A lady called today and asked if I do contemporaries. It was 5:00 p.m., my son was shrieking in the background, "I'm not going to eat that, it's disgusting", Little Miss Thaing wanted to be driven someplace annoying and my husband wanted to know suddenly where was the box of pins.....

"Yes, I do contemporaries," I bellow at the poor woman, "I'll call you back."

Later, I got to thinking. Why do people ask that question? ARE contemporaries that different? I don't do many of them - we don't have many around here, this is Center Hall Colonial country - but I know HOW. I think. I mean, obviously the guidelines about symmetry are somewhat unhelpful... what might some other guidelines be?

I'm liking 5. Here they be:- (with my first attempt at embedding an RES at the bottom)

1. Divine the Architect's Intent (there always is one)

Ask the homeowner, or stand there and look around until you get it. Hint: it's usually about light and the views. Plus, there'll be a reason for the open plan...

2. Get Out of The Way

None of the usual clusters of stuff, the 3,5,7 colorful jars, this is the Major Leagues of "Less is More". 1 accent piece - huge, odd and captivating. The occasional magazine (Art, the Robb Report, Yachting for Billionaires kind of thing) and a live, flourishing plant. Keep it spare, really spare.

3. Use Color to Lead the Eye

A signature touch with contemporaries is often vast paintings. They draw the eye to tall ceiling, the play of light, the interesting angles by comparison. Tie in with a pair of pilllows in similar colors and you're kinda done.

4. Add texture to Connect the Senses

Maybe because the palette's a bit blah for those of us on the CHC beat, but it seems to me there is always lot of different textures - coir in stead of carpet, leather seating, stone bits and pieces, fur draped about chairs and beds, incredibly soft, supple bamboo fabric where there used to be linen, cotton, etc. Maybe it's just to disguise how the furniture's so bloody uncomfortable? Trust me on this one, however, do texture.

5. Cover the Basics of Human Life

Ann Maurice summarizes this best in her book, The Best of House Doctor. "Think of the basic needs all of us have in our lives -- sleeping, eating, working, playing, relaxing, cleansing - and then make a point of creating a space for each of them within your home, even if it only takes up a corner." See what I mean? Says it all.

Since I don't do them very often, this house is from 2 or 3 years ago. It sold handily and in good time. I would do it differently today. Still, you get the idea, eh?

Juliet Johnson Staging home stages the luxury real estate market of North and Central New Jersey