Open House: A Design for Entertaining

Gatherings always flow into the family room, where bright aqua walls, white woodwork and rattan furnishings play up the seaside scheme. Grass cloth wallpaper brings texture to the backs of display shelves. Furniture informally arranged at an angle allows for placement of the piano.

"I was careful about where I put the blue because it's such a strong color," Denise says. Applying it to two walls and just above the fireplace adds punch without overwhelming.