A pair of tables can do double duty as his-and-her desks in the master bedroom. It’s a perfect place to write a thank-you note before turning in, or do some early-a.m. paperwork without changing out of your pajamas.

Tip: Use an oversize screen as a smart headboard.

A long, slender wood table makes a bath counter fit for a ship’s captain. The wood finish warms up all the white and casts a British Colonial outpost spell.

Tip: Create a custom towel bar by hanging a brass or wood dowel just under the ledge of the counter. It’s also a convenient spot to hang hand-washables to dry.

Create a bar for one with a simple chair, tray table, and shelf. The lovely vignette can be built anywhere you like to sit, read, and enjoy a gin and tonic at the end of the day.

Tip: Make the space extra special with favorite photographs, a vase of fresh flowers, and keepsakes from your travels.

Wing chairs can thrive outside the confines of your living room or library. Create a cozy sitting area with a pair of upholstered seats in the entry or on an upstairs landing.

Tip: Balance the formality of the chairs with rustic accents like a worn picnic table, vintage flag, and antique globe.

A pair of twin beds gets a tree swing makeover in a guest or kid’s’ room. You can get this same effect by covering the bed’s posters with rope or twine.

Tip: Continue the outside vibe with lantern lighting and some arrangements of fronds or leaves.

Many colonial homes in early America were notable for their sparse yet elegant rooms. Take a cue from our forefathers and focus on a few strong pieces like a table, dining chairs, and a carved sideboard.

Tip: Add relaxed touches to classic furniture to keep it from looking too “period.” Here, an arrangement of sea-life accents on a sideboard replaces traditional silver and china.