Answer: Why is it that when I hear the term “French country,” I think of a little man in a beret smoking a cigarette and singing “ Your Cheatin’ Heart?” This is why I go to the professionals- interior design experts like Linda Litchfield of Room Renaissance in Pittsford. Litchfield is an interior redesigner, which means she improves what  you have by rearranging it, as opposed to suggesting new pieces.

“In today’s home, the dining room is often the least used room and frequently becomes a makeshift office or drop-off zone for miscellaneous books, hobbies and toys,” says Litchfield.

How fortunate for you, she says, that the room is well-suited to your needs with its ample space, plenty of light and hardwood floors that let you delineate different spaces in the room with area rugs.

In the dining area, defined by the large area rug, Litchfield suggests centering the rug, making sure it’s 1 to 1 1/2 feet away from the walls on each side. You’ll need to place your table slightly off center to allow enough room for the piano, though. She also recommends moving the serving buffet elsewhere so the dining area looks as uncluttered and spacious as possible.

On the empty wall between the windows, you now have room for art, which can further emphasize the room’s dual function- with the proper placement, that is. Use only the space between the window and the end of the rug; the rule of thumb is to fill two- thirds of all allotted space with your artwork.

Since this is a large area (7feet long) you should use one or two large pieces. In keeping with your French country theme, Litchfield suggests a pair of framed floral prints or landscapes or perhaps weathered architectural pieces. When you place art, she says, the center of the arrangement should be about 54 inches above the floor.

Lighting also needs to be addressed. Litchfield suggests a light for the top of the piano. For overhead illumination, meanwhile, you might consider one ( or two) of the new candle chandeliers that simply hang from a hook in the ceiling. A permanent solution would be to install a lighting fixture above the table.

In the new sitting area, Litchfield recommends centering the area rug in front of the window. Place the rug about 1 foot away from the window wall. And since you want to buy furniture for this area, consider a 60 to 65 inch long  love seat and two small swivel chairs upholstered in fabrics that go with the carpet.  

To Achieve the French country look, consider a toile print on the love seat and a coordinating check pattern  on the two swivel chairs. Because of all the furniture legs in the dining area, Litchfield says you’ll want to use fully upholstered chairs to give a warmer feel to this sitting area.

Try centering the love seat in front of the window. Then place the two swivel chairs on either side of it to complete your conversation triangle. Add an oval end table, with a lamp, in the corner next to the love seat.

A floor lamp in the opposite corner will help to illuminate the built- in bookcase and the love seat. Instead of a traditional coffee table, Litchfield suggests an upholstered ottoman, which can double as a coffee table or extra seating.

When you’re entertaining and need to extend your dining room table for more guest, it should be relatively easy to reposition the two upholstered chairs in the sitting area. “So, with very little trouble, you can have a large dining room when needed,” says Litchfield. “Most of the time, though, you have a cozy area to cuddle  with your children and read stories, or to relax and curl up with a good book.”

That is, if you can get the song “ Your Cheatin’ Heart” out of you head.