Do you have a room that defies your every attempt to decorate it? Did you just move into a new place that needs furnishing from scratch?

All of us face design dilemmas, whether we live in an old house or new apartment, whether our taste is traditional or cutting edge, whether we have a shoestring budget or big bucks to spend.

What we need is expert advice. That's where Ask a Designer comes in. Here's how it will work:

You send us a photo or two of your room, along with a letter describing the problem and the look you want to achieve. Include dimensions, notes about colors, your tastes - whatever you think will help a design professional suggest an answer.

Starting this spring, members of The N&O Design Team, volunteer interior designers, will take turns offering solutions in Home&Garden.

Send your stuff via email to forhomeandgarden@newsobserver.com. Please put "Ask a Designer" in the subject field.