I am so excited about today's trend toward simplicity. Although I still haven't figured out how in the heck to simplify my life - I can't to stop running in 100 directions at 100 mph - I am having lots of fun simplifying the "Nell Hill's look" at my stores so that it's cleaner, fresher and lighter.

I still adore a lovely, livable, traditional look spiced up with a splash of the unexpected, like a crystal compote paired with a bird's nest or a silver candelabra nestled behind a mossy garden statue. Now, though, I use fewer carefully chosen accents in my displays so that each tableau is less complicated and more powerful.

Here are some steps to help you transition to a more edited look in your home decor:

* Evaluate your look: Start with a brutally honest assessment. Do your rooms feel restful and simple or are they overflowing with furniture and accents? When you look at tabletop displays, are you intrigued by their simple beauty or overwhelmed by the sheer number of pieces?

* Start with a clean palette: Clear everything out of the room except for the largest pieces of furniture. Then think about how you really use this room. Is the current layout working, or could you rearrange the furnishings to make the space more effective and harmonious? Evaluate each stick of furniture - what stays and what goes.

Are there pieces you've fallen out of love with or never use? If so, donate them to charity. With fewer furnishings in the room, you'll have more room to breathe.

Could you use some pieces that work more efficiently? For instance, if you're short on seating in your family room, replace your coffee table with an upholstered ottoman that can serve as an extra chair when necessary.

* Edit mercilessly: Once you have edited your furnishings, show no mercy with accessories. Your goal is to create displays that have just a few simple layers but aren't junky or overwhelming.

Pick your accents carefully. If something is out of style, worn or uninteresting, let it go. Display only pieces you love.

For tableaus that are intriguing but not overdone, use just three or five objects. Select items that reflect a variety of sizes, textures and tones. For instance, on a shelf in a bookcase, prop a piece of artwork or a tray in the background. Place a pottery vase or urn in the middle ground. Then stack a few antique books in the foreground.

Resist the temptation to fill the empty space with tiny picture frames or your miniature-box collection. You don't want people's eyes darting here and there as they try to take in an overwhelming presentation.

Another way to keep displays powerful but simple is to build them on a tray. This trick will not only ground your grouping but also will limit the amount of space you have to work with so you can showcase only a few accents.

Another strategy is to use just one or two large accessories in a display. Place a tall olive vessel on your entry table filled with a few spring boughs. For a dinner-table centerpiece, fill a china serving bowl with potted faux ferns or an assortment of wicker balls.

Mary Carol Garrity owns three home-furnishings stores and is the author of several best-selling books on home decorating.