By MARY CAROL GARRITY, Scripps Howard News Service

Once thought of as a relic from the past, daybeds are making a huge comeback in the world of interior design, and I couldn't be more thrilled. These little honeys are so versatile and fetching that they'll fit with any decor, in any room, and work so hard, they earn their keep.

Q: I want to add more excitement to my home interior, but I'm completely intimidated by picking out bright colors and bold patterns. Any pointers to help me get started?

Through the years, I've come up with a short list of absolutely essential and incredibly awesome home accents that I have got to have on hand when I decorate. The items on my VIP list are so gorgeous, so hardworking and so versatile that they stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Q: I'm looking for an easy way to freshen the look of my living room. Any ideas?

Every time I drive past my neighbor's house, I feel a pang of guilt. Back when the moving van pulled up, I was brimming with good intentions, eager to select just the right little gift that would tell them how happy we were to have them in the neighborhood.

Q: We have a screened porch, but we never use it. How can I make it a spot where we want to hang out?A: Chances are your screened porch spends its days all alone because it's uncomfortable and unattractive. With the warm summer months just around the corner, this is the perfect time to transform this dusty wasteland into one of your favorite spots to entertain, lounge and dine.

Q: I hear you talk a lot about making a home "yours." What, exactly, do you mean by this, and how do you do it?A: As much as I like to ogle the showplace homes featured in decorating magazines, I'm put off by stuffy and stilted interiors that resemble showrooms, full of cookie-cutter furnishings and garden-variety accents.

I love to pore over magazine articles that tell you how to make your home an organized marvel. It's like some glorious piece of fiction -- wonderful to dream about but hard to imagine in my chaotic corner of the world.

Q: I've heard you use the term "tweaking" before when you were talking about making beautiful displays in your home. What is tweaking, and how do you do it?

If you really want to get to know someone, ask them to tell you about their favorite collections. Those of us who live to collect everything from historic treasures to quirky curiosities know that our collections are intensely personal and say volumes about our passions and interests, dreams and memories.