Butcher block makes a sensible top for an island where kitchen prep work occurs.

When you are remodeling your kitchen, a major component is your countertop selection. Not only do you want your countertops to be visually appealing, they need to be functional as well. So while your backsplash can be chosen simply for style, your countertop should also serve your family’s purposes in the kitchen.

For most people that means granite. Granite is durable and requires little care so it works for most homes, and you can find beautiful slabs with dreamy coloring and finishes. But we are seeing a trend away from granite into other materials, such as quartz, soapstone, butcher block and even marble. All of these have their plusses and minuses, so be sure to discuss your needs with your kitchen remodeler (who is hopefully us!) to find the right option for you. And don’t be afraid to mix and match counter types — marble for the baking station and butcher block for the chopping area, for example, make sense and are an eye-catching duo.

You can use more than one color of countertop in your kitchen.

Another consideration for your countertop is the edge detail. Again, talk with your designer to decide what’s best — most countertop fabricators will offer you at least eight from which to choose. For example, a rough edge on granite has a raw, organic feel about it that offers a different view of the granite’s colors and movement. Meanwhile, a bullnose (rounded) edge is classic, and a bevel provides a custom, modern look.

Most countertop installers use a three-step process. First they measure your space and create templates for the counter areas. Then you visit their showroom to select your counter material and edge. And finally they install the new countertops — with proper measurement, they will fit like a glove.

This diagram shows just some of the edges you might choose for your countertops.

Clients often ask us the best way to care for their new countertops. Stone such as granite is best maintained with a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Too much soap will leave a film and cause streaks. Depending on usage, you should reseal the stone every one to two years. But for more detail, our friends at Excel Stone and Tile Care have compiled a helpful how-to on caring for stone and tile — click here for the guide. If you want assistance with caring for your stone or tile, we highly recommend them.

Speaking of our friends, we also want to give a shout out to EHI Granite, Tutto Marmo and Brazilian Exotic Granite. We are fortunate to have such great supplier partners to serve our clients! But while we entrust our clients to our preferred vendors, we’ve also seen how critical it can be to have a designer involved. So if we can assist you in remodeling your kitchen or even just refreshing your countertops, please contact us for a complimentary consultation.

Restoration Hardware’s neutral nursery line works for either gender and allows you to add a pop of color where you want, such as this teal rug.

We have babies on our minds at Style on a Shoestring — maybe because our in-house architect Jenny Duck is due to give birth soon! So let’s chat a few minutes about good nursery design.

Whether you are growing your family or you are providing a nursery in your home for visiting grandchildren, nieces or nephews, it’s important to consider function as much as style for this multi-use space. Bringing home a tiny baby can be stressful enough so you want to know you’ve created a sanctuary for that precious little one.

Your basic furniture in a nursery should include a crib, chair, changing table and storage. But here are a few more tips for achieving the best for your baby:

A padded chair with ottoman will be your best friend during those 3 a.m. feedings!

• Keep it simple. It can be tempting when you visit a baby store to pick up every darling item you see. Instead, choose just a few key pieces so the nursery will remain calm and not chaotic. For example, a mobile over the crib is fun for the baby, but too many noisy, moving knick-knacks turn the room into a circus rather than a safe haven that brings comforting sleep. You’ll also want less clutter so you have spots for supplies within arm’s reach.

• Find the most comfortable chair you can. You will be spending a lot of time there holding and feeding your baby, so even though that modern orange plastic chair might look really cool, you will appreciate a soft, cushy rocker at 2 a.m. And maybe a small TV.

We often include a painted mural in our nursery designs to provide that colorful, whimsical touch.

• Consider two chairs if the room allows. That might sound obvious but it’s often overlooked. You won’t always be alone in the nursery, and it’s nice to have a place for a visitor to sit as well.

• Install a blackout shade to reduce light and encourage sleep. This special layer can be added to most any shade. Also, have your electrician install a rheostat on the light switch so you can control the overhead light if you have one, and top your lamps with 3-way bulbs for flexibility.

• Function doesn’t have to rule over style, though! We love the sweet choices at Pottery Barn Kids and Crate & Barrel’s Land of Nod, and Restoration Hardware has a new really cute yet chic baby line. If budget is an issue, invest in your major pieces and then fill in with inexpensive but still tasteful choices from WalMart, Etsy sites or gently used seconds on Craigslist. Color trends have edged away from the traditional blue and pink and instead favor more greens, grays and taupes.

