When Budapest native Nina Schwinghammer settled in Wellington, Fla., she thought she'd have to sublimate her love of Old World style in favour of the shiny newness of an American neighbourhood of contemporary homes. But upon moving in, she realized that she could, indeed, begin a step-by-step "backdating" of the house. "I had no choice but to make a new house look old," says Nina, referring to the mix of architectural materials, antiques, and thrift-shop treasures she gathered for her cottage transformation.

Old Landscapes

Nina lives close to the polo fields in Wellington, Fla., and she would certainly look great in a pair of form-fitting jodhpurs. But this devotee of home beautification is regularly clad in jeans while plumping pillows, trimming out windows, nailing panelling in place, or repositioning furniture and paintings in a client's home. Whether it's personal or professional, Nina explores the highs and lows of decorating-pairing fine antiques with sisal rugs and flea-market finds. She opened her business, That Can Be Arranged, in the midst of the Florida real-estate boom and her ace staging expertise was soon in demand. Now that people are settling in, Nina is hired to create inviting spaces that last.

Pictured: Old landscape scenes provide a sense of romance and contrast to a room filled with pretty, pale furniture.



China Hutch

For a $75 purchase on eBay, Nina acquired white Meakin china that fills her pine hutch, ivory lace edging lends a European flair.



Woven Totes

In the foyer, woven totes and hampers signal that the beach is near.



Classic White Furnishings

Elegant yet unpretentious is the feeling Nina creates when she combines weathered semiformal classic furnishings in shades of white and natural. As a skilled do-it-yourselfer, Nina slipcovered the chairs, forming long ties that resemble those on ballet slippers.



Home Office

Organize a work area sensibly. In her space, Nina stores individual projects and magazines in locker baskets, while desktop drawers, cubbies, and tins hold office supplies, receipts, and tools. Pushpins are vital. All that she needs is within arm's reach.

Transform a thrift-shop find. Nina took a $40 Salvation Army desk and added a painted plywood top, decorative trim, and new hardware. Then, to suit her taste, she paired the industrial office desk with a comfy, feminine caned side chair.

Display pretty, meaningful things, such as photographs and trinkets, for daily inspiration. Glass bottles accommodate minutiae, including colourful beads and buttons.

Pictured: Nina claimed six feet in a guest bedroom for her home office, making it into an efficient, attractive, compact space. It is equipped with ample storage and an abundance of personal touches. Here, Nina coordinates client projects, makes scrapbooks, wraps gifts, and sews.



Bedroom Sanctuary

When it came to her own sanctuary, Nina appointed it with antique pine, sturdy enamelware, and tick-tocky wind-up clocks that remind her of her grandmother's treasure-filled cottage in the Hungarian countryside. It took six months of devotion to eBay to amass her collection of landscapes, each featuring an idyllic cottage.



Pink Bedroom

Nina believes that bedrooms should evoke pleasure and peace. "When I decorate a room, I stay away from themes," she says. "I envision a feeling for a room and then choose elements that create it." She stocked the bedroom of her eight-year-old daughter, Katia, with dress-up clothes, then chose classic furnishings that Katia will not outgrow.