1920s house, which I've lived in for 14 years, was designed by George Dahl, the architect who designed the Fair Park Music Hall. It's a miniature piece of that. I love the older neighborhoods of Dallas, but after 20 years of residence here, it's a great place to call home!

Erin Wade

Live the life aquatic without owning that seaside villa. Bring in the organic shape and warm pop of color that only coral can give your home. And no, eco-minded friends, this stuff is not real. It's only borrowing the beauty of nature. You'll have to go scuba diving to see the real deal.

DMN

PILLOW CASE

A velvet-ruched linen pillow from Design Legacy, embroidered with branches of coral, softens a hard-backed chair or dresses up a sofa or bed. $78 (available in May) at Legacy Trading Co., 3699 McKinney Ave., and St. Michael's Woman's Exchange, 5 Highland Park Village.

YOUR SERVE

Whimsical serving utensils by Asiaphile will brighten any table. About $76 for the pair at Forty Five Ten, 4510 McKinney Ave., and Stanley Korshak, 500 Crescent Court.

BOLD STROKES

Photos by NATALIE CAUDILL/ Staff Photographer

This graphic collection by Home, James! in coral, blue and gold is inspired by the owners' chichi Hamptons lifestyle. The generous platter, $117, is at the Ivy House, 6925 Snider Plaza.

BEADY BAUBLE

Two's Company has strung coral beads and shell bits into tassels for decorating doorknobs, lamp pulls, cupboard keys, cushion corners or table linens. $11 at Nuvo, 3900 Cedar Springs Road.

If the idea of decorating with color makes you tremble (in that scared way, not in eager anticipation), play it safe with black and white. This classic pairing is virtually foolproof but still adds an air of sophistication. Feel free to throw a dinner party now – everyone will think you are oh-so-stylish and urban.

DMN

BACKSPLASH

NATALIE CAUDILL/DMN

Black and white gets a shot of zing with a deep-orange wall.
•Silk pillow with foliage pattern, $73, Domestic Bliss
•Orange-trimmed zebra-pattern throw, $340, Peacock Alley
•Milk-glass wastebasket ($250) and milk-glass carafe with tumbler ($95), Waterworks
•Black soap dish, $20, and soap, $5, Nuvo
•Ceramic vase, $88, Ceylon et Cie
•Tureen, $195, Found Antiques
•Bust, $195, Domestic Bliss.

WHITE LIGHT

The graphically modern Cherié table lamp brings a contemporary yet toned-down vibe to your living room or bedroom. The high-gloss black ceramic base is softened by a white handkerchief linen shade with a black grosgrain ribbon trim. $129 at Crate & Barrel.

TIMELESS DESIGN

Add some midcentury modern class to your home with the George Nelson asterisk clock in black wood with metal hands. The original was created in 1950, but the design is reproduced today by Vitra. Available at hivemodern.com for $235.

TRAY CHIC

The boldly black and white "Victorian" melamine plates by designer Thomas Paul will turn heads during dinner. The small plate is $6 and the large is $8 at Velocity Art and Design, www.velocityartanddesign.com.

Don't let dust get you down. Make spring cleaning a breeze with cool tools that will put a smile on your face and add a gleam to your countertops.

Erin Wade

Desperate for a clean home?

Room Service Home has developed an accessory line inspired by the dirty divas of Desperate Housewives. Included is this floral apron ($32) and frilly checked gloves ($15) for cleaning up your act. Call 214-239-2998 or visit www.roomservicehome.com.

Grin and bear the grime

This smiley face dustpan is sweet but no softy – it's made of heavy-duty metal. Available for $9.99 in a rainbow of colors at World Market.

Tidy up your tools

Nothing bothers a clean freak more than being disorganized. Pull all your tools together with a retro white enamel housekeeping box, $24.99 at World Market. Colorful, natural cellulose sponges from Casabella are available in packages of three for $3.99 at Linens-N-Things, and Method pink grapefruit all-purpose cleaner is $3.99 at Target.

What caught our eye for a hip home this spring

1. Uncommon threads. American quilt designer Denyse Schmidt and India-based bedding manufacturer Sarita Handa wanted to create affordable, contemporary quilts for young style-savvy shoppers. So they came up with a seven-piece collection of colorfully graphic, hand-sewn designs. Locally, Crate & Barrel will carry the blue-and-green “Chain Link” quilt. And next month, the “What a Dish” quilt will be available at www.neimanmarcus.com. The quilts come in twin, full-queen and king sizes, with prices starting at $165 and climbing to $395 for intricate, hand-appliquéd designs. Matching shams are $35 to $55 each.

2. Keep your kitchen cool. Bring your appliances out into the open without settling for a big white box. Big Chill, a Colorado-based appliance company, has developed a line of fridges reminiscent of chrome-trimmed Chevys, with retro colors to boot. And all come with modern amenities such as an icemaker, water dispenser and self-defrost. $2,500 at www.bigchillfridge.com. Call 1-877-842-3269 for more information.

3. Bring home the bling. Get a celebrity style “crib” on a college student budget. MTV has launched a new home furnishings collection inspired by the hit TV show Cribs , which peeks inside the hip homes of actors, musicians, athletes and professional celebrities. The spring '05 collection focuses on bedroom suites with names such as amber, titanium, gold and platinum. Prices range from $29.99 for accessories (zebra-stripe pillows, etc.) to $189.99 for comforter sets. The collection is available exclusively at J.C. Penney. For more information, visit jcpenney.com/mtv

4. The beauty of home improvement. After years of stocking women's cosmetics drawers and shelves, Avon is branching out to the toolbox. The company has partnered with home-improvement personality Barbara K to carry her line of tools sized for smaller hands. The Hang It Up Set ($16.99) includes a hammer, level, measuring tape and hanging hardware, and the Screwdriver Set ($9.99) comes with a Phillips, a flathead and a 6-in-1 screwdriver for any size project. The items are sold through Avon representatives and online at www.avon.com. For more information, call 1-800-367-2866.

DMN

Eddie Nunns, vice president of creative services for Neiman Marcus Direct, has some advice for keeping the black and white contrast soft, not stark.

•Soften the black and white look with "a pop of a hot color" such as chartreuse, red or even orange.

•Steer clear of high-gloss surfaces on furniture and walls that make black and white look too slick.

DMN

Are your walls bare? Don't feel like you need to spend thousands on original art. And please throw away that Pink Floyd poster. There are better ways to get artsy – make your own. Go to www.photowow .com for ideas on turning your own photos into pop-art masterpieces even Warhol would envy. Prices vary depending on size, but most are under $300.

Love that ultra-coordinated look but hate the high price? Take a piece of fabric, color-photocopy a detail from it, cut it out, and decoupage it onto lamp shades, serving trays, storage boxes, wastebaskets – you name it. –from Nesting: It's a Chick Thing (Workman Publishing, $13.95)

Want a custom experience for less? Lazyboy.com offers an online design center and "My Studio" where you can view all available furniture styles, see them in different fabrics, and even put a bunch of pieces together in a virtual room. Check out the cool, retro prints by Todd Oldham.

Have a furniture question? Trading analyst-turned- furniture expert Jennifer Litwin, author of Furniture Hot Spots: The Best Furniture Stores and Websites Coast to Coast, takes pride in answering every e-mail personally that she receives through her Web site. So visit www.jennifer litwin.com, and see how she can help you. Please don't call us.

Ever wonder how often to launder the most basic items? Here are some general guidelines from Caldrea.com:

•Sheets: Once a week or more

•Blankets: Once a month

•Bath towels: Once a week or more frequently in hot weather

•Workout gear: After each wearing