• Of course safety is always paramount in a nursery. That means reducing chemicals as much as possible (paints, varnishes, bedding, etc.), placing the crib away from windows, keeping window shade cords away from baby’s reach, and adding plug protectors and a smoke detector.

We would be honored to assist in designing your baby’s nursery — or with any of your home’s needs. Please contact us for a complimentary consultation.

We interspersed this client’s blue and white collection with other items so each piece really stands out.

One of our goals at Style on a Shoestring is to make sure your redecorated space reflects you—we want those beautiful rooms to tell your story. So while we will suggest new pieces to add, we also incorporate your existing possessions, and sometimes that means filtering a collection into the design.

The key to making a collection pleasing to the eye is not allowing it to be the focal point. Some people make the mistake of grouping too many like items, but that actually creates more of a blur. Instead, we like to place a few in various places around the room, allowing for a visual connection that doesn’t overwhelm. Or if we do place items together, we try to vary height, color or texture to give interest.

Artwork is also a collection – look how we arranged these pieces as a coherent but interesting group rather than just hanging them individually.

Another consideration is a room’s theme. Colorful pottery makes a lovely accent in the kitchen or dining room but might look out of place in a bathroom. Similarly, a collection of shot glasses could be fun in a game room but wouldn’t work at all in a formal living room. If items are really personal, display them in your bedroom where only you see them.

Even a laundry room or storage area can benefit from a collection displayed properly.

If you have a large collection, rotate pieces in and out of your décor. That way you get to enjoy all of it over time, but it doesn’t engulf your space at one time. Also think about which collections you cherish and which need to be donated or given away—in other words, do some serious self-editing. Those Beanie Babies may have outworn their welcome, but your grandmother’s pewter vases could serve as a gorgeous accent.

Perhaps you aren’t a collector but you want to start. Try selecting something quirky or exotic and building from there, such as antique musical instruments, clocks or cameras, which give warmth to a home office or den.

Collections can be terrific accessories because you already own them so no additional cost is incurred, plus they mean something to you or you wouldn’t have accumulated them in the first place. Displaying pieces from your collection is an easy, meaningful way to fill a blank wall, bare shelf or empty corner.

Need some help with your collection—or another design question? Contact us for a complimentary consultation.

Outdoor drapes block hot sun rays and give a sense of privacy.

With housing prices rising again, the popularity of condos and apartments is rising too. But just because your space might be more limited than in a single-family home – or if you are renting – that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style.

For example, many condos and apartments have balconies, some with pretty spectacular views! So that space should not be overlooked as you evaluate your home’s design. Consider your balcony an extension of your living space, which means carrying that color scheme onto the balcony area.

Fun, fanciful lights strung along your balcony supplement the restful outdoor vibe.

First off, decide what you will do about flooring. You can add an outdoor rug to provide warmth, or perhaps use locking teak tiles as an elegant cover for concrete.

If privacy is an issue, install reed fencing along the balcony’s perimeter or hang outdoor curtains that flow with the breeze. A bubbling water feature blocks street noise and enhances serenity. Check the height of any furniture you plan to place on the balcony so it provides suitable sight lines for those who are seated. Include a small table for beverages or outdoor dining.

A vertical garden is a cleaner way to bring plants to your balcony.

Of course you will want plants on your balcony. Depending on the space’s depth, that could lead to flower boxes on the railing, colorful potted plants or even a “living wall” with succulents that bring in nature without clutter and high maintenance. Less is more in a smaller area, so be careful not to over-indulge in greenery or your balcony will feel more like a jungle than an urban oasis.

And don’t forget about lighting. A couple of copper tiki torches will create ambience, as will mini-lights strung through your planters or around the railing. Look for more than the standard holiday-style lights – appealing paper globe lanterns, iridescent bulbs and metal flowers that reflect their lighted centers are all available at your favorite discount store.

Need assistance with decorating this tricky space? We are here to help! Please contact us for a complimentary consultation on this or any of your design needs.

The touches of lime green in this kitchen allowed us to maintain a neutral palette for our client while still providing pops of color.

We remodel a lot of kitchens at Style on a Shoestring. Who doesn’t want a fabulous kitchen? After all, it is the heart of your home – the place where everyone gathers. That’s why it’s important to remodel your kitchen in a way that suits your home’s style.

Most of our homes work well with what is known as a “transitional” look – not too traditional and not too modern. You don’t want your kitchen (or any room in your home, for that matter) to be a sudden departure from your home’s overall architecture and design.

While this kitchen is beautiful, the blue cabinets are too personal for a home slated to be sold soon. But if this is your forever home, you have the freedom to make it your own.

