A narrow escape

Even with all the special features Edward worked into this challenging space, a "modern traditional" paisley steals the show and sets the right tone for the entire makeover. First, Edward carefully dispersed the fabric throughout the room as elegant bands of pattern. On the wall shown here, one vertical band serves as a backdrop for a trio of lavender-framed calendar prints (far left). Another paisley band unites the divider wall with the rest of the room.

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About this series This is part of an occasional series of excerpts from "Trading Spaces: Color!" Edward Walker is often drawn to the classics, but here he applies his personal stamp. In this elegant yet energized bedroom, he blows the dust off a traditional paisley pattern and bases the accent colors for the room on a few yards of pricey fabric.

Faced with an exceptionally long, narrow bedroom, Edward divided the space by adding a partial wall.

Positioned several feet from one end of the room, the divider wall features storage shelves on the side facing the bedroom closet (not shown); on the other side, wall space accommodates a mirror and dresser.

Bathing the room in stately style are two distinctive paint shades: soft gray-blue for the divider and upper perimeter walls and chic China blue for walls below the white-painted chair rail. These subtle shades allow accents of spring green, lavender and deep purple to take the spotlight. Adding black accent pieces, Edward paints the dresser glossy black, elevating the striking silver pulls to the level of jewelry.

Above the dresser, the mirror with the silver-painted frame slides on a track to reveal the television.

Trading Spaces At top, a partial wall was added to shorten the room, providing wall space for a dresser and mirror. On the other side of the wall, facing the closet, are shelves.

Swirl in some color

A lineup of generous pillows covered in paisley fabric softens the headboard area and encourages comfortable reading or working in bed. The paisley also brings eye-pleasing pattern to the tops of the light gray crepe curtain panels. Edward fashioned the sculpture behind the bed from a corrugated metal window well, painted black on one side and gray on the other. A circular saw was used to cut the metal into strips, which Edward bent into shapely tendrils that repeat the paisley swirls. Unlike commas and semicolons, pillow accents can go anywhere, but they make a particularly inviting statement when luxuriously piled at the head of the bed. Edward pulled the color scheme together in this one vignette, layering the paisley pillows with deep purple and spring green accent pillows and connecting the pattern to the lush blue bedspread.

From bargain to beauty

Changing a light fixture is one of the simplest ways to give a room a new look. A trip to the salvage yard yielded this chandelier for $15. Strings of pearl beads and a glue gun helped achieve the Cinderella-like transformation.

CHANGEABLE COLOR

If quick-change accent color is your game, start with neutral furnishings and play with palettes as often as you like using the following elements.

ACCESSORIES

Stores are stocked with an unlimited variety of colorful accessories, from decorative boxes and lamps to knickknacks and picture frames.

ARTWORK

Look for prints or photographs in the colors you love and frame them. Consider budget sources of artwork, such as calendars and bargain-bin art books.

COLLECTIONS

If you're a collector, take a cue from museums and rotate displays. Pull out some collections for one season and store others until you're ready for a change.

DISHWARE

Whether you've inherited your grandmother's china or you love acquiring assorted dishes, teacups or platters from flea markets and antique malls, dishware brings exciting color and pattern into a room. Display pieces alone or mount them in groupings on a wall.

DUVETS

Think of duvets as big pillowcases for comforters. For a small sum, you can slip on a new one anytime.

FLOWERS

Besides introducing explosions of color to a room, fresh flowers simply "feel" good. Treat yourself as often as you can with beautiful bouquets. Or consider silk substitutes for long-lasting color.

LINENS

Trading Spaces Paisley pillows soften the lines of the headboard.

For the bed or table, linens come in a plethora of colors and patterns and promise a soft touch for your rooms. Track down affordable linens during white sales; also check flea markets, garage sales and estate auctions.

PAINT

For a powerful transformation, pull out the paint cans and rollers. Enough said.

PILLOWS

Sprinkle these around with abandon. When you're tired of them, gather them up and stitch new colorful covers.

RUGS

Give a neutral carpet a splash of color with a new rug. You'll find a variety of sizes and even playful shapes.

SLIPCOVERS

Even if you don't sew, purchased slipcovers fit and look better than ever before. Change them with the seasons or whenever you tire of the old ones.

THROWS

A cuddly blanket throw is a wonderful way to warm up a room for fall and winter. Put throws away for a cooler, cleaner look during the fair-weather months.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

No-sew fusible webbing and clip-on curtain rings mean that anyone can fashion new fabric panels for windows in a weekend.