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"It allows more light into the room and creates a look of expanse across that wall. Great trick for rooms with odd number windows or windows with a very small return on one side."

How to do it: Slide the panels closest to the fireplace to the opposite side. For the left window, the right panel would slide to the left. For the right window, the left panel would slide right. The panels on each window are side by side, bottom photo, and they have a fuller luscious look.

At the end of the day, you pull the curtain back to the other side of the window for privacy.

A treat: Bring the French countryside into your kitchen

Kristie Gardner, director of operations for Interior Design by Boyles in Raleigh, offers this treat that changes a regular pantry door into something from a country French kitchen. Paint your pantry door and then add a faux finish. Gardner and her sister used this trick.

"We chose to have our doors faux-painted to tone down the white of the door against the warm colors of our walls. It also gives the kitchen a completely different look that you don't see every day. It's unusual and unique and something fun to have and see. It leaves an impression that friends and family will most definitely talk about."

How to do it: Choose a base coat of paint that is lighter or darker than your walls. You don't want it to blend in. You want the color to pop.

Then add a faux finish. This technique can be achieved in a number of ways, such as by using some specialty paintbrushes and/or rollers that can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowe's. Sometimes the stores even offers classes in these techniques.

It can absolutely be a DIY weekend project.

"Our doors were done with oil-based paints by a professional artist, but it's much easier and more economical to use water based paints.

"And the best thing is that if you don't like it, you can paint it white again," she said.

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