That doesn’t mean boring, though. While transitional avoids committing too heavily to any one style, there are a zillion different cabinet doors, for example, that create character without being heavily ornate (and don’t forget: cabinets in good condition can simply be painted or restained for a fresh look!). Similarly, backsplashes can be colored glass, neutral tile, cork – you name it. Flooring, countertops, accessories – as you can see, there are many ways to decorate your kitchen without over-personalizing it.

Maybe your house isn’t transitional – if you have a Spanish home, for instance, you can be bolder with color, tossing in some cobalt blues, oranges and reds. Or a mid-century modern kitchen would retain clean lines with a minimalist feel.

The cork backsplash we designed for this client is distinctive without being too personal for good resale value.

So let’s say you have a tract home but you want a country kitchen with that shabby-chic feel, including rustic cabinets, rough-hewn floors and a big farmhouse sink. Are you out of luck? Absolutely not! Before proceeding, your first consideration should be how long you plan to live in that house. If you foresee selling it within five years, we advise against customizing any room to that degree. But if you are in your forever home, why not create your dream kitchen?

We always hope you consult us for your home design, but this type of non-traditional approach is where we really caution you to tread lightly. A skilled designer can show you how to blend your kitchen’s distinctive look into the rest of your home so the contrast is pleasing to the eye and not a shock to your system. Sometimes we can achieve that by just threading the theme or colors throughout your home in subtle ways that tie it to the kitchen’s more individual style.

Need some assistance in deciding on a style for your new kitchen? We are here to help! Please contact us for a complimentary consultation.

We love creating themed rooms! Whether it’s a sports team for a boy’s bedroom or a beach theme for a family game room, spaces that show your personality are charming and fun.

Most of our requests for themes are for kids’ rooms. We’ve done a San Jose Sharks hockey bedroom in the team’s black and teal colors with locker room-style furniture, framed jerseys and LED puck lights. We’ve also designed a playroom that feels like an outdoor garden with its wooden swing, tree-like bookshelf and two-story fort. A recent favorite was a young ballerina’s bedroom – in pink and lavender, of course.

A key component to a themed room is a hand-painted mural. We will share a full post just on our muralist Cammy Stenavich in a few weeks. But as you can see from our ballerina’s wall art below, these painted touches add a delightful, distinctive twist to a themed room.

When we design a themed room, we keep longevity in mind. While your toddler might be way into Thomas the Train now, he will set his sights on other interests a few years from now. So rather than spend thousands of dollars on permanent décor, we use accessories to bring the theme to life. Look at this sports room, which could easily be converted to a different theme on a whim:

Or this surfing room with its breezy coastal-style furniture:

Even our ballerina’s room above can be altered simply by removing the bar and painting over the flowers to reflect its occupant’s newest passions. And that’s what a themed room is all about – offering a glimpse of what brings you pleasure while maintaining a stylish, comfortable look.

Want to create a themed room in your home? Or perhaps you need advice on a remodel. Whatever your design needs, please contact us for a complimentary consultation.

We’re often asked the best way to handle a flat-screen TV in room décor. While we all enjoy our TVs, we don’t necessarily want them to be the centerpiece of the space, but at the same time we want to be able to see the screen easily. Here are some ideas for accomplishing both.

If your room has a fireplace, place the TV above it to create a single focal point. Clients worry that this will be too high, but we can always add a tilt mechanism if it is. Usually we find that once it’s installed and the family gets used to the placement, it’s fine as-is.

A fun way to “use” the TV when you’re not watching a program is to program it with looping video that has ocean scenes, burning logs (if you don’t have it above a fireplace) or other relaxing images. All you need is an Internet connection to connect with your chosen videos.

Want to hide your TV even more? Check out this two-way mirror that installs over your TV. When the screen is off, the frame appears to hold funky artwork. But when the TV is on, the artwork “disappears.” Magic!

Wall cabinets are another option for storing away a TV until it’s needed. This mirrored piece looks beautiful when closed but offers quick access.

This rich wood version would mesh well with a Spanish or Mediterranean style:

And of course you can always hide the TV in a floor-based cabinet, but that doesn’t mean bland and boring – check out this striking wood and metal creation:

If a floor cabinet works best for you, consider adding a lift mechanism that allows you to move the TV up and down from the cabinet with a remote control. We told you about those last year here.

Need some help figuring out how to place your TV – or perhaps you have another design question? Contact us for a complimentary consultation.

