Make long-term decisions for your home during construction Photo by Jeff Granit We're having a new house built and the builder is asking us to make some choices in flooring, cabinetry, etc. The selections he's offering us aren't exactly our taste, but I don't know if we should just go with the builder's materials now and redecorate later or take care of everything during construction. What do you suggest? New construction almost always means getting involved in the selection process for things like cabinets, carpets and tiling. If you're planning to upgrade these builder-offered items, it's best to have the upgrades put in during construction so you don't end up ripping out new rooms in the near- distant future. This is especially true since so many other things will need to be done after you've moved in. One word of advice during the selection process: don't choose strong colors that will tie you in to a potentially dated color scheme for the long haul. Colors like dark green and burgundy may seem dramatic now, but in no time they'll look completely outdated. Instead, go with neutral colors in major areas, then accent with the colors of your choice. Accent pieces can easily be replaced with the ebb and flow of various styles and colors, and you won't be spending a fortune to update your look. This will also work to your benefit during resale. Interior designer Sheila Rich (IIDA, Allied ASID,) has been making homes beautiful all over the country for more than 20 years. Please send your decorating questions to her at P.O. Box 373, Marlboro, NJ 07746 or by e-mail to snrich@optonline.net . I have a very high wall with three unobstructed stories of windows. Do I need to put window treatments on all three levels of windows and if so, should they all be treated the same way? Multiple levels of windows that cover the entire height of one wall may have been put there in order to take advantage of a beautiful view and add drama. If that's the case, it's best to leave the windows bare and let nature become your window treatment. However, if sun or privacy is an issue, then window treatments may be necessary, but remember that not all of the windows must be treated equally! I have used sheer shades on the bottom tier for privacy, and have left the upper levels open. This way, the light filters through the bottom and nature emanates through the top. You can also select draperies and/or cornices that coordinate with the rest of your décor and pull the color scheme of your entire room together. This also works well if you consider a window to be unattractive, since you can use the coordinated material around the window to camouflage it. The personality of your windows can be further enhanced by your selection of rods and hardware, which you can find in a wide range of styles, colors and materials. As always, it's important to have fun with it! One thing to keep in mind is that you should never make your own personal style conform to the styles you see advertised. Just as we choose clothing that is most flattering to us, and usually designed by others, we can add our own personal touch to our homes with accessories that work within our parameters. As with all other creative decisions, choose window treatments that best reflect the overall tone and mood of your home.