Designer: Anne Wangman, Forbes Design, Milwaukee and Lake Forest, Ill.

Designer Anne Wangman describes her guest bedroom design as 1960s Hollywood Regency retro. Items in the room are a mix of old and new, such as an antique chandelier from an estate sale in Illinois and a white, bamboo-trimmed dresser she "discovered" at her in-laws. "With the economy the way it has been, it’s nice to be able to reuse things," Wangman says. "You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy something new every time." Nearby Lake Michigan inspired the bright color palette, which is offset by the dark wood floors and black accents like the chair. Besides colors, shapes are a recurring design theme. The scallop cutouts on the table are mirrored in the window treatment and on the pillow shams and sheets from Percy’s Fine Linensin Mequon.

Designer: Colleen J. Thompson, i.e. design, Wauwatosa

The dramatic dark-stained maple vanity stands where a doorway once connected the master bathroom to the second-floor office, becoming a focal point of the room. It’s topped with Piel Serpentine marble and Kohler’s oil-rubbed bronze faucet. A mirror covers the back wall, giving the illusion of a larger space. Designer Colleen Thompson leaned an accent mirror against the wall to create more interest. Murray Feiss light sconces inject a contemporary edge to the space. The oversized shower has all the modern amenities, such as multiple shower heads and a bench seat, but it’s not out of place in the room, Thompson says. She used a mix of natural stone and porcelain tile, which is easier to maintain. "I wanted it to look like it had always belonged in the home, but still bring in some new elements," Thompson says.