There are many schools of thought on decorating, let alone schools on decorating. Being educated in none of them, we profess only to be authorities on our own "Linen Closet Look." If you like our look, then follow these guide lines and get this casual, redwood coast style for yourself.

• Start with a neutral pallette as your base, such as white or ivory, taupe or natural greens. Yes, we see green as a neutral. Sage and Moss or other greens typically found in nature usually blend in as easily as a house plant. Make sure your larger pieces of furniture or expensive purchases are in these neutral colors, so they'll stand the test of time.
  
  
• Then go ahead and add some color. Try Brick Red, Aubergine or Terra-cotta. Small area rugs and throw blankets, pillows and table linens are great candidates for punches of color. If your favorite color changes with the seasons, these items are easy to trade in and out.

Living in a remote area on the coast, we can't help but be influenced by nature. It's easy to bring the outdoors in...

• Using natural fibers is one way. Use jute or hemp rugs, and wood or rattan furniture.
  
  
• Another way is to use flora in your decorating, like green apples piled in a wooden bowl, or candles nestled in a platter of dried kidney beans.
  
  
• Flowers, of course, are always a good idea, but don't just think of cut flowers though when you're decorating. Pampas grass or manzanitta branches picked from your backyard can make a unique arrangement.

This has to be the most fun part of decorating...

• Pick your pieces carefully. Try to refrain from buying matching pairs. How special and unique could it be if you had two of them. Each item should be intriguing. Don't be in a hurry to fill up your space. Buy things that remind you of a trip, your childhood, or your ancestry. Pick things that feel good, smell good or make you smile. It's best if this assignment takes you a lifetime to complete.
  
  
• Choose things with a human touch. Pick hand blown glass over crystal, hand thrown pottery over china, and hand woven or painted over mass produced anything. It's not always possible or affordable to do this, but a few good pieces will lend credence to the rest.
  
  
• You know you've got a good accessory when a friend asks you about a piece and your response is "Oh, there's a story behind that..." On the other hand, you'll know that you've failed if your response is "I picked it up at the mall."

This is probably the hardest part of decorating. But unless you plan on strapping everything down, as we sometimes do in earthquake country, you can always move them if it doesn't work...

• Think about function when you place your furniture. Make conversation groupings. Do not line your pieces up against your walls. Place your furniture so traffic can flow around not through these groupings. Also, furniture does not need to be squared up with the room. Putting furniture on the diagonal is often more interesting. This goes for throw rugs, too. Try angling a rug under the foot of your bed or under a chair.
  
  
• Think in threes, fives and sevens...perfect balance and symmetry is formal and traditional, and does not lend itself to the casual inviting Linen Closet look. Instead, think in threes, fives and sevens when arranging your accessories, After seven you start losing track. Put things at different heights so you have an interesting horizon. Put things in your foreground and your background so you have an interesting plan. Cluster your accessories, do not line them up like soldiers.
  
  
• Don't be matchy-matchy. Do be eclectic. An overly coordinated room lacks personality and interest.