The spring holidays are upon us! Whether you celebrate with a religious event or you simply want to enjoy the season, it’s a great time to enhance your décor with some fun extras.

Spring is all about new birth and growth, so that means lots of blossoms and baby animals (chicks, bunnies, etc.). It’s also the season of pastels such as pink, lavender and light blue. There are several approaches to this – one is an all-out burst of spring around your home. This basket with luster eggs is a great example of what you can do as an easy welcome to guests at your doorway. Once the season ends, you can pack away the eggs and fill the basket with live plants or summer-themed items.

But if the eggs and pastels strategy doesn’t appeal to you, there are more subtle ways you can greet spring. These monogrammable blown-glass eggs are season-appropriate without being too precious.

And these nest-style chargers bring the season to your dining table in an understated way.

Fresh plants and flowers are integral to spring decorating but not all of us have a green thumb. Consider adding silk plants that speak to the season – this ranunculus flower, which only grows in spring, is a terrific choice.

If you have a more contemporary style, think outside the box a bit for your spring décor. I doubt lime green comes to mind as a traditional spring color scheme, but look at how this tablescape screams spring without delving too far into pastels.

If you have children in your life, spend a Spring Break day at Color Me Mine, painting porcelain eggs you can then display in your home. Or do other crafts at home that you can incorporate as holiday décor to provide family memories for years to come.

We at Style on a Shoestring wish you a beautiful and healthy spring! If we can assist in any of your decorating or remodeling needs, please contact us for a complimentary consultation.

Outdoor fabrics are now available for indoor usage too.

I have active young girls at home who have equally active friends so I’m always looking for durable, yet beautiful, ways to design for families. Recently I discovered a new way to use outdoor fabric – you know, that upholstery on patio furniture – for high-usage items such as kitchen nooks, barstools and ottomans.

OK, I know what you’re thinking: use patio upholstery inside my house? Believe me, I thought the same thing until I started researching the fun and colorful new fabrics being produced by the same companies that make outdoor furniture, such as Sunbrella, which has hundreds of patterns to choose from. Most fabric vendors now carry some version of this, so you can even find it at your local Calico Corners or JoAnn Fabrics too.

I’ve included some samples below. Unlike that scratchy, waxy fabric of the past, this indoor/outdoor material is soft (some even feels like velvet!) while remaining practically indestructible. Spills can be wiped up easily, and it will keep its sheen for a lot longer than typical fabric. No more scolding your family about stained furniture if you upholster it with this!

If you are a DIYer, you can take your own measurements, order or buy the fabric, and upholster your bench seat, barstool or any other item. But we prefer to take the fabric and furniture to our professional upholsterer, who affordably creates the beautiful new piece for us.

Want to add some durability and fun flair to your home? Contact us for a complimentary design consultation.

These custom-made chairs are not only gorgeous and comfortable, they will last for years due to their sound construction and fabric.

We pride ourselves at Style on a Shoestring with creating beautiful spaces for you that meet your budget – large or small. But that doesn’t mean we will sacrifice quality for cost, because that is ultimately not a good use of your time and money.

For example, clients with a limited budget often ask if we can buy furniture at IKEA, Pier One or World Market to take some heat off the bottom line. While that strategy works occasionally, I always try to guide clients away from that option. Entry-level furniture like you will find at those stores is always a great price, of course, but after a year it’s likely to be worn and non-functional. So even though you might save money at the outset, you will have to re-purchase those key items with additional out-of-pocket expense.

Instead, we use our wholesalers who offer excellent ready-made furniture. We also turn to our manufacturers who custom-make items for us that will literally last a lifetime. So while a custom sofa might cost double or triple what you can pick up at Crate and Barrel, its usefulness will surpass several rounds of Pottery Barn or West Elm sofas.

Accessories from stores such as Pier One (pictured) allow us to meet your budget and aesthetic needs.

That said, we love shopping these stores for accessories and filler pieces. Knick-knacks, dishware, glassware, bathroom accessories, candles and the like are all great finds at Pier One-type stores. When we spend more on the big-ticket furniture items, we can then save money on these smaller extras that give your home character but don’t require durability.

Working within a client’s budget can be a challenge. As a designer, I always want to be sensitive to clients’ needs, but I also want to educate them on the best way to achieve their design goals. Sometimes that means waiting a bit to build up a larger fund for the project. But what I usually find is that once clients understand what their investment provides, they are willing to pay a little extra to do it the right way.

Need some help reaching your design objectives on a budget? Please contact us for a complimentary consultation.