Newton Kitchen Renovation/Mud Room Addition: Wood floors work well in almost any space.See the full series here.

91. Use metaphors to communicate design intent to homeowners.

92. Avoid granite countertops; they’ve been done.

93. Lighting with the proper color temperature is critical to how warm or cool a space feels.

94. Pay attention to scale; right-size it.

95. Wood floors work well in almost any space. (See Newton Kitchen Renovation/Mud Room Addition.)

96. Design stairs to serve a use beyond vertical circulation.

97. Reduce clutter and clean windows to increase spaciousness on a dime.

98. Don’t conceal windows with overly busy or elaborate window treatments. Roman shades or interior shutters work well.

99. Provide a consistent interior trim color or clear finish; vary wall color within a harmonious palette. (See Primer: A Recipe for Architectural Charm.)

100. Maximize daylight. (See Common Sense Green.)

101. Practice forgiveness and gratitude.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast