By MARY CAROL GARRITY, Scripps Howard News Service

After the long, cold winter, I'm absolutely thrilled to roll out the red carpet for spring. In addition to eating way too much Easter candy, one of my favorite rites of spring is to lighten and brighten my home's interior decor with some killer seasonal accents.

Most of us go to great lengths and spend lots of money to keep the telltale signs of aging at bay. But when it comes to our homes, my philosophy is, the older it looks, the better it is. There's nothing I like better than a home filled with historic charm.

Q: It's still cold outside where I live, and I'm feeling depressed. I think taking on a home-decorating project will help me beat the blues until the weather warms up. Any ideas?

Q: I'm launching a home-based business, and I need to find a spot in my home to turn into a workspace. I really want the area to be attractive and functional. Any suggestions?

Q: My husband and I are thinking about downsizing to a smaller home, but the thought of starting over in a much smaller space is daunting. Any tips?

Q: My kitchen is painfully outdated, and I'd love to fix it up this year. Any suggestions?

Q: I just got a big promotion and am now bringing work home every night. I've been working at my kitchen table but would like a more permanent spot. What do you suggest?

I love formal dining rooms. In fact, if I were to rank my favorite spots in a home, the formal dining room would teeter near the top of the list. And why not?

As soon as the ball drops in Time's Square on New Year's Eve (if I can stay awake long enough to see it!), I'm busy making resolutions for the brand new year.

After spending my life in retail, I can spot them in a minute, those poor, desperate souls who are up a tree because they've waited until the last second to begin their holiday shopping.