Not everyone can have the opportunity of working side by side with professionals (I started out in my father's paint store at age 8, was painting houses in my early teens and still work often with my brother, a Chicago-area renovation craftsman). But you can learn to spot quality work and achieve it in your own home.

1. Attitude: You have to have correct thinking to do a quality job of decorating. You must be willing to put a reasonable amount of time into preparation work, and you must be willing to spend money on the proper materials. If your idea of painting is to open a can, grab a 49-cent paint brush and start slapping the stuff on the wall, you are a candidate for professional counseling.

Forget about the football game on television or the book you would rather be reading. Start out by attempting to estimate what needs to be done and how long it will take. Then break the job down into manageable tasks and get started. Concentrate on what you are doing and don't rush, or your efforts will be wasted. At the outset, and as you work, try to visualize what the project will look like when you are finished. It is an incentive that will help keep you going through the difficult operations.